(Photo courtesy Ventura County Fire Capt Mike Lindbery)
(Photo courtesy Joe Garces, Oxnard City Fire)
Almost 100 firefighters battled a fire at an Oxnard-area agricultural operation Wednesday afternoon. The blaze was reported shortly before 1 PM at the facility located in an unincorporated area south of Wooley Road between Rose and Rice avenues. The operation grows and packs strawberries and also grows nursery crops. When firefighters arrived on scene, they found a large storage area filled with stacks of wooden pallets well involved in flames. The fire was threatening an agricultural storage building, several vehicles, and a large nursery building. Firefighters were hampered by a lack of water and had to set up a relay system to get water to the scene. Firefigthers from the cities of Oxnard and Ventura, the county, and Naval Base Ventura County, responded to the scene. They had the fire contained and knocked down in about 90 minutes. The pallets and the large nursery building were destroyed by the flames. A couple of fork lifts and small cars were damaged, but the storage building was saved. The were no reports of injuries. Initially, it was believed that no hazardous materials were involved, but later a barrel of a "water reactive" substance was found smouldering. Still, officials believe there was no "off site" hazmat issues. The cause of the fire was under investigation. Wooley Road between Rice and Rose was closed for about five hours. It reopened shortly after 6 PM.
Plea Deal For Man Accused Of CLU Threats
KVTA News Wednesday May 22, 2013
A Ventura transient arrested for allegedly making email threats about wanting to shoot up the Cal Lutheran University campus in Thousand Oaks has pleaded guilty to a lessor charge. 30-year-old Thomas Pecel pleaded guilty to making annoying phone calls, a misdemeanor. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to have a felony charge of making criminal threats dismissed. They told the court they cannot prove that charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Pecel, who is already on formal probation for an unrelated Ventura vandalism case, was immediately placed on three years formal probation in the CLU case. He was also ordered to serve 40 days in jail starting in late July. In the meantime, he was ordered to undergo psychological treatement for the mental health issues that appear to be at the heart of his behavior.
Swimmers Have Close Call At Ventura Beach
KVTA News Wednesday May 22, 2013
(Photo courtesy Ventura City Fire Dept)
Some members of a Lancaster summer camp had a close call at a Ventura beach Wednesday morning. The four, ages 8-18, were swimming in the ocean off Marina Park around 10:40 AM when they got caught in a rip current. State lifeguards, Ventura City firefighters, and Ventura Port District personnel, responded to the scene. By then, some large waves had pushed the swimmers into shallower water where they got their footing and were making it back to shore as rescuers arrived. The swimmers were checked out to make sure they were OK. They were also advised to stay out of the water for the rest of the day because of concerns about the rip current. Fire officials say the real danger with rip currents is that inexperienced swimmers panic and then exhaust themselves trying to fight against them in the effort to return to shore. They say if you find yourself in a rip current, don't panic and simply swim parallel to the beach for a few minutes until you're free of the current and then swim back to shore.
Simi Man Arrested After Standoff With Police
KVTA News Wednesday May 22, 2013
Simi Valley police say a night-long standoff with a man who allegedly shot at his roommate's bedroom door ended peacefully Wednesday morning. They say it began around 10:40 PM Tuesday with a "shots fired" call at a home in the 5900 block of Fasley Avenue. Police say their initial information was that 27-year-old Dustin Helm had shot at his roommate's door in an effort to open it. The roommate, who was inside the bedroom at the time, was able to escape and she called 9-1-1. Police say Helm refused to cooperate when they asked him to come out without the gun. Because of the earlier shots fired and the fact that he was still believed to be armed, SWAT was called in while a negotiator tried all night to get Helm to surrender. At 6:40 AM Wednesday Helm finally gave up without incident. Police say Helm is on probation out of Los Angeles and is prohibited from owning and possessing firearms because of earlier firearms violations in LA County. Simi PD says they've also had contact with Helm, including felony possession of drugs without a prescription earlier this year, and violation of a court order prohibiting him from having firearms. Simi PD says Helm's father assured them at that time he had taken ownership and possession of the guns to make sure his son did not get a hold of them in the future. Police say they're not sure where Dustin Helm got the firearm he had Tuesday night, or who owns it. No one was hurt in the incident.
