Ventura County
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Ventura CountyOct 13, 20262 minSWAT storms Oxnard homes at 5 a.m. in shooting crackdown
Victor Ortiz, 21, was arrested Oct. 13 after Oxnard police served search warrants at two homes in a Sept. 21 shooting investigation on Olds Road.
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Ventura CountyOct 12, 20263 minA strong El Nino is building. Ventura County just named the places most likely to flood.
Forecasters expect a strong El Nino winter, and Ventura County officials have named the communities most vulnerable to flooding and debris flows.
Kristian Thorne
Local NewsOct 4, 20262 minFirefighters and Lifeguards Rescue Dog Trapped in Car Crashing Into Surf Near Malibu
First responders from multiple agencies rushed to Highway 1 near Deer Creek Road on Saturday after a vehicle crashed off the roadway and landed in the rocky surf along the shoreline. While the driver escaped with one dog, firefighters and California State Parks Lifeguards worked together to free a second dog trapped inside the vehicle. The driver was hospitalized in stable condition with minor injuries, and both dogs escaped unhurt.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMEOct 4, 20262 minSanta Paula Gang Associate Arrested With Loaded Gun and Meth on Aguacate
Deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Station arrested 18-year-old Santa Paula resident Efren Bracamontes Jr. and three teenagers during a late-night patrol check in a remote area west of Santa Paula. Officers recovered a loaded handgun and a controlled substance inside a vehicle linked to the group. Bracamontes was booked into county jail on multiple felony weapon and drug charges before posting bail, after which detectives executed a search warrant at his residence.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMEOct 4, 20262 minOver $16,000 in Stolen Designer Fragrances Recovered After Task Force Busts Retail Theft Ring
Detectives with the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force arrested four individuals in Newbury Park following an investigation into widespread merchandise thefts targeting Ulta Beauty locations across Ventura County. Investigators searched the suspects' vehicles, recovering nearly 100 stolen bottles of men's cologne and women's perfume valued at over $16,000. All four suspects were booked for conspiracy to commit organized retail theft before posting $20,000 bail each.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeOct 4, 20264 minFamily Sex Trafficking Ring Convicted in Ventura County Landlord Bust
Ventura County prosecutors secured jury convictions against four members of the Ma family—Xiangwei Ma, Xiangdong Ma, Li Ma, and Ming Ma—for running an organized criminal enterprise that exploited foreign nationals from China in illicit massage parlors across Ventura and Port Hueneme. The ring laundered millions in illicit proceeds through real estate, insurance policies, and casinos for over a decade. The defendants face up to 17 years in prison, along with the forfeiture of more than $1.25 million in seized cash and assets.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeOct 4, 20263 minSimi Valley Man Charged with Human Trafficking as More Victims Come Forward
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced expanded felony charges against 37-year-old Simi Valley resident Brent William Bischoff after more victims stepped forward. Bischoff now faces two criminal cases involving eight victims, with charges including human trafficking of minors, pandering, child annoyance, and forgery. Authorities state he targeted teenage girls ages 14 to 16 at shopping centers near Moorpark High School.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMEOct 4, 20263 minPorch Pirates Busted in Oxnard After Traffic Stop Uncovers Stolen Goods
Following an increase in residential package and mail thefts across Oxnard, the Oxnard Police Department arrested two suspects—Samara Eaves of Oxnard and Janet Barajas of Port Hueneme—after a traffic stop on Socorro Way. Officers recovered stolen property and tied the pair to porch thefts in the Sea View Estates and Rio Lindo neighborhoods, while also serving outstanding felony warrants.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMEOct 4, 20262 minKiller Pleads Guilty to 1998 Ventura Home-Invasion Shooting
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that 48-year-old Manuel Alejandro Vasquez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for his role in the 1998 killing of Felipe Arambula inside his Ventura home. Vasquez fled to Mexico following the murder-for-hire extortion plot, remaining a fugitive until his 2023 arrest and 2025 extradition. He faces 25 years to life in state prison at his upcoming November sentencing.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetySep 30, 20263 minSimi Valley Police Respond to Traffic Collisions Involving ICE Vehicles Following Federal Operation
The Simi Valley Police Department responded to two non-injury traffic collisions involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles near Patricia and Hubbard Streets on September 29, 2026. The response followed a federal operation that resulted in the arrest and detention of Orlando Izaguirre. While family members have launched an online fundraiser alleging an intentional collision by federal agents as he left his apartment complex with his brother, local police confirmed their involvement was strictly limited to routine traffic accident reports.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 30, 20263 minSimi Valley Parents Charged in Fentanyl Overdose Death of 11-Month-Old Baby Girl
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced murder and child abuse charges against Simi Valley residents George James Salas and Karina Lucia Yanes following the tragic fentanyl intoxication death of their 11-month-old daughter, Ariya. Salas faces second-degree murder, child abuse, and drug charges with multiple special allegations, while Yanes faces felony child abuse resulting in death. Both defendants remain in custody following their preliminary court appearance.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetySep 29, 20262 minVentura County Firefighter Seriously Injured After Tesla Driver Smashes Through 118 Freeway Blockade in Simi Valley
A Ventura County firefighter suffered major injuries early Sunday morning after a driver in a red Tesla plowed through a freeway blockade, striking a fire engine and an active firefighter on the westbound 118 Freeway near Tapo Canyon Road. Emergency personnel and California Highway Patrol officers were stationed at the scene investigating an earlier wrong-way collision when the secondary crash occurred. CHP officers arrested the Tesla driver at the scene.
