Suspected Car Thieves Arrested

VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF
MEDIA RELEASE
BOB BROOKS, Sheriff

Nature of Incident: Arrest- Grand Theft Auto
Location: 700 block of West Villanova Road, Ojai
Date & Time: November 5, 2007 @ 1:45 PM
Unit Responsible: Ojai Police Department

Description:
On November 5, 2007, Sheriff’s deputies from the Ojai Valley Station responded to a report of a stolen vehicle from the 700 block of Villanova Road. A citizen reported seeing a suspicious vehicle, a black Nissan Altima, driving around in the area. The citizen saw two Hispanic males get out of the vehicle and get into a burgundy Chevy Camaro. The citizen knew the owner of the Camaro and knew the Hispanic males did not have permission to take the vehicle. The citizen immediately called the Sheriff’s Department.
A stolen vehicle broadcast was made and a Sheriff’s deputy spotted the vehicle near Casitas Vista Road and Highway 33. Deputies followed the vehicle and stopped it on the 200 block of Bard Street in the unincorporated area of Ventura. Sheriff’s deputies also stopped the black Nissan Altima associated with the theft.
Ojai Police Investigators determined that one of the occupants of the black Nissan actually test- drove the vehicle approximately one week ago. The victim had advertised the vehicle for sale. The suspects carefully planned to steal the Camaro, and even had a copy of the vehicle’s ignition key. It is believed that one of the suspects was able to obtain a copy of the vehicle’s keys when he test-drove the car last week.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Ruben Leal, Albino Ramirez-Bernal, and Isaac Valenzuela for grand theft auto and drug related charges. All three suspects were booked into the Ventura County Main Jail. The vehicle was returned to the victim undamaged.

Suspects:
Isaac Valenzuela, 26 years old, Ojai
Albino Ramirez-Bernal, 25 years old, Ventura
Ruben Leal, 21 years old, Ventura