SPPD: Woman arrested after car theft, second attempt at biting officers
December 04, 2013
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
A man who left his car running outside his home to warm it up before attending church Sunday was able to recover his vehicle from the woman who allegedly took it.
According to Santa Paula Police Sgt. Cody Madison, on December 1 at about 10 a.m. officers responded to the 1200 block of Orchard Street, “For a vehicle theft that had just occurred.”
Madison said the unidentified victim told officers that he had started his car to “warm up the engine prior to going to church,” and left the vehicle unattended.
Before officers arrived on scene, “The victim was able to locate his vehicle being driven around the neighborhood by the suspect,” 24-year-old Nadia Estrada, of Santa Paula.
Madison said the victim “jumped in front of the vehicle and luckily Estrada stopped the vehicle,” long enough for the victim to jump through an open window into the car.
The victim took possession of the vehicle as Estrada and an unknown female fled.
It didn’t take long for officers to locate Estrada who after a short foot pursuit was taken into custody.
But, noted Madison, “While being taken into custody Estrada attempted to bite one of the officers,” and she was finally transported to Ventura County Jail for suspicion of vehicle theft and felony resisting arrest.
It was not the first run-in Estrada allegedly had with officers: Madison said when officers attempted to arrest Estrada on Friday, November 29, on a theft charge, “At that time she also attempted to bite officers.... “
Following the Friday incident Estrada was transported to Ventura County Jail but she was released Saturday on her own recognizance.
Madison said charges related to controlled substances and felony resisting arrest were filed against Estrada for the November 29 incident, and coupled with Sunday’s incident, “Now she has two cases against her.... “
Estrada is being held at Ventura County Jail on $40,000 bail.
According to Ventura Court records Estrada, who reportedly identifies herself as a gang member, has been arrested several times including one past charge of resisting arrest.
Madison said the SPPD “Would like to take this opportunity to remind the public to not attempt to retrieve property once stolen or attempt to apprehend suspects. This is best left to police officers who are trained to do this as safely as possible and even at times police officers are still injured.
“Luckily, in this case the suspect had enough moral conviction to stop the vehicle. If the suspect did not the circumstances could have been much worse.”
Madison noted, “It would be best not to warm up your car and leave it unattended.... if you warm it up stay with it. In this case the suspect walked by, saw the car was running, hopped in and took off.”
Police only learned there was a second woman in the car after they arrested Estrada; the unidentified woman is not being sought as, said Madison, “There’s nothing to arrest her for.... “
