News Release
| On 12/24/2022, a suspect in a dark colored Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) stole a covered trailer from a victim in the 500-block of Montgomery Avenue in the unincorporated area of Oxnard, California.
Through the collection of surveillance videos, detectives learned the SUV had distinctive markings which appeared to have been hand-painted onto it. Numerous investigative tools were used in an attempt to identify the suspect and the involved vehicle but, unfortunately, detectives were unsuccessful. On 02/15/2023, the victim located what he believed to be the suspect vehicle in the same general area as the original theft. This time, the suspect vehicle was towing a different, motorcycle transport-style trailer. The victim immediately notified law enforcement and Headquarters patrol station deputies and detectives quickly responded. The vehicle and its solo driver were immediately detained. The driver was identified as Jose Miguel Hernandez and the dark colored SUV was confirmed to be the same one used in the trailer theft on 12/24/2022. Deputies discovered that portions of the SUV had been hand painted by Hernandez, likely to disguise it in order to avoid apprehension. Deputies and detectives on scene determined the trailer Hernandez was currently towing was not registered to him. The registered owner of the trailer was contacted, and they stated the trailer had been stolen recently from the city of Oxnard. The registered owner had not yet reported the trailer as stolen to law enforcement. Hernandez was arrested for the trailer theft. Deputies conducted a search of Hernandez and his vehicle. The search revealed several access cards and bank cards not belonging to Hernandez, a usable quantity of a suspected controlled substance, and the California license plate from the original stolen trailer investigation. Ultimately, Hernandez was arrested for two felony vehicle thefts related to both trailer thefts, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor misappropriation of found property. Hernandez is being held at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Center and his bail is set at $60,000.00. His is scheduled to appear for arraignment in the Ventura County Superior Court on 02/21/2023, at 1:30 p.m. TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT CITIZENS JOURNAL Please keep us publishing – DONATE |
