Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Thousand Oaks Police Department has a great interest in ensuring children reach their scholastic and personal growth potential. In today’s society, children face many obstacles, bad influences, and distractions, which create added difficulties for the parent(s) trying to raise them. Some children engage in harmful behaviors fueled by negative social influences including alcohol, drugs, gangs, and peer pressure.

In furtherance of our commitment to the community, the Thousand Oaks Police Department is offering a parenting class on Monday evenings for ten weeks starting on January 23rd. Parents with difficult, defiant, or problematic children are encouraged to attend; however, all parents of middle and high school students will also benefit from this course. Our goal is to give parents guidance to help them develop more successful children. We are excited to offer these sessions and truly wish to support parents by offering strategies to deal with difficult children.

The course content consists of methods to address drugs, sex, gangs, poor grades, runaways, and violence. Additional content includes guidance in gaining children’s compliance of house rules, how to never argue with your child again, and how to use other parents for support. Additional information can be reviewed at www.parentproject.com. This course is subject to enrollment. Interested parents are asked to call Senior Deputy Jim DeSoto for further information.

Nature of Incident: Parent Project Classes
Location: Thousand Oaks Police Department
Date & Time: January 23, 2012 6:00 p.m.
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Crime Prevention Unit
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Senior Deputy Jim DeSoto
Media Release Date: January 6, 2012
Follow-Up Contact: Sr. Dep. Jim DeSoto 805.371.8362
Approved by: Captain Bill Ayub

 


 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Thousands of children are injured or killed every year by safety seats that are improperly fastened by parents or caretakers. Remember, most collisions occur within a mile of the home - so buckle your child in a safety seat for every trip, no matter how short.

Properly buckling your children in before every trip in your car is critical.

If you're not confident of how to properly secure your child in a safety seat, contact your local CHP Area Office, and set up an appointment for a lesson.

California Vehicle Code Law 27360(a) (Effective 01/01/2012):
Children *MUST* be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat) IN THE BACK SEAT OF A VEHICLE until they are at least 8 YEARS OLD or 4' 9" in height.

This information comes to you from: www.chp.ca.gov

Nature of Incident: New Child Safety Seat Law for 2012
Location: Ventura County/City of Moorpark
Date & Time: 101/03/2012 @ 2:03 pm
Unit Responsible: Moorpark Police Community Services
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Senior Deputy Bob Berger
Media Release Date: 01/03/2012
Follow-Up Contact: Senior Deputy Bob Berger 805-532-2707
Approved by: Captain Ron Nelson

 


 
Police asking anyone with information to contact them

On Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at approximately 1:39 PM, Santa Paula Police Officers responded to El Pescador Restaurant in the 300 block of S. Peck Rd. for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival the victims and witnesses stated a heavy set Hispanic male, wearing a black baseball hat, and black hooded sweatshirt with a white “Raiders” football logo entered the business. The suspect produced a handgun and demanded money from the cashier. After taking an unknown amount of cash the suspect fled northbound on Peck Rd., east on Telegraph Rd. and northbound on Sheppard Road.

A search of the area was conducted utilizing K-9 “Zak`” and Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies however it met with negative results. The investigation is continuing at this time. Any one with information please contact Detective Sergeant Cordero at 525-4474 ext. 220.

Cody Madison
Sergeant

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On January 3, 2012, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services will launch the new VC Alert Emergency Notification System by sending a telephonic and email alert to 6,195 Ventura County residents.

VC Alert is an emergency notification system that may be used to deliver alerts when there is a threat to the health or safety of residents. This system will replace the existing Reverse 911® system deployed in 2008.

“With improvements in technology, upgrading to a more advanced emergency notification system was a natural step in continuing our commitment to disaster preparedness and response in Ventura County,” said Laura Hernandez, Assistant Director for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services.

VC Alert has the ability to contact thousands of residents instantly via home telephone number, cellular telephone number, business telephone number, email address, text messaging, facsimile, and instant messaging.
“A robust emergency notification system is essential to notify residents rapidly and efficiently during a local emergency or disaster,” said Hernandez. “VC Alert has the ability to send approximately 100,000 simultaneous telephonic calls, text messages and emails per hour.”

VC Alert utilizes commercially available phone data as a core source of contact information. This includes some landline telephone numbers, some cellular telephone numbers and some Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone numbers.