SB Mother Arrested In DUI Crash
KVTA News Wednesday May 22, 2013
A Santa Barbara woman was arrested Monday night, accused of crashing a vehicle while drunk and severely injuring her little boy. Santa Barbara police say around 7 PM Monday they were called to a restaurant on 3300 block of State Street to a disturbance involving intoxicated subjects who had bee kicked out of the restaurant. When the officers arrived, the subjects had left in a vehicle which had just crashed not far from that location. When officers arrived at the crash scene they found the vehicle had smashed into a lampost. They arrested the driver, 24-year-old Kate Hatrey Walters of Santa Barbara for DUI and child endangerment. Her 3-year-old boy had been severely injured in the crash. They say eventhough the child was in a safety seat, it was not properly installed. Police say Walters refused to be tested for DUI. Based on a recent Supreme Court ruling, officers obtained a search warrant and she was forced her to have blood drawn. Walters was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for DUI and child endangerment.
Female Sexually Assaulted Near Santa Paula
KVTA News Monday May 20, 2013
A female was sexually assaulted near Santa Paula Monday morning. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department says that around 9 AM a female was walking alone along Santa Paula Street near Peck Road in the unincorporated area just west of Santa Paula. Deputies say a male suspect confronted her, displayed a knife, and forced her into a nearby orchard. The suspect then sexually assaulted the female. He was last seen running westbound on Santa Paula Road towards Briggs Road. Deputies say the victim sustained minor physical injuries but did not require medical aid. The suspect was described as a white male, 20-30 years of age, about 5'7" tall with a medium build. He was wearing dark clothing, including a hooded sweatshirt. In February, there was a similar incident in the same area. At that time, the suspect was described as a Hispanic male, about 35 to 45 years old with a large belly. At this point, detectives say they've not ruled out that the two incidents might be related. Residents of the area are being cautioned to beware of suspicious subjects. Anyone with information about the assaults or possible suspects is urged to call Detective Matt Delahuerta at (805) 384-4740. If it's an emergency, always call 9-1-1. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for any information that leads to an arrest and charges being filed in this case. Their number is 1-800-222-8477.
Oxnard Trio Gets Prison For Ponzi Scheme
KVTA News Monday May 20, 2013
Three Oxnard residents were sentenced today to federal prison for their roles in an investment scheme that the US Attorney's Office says bilked nearly 800 investors nationwide out of $27 million. Two brothers, 65-year-old Alan Flesher and 62-year-old Wayne Flesher, and 65-year-old Nancy Carol Khalial, ran Oxnard companies Unlimited Cash Inc. (UCI) and Douglas Network Enterprises Inc. (DNC). Federal prosecutors say it was a Ponzi scheme to get people to invest in a device known as Ad Toppers which was supposed to generate revenue by selling advertisements to top brand name companies that would run on top of ATM's and vending machines. Prosecutors maintain the trio used most of the $41 million they raised from investors to pay their own expenses, plus salaries and sales commissions to make it look as if they had a legitimate company making money for investors. Prosecutors say some of the money also went to some investors to make it look as if they were making money on their investment when in fact most of the Ad Toppers that were supposed to be purchased with the investors' money were never bought or placed in businesses. All three defendants pleaded guilty last July to 17 counts of mail fraud and admitted the companies were nothing more than a Ponzi scheme. Alan Flesher was sentenced Monday to 210 months in federal prison. His brother Wayne received 72 months, and Khalial was sentenced to 48 months. They were also ordered to pay more than $27 million in restitution.
Ojai Man Dies In Motorcycle Crash
KVTA News Monday May 20, 2013
A Ventura County man died in a motorcycle crash in Santa Barbara County Sunday. It happened shortly before 6 PM in the area of El Bosque Road and East Valley Road (192) in Montecito. The motorcycle collided with a car. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. He was a 57-year-old man from the Ojai Valley. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department said Monday they were not ready to release the man's name yet. The CHP, which is investigating the crash, says alcohol does not appear to be a factor. They say their investigation is continuing.
