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Prowler, Possession of Stolen Property
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Monday, September 26th, 2011
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On Wednesday morning, September 21st, at approximately 11:20 AM, the Ojai Valley Station patrol deputies responded to a call for service reference a suspicious subject in the1200 Block area of Foothill Road. This is the unincorporated area of Ventura County just north of the Ojai city limits. A concerned resident observed a man, later identified as Ryan Torres, loitering near her house. The resident greeted Torres and asked if he lived in the neighborhood. Torres started shouting profanities at her in response to her inquiry. The alert resident also witnessed Torres enter several properties in the 1200 and 1300 blocks of Foothill Road. At one point, Torres was riding a purple BMX style bicycle. Concerned that Torres was casing her neighbors’ properties, she immediately called the Sheriff’s Office to report the suspicious activity. Ojai Valley Station deputies met with the resident, who pointed out the last place Torres was seen on Foothill Rd. During that conversation, Torres appeared back on the Foothill roadway a short distance away. Deputies detained Torres and quickly identified that he was under the influence of an illicit drug and in possession of possible stolen property. Torres was arrested for misdemeanor charges of Prowling and being Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance. After further investigation with the assistance of the Ojai Station Detectives, deputies were able to determine Torres was in possession of a stolen wallet containing another victim’s identification and credit cards. Detectives later determined Torres stole the wallet from an unlocked car at a location on Lyons Street in downtown Ojai. Torres was subsequently arrested for an additional charge of Possession of Stolen Property and then booked into the County Jail on all three charges. Ojai Station Detective Mark Burgess is requesting help from anyone with information regarding several other possible stolen items found in Torres’ possession: The purple BMX style bicycle, a unique handcrafted bracelet, and an old nickel coin. Please contact Detective Burgess directly for follow-up on this case at (805) 646-1414. As a reminder, this incident highlights the importance of locking your car and residence doors to prevent loss of your valuables. Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477). Location: 1200 Block of Foothill Road, Ojai |
