Central Coast roundup
Por El Latino Newsroom
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The City of Goleta’s Community Resource Deputy (CRD) informed that s now available to provide free assessments to Goleta businesses to help deter burglaries.
Goleta business owners can book an appointment with CRD Ehren Rauch to receive an onsite inspection and personalized tips.
Deputy Rauch will go to the business and provide tips on what the owners can do to improve employee safety and prepare against burglaries and robberies.
“By taking preemptive measures, businesses can help prevent crime and deter would-be criminals. Our goal is to maintain an open line of communication with local businesses. The Sheriff’s Office takes the community’s safety seriously and looks forward to working together to keep Goleta safe.” Deputy Rauch said
To promote this new service, the City of Goleta partnered with the Goleta Police Department to publish a brochure that provides information on how to book an assessment and includes important tips for businesses such as what to do to avoid a robbery, what to do if a robbery occurs, proper design recommendations and video surveillance advice.
The brochure is available at the Sheriff’s substation at the Camino Real Marketplace (7042 Marketplace Drive), Goleta City Hall (130 Cremona Drive) and the Goleta Valley Library (500 N. Fairview Avenue).
ARRESTED FOR A 2017 MURDER
The Oxnard Police Department (OXPD) has made an arrest in a 2017 homicide case when detectives with the Department’s Major Crimes Unit arrested Jacob Stier, a 25-year-old Oxnard resident, in connection with the murder of Alexis Lopez and the attempted murder of Omar Pacifuentes.
On October 8, 2017, at 9:45 P.M., Lopez was seated in the driver seat of her pickup truck, and Omar Pacifuentes was seated next to Lopez in the front passenger seat.
They were stopped for a signal light at the intersection of Ventura Boulevard at Santa Clara Avenue in Oxnard.
Lopez was shot and killed as she sat in her truck. Pacifuentes was also shot but survived his injuries, Lopez was a mother and left behind two small children.
After several years of diligent and exhaustive investigating, detectives were able to locate sufficient evidence to arrest Stier for his participation in the homicide.
The OXPD stated the investigation is still ongoing, with additional arrests pending in this case.
Jacob Stier was in custody at the Ventura County Main Jail facility on unrelated charges when he was arrested for the murder of Lopez and the attempted murder of Pacifuentes, and has a bail set at $1,010,000 dollars.
Investigators encourage anyone who has any information or may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Ken Tougas, 805.200-5669.
The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City of Oxnard.
ARRESTED FOR FORGED CHECKS
Last Tuesday and after an hour-long search, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two Santa Maria men for several felony charges stemming from their attempt to defraud a bank
On Tuesday at approximately 2:40 p.m., deputies from the SBCSO were dispatched to a bank in the 1100-block of E. Clark Avenue for a report of a suspect attempting to cash a forged check.
As deputies arrived the suspect, 31-year-old Richard Martinez, fled the bank on foot.
Deputies chased the suspect who entered a nearby discount store, and then out the back door.
With the assistance of several CHP officers, a perimeter was established.
During the search, a suspicious subject, 31-year-old Carlos Alonso was contacted in the area. After about an hour of searching and with the assistance of County Air Support and a Sheriff’s K9 Unit, Martinez was located in the 900-block of Patterson Road and arrested.
It was later determined Carlos Alonso was Martinez’ accomplice.
Both suspects were transported to the Northern Branch Jail where they were booked for conspiracy (felony), burglary (felony), forgery (felony), and making a fictitious check (felony). Alonso is being held with $20,000 bail.
Martinez had several outstanding warrants and is being held without bail.
MAN DIES IN BIKE ACCIDENT
On November 1 at approximately 1:30 p.m., officers from the OXPD and E.M.S. personnel responded to a call for service for an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Terrace Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers located motorcycle rider Elijah Franco severely injured in the roadway. Officers also located the driver of the vehicle, Andrew Marquez, near the scene of the collision.
Franco was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center but sadly succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The preliminary investigation determined that Franco was riding a Kawasaki Ninja westbound on Pleasant Valley Road approaching Terrace Avenue.
Marquez was driving a Honda Accord eastbound Pleasant Valley Road preparing to make a left-hand turn northbound onto Terrace Avenue.
As Marquez continued with his turn, he collided with Franco at the intersection.
While on scene, officers evaluated Marquez and determined him to be impaired while operating a motor vehicle.
He was subsequently arrested for second degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter and was booked at the Ventura County Jail facility.
