News Source For The Santa Clara Valley In Ventura County
Sunday February 07, 2010
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Fillmore Fire Receives New Rescue Tools
February 2, 2010
State Route 126 hosts upwards of 100,000
vehicles per day resulting in several fatal traffic collisions each
year. City of Fillmore Firefighters are faced with the constant
challenge of responding to major traffic collisions and providing
citizens top-notch service with aging equipment.
The California Office of Traffic Safety has
awarded the City of Fillmore Fire Department a grant in the amount
of $10,889.00 to purchase additional heavy rescue tools and vehicle
stabilization equipment to be used for traffic collision responses.
“As firefighters, it is imperative we reach
traffic accident victims as quickly as possible” said Fillmore Fire
Chief Rigo Landeros. “This new and improved equipment will add to
both the safety of the victim and the firefighters working. Another
added benefit is the increased efficiency of which the rescue is
performed.”
The grant package received is part of a
State of California Office of Traffic Safety grant made available to
all California fire agencies. In 2008, City of Oxnard Fire
Department Firefighter Alex Hamilton began orchestrating local
agency efforts by compiling the regional application, representing
all Ventura County Agencies. Each local entity was responsible for
submitting a list of their needs as well as justification supporting
those requests. Following a competitive review of applicants,
Ventura County was selected to receive upwards of $182,000 in grant
funding.
Grant funding comprises approximately 5
percent of the City of Fillmore Fire Department's annual operating
budget making it instrumental in the ongoing fiscal health and
stability of the organization.
Fillmore Fire Chief Rigo Landeros, Fillmore Fire Captain Patrick Maynard, Oxnard Firefighter Alex Hamilton holding the newly arrived tools.
Injury Accident Highway 126 At Palm
On February 4, 2010 at 12:40
p.m., a major injury traffic collision occurred on westbound Highway 126
near Palm Ave. in the City of Santa Paula.
Maria Moreno, 83, of Santa Paula, was driving her 1999
Chevrolet pickup truck westbound in the left lane near Palm Ave.
Eve Reeves, 53, of Santa Paula, was driving her 2003 Subaru Outback
westbound in the right lane.
Moreno began to move right into the right lane. She was
about halfway into the lane when she suddenly saw Reeves vehicle
traveling the right lane. Moreno swerved back into the left and saw
Reeves lose control of her vehicle. Reeves vehicle swerved right, ran
off the roadway and struck an asphalt curb. The vehicle then struck a
large tree and overturned down an embankment.
Reeves sustained major injuries in the collision and
was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center. Reeves was
admitted to the hospital and treated for facial injuries, a broken jaw
and a possible broken pelvis.
There was no contact between Moreno’s vehicle and
Reeves vehicle prior to Reeves losing control. The collision is still
under investigation.
2-6-10
Growing Operation Arrests
On February 3,
2010, around 12 noon, members of the Sheriff’s East County Narcotics
Street Team, the Simi Valley Police Narcotics Unit, and the Ventura
County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation concluded a
two-month investigation of narcotics sales, money laundering, tax
evasion, and grand theft. A search warrant was served at Joey Brack’s
residence in 6800 block Vista Del Rincon in La Conchita, which led to
the discovery of two large illegal indoor marijuana grow operations.
More than three pounds of processed marijuana and 300 marijuana plants
were seized.
Detectives also served a simultaneous
search warrant at Brack’s residence in Shasta County with the assistance
of narcotics detectives from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Department.
Inside the residence, detectives located approximately 4,000 in US
Currency, 180 marijuana plants, two shotguns, and two rifles. All three
suspects were booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Tyr Talavera,
18, and Carola Jakubowski, 45, both of Ventura, were booked for
possession of marijuana for sale with bail set at $175,000. Brack, 53,
was booked on a felony arrest warrant for money laundering and for
possession of marijuana for sale, tax evasion, several counts of money
laundering, and grand theft of electricity from Southern California
Edison. Brack’s bail is set at $675,000. The three suspects will be
arraigned in the Ventura County Superior Court on February 8, 2010.
2-7-10
Found Camera
On January 3, 2010, a Ventura County deputy sheriff recovered a Sony
digital camera that is believed to be stolen; however, the owners
have not been identified. The camera contains numerous photos of a
male and female subject on a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Based on the
photos it was determined that the couple sailed on the Royal
Caribbean cruise ship, the Majesty of the Seas, out of Miami,
possibly setting sail on Sept. 28, 2009. Royal Caribbean Cruise line
has assisted with the investigation, but has not been able to
identify the camera owner with the limited information available.
The camera was located in a vehicle where
other stolen property was also discovered. The investigators on the
case believe that the camera was most likely stolen during a vehicle
burglary sometime between October and December 2009, while the owner
was visiting the Nyeland Acres area of Oxnard.
