Ventura County
Articles
Latest Ventura County stories — newest first.
CrimeJul 16, 20263 minTaser Deployed in River Bottom Encampment After Armed Felony Suspect Resists Arrest
During an illegal camping enforcement operation in the Ventura river bottom near Harbor Boulevard, Patrol Task Force officers arrested Brad Greene on multiple felony charges. Greene, who had an outstanding warrant from a previous arrest, resisted officers and attempted to arm himself with a knife, prompting a TASER deployment. A search of the campsite uncovered three handguns, brass knuckles, and large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl packaged for sale.
Lana J. Yang
Local NewsJul 16, 20263 minMoorpark Hosts National Night Out Event to Connect Officers and Neighbors
The Moorpark Police Department and California Highway Patrol are hosting their annual National Night Out event on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the Moorpark Police Services Center. Running from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the free community event features a helicopter flyover, K-9 and SWAT displays, a kids' bike rodeo, and free dinner and school supplies for the first 250 guests. While designed to bolster community-police partnerships, some critics have raised concerns over the highly tactical, militarized focus of the safety displays.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMEJul 16, 20263 minLA Car Thieves Charged in $105K Corvette Heist in Thousand Oaks Was Immediately Released by Ventura Court
Two Los Angeles men, John Lene Ivy and Brandon Montel Taylor, have been charged with commercial burglary and grand theft after allegedly stealing a $105,000 Chevy Corvette from a Thousand Oaks dealership. A wider sweep of their properties uncovered a $1.3 million luxury auto theft ring. Despite the scope of the crimes and strong objections from the Ventura County D.A., the court released both suspects on their own recognizance with no bail required.
Lana J. Yang
Gun ViolenceJul 16, 20264 minTWO ARRESTED AFTER OXNARD POLICE SEIZE GUNS AND AMMO DURING HOME SEARCH
Beyond the Blotter: What a Single Gun Arrest in Oxnard Tells Us About Modern Street Level Policing When police releases leave us with more questions than answers, we have to look at the broader machinery of violence prev
Casey Hayes
Public SafetyJul 15, 20264 minLive 1950s bazooka rocket detonated in high-impact explosion on Mugu State Beach
Over the weekend, the Ventura County Sheriff's Bomb Squad and a Navy EOD unit executed a controlled detonation of a live 1950s-era "Super Bazooka" rocket that washed ashore at Mugu State Beach. Due to the volatile state of the explosives, authorities blocked off the beach and PCH to destroy the round in place. Officials posted the official warning to the Ventura County Sheriff's Instagram Page, reminding the public that this stretch of beach was once a military training ground and warning beachgoers to never touch suspected ordnance.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetyJul 15, 20263 minLA Suspects Charged in Thousand Oaks $14,000 Heist as DA Warns of Rising "Bank Jugging" Trend
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko has filed felony grand theft and conspiracy charges against Los Angeles residents Francisco Javier Nieto Mosquera and Ricardo De Jesus Melendez Rodriguez for a $14,000 "bank jugging" theft in Thousand Oaks. The charges follow a coordinated arrest in San Dimas that also linked the suspects to a massive $700,000 theft targeting an elderly victim in Torrance. DA Nasarenko warned that this is the county's fourth jugging case prosecuted in just four months.
Lana J. Yang
Local NewsJul 15, 2026Urgent Search Underway For Missing Camarillo Teen
An urgent search is underway for 16-year-old Sophie Keira Brien, who went missing from Arneil Drive in Camarillo on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 8:45 p.m. Sophie left without her phone, money, or keys, and suffers from ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Anyone with information is urged to contact local authorities or message @emmyb_212 on Instagram immediately.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMEJul 14, 20262 minProactive Ventura Patrol Snags Probationer With Lethal Stash of Fentanyl and Meth
Prompted by neighborhood complaints of drug activity, the Ventura Police Department's Patrol Task Force conducted a probation search on a suspect, recovering 175 grams of methamphetamine, 28 grams of fentanyl, and 137 alprazolam pills. Officers also seized cash, theft tools, and evidence of drug sales, resulting in multiple felony charges for the suspect.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMEJul 14, 20262 minKnown Gang Members Busted with Two Ounces of Meth and Live Ammunition
On July 9, 2026, a Fillmore traffic stop at Trestle Way and Orchid Street resulted in the arrest of three local residents, including two known street gang members. Deputies determined all occupants were under the influence and recovered two ounces of methamphetamine, packaging paraphernalia, and live ammunition. Driver Enrique Lomeli, a convicted felon, faces multiple felony charges, including transportation of a controlled substance for distribution.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetyJul 14, 20263 minOxnard PD Releases Critical Footage of Violent Struggle and Officer-Involved Shooting
The Oxnard Police Department has released bodycam footage and a community briefing from a June 17, 2026, officer-involved shooting in the 3400 block of Neap Place. Suspect Victor Gallegos allegedly rammed a patrol car head-on following a pursuit, fled into a backyard, and engaged in a violent physical struggle with Officer David Raney. During the fight, Gallegos punched the officer and attempted to disarm him, prompting Raney to fire a single shot. Chief Jason Benitz urged the public to reserve judgment while the active investigation continues.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMEJul 13, 20263 minLA Suspects Tracked Down After $14,000 Vehicle Break-In And Target Of $700,000 Elderly Victim
Two Los Angeles men, Francisco Mosquera and Ricardo Rodriguez, were arrested on July 9, 2026, for running a regional "bank jugging" ring. The suspects allegedly followed a victim from a Thousand Oaks bank to a convenience store, breaking into their vehicle to steal $14,000. Investigators also linked the suspects to a Torrance theft targeting an elderly woman for $700,000, recovering stolen gold and jewelry during a residential search warrant.
