Oxnard man throws Incendiary objects into Pacific View Jewelry Store | Starts small fire

Ventura Police Department – Incident Press Release 

On May 23rd at 11:06 AM, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from an employee of 4J Jewelers inside the Pacific View Mall, 3301 E. Main St., reporting that a subject, later identified as the suspect Oxnard resident, 39 year old Adrian Earkman, had thrown two lit objects into the store and fled on foot. Earkman, who had been described as wearing a mask to cover his face, was being followed by mall security. Officers arrived on scene and detained Earkman several blocks away at Maple St. near Chapel Dr.

The objects had caused a small carpet fire and a large amount of smoke inside the mall, so Ventura City Fire was also dispatched to the call. There were no reports of any injuries to employees or mall customers.

During the investigation, officers determined that Earkman had made the incendiary devices with non-explosive material and threw them into the store as a prank. He did not intend on injuring anyone and the jewelry store was not specifically targeted by Earkman.

Because of the unknown nature and potential explosiveness of the devices, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad responded to the scene. The two devices found inside the jewelry store, in addition to a third device that was found in his possession at the time he was detained, were secured by the bomb squad and later destroyed.

As a precaution, the FBI was also requested to respond to the scene. It was determined there was no further or ongoing threat to the public’s safety.

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