Therefore, all Ventura County residents are encouraged to register their contact information - home phone, cell phone, work phone, email, fax number and instant messaging information.

To register online, residents may go to www.vcalert.org.

In addition to emergency information, residents may also:
• Select to receive community messages regarding crime alerts, road closures, public meetings or other community events.
• Choose the locations they want to be contacted about - such as their parents’ home, their workplace or their child’s school.
• Receive alerts on their home phone, cell phone, work phone, email, text, facsimile or instant messaging.

VC Alert is a free service provided by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and participating cities.

Participating cities include: City of Camarillo, City of Fillmore, City of Moorpark, City of Ojai, City of Oxnard, City of Port Hueneme, City of Santa Paula, City of Thousand Oaks, City of Ventura, and the unincorporated areas of Ventura County.

For more information, please visit www.vcalert.org. Questions or concerns may be directed to the VC Alert Hotline at 805-648-9283 or via email at vc.alert@ventura.org.

Nature of Incident: VC Alert Emergency Notification System
Date & Time: January 3, 2012
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services
Staff Preparing Media Release: Cynthia Elliott, OES Program Administrator 805-654-3655
Media Release Date: December 29, 2011
Follow-Up Contact: Patrick Maynard, OES Program Administrator 805-654-3843
Approved by: Laura D. Hernandez, OES Assistant Director 805-654-2552

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

During this year’s holiday gift giving, many parents have decided to give their children cellular telephones. Most new phones fall under a Smartphone category, which means they are capable of performing many tasks other than just being a telephone. The commonly used tasks by kids are texting, sending photos, social networking, downloading music, watching videos, playing games and then of course using it as a telephone.

Cell phones can be a great safety feature for your children, and a lifeline. However, it is important that your child is mature enough to understand the hazards of cell phone use.

With more advancement in cellular technology, comes the responsibility for parents to manage cell phone use by our children. Sending pictures over the Internet is something that is common for children to do these days. Photo-messaging on cell phones is no different. Children need to be aware that not all pictures are appropriate to send and receive. They also need to know that if they receive a message or image that makes them uncomfortable, they should immediately tell you or another trusted adult. Not deleting the inappropriate material before showing an adult is best, so the adult can better assess the issue and present the problem to law enforcement authorities if necessary.

Moorpark Police Cell Phone Quick List of Do’s and Do not’s

1. Send appropriate text, email, or picture messages only.
2. Do not give out your address or other personal information on a phone call, text, or email to people you don’t know, or if others can hear you.
3. Do not respond to an email, text, picture, or voice message from someone you don’t know.
4. Tell an adult you trust if you receive anything on your phone—a call, a text message, an email, a picture, or voicemail message—that makes you uncomfortable.
5. Be aware of your surroundings and understand when talking or texting is appropriate and when it is not.

****Finally for those who can drive, never ever talk or text while driving****

Nature of Incident: Cellular Telephone Safety for Children
Location: County of Ventura and the City of Moorpark
Date & Time: 12/28/2011 @ 2:34pm
Unit Responsible: Moorpark Police Crime Prevention Unit
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Bob Berger
Media Release Date: Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Follow-Up Contact: Bob Berger Moorpark Community Services
Approved by: Captain Ron Nelson

 

WELCOME TO FARM WATCH FOR THIS LAST EDITION OF 2011!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I can’t believe another year is about to be over. Our Agricultural Community saw some significant spikes in larcenies, particularly in metal thefts. By year’s end however, progress was made in both ends of the county regarding metal thefts. Det. Ray Dominguez spearheaded the most notable arrest, which is detailed below. For this edition however, we identified those predominant thefts such as the following:
Copper wire thefts, connex box burglaries, a portable restroom theft, fruit theft including avocados, and saddle thefts. On a good note, the crime rate was down in the area of larcenies as compared to this same time period last year.

Notable areas of concern for this edition:

19000 block of South Mountain Road in Santa Paula: theft of two 950-amp batteries were taken from a John Deere loader (wires to the batteries were cut, and the batteries removed)

5000 Bennett Road, Simi Valley: large nursery where 18 connex boxes were burglarized. Mowers, landscape equipment, and edgers were taken. This most likely occurred in the wee hours of the morning.

6600 block of Los Angeles Ave., Somis: a portable restroom was taken from this custom farming property. Really!

