Full Notification

CITY OF MOORPARK
POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS STORY

www.VCSD.org

Nature of Incident: Arrests for Theft and Possession of Illegal and Dangerous Fireworks
Report Number: 15-14195 and 15-14209
Location: Princeton Avenue / Campus Park Drive, Moorpark, CA. 93021
Date & Time: July 1, 2015 / 14:00 A.M.
Unit(s) Responsible: Moorpark Police Department Patrol, Special Enforcement Detail, and Special Enforcement Detail Sheriff’s Bomb Squad

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
David Rhodes Woodland Hills 58
Narrative:
On June 25, 2015, at approximately 9:00 A.M., a theft occurred at the Shell Gas Station located at 6599 Collins Drive in Moorpark. The suspect left prior to patrol deputies arriving, but the victim was able to provide a detailed description of the suspect and the vehicle the suspect left in.

A Moorpark patrol deputy observed a possible suspect vehicle driving in the area of Princeton Avenue and Campus Park Drive in Moorpark at around 11:50 A.M. this same day. The deputy stopped the vehicle and determined it was the vehicle involved in the earlier theft. David Rhodes was a passenger in the vehicle and was identified as the person who committed the theft from the Shell Gas Station.

During the subsequent investigation, a significant amount of illegal fireworks were discovered inside the vehicle. Deputies working patrol and the Special Enforcement Detail were able to determine that the fireworks belonged to Rhodes and he planned to try and sell them in the City of Moorpark. A member of the Sheriff’s Bomb Squad responded and inspected the fireworks and safely removed them from the vehicle.

Rhodes was arrested for felony and misdemeanor possession of dangerous fireworks, theft and suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and booked into the Sheriff’s Pre-Trial Detention Facility. Rhodes was released after he posted $25,000 bail and has a scheduled court date of July 9, 2015.

As a reminder, first and foremost is the safety of our residents. The City of Moorpark, Moorpark Police Department, and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office asks the cooperation of all citizens in preventing injury and property damage by using fireworks.

Prepared by: Sgt. John Wright
News Release Date: July 1, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Sgt. John Wright, (805) 797-7128
Approved by: Stephen Wade, Captain

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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