Ventura Police Department – Incident Press Release
On February 21st at 9:18 PM the Ventura Police dispatch center received a report of a vehicle driving around in the closed and barricaded area of Main St. and California St. When VPD patrol officers arrived on scene, they locate the vehicle driving South on California St. toward Santa Clara St., still inside of the area where the road is closed. Officers contacted the driver, later identified as Eusebio Navarro, and told him to stop and shut off the vehicle. Navarro immediately put his vehicle in reverse and fled. Navarro reversed his vehicle Northbound on California St., and attempted to make a turning maneuver, but collided with an unoccupied dining tent to the front of Finneys. Navarro then drove East on Main St. until he reached the barricades at Chestnut St. Navarro then began reversing West on Main St. back toward California St., where he was again confronted by officers on foot. Navarro refused the officers commands to shut off the car and exit the vehicle. Navarro was taken into custody shortly after. No bystanders, officers or the suspect were injured as a result of the incident.
Navarro was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, hit and run, reckless driving, resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance.
The area that Navarro was driving his vehicle has been closed to vehicle traffic for several months to allow downtown businesses to accommodate outdoor dining due to Covid 19 restrictions. This area can at times be very crowded with pedestrians and people dining on the outdoor patios and barricades have been placed in several areas to keep vehicle traffic from accessing Main St. Video surveillance footage captured Navarro moving a barricade to gain access with his vehicle.
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