2854 E. Telegraph Road, Fillmore: this popular fruit stand was hit twice where the first time it was vandalized with graffiti, and the second time apparently the crooks were hungry as they stole only food items.

5700 block of W. Gonzales Road, Oxnard: 55 feet of copper wire was stolen from a Venocco oil well.

3100 block of W. Telegraph Road, Fillmore: large connex box burglarized where the thieves took a 10’ x 5’ cement chimney that weighs 600 lbs. The connex box was left unsecured.

San Cayaetano Ranch @ Toland Road, Fillmore: 8 avocado trees had been partially picked where the fruit appeared to have been twisted off and complete stems were left behind.

1400 block of Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark: victim’s shed had been burglarized where the thieves took 3 saddles

We wanted to share a success story in this edition of Farm watch because so many times we read or hear about the negative stories. We are pleased to announce the arrest of several suspects in connection with an on-going series of metal thefts from various farms throughout the county. Last week, detectives from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit with the assistance of Sheriff’s Headquarters and Gang Unit Detectives conducted a surveillance of a suspect’s residence in Oxnard that led to the arrest of multiple suspects for various theft and drug related charges. See the attached Sheriff’s Office Press Release for details.

During the course of the investigation, an additional theft that had gone unreported was discovered at a farm in Ventura and later reported. Due to the fine work done by Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies, CSI technicians, and detectives, the suspects were arrested and criminal charges were filed with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

This in an on-going investigation, with additional victims being identified and evidence is being processed to bring additional charges against those suspects already in custody. Additional suspects are still outstanding and work is being done in the way of securing arrest warrants to also bring them to justice to face charges in this and other related cases.

As many of you already know, metal thieves have been very active throughout the county stealing whatever metal items they come across to later be taken to recycling centers to be cashed in as scrap metal. The items being stolen by the crew just arrested were metal support posts used to build “Hoop Houses” by local raspberry growers. They also stole sprinkler heads, irrigation pipe and connections from some local flower growers.

Because of the efforts made by the victim farms in this case, detectives were able to successfully identify the victims, and have them view their property before returning it to them. Such efforts by the victim’s in this case included marking their equipment for identification. I cannot stress the importance of this enough. Please mark your equipment for identification. The Sheriff’s Office is currently working to revamp the Owner Applied Number (OAN) system that many of you already use to mark your equipment. For those of you with an OAN assigned we will be sending information out requesting updated contact information to update our files.

Another important step taken by the victim farms was preserving the crime scene. Again, this is important because the Sheriff’s Office commonly gets calls for service where the crime scene has been disturbed by employees working in the area, and crucial evidence is lost, disturbed, or destroyed prior to the arrival of responding deputies. Please preserve the crime scene by keeping employees and vehicles out of the area until deputies arrive to process the scene.

Another important, but often missed step is reporting the crime in the first place. I know that many of you have busy schedules and business operations and often time criminal activity goes unreported due to time restraints. The reporting process is important to detectives because many times we use the data collected from crime reports to identify crime trends. If you fail to report the criminal activity, then useful information used to link cases, collect potential evidence, and help identify possible suspects will be lost. Report the criminal activity in a timely manner because in many cases (particularly metal thefts) the items of stolen property will be transferred or sold soon after the crime occurs. Please report criminal activity as soon as possible to increase the probability of recovering stolen property.

Please do your part to help minimize the potential for criminal activity at your home or business by taking the time to protect your property by installing perimeter fencing, placing physical barriers along the perimeter of your property to prevent potential thieves from coming onto your property. Install surveillance cameras, motion-detection lighting, and alarms to alert you of criminal activity on your property. Keep supplies and equipment out of view and in a secure place and avoid stockpiling. Use hardened locks and other security devices such as “kill switches” to secure doors and disable equipment. Maintain inventory records of your supplies and equipment. Mark your equipment for identification, photograph the equipment, and maintain records that include the brand name and serial number information.

Taking the time to follow these easy steps will help make your home or business less attractive to criminals and likely prevent thefts from occurring. In the unfortunate event you become a crime victim, taking these steps in advance will make the reporting process go much quicker and be less stressful.

Please take the time to look at your home and business to identify potential problem areas where improvements can be made to reduce the risk of becoming a victim. If you are not sure of how to address the problem or would like additional crime prevention tips please contact your local Sheriff’s Office substation or Detective Ray Dominguez directly at (805) 477-7029 or by email at ray.dominguez@ventura.org.

