News Source For The Santa Clara Valley In Ventura County
Friday July 30, 2010
© 2010 The Sespe Sun. All rights reserved
Fillmore Homicide On Bard Street
July 18, 2010
On Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 9:12 p.m., the Ventura County
Sheriff’s Department / Fillmore Police Department responded to a
call of an ambulance follow-up for a male victim who had been shot
in the 300 block of Bard Street in the city of Fillmore. Prior to
the arrival of deputies, the suspect(s) fled the scene. An
extensive search for the suspect(s) was conducted with negative
results. The male victim, Christian Giusti, 24, of Fillmore received
a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced deceased at the
scene.
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).
Traffic Collision On SR 23
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July 20, 2010
On Thursday, July 15, 2010, Eric Raul Hernandez, 45, of Moorpark was driving his 1996 GMC southbound on SR 23 just south of Bardsdale Avenue at an unknown speed. Elioenai Cruz Estrada, 62 of Fillmore, also driving a 1979 GMC was going southbound on SR 23 and was stopped in the lane preparing to make a left turn into a private driveway. Hernandez failed to stop prior to colliding with the rear of the Estrada vehicle. Hernandez was transported to Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) due to his high level of intoxication and unconsciousness, but no other injuries were discovered. Estrada allegedly sustained no injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Woman Attempts Head-On Crash With CHP Officer
July 28, 2010
On
Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at approximately 6:55 p.m. the Ventura
County Sheriff’s Department received a call from the California
Highway Patrol requesting mutual aid. A CHP officer had been
dispatched to a vehicle versus a possible pedestrian traffic
collision in the 1100 block East Guiberson Road, in the
unincorporated area of Fillmore, CA.
The suspect, Cheree Sanker, 34, of
Fillmore, attempted to run over Juan Gonzales and Yesemia Zavala as
they were walking along the side of Guiberson Road. Zavala called
9-1-1 on her cell phone, and notified CHP of the incident.
As the first CHP unit arrived on scene, Sanker,
who was coming from the opposite direction attempted to ram the CHP
police vehicle head-on. Officer Mumme was able to avoid a head on
collision, but Sanker’s vehicle still collided with the right rear
side of the police unit with the right side of her vehicle sending
the CHP unit backward off of the road into an embankment. According
to Ventura County’s Battalion 5 Chief he suspected she had caused
the police vehicle to have a ruptured gas tank.
Officer Mumme was able to exit his unit
while Sanker was still inside of her vehicle holding a knife,
threatening to take her own life. Additional officers from the CHP
and the Sheriff’s Department arrived and after a short time Sanker
was convinced to discard the knife and surrender to officers.
American Medical Response ambulance (AMR)
transported Officer Mumme to a local hospital with a complaint of
pain to his abdomen. Sanker was transported to the Ventura County
Medical Center with a possible broken leg and admitted for
treatment, she was then booked on charges of Assault with a Deadly
Weapon (ADW).
Arrests For Marijuana Cultivation
July 30, 2010
In the night time hours of
July 27, 2010,
detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics
Bureau, West County Street Team, conducted surveillance of
clandestine marijuana cultivations in the backcountry of Fillmore.
The Sheriff’s Air Unit, on a routine fly over, had discovered the
garden. The garden was split into two sections separated by a
drainage area in the mountains off
Squaw Flat Road north
of the City of Fillmore. Squaw Flat Road is a single lane, rutted
dirt road used to access the multiple oil pumps in the area and the
condor sanctuary.
During this surveillance, detectives saw
five male subjects walking from the direction of the gardens and
secrete themselves in the heavy brush. A short time later, a vehicle
approached this location and met with the five subjects. After a
brief exchange, the vehicle left the area and the subjects returned
the way they had arrived. The subjects approached the detectives and
upon seeing them, scattered, dropping the duffle bags they got from
the car. Two suspects were caught and arrested for conspiracy to
cultivate marijuana and booked.
The car was followed for the nine miles to
a maintained roadway where a marked Sheriff’s black and white
vehicle was waiting. When the deputy attempted to stop the vehicle,
the driver refused to stop and drove an additional two miles south
on Goodenough Road. The car then pulled over and the driver fled by
jumping a K-rail and over a steep cliff. An extensive search of the
Sespe Creek with the help of Search and Rescue, K-9 Units and a
Ventura County Helicopter failed to locate the driver. In the car, a
rental, detectives located 78 pounds of processed marijuana. It is
the investigator’s belief the driver brought food to the five
subjects and they brought out the processed marijuana.
