Attempted kidnapping in Simi Valley leads to 1 arrest
A 40-year-old North Hollywood man was arrested Thursday on suspicion of attempted kidnapping in the parking lot of the Simi Valley Library.
The Simi Valley Police Department said a woman and her 17-year-old daughter were returning to their vehicle around 2 p.m. when a man grabbed the daughter by the wrist and arm. He attempted to pull her into his vehicle while saying, “Get in my car,” police said.
The teen screamed and pulled loose from the man who left In his car. The mom called police who put out an alert for the man.
Officers said they found him and took the man into custody shortly after 5 p.m.
Ventura men get federal prison time
Two Ventura men were sentenced Thursday to yearslong federal prison time for a crime spree that included extortion of a taco truck driver in Oxnard, a robbery of two Oxnard businesses and a hold up of a woman at gunpoint.
Oscar Aguirre Silva, 31, of Ventura, was sentenced to 72 months in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. He was also ordered him to pay $2,941 in restitution. A co-defendant Edward Donaldo Ramirez Martinez, 28, of Ventura, received 54 months in prison and was ordered to pay $1,597 in restitution.
David Ray Reyes, 30, the third Ventura man tied to the spree, was sentenced June 6 to 26 months in prison. Reyes pleaded guilty on March 6 to one count of attempted bank fraud, one count of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft.
Silva pleaded guilty on April 25 to one count of interference with commerce by extortion, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, three counts of bank fraud, two counts of attempted bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft, according to the justice department.
Ramirez also pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition.
“The victims in this case were people just trying to make a living by operating a food truck when they were allegedly robbed at gunpoint,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.
Prosecutors said Silva threatened violence to extort a taco truck vendor Nov. 6 in Oxnard. Four days later, he robbed a woman at gunpoint, stealing her phone and her purse with her own cards and another victim’s card. Ramirez served as the getaway driver during the armed robbery.
Both men then traveled to a Ventura Walmart where they used the stolen cards to purchase $524 worth of merchandise, authorities said.
Later, Silva and Reyes then used and attempted to use the stolen cards to purchase other items at an Oxnard smoke shop.
Prosecutors also said Silva robbed a smoke shop and a grocery outlet Nov. 25 and 26.
The justice department also said Ramirez, while under the influence of methamphetamine, possessed an assault rifle without a serial number and four rounds of ammunition. He was not legally permitted to possess a gun or ammunition because of a 2020 felony conviction in Ventura County Superior Court.
The Ventura County Violent Crime Task Force, which includes the FBI, the Oxnard Police Department, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Ventura Police Department, conducted this investigation.
Man seriously injured in Ventura e-trike crash
A man on an electric-powered recumbent tricycle was seriously injured in a crash with a truck Wednesday morning in Ventura.
The Ventura Police Department said officers were called on a report of a crash around 7:45 a.m. near Foothill Road and La Fonda Drive.
As of Thursday, the man remained in the hospital and had not regained consciousness, said Cmdr. Ryan Weeks.
The man on the tricycle had been traveling down a steep hill, but for reasons still not know, he could not stop, police said in a news release. Officers said they found lengthy skid marks.
The tricyclist rolled through a stop sign and onto Foothill Road where he collided with a truck.
Police said they are still investigating. Anyone with information related to the collision can contact the Ventura Police Traffic Division at 805-339-4437.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: 1 nabbed in Simi attempted kidnapping; Ventura men sentenced
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
