Here’s a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:
Smash-and-grab launches pursuit
A pair of smash-and-grab incidents in the east county ended with a multi-agency pursuit over the county line Thursday evening.
At around 5 p.m., Simi Valley Police Department officers were sent to the T-Mobile store in the 2900 block of Cochran Street for reports of two males outside the shop wearing ski masks. Before officers arrived and before any crime was committed, the suspects fled in a black Jeep SUV, the department said in a news release. Officers searched the area.
About 15 minutes later, deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s station in Moorpark responded to a smash-and-grab burglary at the T-Mobile store there. The suspect vehicle had the same description and authorities got a license plate number.
Simi Valley officers soon found the Jeep headed eastbound on Highway 118 near Erringer Road and attempted a traffic stop, which turned into a pursuit.
A Los Angeles Police Department helicopter that was already on scene helping with the original check of the area assisted with the pursuit.
Simi officers terminated their chase near Balboa Boulevard over public safety concerns due to heavy traffic and high speeds. The LAPD helicopter kept tabs on the Jeep as California Highway Patrol units responded.
Officers from the CHP’s West Valley division ultimately pulled over the Jeep. The driver, a 20-year-old Bakersfield man, and his passenger, a 24-year-old LA man, were arrested by Ventura County sheriff’s deputies on suspicion of felony grand theft and felony conspiracy. Simi police also arrested the driver on suspicion of felony evading.
The driver, who also had several out-of-county felony warrants, was in Ventura County jail Friday with total bail set at $505,000, jail records showed. The passenger also remained in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Oak View fire sends up head of smoke
A structure fire that damaged two detached garages in Oak View Thursday afternoon sent up smoke visible from about a mile away, fire officials said.
The blaze in the 10000 block of Alto Court was reported around 1 p.m. in a residential area east of Highway 33. Incoming crews saw the large head of smoke from about a mile off, Ventura County Fire Department officials reported.
One of the detached garages was fully consumed, officials said, and the fire spread to a second detached garage. Damage was contained to the garages.
Two firefighters who suffered minor injuries were taken to a hospital as a precaution.
The cause remained under investigation Friday, said fire Capt. Brian McGrath.
Simi officer assaulted near school grounds
A Simi Valley woman was arrested outside an elementary school Thursday afternoon after allegedly scratching an officer’s neck over a speeding ticket.
The incident was reported around 2:20 p.m. when a traffic officer initially pulled over the 47-year-old woman for speeding in a school zone near Fitzgerald Road and Roldan Street, the Simi Valley Police Department said in a news release.
When the officer tried to issue the citation, the woman reportedly refused to sign it and drove away, saying she had to pick up her child at Hollow Hills Elementary School.
Officers tried to contact the woman again at the school, at 828 Gibson Ave., to get a signature.
During the interaction, the woman allegedly grabbed at the original officer’s shirt collar and vest, scratching the officer’s neck. The injuries were minor, a police official said.
Additional officers at the scene restrained the woman, putting her in handcuffs and eventually arresting her on suspicion of battery on an officer, resisting and refusing to sign a citation. She was booked into county jail and subsequently released on a bail bond, jail records show.
Teen arrested with more than 1,400 pills
A 19-year-old Oxnard man was arrested on suspicion of narcotics sales Thursday after police conducted a warrant search of his residence.
The Oxnard Police Department’s drug enforcement unit had been investigating the teen and obtained the warrant for his residence in the 500 block of West Vineyard Avenue.
Detectives and patrol officers found more than 1,400 alprazolam pills, also known by the brand name Xanax, during the search, along with cash and other evidence. The suspect was booked into county jail and subsequently released on a bail bond.
Vehicular assault alleged in Moorpark
A Moorpark woman was arrested on suspicion of hitting an ex with her vehicle Thursday night in Camarillo, leaving him with injuries not considered life threatening.
The 42-year-old woman, who was in a prior relationship with the man, attempted to run him over and struck his leg, said Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Greg Gibson.
The incident was reported at 10:07 p.m. in the 1400 block of West Chapel Drive, Gibson said.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. It was unclear whether the man wished to press charges, Gibson said. There was no immediate information on whether drugs or alcohol were a factor.
The woman was booked into county jail.
Items may be updated.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Smash-and-grab sparks pursuit through Simi Valley, more news