Photo: Jose Luis Luna
Ventura County – In a case that should remind everyone to follow the universal law enforcement admonition to “take your keys and lock your car” at all times, the May 2nd arrest of 56-year-old Santa Paula resident Jose Luis Luna also points to the wisdom of letting the cops deal with the bad guys.
It all began on April 4th when a local area Fillmore resident went grocery shopping and left his car unlocked. Upon returning with a shopping cart full of victuals, the gentleman discovered his car missing. According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Detective Bill Meixner, the victim promptly reported his car as stolen.
Two days later—with his car still missing—the victim “found his stolen vehicle parked in a condominium complex and observed a pair of individuals who “appeared to be working on the vehicle.” Clearly unaware of the dangers of approaching two men suspected of felonious activity, the victim approached the suspects and confronted them to discuss the situation.
As criminals are wont to do, “the two men fled the area” immediately. The victim then notified law enforcement, and the ensuing investigation pointed to Luna as the principal suspect “responsible for the theft of the vehicle.”
He was located by Fillmore Police Department detectives on May 2nd, whereupon he was summarily taken into custody and transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on charges of vehicle theft, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia with his bail set at $75,000.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