On July 29, 2010, detectives went to the
garden sites to seize any remaining marijuana. There they found 1138
plants, but the majority of the plants had been harvested.
Additionally, approximately 10 pounds of processed marijuana was
located.
Alfredo Botello, 22,of Temecula and a 16
year old male juvenile from Mexico, were arrested at the garden
site. This is the second cultivation operation this year where
investigators found juveniles working in the gardens. The juvenile
arrested during this investigation told detectives that he had been
in the garden for about 15 days. Prior to this he lived in Mexico.
Wanting to come to the
United States,
he hired a “coyote” to smuggle him across the border. He said he
went to Arizona for one day, the coyote then brought him to the
Fillmore grow site. He was told that he could pay his debt to the
coyote by working in the garden. He told investigators that he did
not feel he had a choice in the matter.
This was the second growing of marijuana
crops using juveniles, according to the police, who also stated
there were 23 gardens last year and there have already been 13
gardens located this year, all with arrests. Narcotics Officer Sgt.
Horne stated the narcotics bureau believes the legalization of the
plants have increased the illegal production, but hopefully
Proposition 19 will reverse the situation. The problem is all about
money, they are here just to make money. There are always firearms
in the growing areas and “kids” are the key because they have no
family and no education, Sgt. Horne said and noted that in all of
the growing areas there are always firearms which make these areas
dangerous for both the public hikers and the law enforcement
personnel.
Briefs
2011 Graduation Pictures
Timeless Images in Fillmore would like to welcome the incoming 2011 Fillmore High School Seniors. As a result of the few 2010 seniors that came to us before graduation, we understand that you may want a different style than your schools contract photographer, or to pay twice. At our Photograph session, please bring your paid receipt from your school photographer's senior session and we'll issue you a credit toward our rate for that same amount. For questions contact Eric 805-744-2967. We look forward to meeting you soon. Please see our advertisement.
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Small Brush Fire Controlled Quickly
On Thursday, July 22, 2010, at approximately 3:34 p.m. a first alarm fire was dispatched to an area of bamboo on the river bank off of Chambersburg Road and the north side of the Santa Clara River bed. The bamboo is difficult is difficult to extinguish and the Ventura County Fire Department requested Air 8 helicopter respond. Even though the fire started in a 100 by 100 foot area this type of brush often spreads quickly, however the fire department was able to control the blaze before it got out of hand. Most units were cancelled by 3:51 p.m. with only two units standing by to monitor the undergrowth to make sure there would not be a flare up of unchecked hot ashes. Due to the number of fire units on scene the northbound lanes coming into Fillmore was backed up for a short period of time but the Fillmore Sheriff’s Department directed the traffic through as quickly as the traffic signals at the intersections would allow.
Farm Watch
Protecting our agricultural community.
We are joined by 19 new members, including UC Davis Ext and our local Ventura County Citrus Nursery supplier.
For those of you who just joined us welcome aboard. In brief, we will send you updates on farm crime trends, prevention tips and you have joined a virtual network between public safety and many great organizations including the Ventura County Agricultural Association, Cattleman's Association, Farm Bureau, Fire Safe Councils. there are too many to list in this email as the Sheriff's Department's Farm Watch network links over 550 farm, ranches, nurseries and oil production sites in the county.
Well it is a scorcher out there as I type this Saturday afternoon. Get those drippers going, stay cool and take a break to read "FARM WATCH"
Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties have been plagued with by a criminal ring who for the last 4 months have used our rural farms and ranches in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties as targets.
Farm Watch is also working with our adjoining counties and just held a strategic rural theft task force meeting last week. In attendance were 18 detectives from our Sheriff Department Major Crimes, CSI, Intelligence and Ag-Theft Unit. I was impressed watching the detectives sort out tips and evidence. They were able to complete a plan of attack against these crook's activities. First and foremost on their "to do" list was prevention and reporting.
Here is what we know: The crooks are hitting between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. They prefer barns, rural offices and connex boxes with doors opening away from any caretaker's residences.
These malfesants (Had to throw a fancy word in there) are well versed in rural Ag operations and use burglary tools such as bolt cutters, torches and crow bars. Their favorite crook food of the day is generators, pumps, weed eaters, saws, welders and for dessert, they like chainsaws and leaf blowers. They may use your tractors, quads, UTV's to drive the loot up to a 1/4 mile away for a pick up by their scouts.
