Ventura County
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Local NewsSep 22, 20263 minVentura County Sheriff's Office Hosts 11th Annual "Coppers and Choppers" Community Open House in Camarillo
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office and the Ventura County Sheriff's Foundation hosted the 11th Annual "Coppers and Choppers" open house at the agency's Aviation Unit hangar at Camarillo Airport on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The free, family-friendly event gave residents a hands-on look at sheriff's rescue helicopters, patrol squad cars, SWAT vehicles, and tactical demonstrations featuring K-9 and Mounted Patrol units.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetySep 22, 20263 minVentura Police Impound 50 MPH "E-Bike" Operating Illegally on Public Streets
During a traffic enforcement stop, Ventura Police Department officers intercepted an illegal electric motorcycle equipped with a high-powered 6,500-watt motor capable of speeds up to 50 mph. Law enforcement officials determined the vehicle featured a non-registerable 15-digit VIN, making it illegal for operation on public roads or bike paths under California law. The rider was cited, and the motorcycle was impounded as authorities warn residents about mislabeled electric vehicles.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 22, 20262 minProactive Traffic Stop in Thousand Oaks Uncovers Loaded Firearm, Cocaine, and Brass Knuckles
During a proactive traffic patrol over the weekend, Thousand Oaks Police Deputy Misiorowski initiated a vehicle stop that led to the discovery of brass knuckles, a loaded handgun, and cocaine. The driver was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance while armed and was arrested on multiple felony firearm and narcotics charges.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 22, 20262 minConvicted Rapist Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting Two Additional Victims in Ojai
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced on September 18, 2026, that 28-year-old Jaden Joseph Pullen of Ojai changed his plea to guilty across five felony sexual assault charges involving two additional victims. The assaults occurred in Ojai in 2018, with the victims stepping forward in 2020 after Pullen was convicted of forcible rape and sodomy in a separate case. Pullen faces up to 27 years and 4 months in state prison at his November 16 sentencing.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 18, 20264 minTwo Arrested, Gun Seized After Task Force Busts Regional Catalytic Converter Crew
Following a multi-agency investigation utilizing Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office arrested two 22-year-old Los Angeles County probationers responsible for a string of catalytic converter thefts in Oak Park and Thousand Oaks. Detectives executed search warrants in South Gate and Bell Gardens, arresting Ismael De Jesus Angel and Adrian Barajas Mejia, and recovering physical evidence along with an unlawfully possessed firearm.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 15, 20264 minOxnard Police Major Crimes Unit Investigates Death of Man Found Unresponsive Following Hours-Long Standoff in Vehicle
The Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Unit has launched a death investigation after a man armed with a knife entered an unfamiliar vehicle on Hill Street and refused to exit. Despite hours of de-escalation efforts by the Crisis Negotiations Team and Ventura County’s Mobile Crisis Team, officers eventually reached the subject at 6:00 p.m. to find him unconscious. Officers initiated CPR before he was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Police confirmed no force was used during the incident.
Lana J. Yang
Public SafetySep 15, 20263 minVentura Police Officer Joins Neighborhood Block Party to Teach Youth Bicycle Safety
Ventura Police Department Officer Lawrence Williams participated in a resident-led neighborhood block party dedicated to promoting youth bicycle safety. Organized by proactive local parents who noticed a need for safety education among neighborhood children, the event featured interactive safety demonstrations and helmet checks. Police leadership commended the community for taking the initiative to foster safer streets for local families.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 15, 20263 minProhibited Felon Arrested After Oxnard Police SEU Detectives Seize "Ghost Gun" in Search Warrant Raid
On September 11, 2026, officers from the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit executed a targeted search warrant at a residential property in the 100 block of Gibraltar Street. Detectives arrested 28-year-old Eloy Pina, a prohibited person, after locating an unregistered Polymer80 "ghost gun" handgun alongside live ammunition inside the home.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 15, 20264 minSimi Valley Man Sentenced to Over 39 Years to Life in Prison for Fatal Knife Attack on His Father
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced on September 11, 2026, that 37-year-old Gerardo Arroyo Almanza was sentenced to 39 years and 4 months to life in state prison for the April 2024 murder of his father, Alfredo Arroyo Sancen. Almanza previously pled guilty to second-degree murder, criminal threats against family members, and admitted to a prior strike and weapon enhancement following a fatal knife attack outside his Simi Valley residence.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 15, 20263 minSimi Valley Man Found Competent to Stand Trial in Premeditated Attempted Murder Case Following Target Store Strangulation Attack
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced on September 11, 2026, that 35-year-old Rejean Morgan Tabor of Simi Valley was declared mentally competent to stand trial. Tabor is accused of launching a violent, unprovoked strangulation attack on a female shopper inside a Simi Valley Target on June 17, 2026, less than 24 hours after being released from custody. Tabor also allegedly assaulted multiple Good Samaritans, a loss prevention worker, and a 16-year-old customer. He remains held on $750,000 bail.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 15, 20263 minOjai Police Seize Over 60 Grams of Methamphetamine During Traffic Stop; Driver Arrested for DUI and Sales