ARRESTED FOR SELLING DRUGS NEAR SCHOOL
In October the OXPD Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the South District Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT) began an investigation regarding Jorge Flores continuing to sell drugs near an elementary school in the Cal-Gisler neighborhood. Flores had been arrested on three prior occasions for selling drugs and during the investigation, detectives confirmed that Flores was still actively selling drugs.
On October 29 Oxnard NPT Officers, Property Crimes and DEU detectives located Flores while he was driving in his vehicle.
Patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and found Flores in possession of methamphetamine and further evidence of drug Sales.
The passenger, Ciara Magallon, was found to have an outstanding felony warrant for drug sales.
With a search warrant in their hands detectives conducted a search of Flores’ residence, where detectives located more methamphetamine and further evidence of drug sales.
Magallon was arrested for her felony warrant.
Flores was charged with possession for sales of methamphetamine within a thousand feet of a school and being a felon in possession of ammunition, both felonies.
This is Flores’ fourth drug sales arrest since January 2021.
NEW DIRECTOR
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department announced the selection of Dr. Noemi “Mimi” Doohan as the Medical Director for the County’s Health Care Centers.
Dr. Doohan, as a member of the Department’s Executive Team, will direct the 25 staff physicians, eight advanced practice practitioners and 24 contracted specialists delivering care at the County’s five Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and three shelter-based Health Care for the Homeless clinics.
«We are thrilled that Dr. Doohan will be our Medical Director leading the exceptional Health Centers physicians, clinicians and quality teams and as we pivot from pandemic footing back into our privileged role as a key provider in our County’s Health Care Safety Net Delivery System,” said Dana Gamble, Deputy Director of the Primary Care and Family Health Division.
Dr. Doohan joins Santa Barbara County with 20 years of experience in the medical field.
She is Board Certified in Family Medicine and earned her medical degree at Stanford University followed by a residency in Family Medicine at the Contra Costa County Regional Medical Center in Martinez, California.
Dr. Doohan earned a PhD in Molecular Biology from UC Santa Barbara and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Dr. Doohan has been involved locally since 2005 when she founded, along with Dr. Mark Stinson, the long-standing Santa Barbara Street Medicine program, Doctors Without Walls.
As a founding medical director, she was also instrumental in the development of the Santa Barbara County Medical Reserve Corps, the Public Health Department’s backup medical response team activated during disasters.
“To return home and serve the Santa Barbara County Health Care Centers as Medical Director is a great privilege and an honor. I am humbled by this opportunity to help lead such an exceptional Public Health team,” said Dr. Doohan.
She has broad experience in all aspects of primary care as a family medicine provider and as a leader in private practice, FQHCs, rural and tribal clinics, urgent care, hospitalist medicine, street medicine, corrections, global health and medical education.
“Dr. Doohan brings extensive experience in all aspects of healthcare and is exceptionally well equipped to guide our healthcare teams in providing excellent care to our patients.”
FIRES IN SB
The Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD) announced plans to conduct a prescribed burn for training purposes at the Chamberlin Ranch, near Los Olivos, between November and mid-December.
“Prescribed fires typically burn less intensely than wildfires and can help to prevent the spread of wildfires and can reduce impacts to watersheds that can result in soil loss and sedimentation”, the SBCFD officials said.
According to the authorities the burn is a Prescribed Fire broadcast burn to achieve training of new SBCFD personnel and new County’s Range Improvement Association members.
Approximately 117 acres of sage scrub and Oak woodland will be burned and will occur over 1-2 days.
Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) staff said that due to changing winds and weather conditions, it is difficult to predict which areas of the county, if any, may be most affected by smoke from the burn.
“If you smell smoke, take precautions and use common sense to reduce any harmful health effects by limiting outdoor activities. When you can smell smoke or when it is visible in your area, avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors as much as possible,” they advised.
MAN DIED IN BIKE ACCIDENT
On November 1, 2022, at approximately 1:30 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department and E.M.S. personnel responded to a call for service for an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Terrace Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers located motorcycle rider Elijah Franco severely injured in the roadway. Officers also located the driver of the vehicle, Andrew Marquez, near the scene of the collision. Franco was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center but sadly succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
The preliminary investigation determined that Franco was riding a Kawasaki Ninja westbound on Pleasant Valley Road approaching Terrace Avenue. Marquez was driving a Honda Accord eastbound Pleasant Valley Road preparing to make a left-hand turn northbound onto Terrace Avenue. As Marquez continued with his turn, he collided with Franco at the intersection.
While on scene, officers evaluated Marquez and determined him to be impaired while operating a motor vehicle. He was subsequently arrested for second degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter and was booked at the Ventura County Jail facility.
Witnesses, or anyone with information rega
