Ventura County – Some people just don’t know when to stop pushing their luck. Ricardo Hernandez, a 34-year old Thousand Oaks resident, appears to be one of those folks, as evidenced by the circumstances leading to his February 18th arrest.
It was early in the morning on that date—as just recently reported to the media by Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Jose Rivera—when VCSD deputies served an eviction notice upon Hernandez requiring him to immediately vacate the premises wherein he had been residing. Without further ado, Hernandez complied and drove off, leaving the deputies to do what cops do best: look around.
Following Hernandez’s departure, the deputies noticed evidence of illegal drugs inside the now vacated residence. At that point, VCSD Narcotics Detectives were summoned to the scene to conduct an investigation pursuant to a search warrant. As Rivera reported, additional evidence of illegal activity was discovered, including “numerous grams of methamphetamine packaged for sale, a loaded shotgun, two assault rifles, two loaded handguns, a ballistic vest, various military knives, and evidence that Hernandez was actively involved” in trafficking drugs.
But Hernandez—whom they had just evicted—was no longer around. Detectives then quietly withdrew from the premises and established surveillance of the residence, anticipating that Hernandez would return to collect his illicit property. No more than an hour later, the deputies’ patience was rewarded with the return of Hernandez, now in the company of Alejandro Hernandez, 34, and Alberto Castro, 27. Minutes later, the three exited the home and drove away, all under the watchful eyes of law enforcement.
Deputies followed the Hernandez vehicle for a short distance and then conducted a traffic stop, pursuant to which it was determined Castro and Alberto Hernandez were high on methamphetamines and were promptly arrested. A search of the vehicle revealed more than 19 grams of methamphetamine, giving probable cause for the arrest of Ricardo Hernandez on suspicion of disobeying a court order, possession for sale of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, and possession of ammunition designed to penetrate metal armor. He was transported to Ventura County Jail with his bail set at $50,000.
For his part, Castro was booked on possession of sales of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, conspiracy, and providing false information, with his bail set at $70,000. Alejandro Hernandez was booked on similar charges with his bail set at $50,000.
Perhaps the next time he’s evicted by the police, Ricardo Hernandez will know enough to simply walk away and not look back. But probably not…
Photos: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
Read more:
VCSTAR: 3 men arrested in connection with narcotics
Thousand Oaks Acorn: Cops discover cache of guns
