Fatal
June 15, 2013
On
Friday, June 14, 2013, at about 2:12 a.m., a fatal traffic
collision involving a solo vehicle rollover occurred on Victoria
Avenue south of Olivas Park Drive.
Jose Rodriguez, age 25, of Oxnard, was driving a 2008 Infinity
G37 traveling southbound on Victoria Avenue south of Olivas Park
Drive. Sergio Lemus-Martinez, age 26, of Oxnard was seated as a
passenger in the right front seat and Esmeralda Bello, age 21,
of Oxnard, was seated as a passenger in the right rear seat, All
occupants of the vehicle were wearing their seat belts.
Rodriguez was driving southbound on Victoria Avenue at a high
rate of speed and failed to properly negotiate a curve in the
roadway allowing his vehicle to drift to the right and leave the
roadway. Rodriquez's vehicle collided with a large bush,
continued down a descending embankment, and overturned numerous
times. The vehicle ultimately came to rest on its roof facing in
a northerly direction. As a result of the collision Bello was
partially ejected out the rear window of the vehicle causing her
to sustain fatal injuries. Bello was pronounced deceased at the
scene by responding emergency medical personnel. Rodriguez and
Lemus-Martinez were transported by ambulance to Ventura County
Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.
Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the
combined influence of alcohol and drugs and was booked into the
Ventura County Jail.
This
collision remains under investigation. Anyone with any
information regarding this traffic collision is encouraged to
call the California Highway Patrol at (805) 477-4174.
Thousand Oaks Police Department Citizen Academy
March 5, 2013
The Thousand Oaks Police Department will be offering a day time
Citizen Academy class this Summer at the Thousand Oaks Police
Station at 2101 East Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, CA. This 12 week
course is designed to foster relationships between the residents
of the Conejo Valley and local law enforcement.
This is an excellent opportunity to learn about your
local law enforcement agency, how they operate and what they do
for our community.
The class is free of charge and is held in the
Community Room every Wednesday from 9 a.m. until Noon for
12 weeks. The sessions will begin on Wednesday, June 26, 2013
and conclude on September 11. The sessions are primarily
conducted in a classroom setting at the station with experienced
department staff ready to answer your questions. Field trips to
the Jail in Ventura and the Sheriff’s Academy are also part of
this wonderful program.
If
you are interested in taking advantage of this special
Summer-time session, please make reservation soon as classes
fill up quickly. Due to the commitment of resources they need to
have at least 25 individuals sign up for the class. For an
application please go to
www.toaks.org website. The downloadable application will be
found in the police department section, under Citizen Academy.
You must be 18 or older to apply.
June 15, 2013
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and Ventura County Medical
Center (VCMC) are offering a traffic safety program for teenage
drivers and their parents. The
Start Smart Program
is aimed at helping future and newly licensed teenage drivers
become aware of the responsibilities that accompany the
privilege of being a licensed California driver. The program is
designed as an educational tool for parents and teenagers in an
effort to reduce the number of teenage injuries and deaths
resulting from traffic collisions.
Traffic collisions are
the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. The primary
objective of the program is to provide teens and parents with an
understanding of how poor choices behind the wheel can affect
the lives of numerous people. The Start Smart program also
provides teens and parents with information on defensive
driving, traffic laws in California, dynamics of traffic
collisions, tips on avoiding traffic collisions, and DUI
awareness. The Ventura Area CHP office has partnered with
Ventura County Medical Center to offer multi-faceted perspective
on safe teen driving.
Start Smart classes are free of charge. The next class will be
on Thursday, June 27, 2013 in the cafeteria conference room at
the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). The address for VCMC
is 3291 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003. For more details or
to make a reservation for the class, please call Elena Gutierrez
at (805) 652-5904.
June 5, 2013
On Monday, June 3, 2013 approximately 10:51 a.m., a Ford Ranger pick up
truck traveling westbound on Lynn Road at East Kelley Road
collided with an Acura Legend which was attempting to make a
left turn from East Kelley Road onto eastbound Lynn Road.