Lana J. Yang
Local NewsSep 29, 20262 minCHP Motorcycle Officer Brian Liles Killed in Line-of-Duty Crash on Highway 99
The California Highway Patrol announced the tragic line-of-duty death of 44-year-old Visalia Area Motorcycle Officer Brian Liles. Officer Liles was involved in a fatal traffic crash on State Route 99 near Tipton on September 28, 2026. A 16-year veteran of the CHP, Officer Liles is survived by his wife, two children, parents, and two sisters.
Lana J. Yang
Local NewsSep 28, 20261 min42 Law Enforcement Recruits Graduate Ventura County Academy Class 2026-1 in Thousand Oaks Ceremony
Forty-two recruits officially joined the ranks of regional law enforcement following the graduation of Academy Class 2026-1 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. District Attorney Erik Nasarenko presented the Outstanding Personal Traits Award to Oxnard Police Department Officer Vanessa Juarez during the ceremony.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 28, 20263 minVentura Patrol Officer Tackles Fleeing Suspect Armed with Loaded 9mm Handgun and Meth After Vehicle and Foot Pursuit
On September 25, 2026, a Ventura Police officer initiated a traffic stop near Victoria Avenue and Valentine Road that escalated into a vehicle and foot pursuit. The driver, 29-year-old Ventura resident Rolando Palafox, abandoned his car in an industrial park and fled on foot. The officer gave chase, tackled Palafox to the ground without injury, and recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from his pocket along with methamphetamine.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetySep 28, 20264 minMilitary Explosives Warning Issued After Citizen Brings Dangerous Navy Marker to Ojai Home
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad and U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team from Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu responded to an Ojai residence after a citizen carried a found Navy MK25 phosphorus marine marker home from a local beach. Law enforcement officials issued an urgent public safety advisory warning residents never to touch, move, or transport military ordnance or marine markers, which can spontaneously reignite, explode, or burn at extreme temperatures up to 3,000°F.
Lana J. Yang
Local NewsSep 23, 20263 minGun Recovered After Elderly Married Couple Found Deceased in Newbury Park
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and the Thousand Oaks Police Department are conducting a death investigation after an elderly married couple—89-year-old Aleksander Tukalski and 86-year-old Kazia Berlach Tukalska—were discovered deceased inside their Newbury Park home on September 21, 2026. Deputies responded to the residence on Lucas Court following a relative's request for a welfare check. Detectives recovered a firearm at the scene and confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Lana J. Yang
Local NewsSep 22, 20262 min9-Month-Old Puppy "Smiley" Needs Permanent Home Before Temporary Foster Ends
Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) has issued an urgent adoption appeal for Smiley (Animal ID: A886900), a 9-month-old male American Pit Bull Terrier mix. Originally terrified and trembling inside the shelter, Smiley spent the past week decompressing in a temporary foster home with a local Animal Control Officer, proving to be sweet, wiggly, and dog-friendly. With his temporary foster arrangement concluding Wednesday, September 23, VCAS is urging community members to adopt or foster Smiley into a calm, patient household.
Lana J. Yang
Local NewsSep 22, 20263 minFriendly 4-Year-Old Siberian Husky Looking for His Forever Home in Camarillo
Ventura County Animal Services is highlighting Monty, a friendly 4-year-old neutered male Siberian Husky currently available for adoption at the Camarillo Animal Shelter. Originally found in Simi Valley, Monty weighs 60 pounds, gets along great with people, and is open to dog siblings. VCAS is currently waiving adoption fees for all pets to encourage local community members to adopt.
Lana J. Yang
public safetySep 22, 20264 minThree Ventura Students Arrested Following Viral AI "Cat in the Hat" School Threat Trend Across Ventura County
Ventura Police Department detectives arrested three Buena High School students—two 15-year-olds and one 14-year-old—for creating and circulating threatening videos depicting an AI-generated Dr. Seuss "Cat in the Hat" character making ominous threats toward local schools. The arrests come as school districts across Ventura County, including the Santa Paula Unified School District, issue urgent advisories warning families about the disturbing nationwide viral trend and reminding students that digital threats carry serious legal consequences.
Lana J. Yang