Nature of Incident: Arrest of Arson Suspect
Report Number: 15-2173
Location: Two locations in Camarillo
Date: January 30th, 2015
Unit(s) Responsible: Sheriff’s Arson Unit, Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit and Ventura County Fire Department Arson Unit
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Leopold Weinstein Moorpark 63
Narrative:
On January 30th, 2015, Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Arson Unit, Major Crimes Unit, Moorpark Police Department, Camarillo Police Department and Ventura County Fire Department Arson Unit served a search warrant at the residence of Leopold Weinstein in Moorpark. That same morning, Leopold Weinstein was arrested on three counts of arson of a structure, three counts of attempted arson of a structure, and possession of a silencer.
Leopold Weinstein’s arrest was the result of several different units of the Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department investigators working together. This, coupled with information provided to investigators early on in the investigation by a concerned citizen provided the clues necessary to conduct a thorough investigation that resulted in Leopold Weinstein’s arrest.
The investigation started in June of 2014 when large amounts of flammable liquids were found on the roof of a dental building in Camarillo and it was obvious to investigators the suspect intended to use the liquids to commit arson. Less than two weeks later, another dental building in Camarillo was a victim of arson. Investigators looked into several different motives, but were left with very few clues. Over the following five months Leopold Weinstein was identified after his vehicle was observed near one of the locations at an odd time of day. The concerned citizen took a photo of the vehicle and passed it on to investigators, but the information was not immediately advantageous. It wasn’t until investigators were able to determine a vehicle matching the description of the one provided by the citizen was observed in previous incidents.
On January 28th, 2015, a sixth, and final act of arson was committed by Leopold Weinstein at the original dental building that was targeted in June of 2014. Surveillance provided investigators a positive identification and caught Leopold Weinstein in the act of setting fire to the building. Leopold Weinstein’s motives are not entirely clear, but he too is a dentist and it appears it was financially motivated. Leopold Weinstein was booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Main Jail and his bail is set at $250,000. Leopold Weinstein is scheduled to appear in Court on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015.
Prepared by: Detective Michael Rompal #3293
News Release Date: January 31st, 2015
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Michael Rompal (805) 797-7099
Approved by: Captain Reilly
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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