Contacts:
Fillmore Detective Darin Hendren darin.hendrin@ventura.org or 524-2235 Ventura Detective Christine Rettura Christine.rettura@ventura.org 662- 6770
Agricultural Crimes Detective, Ray Dominguez at Ray.Dominguez@ventura.org Camarillo Detective Nora Soler, at Nora.soler@ventura.org

As always, we would like to thank Sheriff’s Crime Analyst Karen Brown who puts together your maps and digests all the crime data along with Det. Ray Dominguez who assists with the crime summaries.

Be alert and always safe!
Monica (797-6338)

Geoff Dean - Sheriff
Gary Pentis & John Crombach - Assistant Sheriffs

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

In September 2011, unknown suspects entered the private properties of the Camari Ranch and the Colorado Farms located along Los Angeles Ave in Somis and removed the steel poles used to construct Hoop Houses that cover raspberries grown on these farms. The estimated loss to both ranches was in excess of $36,000.00.

Then in October 2011, unknown suspects entered the private properties of Reiter Bros. Farms and Skyline Flowers which were located on Santa Rosa Rd. in Camarillo and removed $63,000.00 in steel stakes used to construct Hoop Houses.

In all four thefts, the material was stacked in a pile on the property for storage in preparation for the next growing season.

The Sheriff’s Agriculture Crimes Detective opened an investigation into these thefts and quickly determined that the same individuals committed all four thefts. During the course of the investigation and following up on evidence found, the suspects were identified. Those suspects included Padilla and Jones who shared a residence in Oxnard.

On December 14, 2011, Ventura County Sheriff Patrol units responded to C & F Flower Growers for another theft report where metal wire and posts were stolen. The equipment stolen is primarily used in the commercial production of flowers. The investigation determined the theft occurred the previous night.

Based on the circumstance in the theft at C&F Flower Growers, detectives recognized the pattern of activity that had emerged in the other four thefts linking these suspects. Detectives responded to the Oxnard home of Padilla and observed stolen property from C&F Flower Growers piled on the side of the house and inside a vehicle parked in front of the house.

Detectives made contact with the occupants of the home and arrested Padilla and Serna for suspicion of Grand Theft and Possession of Stolen Property as well as Conspiracy. Jones, who was serving sentence at the Main Jail, was also arrested for Grand Theft, Possession of Stolen Property and Conspiracy.

The investigation is continuing and further arrests are anticipated.

Report Number: RB# 11-28372
Location: Olivas Park Dr. and Victoria Ave. Ventura
Date & Time: December 15, 2011 @ 0700 AM
Unit Responsible: Major Crimes Agriculture Crimes Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Rudy Martin Padilla, Oxnard, 45
Stephen Jones, Oxnard, 39
Armando Serna, Oxnard, 37
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Steve Rhods
Media Release Date: December 15, 2011
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Ray Dominguez 805-477-7000
Approved by: Captain B. Kerr

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).

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Celebrating New Year’s Eve is a traditional event we all enjoy spending with loved ones and friends. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those celebrating this holiday to avoid discharging firearms, lighting illegal fireworks, and drinking & driving. Discharging a firearm into the air is a felony. Experts report that a bullet fired into the air can climb two miles and remain in flight for more than a minute. As it falls, the bullet reaches a velocity sufficient to penetrate the human skull.

Along with this, possession of illegal fireworks is also a crime. Illegal fireworks can be best described as any firework that explodes or has the capability of being shot up in the air.

Finally, driving under the influence is dangerous and completely preventable. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind those celebrating this holiday to drink responsibly and use a designated driver or other alternative means rather than getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

If you see or hear someone discharging a firearm, using illegal fireworks, or driving under the influence please dial 9-1-1.

Have a safe and enjoyable New Year’s Eve celebration!

Location: Countywide
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Administration
Officer Preparing Release: Captain Mike Aranda
Follow-up Contact: Captain Mike Aranda (805) 654-2417
Date of Release: December 27, 2011
Approved By: Captain Don Aguilar

 

Law enforcement agencies came up with 16 DUI arrests for Christmas Eve in Ventura County, one less than the total during the same time last year.

Now entering the tenth day of a 17-day crackdown that ends on New Year’s Day, Avoid the 14, which involves and is named for the number of police departments in the county, is still seeing a rise in DUI arrests.