Deputies with the Ojai Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office arrested a female driver after a targeted traffic stop revealed she was operating a vehicle while heavily under the influence of controlled substances. A subsequent search of her automobile yielded over 60 grams of methamphetamine along with packaging evidence indicating active drug sales. The driver was transported to the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on multiple felony narcotics and driving charges.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 15, 20264 minOxnard 18-Year-Old Arrested for Selling Cartoon-Packaged Drugs to Local Students
Following a parent's report regarding changes in their child's academic performance and behavior, detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office Headquarters Station and the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Unit arrested 18-year-old Dylan Ruiz of Oxnard on September 10, 2026. Investigators determined Ruiz operated a narcotics distribution network catering to local middle and high school students, using colorful, cartoon-themed packaging and delivering drugs near school campuses. Ruiz was arrested with a loaded firearm and remains held on $50,000 bail.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 10, 20263 minVentura Police Investigate String of Antisemitic Hate Crime Vandalism Targeted at Local Synagogue, Church, and Park
The Ventura Police Department has launched an intensive hate crime investigation following a series of antisemitic vandalism incidents across east Ventura between September 4 and September 6, 2026. Hateful graffiti, including swastikas, was discovered at Temple Beth Torah, Higher Vision Church, and Juanamaria Park off Kimball Road. Ventura Police Chief David Dickey announced increased patrols near faith-based locations ahead of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as detectives search for those responsible.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 10, 20264 minThousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit Arrests Suspected Drug Dealer Illegally Occupying Building Storage Space
Following a month-long narcotics investigation, detectives from the Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit (DEU) arrested 43-year-old Jarrod Emmons of Thousand Oaks on September 8, 2026. Authorities discovered Emmons was illegally occupying a building storage space in the 500 block of North Ventu Park Road and stealing electricity. A search of his vehicle and the squatted facility yielded a half-pound of methamphetamine, a pound of marijuana, hydrocodone, burglary tools, and $940 in cash. Emmons remains held on $50,000 bail.
Lana J. Yang
CRIMESep 10, 20263 minSWAT Raid on Gina Drive Home Nets 9 Firearms and Leads to Arrest of Maximino Morales After Teen Shot
Following a weeks-long investigation involving reported gunshots and a 17-year-old resident arriving at St. John's Hospital with a gunshot wound, Oxnard Police Department specialized units and SWAT officers executed a multi-unit search warrant on Gina Drive. Law enforcement officers seized nine firearms and arrested 46-year-old Maximino Morales on multiple weapons charges and child endangerment.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 9, 20264 minLicense Plate Readers Lead Camarillo Deputies to Arrest Road Rage Suspects Armed with Fully Automatic "Ghost Guns"
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 18-year-old Gavyn Ghassedi and a 17-year-old female juvenile following a violent road rage incident on September 5, 2026, in Camarillo. Authorities report the suspects deliberately struck a motorcycle with a Mercedes sedan while pointing an assault rifle at the rider. Guided by Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, deputies intercepted the vehicle in a drive-thru, recovering two fully automatic "ghost gun" assault rifles and an unregistered pistol.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 9, 20263 minVentura County Sheriff's Detectives Seek Public's Help Identifying Food Truck Theft Suspect in El Rio
Ventura County Sheriff's Office deputies assigned to the Headquarters Patrol Station are investigating a dual theft targeting local food truck businesses in the unincorporated El Rio community near Oxnard. On the morning of September 5, 2026, a suspect broke into a food truck on Cortez Street to steal cash before stealing two commercial power generators from a second food truck. Detectives released surveillance footage descriptions of the suspect and are appealing to the community for leads.
Lana J. Yang
GeneralSep 9, 20264 minSerial Target Thief Busted in Camarillo After Swapping Cat Foods with Lego
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputies assigned to Camarillo Patrol Services utilized an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system to locate and arrest 23-year-old Abelardo Tapia of Oxnard on September 2, 2026. Authorities report Tapia engaged in a series of fraudulent "price swapping" thefts across Ventura County Target locations, using low-value cat food tags to purchase high-value LEGO merchandise and personal care items. Tapia remains held on $10,300 bail.
Lana J. Yang
local-newsSep 8, 20263 minOxnard Driver Killed After Vehicle Strikes Palm Trees and Bursts into Flames on Harbor Boulevard in Ventura
The Ventura Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred during the early morning hours of September 6, 2026, along Harbor Boulevard south of Olivas Park Drive. A vehicle traveling northbound veered into the center median, struck a cluster of palm trees, and caught fire, resulting in a violent impact. First responders found the sole occupant, an adult male resident of Oxnard, deceased at the scene.
Lana J. Yang
CrimeSep 8, 20263 minSimi Valley Man Arrested in Fatal Santa Rosa Valley Hit-and-Run Crash
Following a weeks-long multi-agency investigation, California Highway Patrol officers arrested 70-year-old Humberto Perez of Simi Valley on September 2, 2026, in connection with a fatal June hit-and-run collision in the Santa Rosa Valley. Perez allegedly struck and killed Camarillo resident Steven Monzon along Santa Rosa Road before fleeing the scene. Perez remains held at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on $50,000 bail.
Lana J. Yang