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Ventura County Sheriff's Office
Friday December 25th, 2020 :: 03:50 p.m. PST

Community

Ojai Hit and Run

Nature of Incident: ALPR Hit Leads to Hit & Run Suspect
Report Number: 20-176653
Location: Maricopa Highway south of El Roblar Road, Ojai CA
Date & Time: 12/24/2020 @ 07:30 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Ojai Police Department
Sheriff’s Advanced Real Time Information Center (ARTIC)
 
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent

City of Residence

Age
Reinhart, David Meiners Oaks CA 55
Narrative:
 
Deputies assigned to the City of Ojai observed recent damage to the Protected Bike Lane Project on Maricopa Highway and initiated a hit and run accident investigation. Deputies successfully identified and arrested a David Reinhart from Meiners Oaks for misdemeanor hit & run (20002(a) VC) and driving on a suspended driver’s license (14601.2(a) VC).
 
This morning at about 7:30 AM, Ventura County Sheriff Deputies driving along Maricopa Highway south of El Roblar Road noticed significant damage to the recently installed Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project. Several of the black rubber planters separating the traffic lane from the bike lane on the southbound side of Maricopa Highway were run over by an unknown vehicle that left the scene.
 
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Advanced Real Time Information Center (ARTIC) conducted an analysis of traffic in the area during the hours before the damage was discovered. This analysis included a search of the ALPR (Automated License Plate Reader) system. This information identified a few vehicles that were seen in the area at the time leading up to the discovery of the accident scene.  During the search for those vehicles, the investigation led deputies to a nearby hotel where a gold Toyota Camry was located. The Toyota had significant front-end damage that was consistent with the accident under investigation.  Deputies contacted the owner of the vehicle, David Reinhart, who admitted to causing the accident and driving on a suspended driver’s license. The investigation revealed no indication that this was an intentional act of vandalism.  
 
The City of Ojai Public Works assessed the damage to the project and estimated repairs to cost approximately $4,000. Reinhart was cited and released at the scene for hit and run and driving on a suspended driver’s license.
 
Prepared by: Sgt. Kevin Donoghue #2735  
News Release Date: 12/25/2020  
Media Follow-Up Contact: Det. Gunnar Dike (805) 646-1414  
Approved by:   Capt. Jose Rivera   
           
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).
 

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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