Police officers, sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers have arrested 138 DUI suspects since the crackdown began Dec. 16, compared with 133.

“We’re happy to have removed large numbers of highly dangerous potential killers from our streets and freeways,” said Commander Andrew Salinas of the Oxnard police.

Maximum CHP freeway enforcement continues until Monday, according to CHP Lt. April Baxter, who commands the Moorpark squad. “Every available officer is on the roads,” she said.

The California Office of Traffic Safety funds Avoid the 14 through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 12-15-2011, Ventura County Sheriff Deputies responded to a call of a home invasion robbery in the unincorporated area of La Conchita. During the initial investigation, deputies found that at about 10:30 A.M, the victim heard someone knocking on his door. When the victim answered the door, he was confronted by three males. Two of the males were displaying knives and all three forced their way into the residence. The suspects demanded money and property from the victim then proceeded to ransack the house. Among the items taken was the victim’s wallet containing credit cards. One of the suspects used packing tape to tie the victim up. All three suspects fled the residence. The victim was uninjured and able free himself before calling law enforcement.

Investigators found that shortly after the robbery, one of the victim’s credit cards was used at a gas station in Ventura. The Sheriff’s Gang Unit took over the investigation and was able to positively identify Henry Aguilar as the person who used the victim’s credit cards. Investigators determined that Aguilar was on parole and had an outstanding felony warrant. As the investigation continued, Gang detectives also identified two other males living in an apartment with Aguilar in the 200 Blk of N Dos Caminos, Ventura. The males matched the descriptions of the suspects in the home invasion robbery.

On 12-23-2011, gang investigators stopped a female named Lisa Ramirez as she left the suspect’s apartment. She was arrested for being under the influence. Shortly after her arrest, investigators served a search warrant at the suspect’s apartment. During the service of the search warrant, investigators detained Henry Aguilar, Anthony Ramos, and a 15-year-old male. While searching the apartment, investigators recovered almost all of the victim’s stolen property.

As a result of the investigation, gang detectives found that Ramirez conspired with Aguilar, Ramos and the 15-year-old male to rob the victim of his possessions. Ramirez provided the location and other logistical support to the three suspects who conducted the robbery.

Ramirez, Aguilar and Ramos were booked into the Ventura County Jail for charges that include kidnapping, armed robbery and burglary. The 15-year-old male was lodged into juvenile hall.

Report Number: 11-28535
Location: 6800 Blk Zelzah Ave, La Conchita
Date & Time: 12-15-2011
Unit Responsible: Gang Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Lisa Ramirez, Ventura, 43
Henry Aguilar, Carpinteria, 42
Anthony Ramos, Ventura, 41
Male Juvenile, Camarillo, 15
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sgt Bill Schierman
Media Release Date: 12-23-2011
Follow-Up Contact: Sgt Bill Schierman 654-3551
Approved by: Capt. M. Hartmann

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

In reflection of a course I had taken on using lighting to prevent crime, I recalled that Placing a spot- or floodlight at the edge of your flowerbed pointing toward your house will illuminate the side of your house facing the light. If anyone walks between the house and this light source, it will create a huge shadow on the house.

What this means is, if you use lighting in this manner, anyone walking between the light source and the building will cast a huge shadow on the building. In general, criminals try to avoid brightly lighted spaces, and gigantic shadows of a moving object would be visible to anyone in the area.

When planning your home improvements this coming spring, consider adding a flood- or spotlight to your yard. Don’t forget the Holidays. This use of lighting can easily be implemented in holiday colors adding that extra security to your home and festive flare over the holiday season.

Many homeowners use low-voltage lights, which are sold in kits. If you purchase one that contains a flood- or spotlight, you will see the same effect although it may not be as bright. Try placing the lights in various positions to find the one that works best to protect you and your property while showing your celebration of the season.

Location: City of Moorpark
Date & Time: Monday, December 20, 2011 @ 9:45 AM
Unit Responsible: Moorpark Police Crime Prevention Unit
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Bob Berger
Media Release Date: Monday, December 12, 2011
Follow-Up Contact: Senior Deputy Bob Berger 805-532-2707
Approved by: Captain Ron Nelson

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The busiest shopping days of the year are upon us. Malls, other retailers, and grocery stores will be more crowded than usual with busy shoppers. Whether you are about to celebrate a holiday in the coming weeks or not, keep the following in mind when going out to shop (and the rest of the year, too):

1. Keep careful track of your bags and other packages. If you leave something behind, it could get stolen or discarded.

2. Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies when taking mass transit: report any unattended packages to security or staff.

