Two individuals with a history of criminal activity have been taken into custody in connection to a commercial burglary in the city of Fillmore, as reported by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Through diligent investigation, Jesus Hernandez, 38, and Kelly Cone, 44, both residents of Fillmore, were apprehended and face charges including felony violations of Penal Code § 459 – Second Degree Commercial Burglary and Penal Code § 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy according to official sources.
The break-in and theft, which occurred overnight prior to September 7, involved the loss of several thousands in cash and work equipment from a local business on Ventura Street. Efforts to quickly arrest the suspects led to Cone's apprehension on September 10 by a patrolling deputy, while Hernandez was captured later that day after attempting to evade law enforcement by fleeing into a residence.
Further investigation and a search warrant executed at Hernandez's associated residence and vehicle resulted in the recovery of additional evidence linking him to the crime. Hernandez, who is also identified as a documented member of a local criminal street gang, is currently held at Ventura County Main Jail with bail set at $50,000.00, as confirmed by Detective Dustin Heersche in a news release on September 11th, 2024.
In a display of coordinated law enforcement, the arrest involved various units including Fillmore Patrol, the West County Special Enforcement Unit, and the Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has expressed gratitude to the public for their ongoing support and for providing valuable information to assist in solving crimes, emphasizing the importance of community partnerships in enhancing public safety efforts.
As part of their community outreach, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office encourages residents to participate in maintaining a safe environment by following their updates on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram or by receiving alerts through services like Nixle. Ventura County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the parties responsible for this crime. Anonymous tips can be delivered without being recorded by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
