Photo: James Alexander Cruz
December 26, 2020 – Ventura County, Ca.
It was early in the evening of December 23nd when 18-year-old Ventura resident James Alexander Cruz and his juvenile buddy were just cruising along through the Oak View community enjoying some brewskies and a doobie or two.
But the juvenile driver of the car apparently rolled through a stop sign or failed to signal a turn, which caught the attention of a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department patrol deputy. Red lights ensued, and the vehicle with the two young guys inside came to a
stop.
In making contact with Cruz and the young driver, the deputy immediately spotted what VCSD spokesman Capt. Jose Rivera described as “numerous open containers of alcohol,” which then gave the cop probable cause to conduct a search of the vehicle.
That search lead to the discovery of “a moderate amount of marijuana, a handgun, and ammunition.” Once the search came to its conclusion, Cruz and the juvenile were cuffed and transported to Ventura County Jail. Cruz was booked on charges related to
the possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, while the juvenile driver was cited for marijuana possession. Cruz remains in custody with his bail set at $50,000.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