3. Be sure not to buy more than you can carry. If your packages are making it hard for you to walk upright or see, ask a store employee to help you carry them to your car.

4. Check receipts to see whether your full credit card number appears. If a receipt has your full number on it, take a pen and thoroughly scratch it out.

5. Double check that you have your credit cards and check book after you pay for your items.

6. Remember that the bad guys may be watching you store your packages in your car and then go to another store. That’s when they break into your car and steal what you just stowed away so you could continue to shop.

If you go shopping with children over the next several weeks, keep the following advice in mind for everyone’s safety:

1. Ensure that any children with you know your cell phone number. Give cards with contact information to any who don’t.

2. Make a plan with children in case you get separated. Have a central meeting place, and review with your children who they can turn to for help if they find themselves alone.

3. Go over the dangers of strangers with them so that they know who not to talk to or follow.

By following this advice, you can reduce the stress of shopping during the particularly busy season. As always, keep your personal safety in mind and be on the lookout for fraud and identity theft.

Holiday Shopping Safety
Location: City of Moorpark
Date & Time: Monday, December 20, 2011 @ 9:45 AM
Unit Responsible: Moorpark Police Crime Prevention Unit
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Bob Berger
Media Release Date: Monday, December 12, 2011
Follow-Up Contact: Senior Deputy Bob Berger 805-532-2707
Approved by: Captain Ron Nelson

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 12/16/11, Andres Lazaro Bautista, a Moorpark resident was arrested after a two week investigation which indicated Bautista had been annoying young school aged children in the area of downtown Moorpark. Bautista had been making lewd and obscene gestures to girls ranging from the age of 9 years old to 14 years old.

These children had been walking to the bus loading area located at Flory Elementary School. Bautista committed these crimes towards the children as they walked from their residences to the bus stop.

The Moorpark School Resource Officer along with Moorpark Detectives learned of these crimes and conducted a two-week investigation on Bautista. At least seven victims of the crime have come forward and identified Bautista as the suspect.

The Moorpark Police Department encourages parents to speak to their children and remind them of the dangers of strangers in their neighborhoods and abroad. Three basics rules to teach children if a stranger approaches:
1) YELL, “GET AWAY!”
2) SAY, “NO!”
3) TELL A SAFE ADULT

Nature of Incident: CHILD ANNOYING
Report Number: RB# 11-27793
Location: DOWNTOWN MOORPARK
Date & Time: October 2011 to December 2011
Unit Responsible: School Resource Officer / Moorpark Detectives
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Andres Lazaro Bautista Moorpark 49
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Deputy Christopher Starks
Moorpark School Resource Officer
Media Release Date: 12/19/2011
Follow-Up Contact: Deputy Christopher Starks (805) 299-1554
Approved by: Captain Ron Nelson

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 12-17-11, members of the Camarillo Police Department’s Crime Prevention, Special Enforcement Detail, Detectives, School Resource Officers and Traffic units conducted 87 compliance checks of registered sex offenders as part of the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) grant. Section 290 of the California Penal Code requires persons convicted of specified sexual assault crimes to register with the agency where they reside.

72 of the 87 registered sex offenders were in compliance with their registration requirement. 15 of the registrants were not home and detectives will follow-up to determine if the registrants have moved or are out-of-compliance. No arrests were made during the compliance checks.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting similar sweeps randomly throughout the county to verify registered sex offenders are living at their reported residence along with conducting probation and/or parole searches of registered sex offenders who are on probation and/or parole.

Residents of Ventura County can visit the Megan’s Law website (www.meganslaw.ca.gov/) to familiarize themselves with the sex registrants in their neighborhood.

290 P.C. Compliance Checks
Report Number:
Location: City and unincorporated areas of Camarillo
Date & Time: 12-17-2011
Unit Responsible: Crime Prevention, Special Enforcement Detail (SED), Detectives, Traffic, School Resource Officers and Sheriff’s Office 290 Investigator
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Ian Laughlin
Media Release Date: 12-19-2011
Follow-Up Contact: Investigator Jim Botting, Sheriff’s Major Crimes 805-477-7000
Approved by: Captain Brent Kerr

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).

