Deputies Searching For Hit-and-Run Suspect
Sheriff’s Department Press Release
Early Sunday morning, a patrol deputy observed a red mini-pickup turn south on North Montgomery Street without stopping for the stop sign on East Oak Street. The driver failed to stop and accelerated away at a high rate of speed westbound on East Aliso Street, and a brief pursuit ensued. The driver of the pickup attempted to turn right onto East Oak Street, but due to his high rate of speed failed to complete the turn. The pickup left the roadway and collided with a wooden split rail fence that bordered a residential property in the 100 block of East Oak Street. The driver of the pickup failed to stop before he collided with a vehicle that was parked in the driveway, and the vehicle finally came to rest after colliding with the garage door at the residence.
The male driver then exited the pickup and fled the scene on foot, with the deputy in foot pursuit. The driver was last seen running into the apartment complex at 307 N. Signal St. A Sheriff’s K-9 Unit assisted and was able to track the driver to an apartment within the complex. The investigation for this hit-and-run traffic collision is continuing.
According to an Ojai Valley City Watch e-mail sent Tuesday, “A person of interest has been identified. Investigators are seeking help from anyone that might have witnessed this event.” Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information concerning the identity of the driver is asked to contact the Ojai Police Department at 646-1414.
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
My dear Lifelong Ojaian, your view sounds more like “no witness, no crime.” Think of the implications. I think a point Lloyd Isaacson was trying to make is that law enforcement authority must be respected to prevent kaos. As it is, there was a fence, a vehicle, and a garage door damaged. If that’s all that is coming out of one resident’s pocket, that could be quite a hardship. Thank goodness it was only property. Someone could have been seriously injured.
My money is on the guy either did not have a license, was not insured, was drinking, or the trifecta of all three.
Joe Lopez strikes again!!!
It was not a red pickup with green stripes .. if ut was im sure it would be real easy to find the driver !! .. and the apt where that truck parks is not that address ! … i heard the police calling in for back up and it was a white male .. ive seen the driver of the pick up u speak of and he is a young hispanic male .. so stop jumping ur guns you dont know it all !
lifelong ojaian:
In answer to your question.
Yes.
Jeez you guys don’t you watch t.v., read books or think about how things work? If you hit something, that is of value to someone–that they have to pay for after you damage/destroy it or a person then it’s called “hit and run” if you don’t stop and leave a note or fess up in some way.
If the cops are chasing you and/or telling you to “stop” and you do not it’s a problem. And so what happens if the cops, representing “law and order” just let everything go? Let us say “lifelong ojaian” that someone crashes into your fence and then leaves the scene of the accident without a note or knocking on your door and leaving their information and just leave–you get stuck with paying for their damage. A cop sees them or someone reports them and said cop approaches said lawbreaker and they run away trying to elude their responsibility to YOU…..you don’t understand nor see the point to this? If you read the article carefully the police have a person “of interest” on the hooks, that means the next step is they may have a “suspect.” “Other peoples property damaged”? Well, the hit and runner harmed SOMEONE’s property whether it be the City’s or an individual’s and so therefore there is a problem. Some things for you to think about.
i agree sounds like it started ff as a traffic stop and turned into a manhunt! is it really worth our tax dollars for the sherifffs deputies to use such resources without a suspect apprehended and other peoples property damaged?
It was a red Toyota pick-up with green stripes and a loud exhaust system. I’ve seen it around the complex (which is 305 N. Signal St.) I’m not sure who was driving it, but I’m sure the police do.
I’m assuming the hit and run in this case is referring to the damage done to property not people in a separate incident. It looks like it started out, not as a hit and run but as a traffic violation that escalated into property damage that the suspect was then trying to avoid or is there more to the story?
Maybe someone would be willing to create an “Ojai’s most wanted” website to help catch criminals, felons, parole violaters, etc. Then again, an OPD website could be very useful and informative too! Network people! – it’s one thing that every community can do – neighborhood watch – help keep an eye on things, and if something doesn’t seem right…
Editor’s note: The VCSD web page has an updated “most wanted” list, calls for service, department information, and crime stats. The site includes a searchable crime mapping system specific to each area served. http://www.vcsd.org