Due to the large size of the area, Sgt. Fogata and his K9 partner Evan were requested to respond to the scene. Accompanied by Officer Scott Varner, “Evan began his search. The suspect saw us and took off running,” but was nabbed nearby by Senior Officer Cody Madison and Officer Hector Ramirez, noted Sgt. Fogata.The suspect was identified as Luis Enrique Gonzalez, 31, of Ventura. After Gonzalez was apprehended, officers searched the lot and found that a “total of five vehicles had been burglarized, and property from those vehicles was found in a backpack” that Gonzalez had in his possession. Sgt. Fogata said that Gonzalez had a “small hatchet” in his possession that might have been used to break the glass to gain access to the vehicles.At one point the Santa Paula Fire Department was also called to the scene so that SPPD officers could gain access through a chain link fence surrounding an adjacent lot to ensure that Gonzalez did not have an accomplice hiding nearby. Gonzalez was charged with five counts of vehicle burglary and transported to Ventura County Jail.
Ventura man arrested for vehicle burglaries at storage lot
July 20, 2007
Santa Paula Police Department
A Ventura man was arrested early Wednesday morning for burglary after the sound of breaking glass at a vehicle storage facility led to Santa Paula police officers surrounding the area while a Santa Paula Police Department K9 conducted a search, according to a Santa Paula Police spokesman.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA Ventura man was arrested early Wednesday morning for burglary after the sound of breaking glass at a vehicle storage facility led to Santa Paula police officers surrounding the area while a Santa Paula Police Department K9 conducted a search, according to a Santa Paula Police spokesman.Sgt. Jimmy Fogata said the incident occurred at about 1:20 a.m. on July 11, when SPPD officers were dispatched “to a possible prowler in the 100 block of East Santa Maria Street” after a nearby resident heard suspicious noises. Upon arrival, officers “heard the sound of glass breaking coming from a nearby vehicle storage lot,” and the officers “immediately established a perimeter around the lot.”