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On December 16, 2011, deputies from the Moorpark Police Department responded to a robbery call at Dominos Pizza in Moorpark. Upon arrival, they discovered that a single male Hispanic suspect entered the store wearing gloves and a covering over his face. The suspect confronted two employees with a knife and demanded money. The suspect obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene on foot.

Alert citizens in the area were able to assist responding deputies in determining the suspect’s initial direction of travel. Patrol deputies, detectives and a canine conducted a search for the suspect. The investigation led them to Jose Manuel Cabada. Cabada was arrested for robbery, and evidence was recovered.

As a result of the robbery, one victim sustained a minor injury that did not require medical attention. Cabada is currently in custody at the Ventura County Main Jail on $50,000 bail.

Report Number: 11-28619
Location: 339 W. Los Angeles Avenue, Moorpark, CA
Date & Time: December 16, 2011 @ 4:29 p.m.
Unit Responsible: Moorpark Police Department
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Canine Unit
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department East County Major Crimes Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Cabada, Jose Manuel Moorpark, CA 27
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Jeff Miller
Media Release Date: December 18, 2011
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Allen Devers / (805) 494-8222
Approved by: Captain Tim Hagel

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against person(s) responsible for these types of crimes. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

In September and October 2011, unknown suspects entered the private properties of several farms in the unincoproated areas of Camarillo and removed the steel poles and steel stakes used to construct Hoop Houses that cover raspberries grown on these farms. The estimated loss to these ranches was in excess of $99,000.00.

In all of these thefts, the material was stacked in a pile on the property for storage in preparation for the next growing season.

The Sheriff’s Agriculture Crimes Detective opened an investigation into these thefts and quickly determined that the same individuals committed all of the thefts. During the course of the investigation and following up on evidence found, the suspects were identified. Those suspects included Padilla and Jones who shared a residence in Oxnard.

On December 14, 2011, Ventura County Sheriff Patrol units responded to another farm in the unincorporated area of Ventura for a theft report where metal wire and posts were stolen. The equipment stolen is primarily used in the commercial production of flowers. The investigation determined the theft occurred the previous night.

Based on the circumstance in the theft at this location, detectives recognized the pattern of activity that had emerged in the other four thefts linking these suspects. Detectives responded to the Oxnard home of Padilla and observed stolen property from the Ventura location piled on the side of the house and inside a vehicle parked in front of the house.

Detectives made contact with the occupants of the home and arrested Padilla and Serna for suspicion of Grand Theft and Possession of Stolen Property as well as Conspiracy. Jones, who was serving sentence at the Main Jail, was also arrested for Grand Theft, Possession of Stolen Property and Conspiracy.

The investigation is continuing and further arrests are anticipated.

Report Number: RB# 11-28372
Location: Olivas Park Dr. and Victoria Ave. Ventura
Date & Time: December 15, 2011 @ 0700 AM
Unit Responsible: Major Crimes Agriculture Crimes Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Rudy Martin Padilla, Oxnard, 45
Stephen Jones, Oxnard, 39
Armando Serna, Oxnard, 37
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Steve Rhods
Media Release Date: December 15, 2011
Follow-Up Contact: Detective Ray Dominguez 805-477-7000
Approved by: Captain B. Kerr

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).

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Thousand Oaks Police Department is offering its 27th Citizen Academy starting Wednesday, January 18, 2012. There is limited space open for this unique civilian program. The curriculum offers an experience in which participants will get an in-depth look at local law enforcement and its diverse operations.

Citizen Academy students meet one evening per week, dedicating over 36 hours of their personal time to learn more about the functions of the Police Department and Sheriff’s Office. Thousand Oaks area citizens who desire to attend the Citizen Academy must submit an application to the Police Department. The applications are reviewed and candidates must pass a background check. Once they are invited to attend, students participate in a series of interactive classroom sessions.

The law enforcement presentations include Major Crimes investigations, Internal Affairs, Narcotics, S.W.A.T., K-9, Bomb Unit, Special Enforcement, Crime Analysis, Bike Patrol, and much more. Students are exposed to current issues in law enforcement as well as demonstrations of how the Police/Sheriff’s Department serves the community. Students will also ride-along with a Thousand Oaks patrol officer.

