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Luis Carrillo Rodriguez, 66 |
SPPD: Suspect who took $100 bill
from child in market arrested
May 15, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Santa Paula Police are thanking the public for providing tips that led to the arrest of an area man allegedly captured on surveillance video when he took a $100 bill from a child holding her mother’s wallet.
The incident occurred May 1 about 1:30 p.m. at Ventura County Market located in the 100 block of South Mill Street.
According to SPPD Sgt. Cody Madison, on May 5 the SPPD posted the market’s surveillance video of “an unknown subject stealing a $100 bill from a 4-year-old child who was holding her mother’s wallet,” while rummaging through a backpack on the floor in front of the counter.
The camera did not capture the face of the man—apparently accompanied by a female walking in front of him who seemed unaware of the incident—as he swiftly bent down and took the cash and then kept walking.
Madison said after the video was posted on Facebook and a call went out for the public to help identify the suspect, the SPPD received “multiple phone calls and messages” regarding the subject.
At least one person texted a photo to police claiming the man pictured was the one being sought.
Because of such public input, “We were able to identify the suspect as Luis Carrillo Rodriguez, 66, of Santa Paula.”
On May 11, “After attempting to locate him at multiple locations.”
Madison said Rodriguez “came in for an interview…”
After he was questioned Rodriguez was “cited and released without incident,” for suspicion of misdemeanor petty theft.
Rodriguez, noted Madison, “Has a criminal history of theft and drug related charges.”
The Santa Paula Police Department, he added, “would like to thank the public for their assistance in identifying Rodriguez in this case.”
Police Chief Steve McLean said Rodriguez has been arrested “numerous times in the past for various charges…I thank our Detectives for a good investigation and the arrest of the suspect.”
And, he added, “I also need to thank the public for providing us with the information needed to make the arrest…it’s teamwork.”
