| Nature of Incident: |
Deputies rescue kidnap victim during traffic stop |
| Report Number: |
21-114377 |
| Location: |
Olive Street @ Santa Ana Boulevard, Oak View, Ca. |
| Date & Time: |
August 28, 2021 @ 10:51 pm |
| Unit(s) Responsible: |
Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, Ojai Valley Patrol Station |
| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence
|
Age |
| (S) James Apodaca |
Oxnard |
54 |
| Narrative: |
Deputies arrested an Oxnard man Saturday night in Oak View after he had abducted a woman and forced her into the trunk of his car.
It all started when James Apodaca, a convicted felon and registered sex offender, lured the victim near the back of his vehicle and then pushed her into the trunk. As the vehicle drove away, the victim was able to pop the trunk open and scream for help. A nearby deputy was flagged down by a passerby, and he initiated a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle. After stopping the car, Apodaca quickly ran from the vehicle, and the deputy chased him. Apodaca stopped, grabbed a metal pipe, and began swinging it at the deputy.
The deputy used his Taser to subdue Apodaca and take him into custody. The victim was so terrified, she immediately ran from the trunk and jumped in the passenger seat of the deputy’s patrol vehicle. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau are investigating the case and are interested in any information from the public about Apodaca’s activities or other similar crimes. Anyone with information can contact Detective Bill Meixner at (805)797-6396.
Apodaca was booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura for kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, and will appear in Ventura County Superior Court on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2021 at 1:15 pm.
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| Prepared by: |
Captain Eric Buschow |
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| News Release Date: |
August 29, 2021 |
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| Media Follow-Up Contact: |
Captain Eric Buschow (805)947-8129
[email protected] |
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Approved by:
Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Alan Hartkop
YES NO |
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