Ventura County Crime Blog: March 2009

Are you for or against the legalization of marijuana?

Submit your thoughts for our upcoming editorial regarding the pros and cons.

Are you sleeping with the enemy?

Malaika Cohen, author of SHACKLES- Overcoming Domestic Abuse a Modern Day Taboo, shares her experience as a domestic abuse survivor and how you can help others in similar situations.

Unsolved Murder: Mike Grair

On October 10, 2008, Michael Grair's body was found inside his white Cadillac Escalade behind a vacant commercial center he owned. The engine was still running. His murder has yet to be solved and his family is offering $100,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the killer or killers.

Ventura County Crime Library

Our newest feature Includes gang information, unsolved murders and high profile cases.

Showing newest 23 of 33 posts from March 2009. Show older posts

What would you do differently?

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 1 Response

March 29, 2009

psa, seatbelt safety | Links to this post |

Oxnard: On-line Traffic Collision Report Retrieval System

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 0 Responses

March 29, 2009

The Oxnard Police Department is proud to announce that traffic collision reports can be accessed online through Oxnard Police Department's website, http://www.oxnardpd.org.

Persons who were directly involved in a traffic collision, or their insurance company, can access their report with the following information:

The report number that was issued by the officer.
The last name of the involved party.
The date of the accident.
All traffic collision reports from January 2009 to present are available for online access.
Reports will be placed onto the system 7 to 10 days after the report was taken.

To look up your report, begin at http://oxnardca.policereports.us.

Just a reminder, this service is now also available for Ventura.

On the web

>OxnardCA.PoliceReports.US

>VenturaCA.PoliceReports.US

Camarillo: Wanted for attempted abduction

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 5 Responses

March 28, 2009

According to Ventura County Sheriff's, this man attempted to kidnap a 25 year old woman in Camarillo Saturday morning at approximately 1:50am while walking along Castillo de Rosa, near Worth Way. Although alone, she managed to fight and escape.

Details

White Male

Age: Late 20's/early 30's

Approx. 6 feet tall

180 lbs

Short brown hair/clean shaven

Wearing yellow t-shirt with black design on the front.

Truck

Older model dark pickup truck

American made/extended cab

Diamond pattern large toolbox in the back

If you have any information regarding this suspect, please call (805) 388-5100 or the Ventura County Sheriff's Department at (805) 654-9511.

805Vigilantes Featured on 1400am KKZZ

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 3 Responses

March 26, 2009

Coach Ron Tunick, host of the Business of Life on 1400am KKZZ had our 805Vigilantes editor as a guest on his show Tuesday afternoon, to discuss our work and our website.

Click here to listen to the podcast. Starts at 43:44 min.

media, press | Links to this post |

REWARD $$: David Acona/Antonio Castallanos: Auto theft, vandalism, and 2 DUIs

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 2 Responses

March 25, 2009

Reward available for information leading to an arrest or conviction. For more wanted suspects, click here.

David Acona / Alias Antonio Castallanos
DOB: July 11, 1987
Male / Hispanic / 21
5ft 7in tall / 150 lbs
Black hair / Brown eyes

Four violation of probation warrants for auto theft, felony vandalism, and two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Click here to submit an anonymous tip webtip for David Acona.

Marijuana: Should it be legalized?

Reporter: Charlene Davidson 18 Responses

March 24, 2009

We will be writing an editorial on the pros and cons on marijuana legalization.

Please watch the video below and then post your thoughts.

If you would like to submit your point of view, please use the contact form or feel free to post a comment on this post.

To be taken seriously, we recommend that you bring your point across in an articulate manner.

drugs, legalized, marijuana, reform | Links to this post |

A Guide to our Twitter page

Reporter: Elidet Reyes 1 Response

March 24, 2009

We've received a couple emails asking us how to use twitter. You can add us on twitter at twitter.com/805CrimeBlog.

Twitter is a free micro-blogging site that lets you send quick updates in 140 characters or less. If you don't have a twitter account, I do recommend getting one and signing up to our updates!