I was so pleased to see a local farmer had blocked his connex storage every night with a 4 ton large end loader. His crew moves the loader each morning so as they can get the doors open. You can use some similar system. These crooks don't want to make much noise, let alone firing off those glow plugs in the tractors and waking your caretakers up at night.
Light, Action, Cameras: Okay, we are going to make that the new Farm Watch creed. Motion lights (Even 12 volt for remote locations) help take action to curtail their appetite for targeting your shed. They may even move onto another location. Cameras, Cameras, Cameras. One of our only true breaks in busting this ring came from a Farm Watch member two weeks ago, who handed us an hour's worth of video of our suspects. All our detectives owe this farmer a deep "thanks." We were able to obtain so much information, some of which we have to keep quiet, James Bond Style right now so we don't tip our hand to the crooks and their ring.
Site Visits:
We have talked about sending our deputies to your farms to do a site visit and give tips to "harden" your sheds, barns and houses. We did 7 site visits in the last two weeks and I am convinced that these farmers and ranchers will be less likely to targeted if they take our tips to heart.
College Interns:
We would like to introduce Sheriff's Farm Watch Interns Mac Spears and Joe Gonzalez. I call them the Mac and Joe volunteer show. Mac is a Senior attending UCSD and a Joe just graduated from Long Beach State. Both want to join the FBI or DEA. After we get done with them at Farm Watch this summer, they will come to their senses and want to join our agency and stay right here in Ventura County. ... Both are volunteering 3 days a week in our task force to catch these connex- storage box crooks. Last week, the Mac and Joe show drove up and down roads across the county and hand delivered 450 bi-lingual Crime Theft Warning fliers at farm, ranches and nurseries. They have a lot more to pass out but it sure helps us all at Farm Watch, our Department and Ag Detectives really thanks them for their help.
Recycle Thefts:
If you read your Statewide Ag Alert newspaper last week, you learned about metal recycle theft on the rise in Solano County. This warning is important for us to note down here in Ventura County. These metal thieves tend to start in the Northern counties and move like nomad down here after they have cleaned out the farms in the north and central valley. Remember to always email Farm Watch with any license plates and descriptions of recyclers that may approach your farm or ranch. We like to keep track of who is picking up scrap metal in our area.
Vehicle and Shed Burglary:
Howe Road, Piru. Suspects broke into the ranch jeep and stole the radio, in addition they broke into the shed and stole numerous tools, pressure washer and a weed eater.
South Mountain:
A 33 acre farm had all their storage shed broken into and the crooks took pressure washers, welders and electric saws. The suspects used bolt cutters. This was done by the criminal ring we are looking for.
Piru Ranch House Burglary:
Howe Road, Piru. The suspects broke a remote window to a farm house, broke in and took money and a television. They ransacked the house. This appears to be the work of a local Piru burglar and we can use any tips from locals. All tips are confidential. Remember a month ago, we caught a major fuel thief by 3 different Farm Watch tips. There are no silly or dumb tips.
Pleasant Valley Road:
The criminal ring that we are looking for broke into the farm storage buildings and took numerous tools from the shop.
South Las Posas Road:
The suspects broke into the ranch, cut chains to gates and stole all kinds of tools and equipment. This crime was also done in the late hours between midnight and 4 Am.
Santa Rosa Valley:
A local nursery on Santa Rosa Road lost pumps, generators and other equipment to the same crooks. The bad guys used crow bars to pry open the back door to the nursery.
Tierra Rejada:
A retail nursery had suspects who entered late at night and stole 2 large water fountains. Keep an eye out for these on Craig's List. Call Sergeant John Wright at Moorpark Police station (john.wright@ventura.org) if you locate them online.
Gardener Thefts:
Once again we have been hit in the Santa Rosa Valley. To our Santa Rosa Farm Watch members, please, as landscapers are doing weekly lawn maintenance, suspects are stealing equipment right out of their trucks in broad daylight. Lets help out these folks by paying special attention.