Investigators would like to return the
stolen property to the rightful owners so they can have the memories
of their cruise and to determine how the property came into
possession of the person who had it in January. Anyone having
information as to the identity of the subjects on the cruise is
asked to contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department at (805)
662-6770.
Farm Watch
Over 400 ranchers, farmers, nurseries, packing/supply houses and oil field sites all watching out for one another…..
Crooks strike at all Hours:
8 p.m. Attempt Theft of Avocados - Foothill Rd @ N. Kimball Rd, Ventura - The foreman at the ranch reported that he found stacks of avocados freshly picked in piles, clearly ready for someone to come back and pick up. Deputies responded and investigated. Major Crimes Detective Ray Dominguez was notified of the attempt theft and we sent out our C.S.I to process the scene for evidence.
C.S.I is more than Television Show:
Sheriff Brooks and all of us at the Sheriff’s Department are real proud of our C.S.I Unit. They are highly skilled at solving the nearly unsolvable, from homicides to Ag-Theft. C.S.I responds to crime scenes 24 hours a day. Your responding deputies are trained to process the scenes for fingerprints, tire tracks and such and in addition we bring out C.S.I when we have DNA evidence (yes.. even in Ag Theft), remnant blood trails from crooks and other fragile evidence. These “behind-the-scenes” Sheriff’s Scientist have solved many rural crimes.
The Orange Theft Suspect Caught:
On January 27, 2010, Deputy Gabe Gonzales was driving on Howe Road and observed a suspicious van parked on along the roadway. Gabe made a u-turn and got out of his police car to investigate the van. Gabe caught 45 year-old Brian Krasnoff as he stumbled out of the orange orchards on the south side of the road. During his investigation, Gabe found all the stolen fruit. Brian Krasnoff was arrested for 484(a) PC - Petty Theft.
Arrest of the Day…
Santa Paula Police helps wash out Rural Graffiti:
On January 31st. Santa Paula Officer Michael Hoppin was on street patrol near Faulkner Road. Michael observed four suspicious persons at the overpass. If there is one thing Michael, and all cops for that matter hate, are graffiti vandals. They are criminals plain and simple.
Officer Hoppin is one fast cop and was able to catch Rene Mariscal, Saul Torrez, Martin Torres and Jose Lira (all 20+ year old adults). He arrested them on Felony Conspiracy charges and graffiti vandalism. All four of these crooks were then hosted by the Sheriff’s Department for a stint as lodgers in the main jail. I let you know if we hear that they end up as jail workers on the paint crew.
A big thanks to Officer Hoppin!
Farm Watch Member nabs the bad guys:
Noon Time – Weekend- Fillmore - Avocado and Produce Theft - W. Guiberson Rd. at Chambersburg Rd. Santa Clara River Valley
A ranch hand (Farm Watch Member) witnessed four subjects in the process of stealing avocados. He called both, 911 and my cell phone. He gave a perfect description of the thieves. 911 Dispatchers immediately sent deputies to the farm area and a police dragnet was set up in the Valley.
Deputy Erica Ragsdale and her beat partners were able to locate and stop the suspects. Had the Farm Watch member not called, theses bad guys simply would have slipped away. They were miles from the original crime scene. They were from Glendale and had substantial quantities of various fruits and vegetables in the trunk of the car. I looked at the trunk load, and it was packed to the gills.
They claimed to have had permission to take the produce from local ranch owners; however, they could not provide the names and contact information for the landowners that supposedly granted them permission.
Guess What? Wrong answer…. You see, Erica knows nearly all the farmers and ranchers in the area and was able to identify the owner of the avocado ranch. Erica and her partners ruined the crooks day and arrested all four for theft of produce.
As a side note: We are real proud of Erica. In 2009, she is listed in the top six cops for the entire Department on proactive quantity of arrests. If you want to giver her a “shout out”, you can email her at Erica.ragsdale@ventura.org
Farm Watch Logo:
The Department would like to thank Veronica Morris of Bardsdale for her design of the Farm Watch logo. You will see it on our attached reports. Veronica is an original Farm Watch member and has designed many of your produce packing labels. Thanks again Veronica.
Field Worker Burglaries:
Camarillo Detective Joe Devorick reports an increase of burglaries to field worker’s cars. As we all know, many workers park their cars along the farm roads. Some opportunistic crooks have been hitting the cars along Wood Road in the Oxnard Plains. Make sure you tell your workers about these crimes. Tell them to keep their personal property locked inside the trunks. Farm Workers can call 911 from their cell phones and report suspicious persons casing out cars during picking season.