Lana J. Yang
Local NewsJul 13, 20262 minMORE THAN 40 FIREFIGHTERS RUSH TO DISASTROUS NEWBURY PARK HOUSE BLAZE
More than 40 Ventura County firefighters responded to a working structure fire in the 2700 block of Denise Street in Newbury Park. Crews arrived to find heavy flames pouring from the garage of a two-story home. Firefighters executed an aggressive attack to knock down the blaze and confirmed all occupants were safely out. No injuries were reported, though two adults have been displaced, and the cause is under investigation.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetyJul 13, 20262 min$120,000 In Construction Materials Vaporized In Late-Night Fillmore Campus Fire
Late on July 4, 2026, a major fire broke out in a parking lot at Fillmore High School, destroying roughly $120,000 worth of stored construction materials. Fire crews successfully contained the flames before they could damage any campus structures. Arson investigators are currently seeking community assistance and video footage via the Ventura County Sheriff's digital evidence portal to determine the official cause.
Lana J. Yang
AnalysisJul 10, 20263 minOxnard man arrested after police find loaded gun with serial number removed
The Shadow in the Patrol Car Headlights: What a Single Arrest in Oxnard Tells Us About the Ghost Gun Crisis A routine stop on South Oxnard Boulevard reveals how hard it is to keep untraceable weapons off our streets. It
Casey Hayes
Local NewsJul 9, 20262 minEvacuation Warnings Issued as Grande Fire Burns 50 Acres Near Piru in Steep Terrain
This article details a fresh 50-acre wildfire situation known as the Grande Fire, which ignited along State Route 126 near Piru on July 9, 2026. It highlights the joint response from Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and CAL FIRE personnel, covers the steep terrain restricting easy vehicle access, and documents the active Level 2 evacuation warnings established between Lake Piru and the county line.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMEJul 9, 20262 minOxnard Police Respond to Injury Crash Involving Illegal Surron E-Motorcycle Doing Wheelies
Oxnard Police responded to an injury crash after a Surron eMoto rider doing wheelies in a Vons parking lot collided with a vehicle. Police remind public that eMotos are illegal on public roads.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMEJul 9, 20263 minOxnard Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Civil Rights Violation in Hate Crime Case
This news covers how an Oxnard man pleaded guilty to hate crime after attacking a Black man outside of a grocery store, threatening him with his fists, and calling him the N-word. His crime also earned him a mandatory trip to the Museum of Tolerance.
Lana J. Yang
NewsJul 9, 2026Ventura County Teen Arrested After Construction Workers Held at Gunpoint
Ventura County Teen Arrested After Construction Workers Held at Gunpoint A 19 year old resident faces severe felony charges including kidnapping and attempted robbery after a residential neighborhood confrontation. The s
Casey Hayes
Local NewsJul 8, 20262 minCharges Filed Against Minor After Leading Cops to Dangerous E-Motorcycle Pursuit
This news covers how the D.A.’s Office of Ventura county filed charges against a juvenile who led the cops in a dangerous pursuit while riding an e-motorcycle.
Lana J. Yang
AnalysisJul 8, 20264 minMan arrested for stealing fruit from small Ventura County stand.
The Fragile Economy of the Roadside Farm Stand When honor system agriculture meets modern property crime, digital surveillance is stepping in to level the playing field. If you drive far enough into the suburban fringes
Casey Hayes
