Ventura County Sheriff – Incident Press Release
During the last week of April 2021, detectives assigned to the Camarillo Police Department’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED) began investigating a Los Angeles based group of individuals who were suspected of stealing catalytic converters from vehicles belonging to Ventura County residents.
On May 3, 2021, detectives assigned to the Camarillo Police Department’s Special Enforcement Detail conducted surveillance on a vehicle being driven by one of the suspects. During the surveillance, detectives observed actions consistent with what they believed to be a catalytic converter theft. Detectives followed the vehicle south on US 101 Highway where it accelerated to a high rate of speed. Based on the speed violations, coupled with the belief the suspects had just committed a theft, detectives conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle.
Detectives contacted two males and a female inside the vehicle. The two males were identified as Daniel Gonzales and Jose Padilla-Rivas. The female was identified as Claudia Flores. All three suspects were confirmed to be Los Angeles County residents.
During the contact, all three subjects displayed symptomology of recent illegal narcotics use and were ultimately arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, detectives located illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, a reciprocating saw, additional saw blades, and a Chrysler/Jeep catalytic converter that had fresh cut marks.
Gonzales and Flores were booked at the Ventura County Jail for violations of grand theft, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy to commit a crime, vehicle tampering, possession of a controlled substance, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia. Flores is currently in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail. Gonzales is currently in custody in lieu of $100,000 bail and during booking it was discovered he had an outstanding felony warrant out of Los Angeles County for unlawful taking of a vehicle.
Jose Padilla-Rivas was booked at the Ventura County Jail for violations of grand theft, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy to commit a crime, vehicle tampering, and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Padilla-Rivas is currently in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail.
The Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail is comprised of six plain clothes detectives whose efforts focus on issues that negatively affect the quality of life of the law-abiding citizens of Camarillo. The goal of Camarillo SED is to reduce property and violent crime through investigations and directed enforcement.
Anyone with information about criminal activity occurring within the city of Camarillo is encouraged to contact the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail (SED) at (805) 388-5100. Callers can remain anonymous. Information can also be provided by email at [email protected].
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“Los Angeles Trio…”
That’s all you need, folks.
Well done, Ventura County law-enforcement!!!