To "follow" someone means you are signing up to their updates and will show up on your screen. When someone "follows" you back, they are signing up to your updates.
It works similar to a combination of an RSS feed and IM.
To be able to send direct messages to our account, we must be following you back, so we do follow back anyone who follows us. Then, simply click on the "send message" link on the profile.
To send us a reply, simply type in @805vigilantes and we will receive it. We do answer all our replies as soon as we get them. Replies do show up on your update lists, so if you need to send us any private tips for law enforcement, I recommend using TipSubmit.com instead.

Twitter is quite easy to use once you sign up. Below is a list of other interesting people to follow.

Oxnard PD Twitter Guide

Here you will find a list of all the Oxnard PD beats on twitter, as well as the Oxnard Police Chief, John Crombach.

Twitter Recommendations & their bios:

Ventura County Twitterers

http://twitter.com/dcagle
DARYL CAGLE is the cartoonist for MSNBC.com! Daryl's site: www.cagle.msnbc.com, his blog: www.blog.cagle.com/daryl, his store: www.politicalcartoons.com

http://twitter.com/RedCrossVentura
American Red Cross of Ventura County

http://twitter.com/conejoJoe
Conejo Joe's Conejo Valley Guide is the most comprehensive website of things to do in Ventura County!

http://twitter.com/mamapigeon
writer...nonprofit organizational specialist; crazy momma of triplets & hummingbird on caffeine!

http://twitter.com/Cars4Causes
We are "The Charity That Gives to Charities". Also on the web at http://www.cars4causes.net

Crime & News Twitterers

http://twitter.com/1800CRIMETV
Official Twitter of America's Most Wanted. We're responsible for the capture of 1,059 wanted fugitives.

http://twitter.com/abc7
KABC has complete Breaking News, Weather, Traffic, Entertainment and Sports for L.A., Orange County, Ventura County, the Inland Empire, and Southern California.

http://twitter.com/LATimesbreaking
Experimental aggregation of latimes.com/breaking + other e-news alerts. Please send feedback c/o @latimesnystrom

http://twitter.com/crimewriters
A true crime blog founded by best selling author Corey Mitchell, and written by award winning journalists, authors, criminal justice professionals, and others.

I am also on twitter at twitter.com/elidet, which is my personal/networking account.

As always, feel free to contact us with any questions.

>Oxnard PD Twitter Guide

Ventura: Shooting on Olive St.

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 0 Responses

March 24, 2009

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416.
Location: 800 Block N. Olive St.
Date/Time Occurred: March 23, 2009, 8:50 p.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers.
Victim(s): Three Ventura Males, 16 & 17 years of age.

Narrative:

On March 23, 2009, at 8:50 p.m., three victims were walking along N. Olive St. near bell Way when a car pulled up, and an occupant got out with a shotgun.

Words are exchanged and multiple shots were fired by the suspect as the victims fled. One of the teenagers was hit in the head by the gunfire, suffering serious, but not life-threatening injuries. He was transported by ambulance to VCMC where he is at this time still receiving treatment for his injuries.

The suspects are still at large.

The matter is still under investigation and is believed to be gang-related

Oxnard: Significant Gang Related Arrests

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 2 Responses

March 23, 2009

INCIDENT:
Significant gang-related arrest
DATE/TIME:
3-23-09 / 1530 hours
LOCATION:
1800 block Alexander St.
SUSPECT/S:
Librado Navarrete, 22 years, of Camarillo
Cesar Navarrete, 21 years, of Camarillo
15 year-old male juvenile from Oxnard
Luis Orozco, 22 years, of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:
Officer Rocky Marquez

DETAILS:

On 3/23/09 officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit contacted several gang members loitering in the east alley, 1800 block of Alexander Street, Oxnard. During the contact, S.E.U. officers apprehended Librado Navarrete, who is out on bail for a previous gang related shooting, Luis Orozco and a 15 year-old male, who fled and were found hiding in a near by garage.

A subsequent search of the area in which the subjects were found produced a loaded handgun, narcotic paraphernalia, gang-related clothing and graffiti instruments.

Librado Navarrete was arrested for resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer as well as a parole violation.
Cesar Navarrete was arrested for being in possession of graffiti tools and street terrorism.
Luis Orozco was cited and released for a probation violation.
The 15 year-old male was arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall for resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer and a probation violation.

The Navarretes were booked in the Ventura County Jail. Bail for Cesar was set at $100,000; Librado is being held without bail.

An investigation is continuing.