The collision occurred in the intersection causing major
damage to both vehicles.
The driver of the pickup truck, a male, 31, from Ventura,
was transported to Los Robles Hospital where he was treated for
his injuries and released.
The driver of the Acura, a female, 86, from Thousand
Oaks, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Her identity is pending notification of the next of kin.
At this time, the cause of the collision is under investigation.
The Thousand Oaks Police Department’s Traffic Bureau is
asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to call
the Traffic Bureau at 805-494-8271.
CHP Hit On Highway 101
June 5, 2013
On Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 1:57 p.m., a Ventura Area CHP
officer contacted a male pedestrian who was illegally walking on
the right shoulder of northbound US-101, north of Victoria Ave.
The officer and the pedestrian were standing on the right
shoulder in front of the patrol vehicle as a semi-truck
approached traveling northbound in the number 3 lane.
The semi-truck drifted onto the right shoulder and struck
the rear of the patrol vehicle.
The patrol vehicle was pushed forward and struck the
officer and pedestrian.
The semi-truck continued northbound, collided with a
guardrail then came to rest in a drainage ditch.
The officer and pedestrian sustained moderate injuries
and were transported to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC)
by ambulance. The driver
of the semi-truck was also transported to VCMC for treatment of
minor injuries. The semi-truck was not loaded at the time of the
collision. The number 2
and 3 lanes were initially closed due to the collision. The
number 2 lane was eventually opened while number 3 lane remained
closed as of 5:30 pm. The collision is still under
investigation.
June 7, 2013
On Friday, June 7, 2013 at 5 a.m., deputies
responded to a call of subjects breaking into vehicles in the
700 block of Mobil Avenue, in Camarillo.
When deputies arrived in the area, they observed a male
juvenile who immediately fled on foot.
After a short search of the area, deputies located three
subjects. The
subjects were arrested and found to be in possession of a large
quantity of stolen property.
Camarillo Detectives interviewed the suspects
and learned they have been stealing property from unlocked
vehicles or “car hopping” for several months.
They admitted to opening at least 20 to 30 cars a night,
throughout the city, over the last two months.
Detectives are still trying to identify all of the
victims. If you have
been a victim of a theft from your vehicle and have not reported
it to the police, please contact Detective Scott Norris
(805)388-5120 or Detective Robert Shirk (805)388-5157.
Tyler Buchanon, 20, and Patrick Sturm, 18, were
booked at the Ventura County Jail for burglary, possession of
stolen property and conspiracy.
The male juvenile, 17, was cited for theft and released
to a relative. All suspects are from Camarillo.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the
public to remove any items of value from their vehicle and
ensure the vehicles doors are locked.
These crimes are examples of “crimes of opportunity” and
could have possibly been prevented.
More importantly, we would like to thank the public for
reporting this crime and encourage others to call the police
anytime they observe suspicious subjects.
Grand Theft Arrests
June 7, 2013
On Monday, June 3, 2013, about 9 a.m., a victim
contacted the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to report a
trespass and theft of a large electric motor that had been
placed in a trailer and taken from the premises without
permission.
Deputies responded and began an investigation.
They were provided with a suspect description and suspect
vehicle information. They later learned the vehicle was owned by
Shelby Ransom, 42, of Ojai. With the assistance of Headquarters
patrol and Ojai Station Detectives, Ransom was located at a
local scrap yard in the 2900 block of N. Ventura Avenue, in
possession of the stolen property. Hannah Casey, 23, of Ojai,
was located with Ransom. Additionally, Ransom and Casey had
outstanding felony warrants.
During the investigation, the rightful owner of
the motor was identified, contacted, and requested prosecution
for the theft. Ransom and Casey were arrested and booked for the
felony grand theft. Ransom’s bail was set at $120,000 for the
grand theft and warrants. Casey’s bail was set at $500,000 for
the grand theft and warrants.