Caryl Drive (South-east Oxnard plains)
Camarillo Detectives were busy searching for clues with CSI in tow, as the connex box criminal ring hit a large ranch south of Potrero and north of PCH. They used the same means and stole all kinds of ranch tools. What's amazing is that these connex boxes were well out of the way and the ring had to spend some time looking for them. Our patrol deputies have increased vehicle stops late at night between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Please educate your late-working farm workers that we are sorry for the brief vehicle stops, but we may just get lucky and find out of town crooks that are dining on your belongings. Sergeant Joe Devorick is handling this case and if you have any tips email Joe. joe.devorick@ventura.org
Fraud Fraud Fraud:
Last week, I just happened to check my bank account online (Kid in College). What's funny is I rarely use online banking, in fact, maybe no more than once a month. Instantly, I noticed 2 fraud charges on my debit card. The charges caught my eye because they were each for one dollar and both made at two different shell gas stations in Camarillo. I had not bought gas at a Shell station ever with the debit card. The charges were less than two hours old. How's that for good luck. As you recall, skimmer rings will test your stolen debit and credit information first with a few $1 dollar charges to see if the information they skimmed from you is good. I was able to navigate my way through the bank's after hours phone tree (what a pain) and stop the charges before they really zapped me with some hefty debit withdrawals. I still don't know where they skimmed my debit checking card but the real story is to always check your charges regularly.
Camarillo Brush Fire:
We sent out an Farm Watch Fire Alert last week. The brush fire was quickly put out by the VCFD. In addition, the Sheriff's Department sent out reverse 911 calls to local residents and farmers that were effected, advising them about the fire. Don't forget to register your ranch and associated farm worker cell phones with the Sheriff's Department at VCSD.org. We will call you with a reverse 911 call when there is an emergency in your area. This becomes quite helpful for you and your workers.
In addition, during disasters such as fires, or just if you hear sirens in your area, you can also check online at VCSD.org and see what is going on with deputies in your area . It is nearly live, but we delay the public listing of 911 calls by 45 minutes to protect your deputy safety and avoid criminals using the information to assist in committing crimes. The VCFD and CHP also maintain lives call logs on their internet websites that are not delayed.
It has been a very busy last three weeks and summer is an active time for both fighting crime and harvesting crops. Let's be safe at both!!
Your friend, Tim Hagel, Captain
Ventura County Sheriff Dept
7-18-10
Moorpark CHP Proud Of Their Explorers
July 27, 2010
The California Highway Patrol, Moorpark
Area is proud of two Explorers who successfully completed a
week-long CHP Explorer Academy training in Sacramento. On Saturday,
July 17, 2010, Monique Cruz and Ryan Woren proudly walked across the
stage to receive their Diploma during the Graduation Ceremony. "I am
very proud of their achievement as this was, by no means an easy
task," said Captain Cliff Williams, Moorpark Area Commander.
The Explorer Academy provides participants
an opportunity to go through similar training that CHP Cadets endure
for 27 weeks prior to becoming CHP officers. "The CHP Explorers
receive various types of training while in the Explorer program
including weapons, first aid, Vehicle and Penal Codes, officer
safety, and administrative procedures," said Officer Robert Jackson,
Explorer Coordinator for the Moorpark CHP Area. In addition, CHP
Explorers undergo physical training and uniform inspections. In
order to obtain knowledge through experience, Explorers are allowed
to assist in providing selected services performed by the California
Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol is recognized
as one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the world. "The
Explorer program offers young men and women the opportunity to work
with many of these officers," said Captain Williams. The Explorer
program teaches integrity, leadership, commitment, responsibility,
and good citizenship and their motto is "Learning to Serve the
Public with Dedication and Commitment."
Anybody interested in joining the CHP Explorer program is encouraged
to contact Officer Robert Jackson, Moorpark CHP, at (805) 553-0800.
Dilly Dally Car Rally Plans Shifting Into High Gear
From left is Dilly Dally Car Rally & Rock Around the Clock Dinner Dance Co-Chair Carlos Juarez, Chair Donna Stewart, Sponsor Sam Hishmeh and Co-Chair Barbara Kroon.
Plans for the upcoming Dilly Dally Car Rally are shifting into high gear. The new and unique event is coming down the road on Saturday, August 28, 2010, and promises to put the fun back in Fundraiser for all who participate in this first annual competitive tour of Santa Paula businesses and landmarks.
First to start their engines and drive the event towards success is Sam Hishmeh and Hishmeh Enterprises who have signed on as dinner sponsors for the Rock Around the Clock Pizza Party Dinner Dance which will follow the Rally. Also revving up to cross the Finish Line is ARP/Hozy’s, Santa Paula Chevrolet, Limoneira Company and the Santa Paula Police Officer’s Association.
