Full Notification

UPDATE: Assault Investigation at Regal Plaza – Case Submitted to District Attorney’s Office

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. – The Simi Valley Police Department is providing an update regarding the ongoing investigation into an assault that occurred at Regal Plaza, located at 2751 Tapo Canyon Road, on August 1, 2025.

Initially, four juvenile suspects were arrested for Battery (Penal Code 242 PC) in connection with the incident. After further investigation conducted by the SVPD Detective Bureau, a fifth juvenile suspect has been identified. Based on the information and evidence obtained during the investigation, the Simi Valley Police Department requested that the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office consider filing the following 602 WIC charges against the five juvenile subjects:

• 602 WIC / 245(a)(4) PC – Assault Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury
• 602 WIC / 422.6 PC – Committing a Hate Crime
• 602 WIC / 182 PC – Criminal Conspiracy

Under Welfare and Institutions Code Section 602 (602 WIC), a juvenile can be found to have committed a criminal offense that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult. Filing a case under 602 WIC means the juvenile is alleged to have violated a criminal law, and the case proceeds through the juvenile court system.

As of August 19, 2025, all five cases were submitted to the Ventura County Probation Agency for review, which is the standard process. On August 20, 2025, Probation submitted the cases to the District Attorney’s Office Juvenile Unit for a review of charges. The District Attorney’s Office will evaluate the evidence presented and determine the appropriate charges to be formally filed.

Due to the age of the suspects, no names or identifying information will be released in accordance with juvenile confidentiality laws.
The Simi Valley Police Department remains committed to a thorough and impartial investigation and will continue to work closely with the District Attorney’s Office as the cases progress.

About the Juvenile Citation Review Process

When a juvenile is cited and not booked into a juvenile facility, the citation and supporting documents (including the arrest report) are forwarded to the Ventura County Probation Agency for review.

As part of this process, a designated Citation Deputy Probation Officer II (DPO II) conducts a thorough independent investigation of each case, which includes a review of any prior delinquency history.

The DPO II evaluates the case under the legal framework of Section 653.5 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code. This statute identifies specific offenses and circumstances—such as serious or violent felonies—that require a mandatory referral to the District Attorney’s Office.

In addition, if there is any indication of racial undertones or discriminatory treatment, the case is automatically referred to the District Attorney’s Office, even if it does not meet the statutory criteria for mandatory referral.

For cases that do not meet referral requirements, the Probation Agency prioritizes diversion and informal resolution when appropriate. These cases are typically redirected to local community-based organizations that provide services tailored to youth development, including:

• Mentoring
• Pro-social activities
• Conflict resolution
• Restorative justice practices
• Educational workshops focused on accountability and behavioral change

If a youth does not successfully complete diversion or informal programs, the citation may then be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.
 
Additional information about the Juvenile Justice System can be found here:

• Juvenile Justice Flow chart from VC Superior Court - Informational_Guide.cdr
• Ventura County Superior Court YouTube Channel - Introduction to Juvenile Court Proceedings-Ventura Superior Court - YouTube
• The Superior Court of California - County of Ventura - Juvenile Court

For questions regarding juvenile cases, please email [email protected]
or call (805) 654-2529.