KVTA News Briefs

Wednesday January 15, 2025

     The Ventura County Sheriff's Office says they arrested a man for allegedly committing a lewd act in the girl's locker room at Newbury Park High School Monday afternoon.

     They say a 15-year-old female student reported the incident to school authorities.

     Deputies responded and were told by the female student that the man, who was a stranger, committed the act in her presence.

     Investigators were able to identify the suspect as a 55-year-old Newbury Park man.

     He was located, arrested, and then cited and released pending arraignment on March 14th.

     No formal charges have been field against him yet.

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     Ventura police are looking for what they believe was the suspect in a gang related shooting next to the Pacific View Mall Wednesday evening.

     They say it happened around 6:30 PM.

     A vehicle was traveling SB on Mills Road in the area of Maple Street when one of the passengers in the car got into a verbal exchanged with a group of pedestrians on the sidewalk.

     Police say that's when one of the pedestrians pulled out a gun and fired several rounds at the car.

     One of those bullets grazed the face of another passenger in the vehicle.

     The shooting victim was driven to a local hospital where police say his wound was minor and he is expected to recover.

     Meanwhile, the effort to identify the shooter and his location is ongoing.

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     The Oxnard Police Department plans to crack down Thursday on distracted drivers.

      That can mean, but is not limited to, the illegal use of cell phones while driving, or violating what's known as the "hands free" law.

     Basically, any time you use a cell phone you are holding or touching as you drive, you are in violation of the law.

     That includes talking, texting, or using an app.

     You can face a fine and if you do it more than once in a three year period your driving record will take a hit.

     But distracted driving can take other forms, like putting on make-up while driving, or eating, or doing anything else that takes your eyes and attention away from the road ahead.