August 4, 2023 – Ventura County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on July 31, 2023, Ojai patrol units responded to a call of a theft that occurred 
from Rite Aid located in the unincorporated community of Mira Monte in Ojai. One suspect entered the store, filled several bags with store merchandise and got into a vehicle occupied by two other suspects. An alert citizen witnessed the suspect exit the store in a hurry after triggering the store’s stolen merchandise security system and followed the suspect vehicle until patrol units could respond to the area. The witness relayed vital information to a dispatcher regarding the license plate, description, and direction of travel of the vehicle. The witness also observed occupants of the vehicle throwing items out the window as it drove through the area, which were later recovered and determined to be evidence of the theft.
Once deputies arrived in the area, the suspects led patrol units on a vehicle pursuit through the Ojai Valley and into the City of Ventura, where the pursuit ended. As patrol units pursued the vehicle, California Highway Patrol (CHP) was notified and set up spike strips ahead of the pursuit. The spike strips were successful, and the vehicle was safely disabled as it exited Victoria Ave. All three suspects fled from the vehicle on foot and were later located in the area of Valentine Rd. and Highway 101, with the assistance of CHP and the Ventura Police Department. Ojai deputies arrested and booked all three females for organized retail theft, conspiracy, and resisting arrest. The driver, Kayla Stark, was additionally charged with evading.
During the follow-up investigation, detectives recovered over $6000 worth of stolen merchandise from the suspect’s vehicle. The same vehicle and suspects were associated with thefts from Rite Aid stores in Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, and Los Angeles.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. Join us in the fight against crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
Nature of Incident: Organized Retail Theft, Vehicle Pursuit Arrests
Report Number: 23-97757
Location: Rite Aid – 11496 North Ventura Ave., Ojai
Date & Time: 7/31/23 @ 9:42PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Ojai Patrol and Ojai Investigations
|
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age |
|
(S) Beaudion, Miracle |
Covina, CA |
20 |
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).
Source: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office