805vigilantes.com featured in the Ventura County Star

Reporter: Elidet Reyes 6 Responses

March 23, 2009

805Vigilantes.com is featured in today's edition of the Ventura County Star.

We would like to thank John Scheibe of the Ventura County Star for giving us the opportunity to share our work with their readers.

We would also like to thank David Keith of the Oxnard Police Department, and Robert Worthley of Crime Stoppers, for helping us get this website off the ground in August of 2008. Without their help, we wouldn't be here.

Interview:

>Websites help Ventura County law enforcement crack crime

Meet Jacqui, as featured on Oprah

Reporter: Elidet Reyes 8 Responses

March 20, 2009

Aftermath

Jacqui was one of three survivors after the car she was riding in was hit by 17 year old Reginald Stephey, who was driving drunk. Two others died at the scene.

He was sentenced to prison and and a $20,000 fine. Reginald was released from prison on June 24, 2008.

For more info on Jacqui, go to HelpJacqui.com or check out DearDrunkDriver.com.

Next time you find yourself drinking and wanting to drive- ask yourself:

Would you want to be responsible for killing and causing so much suffering to others?

Wouldn't it be cheaper to call a cab?

What you can do

Ventura County has a high rate of drunk driving fatalities. (One is one too many.)

Our society has taken a laid back approach that somehow justifies this incredibly irresponsible behavior as an "honest mistake," particularly with underage drinking.

Drunk driving is never a mistake, it is a deliberate action done so by the driver. Driving is a privilege, not a right. With that privilege comes responsibilities.

At the suggestion of one of our readers, we urge you to write to the D.A. and request maximum punishment for the most recent case of drunk driver Desirie Osuna, which resulted in the death of her passenger. To set a standard, we must hold irresponsible drivers accountable for their actions.

Many times, people do not get involved until it's too late, until circumstances change and it happens to them. Don't wait for this to happen to you before you do the right thing. Doing the right thing now will prevent heartache later.

Contact

Gregory D. Totten (R)

District Attorney - Ventura County
800 S. Victoria Ave.
Ventura, CA 93009
805-654-2500
fax: 805-654-3850
da.criminal@ventura.org
http://www.ventura.org/vcda/index.htm

The D.A. takes appropriate action regarding specific allegations of suspected criminal conduct.

Cheaper to call a cab than get a D.U.I.

Reporter: Elidet Reyes 3 Responses

March 20, 2009

Talk to your teen about the responsibilities that come with drinking and driving.

Remind them that it's cheaper to call a cab than:

1. Get a D.U.I.

2. Wrecking the car.

3. Taking a life.

We are currently selling these bumper stickers at $4. Profits from the sale of this bumper sticker will be donated to local preventive programs. Click here to purchase.

Just a reminder of the deadly car crashes we have had due the irresponsibility of the driver.

(Remember, these should never be considered accidents. Accidents can't be prevented. Drunk driving can. We, as a society, need to request harsher punishments.)

-20 year old Desirie Osuna was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence crashing her vehicle that killed her passenger, 22 year old Elisa Laura Failauga

-19 year old Ventura resident, Kristina Schulthies was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, after crashing into a tree and severely injuring her passenger.

-This past November, Lucia Cardoza of Fillmore, crashed her vehicle, killing her 4 year old son.

-A 32 year old caused the death of 5 of his passengers when the vehicle he was driving crashed into a power pole.

(Name was withheld by law enforcement & media.)

-Thousand Oaks resident, Karey Marsh, was struck and killed during her morning jog by Nicholas Lagrotta, 23. Lagrotta didn't realize he had struck Marsh, until deputies noticed Marsh's shoes on the pavement. [UPDATE: On April 3, 2009, Lagrotta was sentenced to 6 years in prison & ordered to pay $126,000.]

-Cody James Murphy, 17, was killed when the car he was driving flipped on the PCH. His blood alcohol level was 0.18. According to LA Sheriff's Sgt. Philip Brooks, most teens would pass out at such high blood alcohol level.

-A 17 year old from Thousand Oaks was arrested after the vehicle he was driving back from a road trip, crashed on Highway 101. Ryan Edwards, 18, was killed. (Driver's name was not released to the media because he was a minor at the time.)

We remind our readers that it is cheaper to call a cab, both monetary wise and safety wise.