Two Injured In 101 Crash In Ventura
KVTA News Sunday May 19, 2013
(Photo courtesy Ventura City Fire Department)
Two people were injured Sunday night when their vehicle flipped over on the southbound 101 in Ventura. The crash was reported around 8:45 PM on the freeway between Highway 33 and California Street. The vehicle rolled over but ultimately ended up back on its wheels up against the guardrail. Two people were injured including an adult female passenger who was extricated from the vehicle by Ventura City firefighters. Both individuals were taken to VCMC, their conditions unknown. The CHP was investigating the crash. The right lane of the freeway was partially blocked during the incident.
Man's Anger Over Vehicle Being Towed Lands Him In Jail
KVTA News Sunday May 19, 2013
Ventura police say a man was arrested Saturday night for vandalism and making terrorist threats because he was angry his vehicle was towed from the beach parking structure. Shortly before 10 PM Saturday night, the parking lot attendant at the structure on Harbor Boulevard called police to report that a man who was angry over his vehicle being towed from the structure had struck the parking kiosk window with his fist, causing damage. She also told police the man had said he was coming back to shoot her. The suspect then fled the scene. She provided the license plate number of the vehicle in which he left and police tracked it down to the 1800 block of Topaz Avenue. They identified the suspect as 52-year-old Tracy Blackwell of Ventura. Blackwell's family members told officers that he was very angry and might have a gun. The family members convinced Blackwell to surrender peacefully, and he did. No one was hurt. Police say they seized as evidence several firearms and ammunition found in the residence.
Simi PD Arrests Five Transients
KVTA News Sunday May 19, 2013
(Photo courtesy SVPD)
Simi Valley police arrested five transients Sunday morning during the investigation of their encampment in the area of East Street and Chain Drive. One of the officers had prior contacts with all five individuals and knew they were on probation and were subject to search terms. During their investigation of the camp and those five individuals, two men and three women, police found illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, burglary tools and several realistic looking replica firearms.
Two Injured In Gang Related Fight
KVTA News Sunday May 19, 2013
Simi Valley police are investigating what they believe was a gang related incident that left one person stabbed and another injured by a baseball bat. It happened Saturday afternoon around 4 PM in the Arroyo Wash north of Rancho Simi Park at 1765 Royal Avenue. Police say a citizen told them that several subjects were in the wash and it appeared they were getting ready to fight. Police say they arrived on scene in less than two minutes to catch and arrest a juvenile suspect who was assaulting another juvenile with a baseball bat. Police say while taking that suspect into custody, they found a second victim who had been stabbed. The stabbing victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The victim who was injured by the baseball bat was treated for minor injuries and released to a parent.
Driver Arrested After High Speed Pursuit
KVTA News Sunday May 19, 2013
An Oxnard man was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly leading Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputies on a high speed chase down the 101 into the city of Ventura. Ventura police say it happened around 1:30 AM Sunday. The pursuit on the 101 involved three suspects in a Jeep that was traveling at more than 100 miles per hour. The Jeep got off the freeway in west Ventura where the suspects threw a gun out the window in the 500 block of Cedar Street. Police recovered the gun as the chase continued into downtown Ventura. SB sheriff's terminated the pursuit in the 100 block of Kalorama where the suspects jumped out of the Jeep and ran. The Jeep kept going and hit a parked car. Ventura police, with the help of deputies, set up a perimeter and searched for the three suspects. Police searched several locations that were called in by residents. At one, in the 800 block of Poli, police found 23-year-old Edward Salvador of Oxnard hiding in a detached garage. Salvador, who is believed to have been the driver of the Jeep, was taken into custody, but not before he struggled with officers, so much so, they deployed the K-9 to subdue him. The search for the other two suspects continued for another 90 minutes but was ultimately called off when they could not find those two other men and the calls from residents ended.