The event is making history as three local entities team up to further their projects. Proceeds will benefit Soroptimist’s Women’s Scholarships, Odd Fellow’s renovations of the Clock Tower on Main Street and Chamber of Commerce revenue who will fund tourism efforts.
Participants will line up in front of the Historic Train Depot and take off on designated routes to visit sites around Santa Paula. Cash prizes will go to those who complete the route closest to a predetermined endurance time for each route. The fun doesn’t end there. Following the Rally the party moves to the Clock Tower for the Rock Around the Clock Pizza Party Dinner Dance featuring Domino’s pizza, raffle fun and the music of The Cruise Knights.
The cost is $60 per car which includes two tickets to the dinner dance and two drink tickets. Additional dinner tickets are available for only $10 each. Businesses on the route pay $75 and are guaranteed a day of customer traffic. Sponsorship opportunities range from $100 to $1,000 and include a myriad of perks. If you don’t want to get left in the dust, and are interested in sponsoring the event, by driving in the Rally, or signing up to be a stop on one of the routes, don’t hesitate to contact Donna Stewart at 805-901-0338 or Barbara Kroon at 805-689-2229.
7-20-10
Artists Guild of Fillmore
Exhibits At Library
From left front are: D.L.Lynn Hauge, Karen Browdy, Virginia Neuman and in back are: Luanne Perez, Judy Dressler, and Jan Faulkner.
July 30, 2010
Members of the Artists Guild of Fillmore
gathered to mount a new small show of their artwork at the Fillmore
Public Library, on Second Street and Central Avenue.
The Guild meets once or twice a month at
the various artist’s studios to pass along information, encourage
each other in their work, and to plan for future events where their
art can be made available.
All of the members are showing their work
in various other places and galleries throughout Ventura County.
They are particularly pleased to be able to do so here in Fillmore
and thank the people of the Fillmore Library.
Sun Risers Rotary Presentation On Military Service
From left is Sun Risers Rotary President Irma Rodriguez, Captain Don Gunderson, Ret.; and Rotarian Ruth Gunderson after the program.
July 28, 2010
Retired Navy Captain and Rotarian Don
Gunderson spoke to the Fillmore Sun Risers Rotary Club on Tuesday, July 27,
2010, reflecting on his Naval service, the significance of our national
resource, the military veterans, and memories of his father’s Army service in
World War I.
Attired in his Captain’s white summer uniform,
Don Gunderson reminded all that the real veterans are those volunteers who
served our country as a member of the armed forces. They then returned to their
home communities to further contribute to the well-being of the cities and towns
where they resided.
Today there are more than 23 million
veterans across our nation. Nearly 10 percent of them reside in California. As a
group, they are active. For example, 71 percent of veterans voted in the 2008
Presidential election in contrast to 63 percent of the general public. Veterans
are a significant percentage of business owners. As a group, these 23 million
veterans stand out in their communities.
Captain Gunderson offered some poignant memories
of his father’s World War I Army experience. As a boy of 17, he left the family
farm in North Dakota and while waiting to deploy to France in 1917, he was
stricken with the great flu disease of that era. He recovered at the Fort
Dix, NJ Army hospital. He did not deploy as planned with an Iowa National Guard
unit, filled with other Scandinavian farm boys. He was assigned to the 31st
Dixieland Division from Mobile, Alabama. Now in the context of 1917, this was a
great culture change for him. In France, he served as a forward spotter
for the great railroad artillery of that time. He remembered very clearly the
magic moment of the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th
month of 1918 when the Great War ended.
Armistice Day, November 11, was always an
important day which he faithfully observed with fellow veterans at the American
Legion Club in Fargo, ND.
Captain Gunderson concluded his
presentation with a display of his father’s World War I uniform with the Victory
Medal still attached.
Major Marijuana Cultivation Arrests
On
Wednesday, July 21, 2010, members of the Ventura County Sheriff’s
Narcotics Bureau, West County Street Team, completed a two-month
investigation into outdoor marijuana gardens along the Highway 33
corridor north of Ojai. Narcotics detectives identified several
large gardens through aerial flights, and reports by responsible
citizens.