The course also includes field visits to the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility (Main Jail), Sheriff’s Communication Center, Crime Lab, and Training Academy. Class members will have the opportunity to participate in training exercises such as the Force Options Simulator (F.O.S.) where they perform quick decision-making using force options in various scenarios.

Classes are held each Wednesday for 12 weeks, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Thousand Oaks Police Station, 2101 E. Olsen Road.

For an application or further information, please contact the Thousand Oaks Police Resource Center (805) 449-2760 or visit http://toaks.org/government/depts/police/default.asp and click on “Citizen’s Academy” in menu tab.

Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
Date: December 14, 2011
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Community Policing and Problem Solving Unit
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Romano Bassi
Media Release Date: December 14, 2011
Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Romano Bassi (805) 449-2760
Approved by: Captain Bill Ayub

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

On 12-12-2011, the Sheriff’s East County Narcotic Street Team along with the City of Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail concluded a month long narcotic investigation into Adam Burgess. Investigators received information that Burgess was selling various drugs including Methadone, Oxycodone, heroin, cocaine, LSD, Xanax and Valium. Burgess agreed to meet with and sell a quantity of Oxycodone to an undercover narcotic investigator. Burgess sold the undercover officer a quantity of Oxycodone pills and offered to sell the officer the other listed drugs. A search warrant was obtained for Burgess’ residence in the 900 block of Paseo Camarillo. Investigators seized a small quantity of heroin, several Oxycodone pills and several firearms. Burgess had a loaded firearm on his nightstand next to his drugs along with two rifles and a shotgun. Burgess was booked into the county jail for narcotic sales and weapon charges. Burgess will be arraigned in the Ventura County Superior Court on 12-14-2011.

Report Number: 11-26106
Location: 900 Block of Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo
Date & Time: 12-12-2011
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s East County Narcotic Enforcement Team- City of Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Adam Burgess Camarillo 25
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Robert Thomas
Media Release Date: 12-14-2011
Follow-Up Contact: Sergeant Robert Thomas
805-383-8710 or robert.thomas@ventura.org

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).

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

At 730 a.m. this morning, Thousand Oaks Deputies responded to a traffic collision at Reino Road and Old Conejo Road. The solo vehicle hit several stationary objects, sheared a fire hydrant, and struck an outbuilding in the 3300 block of Old Conejo Road. The driver, Lonnie Doshier, 68 yrs., apparently suffered an emergency from a pre-existing medical condition causing the collision. He was transported by ambulance to Los Robles Hospital where he succumbed due to his medical condition.

Report Number: 11-27976
Location: Reino Road at Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park
Date & Time: December 9, 2011 0730 hrs.
Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Police Department Traffic Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(P) Lonnie Alfred Doshier Newbury Park 68
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Sergeant Barbara Payton
Media Release Date: 12/09/2011
Follow-Up Contact: Senior Deputy Rick Godfrey
Approved by: Captain Mike Aranda

 
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Ojai Police are warning Ojai Valley residents of an increase in reported phone scams. The suspect(s) have been targeting elderly residents and posing as family members in need of large sums of money or an official calling on the behalf of the family member because they are in jail and need money to bail out. Victims have reported the suspect(s) request the victim(s) to send the money to locations in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, or overseas to countries in the Middle East.

If any area residents receive phone calls of this nature, or any other suspicious nature, they are encouraged to call law enforcement. This type of phone scam is one of many that occur throughout the year and increase during holiday seasons.

Here are some recommendations to protect yourself from telephone scams:

1. Always know whom you are talking to and get information on the business and a call back number.
2. Never provide your confidential information, such as date of birth, social security number, or bank account numbers.
3. Discontinue transactions if someone coaches you on how to send money or respond to questions from money order service employees.
4. Always check with other family members when a suspect calls and poses as a family member requesting money and call the family member the officials are talking about.

The Ojai Police officers and investigators wish the Ojai Valley residents a joyous holiday and are ready to help with your concerns.

Report Number: On-Going
Location: Ojai Valley
Date & Time: On Going
Unit Responsible: Ojai Police Investigations
Deputy Preparing Media Release: Det. Mark Burgess
Media Release Date: 12/09/2011
Follow-Up Contact: Det. Mark Burgess / Det. S. Michalec (805) 646-1414
Approved by: Captain Mike Aranda

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).