Full Notification

On May 23, 2023 at 9:19 PM, Simi Valley Police Department Officers were dispatched to a local juvenile group home in reference to a disturbance in progress. Group home staff called 911 and advised that three female juvenile residents were attempting to steal vehicle keys from the staff office. The staff member stated that the subjects had broken a window to gain entry and had ultimately locked her in the office upon taking the keys. While units were still on the way, the staff member informed dispatch that the three suspects were leaving the location in a black mini-van owned by the group home. Upon arriving in the area, Officers located the vehicle in the area of Erringer Rd. and Royal Ave. Officers followed the vehicle onto eastbound Royal Ave. where a traffic stop was attempted. The vehicle failed to yield to the Officers and continued eastbound on Royal Ave. Based on the fact that the crime involved known juvenile suspects and the danger to the general public, Officers never initiated a pursuit and opted to discontinue following the suspect vehicle. As Officers were pulling off, the vehicle continued and ultimately ran a stop sign at Tapo Canyon Rd. where it collided with an uninvolved vehicle that was attempting to turn northbound onto Tapo Canyon.

The suspect vehicle proceeded into the business complex, located in the 1800 block of Tapo Canyon, and the three occupants fled on foot. A perimeter was established and the area was searched by Officers. The Juvenile driver was later located walking on Los Angeles Ave. and taken into custody without incident. She was arrested for conspiracy and driving a stolen vehicle and booked at Ventura County Juvenile Hall. The driver of the uninvolved victim vehicle suffered minor injuries and was treated on scene.