Community
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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Media Release - Camarillo Underage Tobacco Operation
| Nature of Incident: | Underage Tobacco Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation | ||||
| Location: | Camarillo | ||||
| Date: | February 18, 2025 | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Camarillo Community Resources Unit, Camarillo City Code Enforcement |
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| Suspects: |
City of Residence |
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| Female Adult (58 years old) Female Juvenile (17 years old) Male Adult Clerk (26 years old) |
Camarillo Camarillo Thousand Oaks |
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| Narrative: | |||||
| On February 18th, 2025, members of the Camarillo Police Department Community Resources Unit and Camarillo City Code Enforcement conducted an underage tobacco decoy sting, using underage decoys. The goal of the operation is to limit underage access to tobacco products. The operation resulted in three misdemeanor citations. One of the citations issued was to a store clerk at Old Town Cigar located at 2173 Ventura Boulevard in Camarillo. These actions were the result of an Underage Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation. In the operation underage decoys, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, asked patrons next to Camarillo tobacco retail businesses to purchase tobacco products for them since they were under the age of 21 years old. During the operation, the two female suspects took the underage decoy’s money and furnished them tobacco products. Also, during the operation outside Old Town Cigar, it was discovered an underage juvenile was able to purchase cigarettes from the store clerk who did not check the juvenile’s identification or age before selling the cigarettes. The juvenile suspect then furnished the cigarettes to the underage decoy outside the store. The clerk was issued a citation, and the business owner was made aware of the violation. Clerks of a corporation/business/retailer who sell, give or furnish tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 years old have committed a misdemeanor crime and can face a fine of $500 for a first offense, then $1,000 for a second offense, and $5,000 for a third offense. The California Department of Public Health may take administrative action against the license of the business where tobacco was sold to an underage minor. That may include a fine, suspension, or the permanent revocation of the license. The Camarillo Police Department will continue to work with Camarillo City Code Enforcement and Ventura County Public Health to educate and enforce against any underage tobacco sales. The tobacco decoy operation was paid for by a newly acquired Tobacco Grant from the California Department of Justice. The Camarillo Police Department would like to remind parents to talk to their children about the dangers of using drugs (like tobacco) and alcohol. Parents play an important role in limiting access to unsafe items in the home and educating their children about drug and alcohol safety. Anyone who knows of adults furnishing tobacco products to minors or establishments who sell tobacco products to minors please call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511 or email Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden with CRU (ryan.shoden@ventura.org). People who call can remain anonymous. |
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| Prepared by: | Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden | ||||
| News Release Date: | February 26, 2025 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden (805) 388-5131 |
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| Approved by: |
Captain Jason Hendren |
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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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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511