In collaboration with Farm Watch, the Fillmore Investigations Bureau communicated crime trends identified from recent agricultural thefts occurring in the Santa Clara Valley. Empowering the agricultural community as our eyes and ears has contributed to the identification and apprehension of a repeat offender of agricultural thefts.

On April 15th, 2024, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station responded to a call-for-service at a local farm reference an attempted theft of avocados. Patrol deputies were informed that a large quantity of avocados pre-staged in bags and crates was located on the farm. The farm owner stated this was suspicious and inconsistent with the normal operation of the farm. The farm owner’s diligence and education of previous crime trends, as well as quick notification to law enforcement, prevented thieves from completing the theft of the pre-staged avocados. The patrol deputy was able to collect evidence relating to the crime and authored a crime report.

On April 24th, 2024, deputies assigned to the Fillmore Patrol Station contacted Jose Antonio Rosales Hernandez in the 100 block of A Street, Fillmore. Based on previous law enforcement contacts, patrol deputies knew Hernandez had previously been convicted of Penal Code § 487(b)(1)(A) – Grand Theft of Vegetables and Fruit. Hernandez was placed on Ventura County Probation and accepted probation terms requiring him to submit to search of his person, residence, vehicle, or any property under his control by a probation officer of law enforcement officer, with or without a search warrant, for items prohibited by his probation conditions.

During the contact, patrol deputies conducted a search of Hernandez’ person, vehicle, and residence in compliance with Hernandez’ court appointed probation conditions. During the search, patrol deputies found methamphetamine, collected additional evidence, and developed probable cause to connect him to the attempted theft from the local farm on April 15th, 2024. As a result of the contact, Hernandez was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for being in violation of Health & Safety Code § 11377 (a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance and Penal Code § 664/487(b)(1)(A) – Attempted Grand Theft of Vegetables and Fruit.

The Fillmore Patrol Station encourages the agricultural community to utilize “Farm Watch,” a partnership between the farming community and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Farm Watch is a county-wide electronic neighborhood watch program that is distributed to more than several hundred farms, ranches, nurseries, and supply houses. This program provides information to ranchers on agriculture crime trends and on how to react and treat the crime scene so that potential evidence is preserved for immediate processing by deputies of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department are committed to increasing and strengthening community partnerships and utilizing technologies and evidence-based practices to enhance collaborative efforts at reducing crime and improving public safety of all residents by continued community partnerships. Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Nature of Incident:Farm Watch Collaboration Results in Arrest of Repeat Offender
Report Number: 24-49822
Location: 100 block of A Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: April 24th, 2024, at 8:00 A.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Investigations Bureau
Suspects City of Residence Age
Jose Antonio Rosales Hernandez Fillmore, California 32

Prepared by: Detective Dustin Heersche
News Release Date: April 24th, 2024
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Fillmore Flashes hosted and defeated longtime rival Santa Paula in the Citrus Coast League Championship game. Final score, Fillmore-11, Santa Paula-1.

Highlights: Emma Estrella- 9 strikeouts, 2 hits over 6 innings. Great defensive game by the Lady Flashes. Flashes Hitting: Alexa Escamilla- 2 Run Homerun RBI, walk off single; Erika Sanchez- 2 singles, 1 RBI; Sofia Aviles- 2 singles, 2 RBI; Aryanne Munoz- 1 Triple, 2 RBI; Makayla Balboa- Double; Viviana Posadas- Single.

Flashes Record: Citrus Coast League: 9-1; Overall: 13-5-2.

On Thursday, April 25, at the Booty Sanchez event, the ceremonial first-pitch was thrown by Booty’s youngest son, Reggie (while wearing Booty’s original baseball uniform), to the catcher behind home plate, Booty’s middle son, Matthew.
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On Thursday, April 25, 2024, the Fillmore Flashes baseball team hosted a ceremony in honor of Booty Sanchez, and the baseball field dedicated to his memory and marked the final Flashes baseball game played on the field before moving to its new location. Pictured above are folks who came out to participate in the ceremony.

A ceremony in honor of Booty Sanchez, and the baseball field dedicated to his memory, was held on April 25th, 2024. The ceremony marked the final Flashes baseball game played on the field before moving to its new location. A rededication ceremony will take place when the new Booty Sanchez field is completed.

The event was organized in cooperation with the Sanchez family, The Friends of Booty, and the Fillmore Unified School District. DJ Danny Ibarra played all of Booty’s favorite songs. The ceremonial first-pitch was thrown by Booty’s youngest son Reggie (while wearing Booty’s original baseball uniform), to the catcher behind home plate, Booty’s middle son, Matthew.
Fillmore High Principal Keith Derrick was the Master of Ceremonies. Booty’s wife Debbie, and Sanchez family members in attendance were all introduced by Pokey. Jack Morales provided a moving memorial of Booty, and talked about how The Friends of Booty was formed, and the history of how and why the field was dedicated to Booty’s memory.

Former long-time Flashes head baseball coach Tom Ecklund was unable to attend the event. Current long-time Flashes head baseball coach Matt Suttle spoke about his memories of playing baseball on the field as a player and as a coach. Fillmore Unified School District Superintendent Christine Schieferle spoke about her personal memories of Booty and shared the school district’s plans for the design and rededication of the new Booty Sanchez Field.