The $20-$40 cost of a cab is nothing compared to the loss of a life.

Ventura: St. Patrick's DAY DUI Enforcement-Results

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 1 Response

March 19, 2009

As a result of the operation, there were 8 arrests made for drivers driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and 64 citations issued for various traffic infractions.

Remember, it is cheaper to call a cab than get a DUI!

Related Links
>DUI Enforcement Results via Ventura Police Department

dui, ventura | Links to this post |

Ventura: Battery on a peace officer/resisting & obstructing officer

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 12 Responses

March 19, 2009

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416.
Location: 800 S. Victoria Ave, Courtroom #14, Ventura.
Date/Time Occurred: March 18, 2009, 8:50 a.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Detective Symonds, Officer McCaskill, and Officer Marchetti.
Suspect(s): Zeravica, Robert, 40 yrs, from Ventura -- Resisting and Obstructing Executive Officer in his Duties (Felony), & Battery on a Police Officer (with injury-Felony), Booked into Ventura County Jail.

Narrative:

On March 18, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. Officers from the Ventura Police Department were in Ventura County courtroom #14 waiting to testify in a criminal case when they were confronted by Zeravica.

Zeravica was in the courtroom to hear the criminal case of his spouse who was in custody awaiting trial. Zeravica recognized Det. Symonds as one of the investigating officers in the case against his wife and confronted him. Zeravica challenged Symonds to fight on numerous occasions, Symonds then asked Zeravica to leave the courtroom. Zeravica refused to leave, and Symonds approached the court Bailiff to alert him of the problem, when Symonds returned he was immediately battered by Zeravica. Zeravica was taken to the ground by numerous officers and taken into custody.

During the incident Zeravica punched Officer McCaskill in the head and continued to attempt to batter other officers while being taken into custody. McCaskill received medical treatment for the injury to his head and also an injury to his knee he received while falling to the ground. McCaskill was treated and released.

The suspect Zeravica was taken to Ventura County Medical Center and treated and released for minor injuries. He was then booked into Ventura County Jail for (2) Counts of Battery on a Peace Officer, and also Resisting, Obstructing, and Threatening a Executive Officer in his duties. Zeravica will also face additional charges by the court for the disturbance he caused in the courtroom.

Ventura: Illegal entry/vandalism/parole violation

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 0 Responses

March 19, 2009

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416.
Location: 1200 Block Winford Ave, Ventura.
Date/Time Occurred: March 18, 2009, 6:09 a.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Ventura Police Officers.
Suspect(s): Judson Mashburn, 37 years old, Santa Paula Resident.

Narrative:

On the above date and time, Ventura Police Communications Center received a call from a resident in the 1200 block of Winford Ave whom reported a person running through their back yard.

Moments later, the Communications Center received a second call from a different resident several houses away from the first report on Winford Ave. The second person reported that a male subject broke out a window to their daughter’s bedroom, entered the bedroom through the window, ran through the house and locked themself in a bathroom. The reporting party described that the subject was bleeding and shouted out to call the police because gang members were chasing him.

Arriving officers found the subject, later identified as Mashburn, locked in a bathroom. He surrendered to officers and was detained.

Investigation revealed that Mashburn was under the influence of a controlled substance. The neighborhood was checked, witnesses were interviewed, and Mashburn’s claim to be chased by gang members was unfounded. Furthermore, Mashburn shattered a sliding glass door to the victim’s residence at some point during the incident. No one in the residence was injured.

Mashburn was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, illegal entry, felony vandalism and parole violation. Mashburn was treated and released from Ventura County Medical Center for lacerations and booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Center.

REWARD $$: Nicole Marie Osborne: Identity theft & under the influence of drugs

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 3 Responses

March 19, 2009

Reward available for information leading to an arrest or conviction. For more wanted suspects, click here.

Nicole Marie Osborne

DOB: June 26, 1986

Female / Caucasian / 22

5ft 7in tall / 115lbs

Violation of probation warrant for identity theft and being under the influence of drugs.

Click here to submit an anonymous webtip for Nicole Marie Osborne.

REWARD $$: Adan Benjamin Vargas: Identity & grand theft auto

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 0 Responses

March 19, 2009

Reward available for information leading to an arrest or conviction. For more wanted suspects, click here.