Our 911 dispatchers are ready to handle their calls in both Spanish and English. Many field workers may be hesitant to call law enforcement. Help educate them. Make sure they know we are here to help. Remember: Crooks know no boundaries and we need to stick together.
Fertilizer Stolen:
A farm on Central Avenue in the Oxnard Plains just had 12 lbs if Elevate Fungicide & 40 lbs of Thiram Fungicide stolen.
Las Posas Valley:
A local nursery just had 50 flats of "Mondo Grass" stolen during the night from a nursery on LA Ave. Keep your eyes out for persons pawning cheap fertilizer or products. Sergeant Will Hammer also reports that some crooks have done two separate Avocado thefts off of Los Angeles Avenue just West of the City of Moorpark.
Farm Vehicle Theft:
A local row crop farm on the 6000 block of North Rose Avenue, had unknown suspects cut the lock on the front gate at the farm. The suspect(s) cut a hole in the storage facility and stole several containers of pesticides. The suspect(s) also stole a Jeep pickup truck from the location. Ray Dominguez has attached a photo and wanted poster. If you have any information or tips for this crime, email Sergeant Darrell Erickson at Darrell.erickson@ventura.org
Piru Rural Cell Site:
Richard Jackson advises us that A.T.&T. is still planning on putting up a new cell site in Piru. This will really help out all of us at Farm Watch. Richard said that it is going through the planning process at this time.
Hall Road:
A local Farm Watch Member reported finding his avocados picked and stacked in the middle of his orchard row ready to be picked up by would be thieves. They had torn the avocados right off the branches and were interrupted by the ranch foreman. We haven’t identified any suspects at this time.
New Ag-Law Changes:
Ray Dominguez reports that effective January 25, 2010, Penal Code Section 487(b)(1)(A) was amended and now establishes that a value of fruit exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250) in wholesale value must be met for a felony violation. This won’t affect you as a farmer and is simply a technicality for us.
Be safe Farm Watch,
Your friend…
Tim Hagel, Captain.
CHP Arrest DUI Driver After Vehicle Pursuit
On February 4,
2010 at about 9:30 a.m., CHP officers arrested Larry Bussells, 57, of
Jacksonville, Florida for driving under the influence and evading arrest
after a vehicle pursuit on the US-101 north of Ventura.
At 9:20 a.m., a CHP officer was stopped on
the right shoulder of southbound US-101 near the Dulah Road
undercrossing. The officer saw Bussell’s white Chevrolet pickup truck
pass her traveling southbound in the #3 lane at approximately 90 mph.
The officer attempted to overtake the vehicle as it used the right
shoulder to pass slower traffic. When the officer caught up to the
vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop, Bussell exited the freeway
at W. Main St. Bussells made a quick u-turn then accelerated onto
northbound US-101. Bussells traveled northbound at a high rate of speed
using all three traffic lanes and exited at State Beaches. Bussells made
a u-turn and again accelerated to high rate of speed onto southbound
US-101.
Bussells traveled south on US-101 at a high
rate of speed and exited at W. Main St. He made another u-turn and once
again traveled north on US-101 to State Beaches. Bussells made a u-turn
and nearly struck another vehicle before accelerating to a high rate of
speed onto southbound US-101. Bussells traveled south on US-101 at 100
mph using all three lanes. Bussell then took the transition road from
southbound US-101 to northbound Highway 33. He pulled over to the right
shoulder, removed the key from the ignition and threw them onto the
ground. He then placed his hands outside the driver side window. CHP
officers arrested Bussells with no further incident.
CHP officers determined Bussells was under
the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and booked into the Ventura
County Jail for driving under the influence of alochol and evading
arrest.
2-6-10
911 Call Results In Arrest
On February
4, 2010 at 8:27 a.m., CHP officers arrested Kathryn Relis, 59, of
Santa Barbara, for driving under the influence of drugs after
receiving a 911 call from her daughter.
At 7:54 a.m., the Ventura Area CHP dispatch
center received a 911 call from Sarita Relis, age 31 from the Los
Angeles area, who stated her mother, Kathryn Relis, was driving
southbound on US-101 in the Santa Barbara area. Relis told a CHP
dispatcher that her mother was driving recklessly and was under the
influence of medication she was taking for migraines. She also said
her eleven year old sister, Mia Relis, was a passenger in the
vehicle (a red Kia minivan) and that she was currently in contact
with her by cellular phone.
While talking with Sarita Relis, a CHP
dispatcher was able to determine the location of the vehicle as it
travelled south on US-101 based on the information relayed from Mia
Relis. Mia Relis stated her mother was weaving all over road and was
traveling at speed ranging from 70 to 90 mph. Another witness also
called 911 and reported the vehicle being driven recklessly as it
traveled south on US-101.
