SPPD: Concerned citizen’s photo of
package theft suspect leads to arrest
February 27, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
An alert citizen took a photograph of a suspect that took a package from a neighbor’s front porch, a snapshot that landed a 24-year-old Santa Paula resident in jail Monday.
According to Santa Paula Police Sgt. Ken Clark the February 23 incident occurred at approximately 11:57 a.m.
Clark said, “SPPD Officers were dispatched to the area of Elfred Court and Laurie Lane,” regarding a neighbor’s report of a theft of packages from the front porch of a nearby residence where they had been delivered by UPS.
“Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect,” but Clark said officers did find the package that was taken from the residence nearby, but the contents were removed and the package was empty.
The nearby resident that witnessed the theft “Was able to take a photograph of the suspect leaving the area,” and Clark said the that was photo given to officers “showed the suspect with package in hand… and the suspect wearing very distinct clothing, while fleeing the area.”
Shortly thereafter a subject was located nearby at Harvard Boulevard and Laurie Lane who was wearing clothing “very similar to that of the suspect in the photograph... his pants were bright yellowish brown, he had a gray sweatshirt and a backpack.
“If you saw the picture,” noted Clark, “you’d be able to spot him… ”
Further investigation by officers resulted in the arrest of Ivan Rizo, 24, of Santa Paula.
“Rizo,” noted Clark, “admitted to taking the property from the residence and admitted to discarding the items he took,” clothing and computer accessories, “in a trashcan.”
That bin “was subsequently picked up by the trash company,” an action that prevented the victim’s property — worth approximately $200 — from being returned to them.
But, said Clark, “Thanks to the vigilant efforts by the nearby residents and their desire to keep the community safe, the theft suspect was caught and arrested.”
Rizo, who Clark said has had contact with police “several times” in the past, was booked and charged with suspicion of theft.
