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Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Thursday May 21st, 2020 :: 07:34 p.m. PDT

Community

Camarillo Arson Suspect Arrested

Nature of Incident: Camarillo Arson Suspect Arrested
Report Number: 20-65746
Location: 900 block of Blaine Street, Los Angeles
 
Date & Time: 05/15/2020 4:30 PM
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Investigations Bureau
Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail
Ventura County Sheriff Bomb / Arson Unit
Ventura County Fire Department Investigation Unit
 
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

City of Residence

Age
(S) Ashley Sims Los Angeles 28
 
 
Narrative:
On 05/14/20, Camarillo Police Department detectives located and arrested a Camarillo arson suspect in Los Angeles County. 
 
On 05/14/20, at about 0200 hours, Camarillo patrol deputies responded to the 400 block of Las Posas Road to assist the Ventura County Fire Department with a large dumpster fire.  The fire had quickly spread to an attached utility generator shed, which ultimately caused approximately $50,000 worth of fire damage. Investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Bomb / Arson Unit and the Ventura County Fire Department Investigation Unit also arrived on scene to assist.
 
As the investigation continued, arson investigators and detectives from the Camarillo Investigation Bureau reviewed video surveillance from a security camera that was positioned in the area of the fire. The video surveillance footage confirmed that fire had been deliberately set and a suspect was observed in the area. Detectives positively identified the arson suspect as Ashely Sims, a resident of the City of Los Angeles. Investigators recognized Sims because she had been issued a misdemeanor citation for an unrelated crime in Camarillo a few hours prior to committing this arson. 
 
On 05/15/2020, at about 1630 hours, detectives assigned to the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail located Sims in the 900 block of Blaine Street in the City of Los Angeles and arrested her for the arson that occurred in Camarillo.  Sims was transported and booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trail Detention Facility for one felony count of a violation of California Penal Code 451(c)/ Arson.  Sims remains in jail with a bail set at $150,000.  Her court date is set on May 26, 2020.    
 
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes.  We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships. 
 
Join us in the fight on 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.
 
The Camarillo Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any crime they come across by calling 911. 
 .
Prepared by: Detective William Hollowell  
News Release Date: 05/20/2020  
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Hollowell
(805) 388-5113
 
 
Approved by:
 
 
Booking Photo Release:
Captain Shane Matthews
 
 
YES     NO  
 
           
 
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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Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511

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