An unidentified female juvenile was charged with being under the influence of drugs and interfering with the duties of a police officer. “She was later found to be a reported runaway from the City of Fillmore,” noted Cordero, and was released to the custody of her parents.The interfering with the duties of a police officer charge stemmed from the juvenile giving investigators “a false name initially, and throughout she lied about her age and her name... that delayed us in our investigation,” as investigators would have to “keep starting over when we would determine she was being untruthful.” The adults were booked and transported to Ventura County Jail.“Because of the unsafe conditions of the residence Santa Paula code enforcement was called,” and after they checked the premises the residence was posted as unsafe to occupy. The remaining residents, said Cordero, were “allowed to gather some belongings and left the premises.”Cordero noted that investigators observed “electrical violations throughout the house, and they had so much stuff piled up everywhere - with a little path here and there - it was so cluttered everywhere it was a fire hazard, especially with the electrical violations.” In addition, several children were in the residence: “It was not a safe environment for kids, and with three dogs also living in the house it was not only unsafe but unhealthy... it was bad.”Cordero urges Santa Paulans to stay involved and work with the SPPD on stopping crime. “People should not be discouraged from giving us any help; even” reporting “a little” information or something they’re not entirely sure of but only suspect can help the SPPD.“Some cases take longer, some take shorter, you just never know. It just depends on what we encounter,” said Sgt. Cordero, to assemble all the facets of the case to take police action.
SPPD: Six arrested for suspected drug sales after citizens’ complaints
September 12, 2008
Santa Paula Police Department
Six people were arrested Tuesday, including a runaway Fillmore female juvenile, after reports from concerned citizens led to an investigation into drug sales at a North Ojai Road residence cumulating with a probation search.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSix people were arrested Tuesday, including a runaway Fillmore female juvenile, after reports from concerned citizens led to an investigation into drug sales at a North Ojai Road residence cumulating with a probation search. The residence was later red tagged as unsafe for occupancy by Santa Paula Building & Safety code enforcement personnel.According to Santa Paula Police Sergeant Ishmael Cordero, the SPPD investigators “concluded an approximately two-week investigation of possible narcotic activity and conducted a probation search” and entered the residence at 1114 N. Ojai Rd. at about 3 p.m. on September 9. The SPPD had received “a lot of anonymous complaints from the residents of the surrounding area” of possible drug sales and use at the residence, and during the course of the investigation “several persons were seen coming and going from this location consistent with drug activity... there was a lot of foot traffic” that was documented by investigators.“We conduct surveillance at certain times” to document consistent visits, noted Cordero. That enables investigators to counter claims “that their friends visited only at certain times.”Once investigators entered the Ojai Road residence a search resulted in the seizure of numerous items of drug paraphernalia and, “based on the arrest of the people under the influence, it had to do with methamphetamine.” The Santa Paula residents arrested were Peter Bracamontes, 31, charged with being under the influence of narcotics and in possession of stolen property; Blas Rodriguez, 30, charged with an outstanding warrant for receiving/possessing stolen property; Arlene Macias Hernandez, 38, charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon; Wayne Fred Brown, 31, charged with a felony warrant drug possession and being under the influence of drugs; and Juan Rodriguez, 30, charged with being under the influence of drugs.A report had been filed about a year ago that Hernandez had stabbed another women during an incident on 12th Street. “The victim had to go to the hospital because of the attack, and we had probable cause to arrest Hernandez” for her involvement in the case.
