Photo: smoke shop
December 16, 2020 – Ventura County, Ca.
Following a month-long investigation into the armed robbery of a City of Ventura tobacco shop which took place on November 15, 2020, 33-year-old Oxnard resident Angel Virgen and 32-year-old Port Hueneme resident Philip Craven were located and taken into custody exactly 30 days later, on December 15th .
According to the Ventura Police Department Watch Commander, the robbery at Smoker’s Paradise occurred at approximately 3:00 p.m. when “two suspects entered the business and locked the door behind them to prevent employees from leaving.”
That was when Craven revealed a handgun and “pointed it at the cashier.” Accompanying Craven into the shop was 29-year-old Frank Valentine. The pair then removed “an undisclosed amount of cash” from the store’s cash register and quickly exited the premises.
Waiting outside in a getaway car was Virgen. Once Craven and Valentine entered Virgen’s vehicle, it sped away and the bandits made good their escape.
But on December 15th , VPD detectives located Craven and Virgen, took them into custody, and transported them to Ventura County Jail, where they were booked on charges of robbery, false imprisonment, and conspiracy. As a felon prohibited from possessing any firearm, Craven was additionally charged with illegal possession of the firearm used in the crime.
Both Craven and Virgen remain in custody on no-bail holds, while Valentine remains at large and is the subject of considerable police interest. Any person having information about Valentine’s location is urged to call the Ventura Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at 805- 339-4444.
Photo: Courtesy www.google.com