CHP officers made traffic stop on the
vehicle southbound US-101 near west Main St. CHP officers contacted
the driver, Kathryn Relis, and determined she was under the
influence of drugs. Relis was arrested for driving under the
influence of drugs.
Relis and her daughter Mia were going from
the Santa Barbara area to Los Angeles for a school field trip. After
Relis was arrested, a CHP officer drove Mia back to the Santa
Barbara area where reunited with her father. There were no injuries
from this incident and Mia Relis was the only passenger in the
vehicle. The incident is still under investigation. Relis was booked
into the Ventura County Jail for driving under the influence of
drugs and child endangerment.
2-6-10
Lottery Scams Starting Again
The Camarillo Police Department has received reports of a lottery scam operating in our area. Residents have been receiving letters in the mail informing them they have won a large sum of money in an international lottery program. A check is usually sent along with the letter. The letter indicates the check was sent to assist in paying the taxes or "clearance fees" that must be paid before they can receive the grand prize. The recipient is instructed to deposit the check and then wire the money (usually outside the United States) to cover the taxes or "clearance fees."
Letters such as those described above are SCAMS! People fall victim to this type of scam everyday because they are led to believe they have won a large sum of money. Here's the hitch. No such lottery exists and no winnings are ever sent. The scam works because the check that is sent along with the letter is deposited to the victim's account and then the victim wire transfers the money to a specified location. Once the money is wired and picked up, there is no way to get it back. It isn't until a few days afterward that the deposited check is identified as fraudulent. There are several variations to this type of scam, including notifications made by telephone. The Camarillo Police Departments advises residents:
· if you have doubts about a caller - hang-up
· never send any money in order to receive a prize
· never give out private financial information
· if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Courtesy of Robert Maclean, Senior Deputy, Camarillo Crime Prevention Officer.
Robby Munoz Wins Lions Club Student Speaker Contest
Robby Munoz, a Sophomore at Fillmore High School, took first place winning $75 and a chance to compete in the Lions Zone Speak Off against the winners of five other clubs. The Fillmore High School Advisor and Liaison was Josh Overton from the school English and Drama Department. Lions Club Chair is Bill Edmonds. The Speak Off event will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010, at the I-Hop Restaurant in Simi Valley.
The six contestants in the Lions Club annual Speaker Contest from left were Lynn Ferguson, Robby Munoz, Erik Orozco, Chloe Keller, Alondra Gaytan and Ashly Legan. The contestants were to given the topic of Universal Health Care. Each of the high school students had different views and were judged by Sue Cuttriss, a retired Fillmore Unified School District teacher; Cynthia King, University Professor and community activist, and the Rev. Julie Morris, Rector of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Fillmore. The event was held on Monday, February 1, 2010.
2-3-10
Members Of Bardsdale 4-H Learn Art Of Origami
Members of Bardsdale 4-H recently learned how to fold origami cranes to support the Peace Pole Project for the City of Fillmore. The workshop was taught by Janie Rees, Claire Faith, and Japanese Exchange Student Nanako Matsumoto. Everyone was excited to learn how to change a piece of colored paper into a beautiful crane and 46 cranes were made by the thirty first-time artists.
Japanese exchange student Nanako Matsumoto shows Chloe Stines how to transform her paper into an origami crane at a recent Bardsdale 4-H meeting.
From left is a giant origami crane proudly displayed by Claire Faith, Sara Beylik, Nanko Matsumoto, Sonya Gonzales, Chloe Stines, and Janie Rees.
2-3-10
Fillmore Noontime Rotary News
From left is Bill Shiells, District Governor Luz Maria Ortiz-Smith, and Dave Wilkinson. The men are shown holding their Paul Harris Awards.
New member Rigo Landeros and President Dave Wareham are shown holding the Rotary Banner which is presented to all new members.
The Fillmore Rotary Noon Time Club recently enjoyed programs by Scott Lee, board member on the Bardsdale Cemetery District Board, Tresa Saviers, Art Consultant from Mountain Vista School, and Larry Emrich, a Ventura Rotarian, involved with polio eradication. The club meets every Thursday, at noon in the dining car of the Fillmore & Western Railroad.
2-3-10
From left is Fire Chief Rigo Landeros, Brian
Sipes, Marcoz Hernandez, Jesus "Chuy" Ortiz and Police Chief Tim
Hagel. The Friends of the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley
is promoting
their "Take your Family to Dinner for the Club."
Come and enjoy a Mexican dinner at
the El Pescador Restaurant, 1305 Ventura Street, Fillmore. The
event will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Tickets are only $10 per person for Chuy's really good dinners.
2-3-10