Ventura – One would expect that anyone recently released from prison under the Post Release Offender Program created by Assembly Bill 109 and given strong approval by the state’s electorate in 2011 would be so delighted with newfound and unanticipated freedom to walk the public streets that some care would be given to one’s personal comportment.
Puerto Vallarta in downtown Ventura
That expectation was certainly not met on November 28th on the streets of downtown Ventura when Anthony Baty, a 28-year old resident of the city, allegedly ripped off a local retailer by blatantly stealing a number of items and taking off without proffering any form of payment for the goods. According to the media report issued by the Ventura Police Department Watch Commander, Pedro Contreras, working behind the counter at “Puerto Vallarta Ropa”, chased Baty down the street when he ran out of the store and down the sidewalk.
When, however, Baty turned to confront Contreras and indicated that he had a weapon in his waistband that he was ready to use to assure his escape, Contreras “discontinued following the suspect and contacted the police.”
When Ventura Police Department officers responded, they acted upon the description of Baty given them by Contreras and soon thereafter located him hiding in a nearby church. Baty was taken into custody at that time and arrested. With his felony history of drug violations certainly not working in his favor, Baty was transported to Ventura County Jail where he was booked for robbery.
Read more:
CBSLA: Ventura man accused of robbing business
Scripps: Robbery reported at Ventura store