Adan Benjamin Vargas

DOB: March 4, 1975

Male / Hispanic / 33

5ft 10in tall / 255 lbs

Violation of probation warrant for identity theft and grand theft auto.

Click here to submit an anonymous webtip for Adan Benjamin Vargas.

Oxnard Police Department to receive stimulus funding

Reporter: Elidet Reyes 0 Responses

March 14, 2009

With funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, directed through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, the Oxnard Police Department is eligible to receive a $398,746 grant to support its commitment to public safety.

The funding can be used to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime. JAG funds can be used to assist law enforcement programs with funding for technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems. Specific applications of these funds are being carefully considered, and a proposal will be submitted in the next few weeks.

The Police Department is currently exploring additional funding opportunities, many of which are a product of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in February.

Further information about this JAG funding source can be found at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryJAG/JAGrecoveryLocal.pdf

REWARD $$: Linda E. Martell: Assault w/ deadly weapon

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 0 Responses

March 13, 2009

Reward available for information leading to an arrest or conviction. For more wanted suspects, click here.

Linda E. Martell

DOB: April 17, 1972

Female / Hispanic / 36

5ft 3in tall / 140 lbs
Brown hair / Brown eyes

Failure to appear warrant for assault with a deadly weapon and battery with serious bodily injury.

Click here to submit an anonymous webtip for Linda E. Martell.

REWARD $$: Jose Antonio Barquero: Failing to register as sex offender

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 0 Responses

March 12, 2009

Reward available for information leading to an arrest or conviction. For more wanted suspects, click here.

Jose Antonio Barquero
DOB: March 7, 1957
Male / Hispanic / 52
6ft tall / 150 lbs
Black hair / Brown eyes

Click here to submit an anonymous web tip for Jose Antonio Barquero.

Violation of probation warrant for failing to register as a sex offender with 2 strikes

Ventura: Vehicle Pursuit-Thomas Young

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 1 Response

March 11, 2009

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416.
Location: Main Street and Pacific Avenue.
Date/Time Occurred: March 10, 2009, 9:43 p.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers.
Suspect(s): Thomas Young, 43 years of Ventura.
Report #: 09-3433.

Narrative:

On the above date and time, Ventura Police Officers attempted to stop a vehicle on Main St. at Pacific Ave. The driver and lone occupant in the vehicle, Thomas Young, was a wanted parolee. He did not yield to the officers’ lights and sirens, and the officers pursued after him.

The pursuit went through mid-town Ventura neighborhoods and eastbound on Thompson towards the intersection of Five Points. In the area of Five Points at Telegraph, the suspect was driving in excess of 100 mph. His speed, combined with his erratic and unsafe driving patterns given the roadway conditions, made it unsafe for the officers to continue to pursue after him. The officers terminated their pursuit of the suspect on Telegraph Rd. east of Five Points.

Within a couple minutes of the pursuit being terminated, the Police Communications Center began receiving calls of a vehicle accident on Foothill Rd. at Cobblestone St. Officers arrived on scene and found the suspect from the pursuit running from his vehicle, which had collided with a light pole.

The officers chased after the suspect and took him into custody on Foothill Rd. near Victoria Ave. As a result of the collision, the suspect sustained minor injuries, and he was treated at VCMC.

He was booked into Ventura County Jail on charges of felon in possession of a handgun, transportation of methamphetamine, felony evading, resisting arrest and parole violations.

No officers were injured during the incident.

Oxnard: Shooting

Reporter: Ellen Rodriguez 0 Responses

March 11, 2009

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Detective Paul Knapp at (805) 385-7796 or leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.

INCIDENT: Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME: 3/10/09 at 2242 hours
LOCATION: Fifth Street and “F” Street
VICTIM/S: 43 year-old male from Oxnard
SUSPECT/S: 20 year-old Hispanic male
PREPARED BY: Senior Officer Chris Williams

DETAILS:

On 3/10/09 at approximately 2242 hours, Oxnard police received several phone calls regarding a shooting victim in the area of Fifth Street and “F” Street. When officers arrived they located a 43 year-old male who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.

The victim was transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.

At the time of this writing, the motive for the shooting had not been established.

An investigation is continuing.

oxnard, shooting | Links to this post |