The surveillance of these sites resulted in the arrest of eleven
individuals and the seizure of approximately 23,476 marijuana
plants, bringing the years’ total to 70,173 plants. Two subjects
were armed at the time of their arrest. The suspects are: Santos
Enceso, 43, of Fresno; Rosalio Mendoza, 47, of Fresno; Jorge
Cabrera, 29, of Fresno; Jaime Flores, 36, of Los Angeles; Jorge
Talavera, 47, of Bakersfield, Antonio Medina, 42, of Bakersfield;
Gustavo Estrella, 27, of Port Hueneme; Enrique Ramos, 43, of Port
Hueneme; Jose Hernandez, 25, of Camarillo; Arturo Hernandez, 20, of
Camarillo and a Juvenile, 17, of Bakersfield.
The gardens were located anywhere from a
few hundred yards to several miles off the roadway, and often near
popular hiking and recreation areas. In order to grow these
marijuana plants, it is necessary for the growers to undercut the
brush and trim back the overhead canopy to allow sufficient sunlight
to get to the plants. The hillsides are terraced to allow for more
plants, and as an easier way for the growers to water and fertilize
them. Miles of irrigation pipe run from dammed streams or springs to
provide water. These gardens wreak havoc on the environment and take
years to recover. We have seen old growing sites that are known to
be nearly twenty years old that have not fully recovered. Each
garden held at least one campsite. Each campsite typically contains
clothing, food, sleeping bags, propane stoves, fuel, and
miscellaneous chemical fertilizers and poisons that are often
illegal in this country. The use of these chemicals and destruction
to the environment cause immeasurable damage to the deer, bear,
rabbits, and other small animals in these areas.
The Sheriff’s Department warns those
planning on visiting the Los Padres National Forest to be watchful
for these illegal marijuana gardens. If you find yourself in a
garden, quietly and quickly back out and call law enforcement as
soon as possible. Growers are often armed and are protective of
their gardens.
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).
7-27-10
Sheriff's Running Team To Run In Siberia
Situated about halfway between Moscow and Mongolia, Omsk is a modest
city of 1.5 million people desperately in need of more vowels. The
city will host the upcoming Siberian International Marathon, which
will attract runners from throughout the world, including our own
group of adventurers: Cops Running for Charity.
The group, led by Captain Randy Pentis, has
traveled the world to participate in grueling foot races on several
continents. Last year, the men ran a marathon on remote Easter
Island in the Pacific Ocean. Previous adventures have taken them to
Tunisia, China, Iceland, Chicago and New York.
Many of their previous trips were not
traditional marathons. In the Sahara Desert, the men ran over dunes
and Mars-like terrain in a multi-day race. In Iceland, they
completed an ultra marathon over a volcanic landscape. When they
went to China, the men ran a marathon on the Great Wall.
The ambassadors of pain and suffering will
once again raise money for medical charities that focus on children.
The group includes Captain Randy Pentis,
Captain Tim Hagel, Captain Dave Kenney, Sergeant Frank Underlin,
Sergeant Paul Higgason, Sergeant Joe Devorick, and Pentis’ brother,
Chief Deputy Gary Pentis, who is the “team mom.”
The team has raised an impressive
$150,000.00 for local charities. This year, the goal is to raise
$40,000.00 that will go to Childrens Hospital, Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation (JDRF), ALS-Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and the
Make-a-Wish Foundation.
The men pay their own way when they travel,
so 100 percent of the money they raise goes directly to the
charities.
The team lives by Winston Churchill’s
words, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we
give.”
“What we do is nothing compared to what
children and others have to battle with medical issues,” Pentis
said.
While this trip is fairly straight
forward…it’s only a marathon on relatively flat city streets, the
preparation revealed some interesting obstacles. Getting their visas
approved for the journey was complicated by the concern of Russian
officials that the group was going to Siberia as spies.
The visa application didn’t help. It
included questions about experience with bombs and terrorism
training. Some of the questions prompted answers other than “no,”
which raised more concern.
Captain Pentis had to meet directly with
Russian Embassy officials to ease their concerns about the
intentions of the group of runners from Ventura County.
“If the goal of a spy is to collect
blisters on his feet and be attacked by mosquitoes capable of
carrying off small children, then we definitely fit the bill,” joked
Pentis. “If they’re still concerned, I hope the FSB can keep up with
us, because we’re going there to run.”
Anyone interested in more information about
CRFC can contact Captain Randy Pentis directly at (805)947-8067.
