Ojai | Crime Spree Comes To An End, Suspects Arrested

Ventura County Sheriff Department – Incident Press Release

On May 1st, 2019, at about 1:20 AM, deputies responded to a vehicle theft in progress on the 100 block of East El Camino Drive, in Ojai. Upon their arrival, the victim had run outside and chased the suspects away. The victim described four to five subjects around his vehicle and noticed his money had been missing from his vehicle. Deputies quickly realized who the suspect(s) were and sent patrol deputies to their addresses.

Deputies found two juveniles males and Vincent Villa hiding. One of the suspects admitted to the crime and gave details of what had happened. The cooperative suspect later disclosed other thefts in the Ojai Valley. Deputies determined there was a fourth suspect still outstanding.

Deputies later contacted, Isaiah Avalos, and learned he too was in possession of stolen property. This crime occurred during the night of April 25th to April 26th, 2019. The victim in that case had a $1,000.00 guitar stolen from his vehicle on the 200 block of North Carrillo Road, in Ojai. Vincent Villa was also involved in this theft and was arrested for possession of stolen property, in addition to his other charges.

Deputies discovered one of the male juveniles, who had been booked at Juvenile Hall, was also involved a in vehicle burglary on the 100 block of East Aliso Street, in Ojai. This crime occurred during the night of April 25th to April 26th, 2019. The victim in that case had reported $1,315.00 worth of stolen items taken from his vehicle. The juvenile male admitted to deputies he committed the felony theft from a vehicle. Most of the stolen items were recovered from his residence and returned to the victim.

Juvenile #1 was cited and released for misdemeanor W&I 777, violation of probation.

Juvenile #2 was booked into Juvenile Hall and arrested for felony PC 182(a)(1), conspiracy to commit a crime, misdemeanor PC 484(a), petty theft, misdemeanor H&S 11550(a), under the influence, and felony PC 487(a), grand theft from a vehicle.

Isaiah Avalos was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and arrested for felony PC 496(a), receiving stolen property and misdemeanor H&S 11550(a), under the influence.

Vincent Villa was booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and arrested for felony PC 182(a)(1), conspiracy to commit a crime, misdemeanor PC 484(a), petty theft, misdemeanor H&S 11550(a), under the influence, misdemeanor H&S 11350(a), possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor H&S 11375(b)(2), possession of a controlled substance, and felony PC 496(a), receiving stolen property.

Due to the victim being diligent and calling 911 during the commission of the crime, Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies were able to capture the suspects involved in this case and solve felony crimes that had been previously reported. We ask all Ventura County citizens to remember to lock your vehicles, and if possible, do not leave any valued items in your vehicle (or in plain view) even if you locked your vehicle. Criminals take advantage of even the smallest of opportunities day, or night.