1 arrested in Santa Paula after report of convenience store theft

Staff reports

A 53-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after a report of theft at a Santa Paula convenience store, authorities said.

Lissa Mata

Officers were called to the Circle K at 765 W. Harvard Blvd. at 2:22 p.m. on a report of a theft in progress, according to the Santa Paula Police Department.

Police arrived to learn a robbery had taken place and said with surveillance video they were able to identify the suspect as Lissa Mata, of Santa Paula.

She is accused of forcing her way past the clerk after taking miscellaneous items, including a blanket, valued at about $40, said interim Cmdr. Allen Macias.

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The suspect was later found about a half mile away at Teague Park, police said. Mata apparently had the items with her when she was found, according to Macias. She was arrested without incident.

Officers were also able to identify the car and driver who transported Mata from the store, police said. The driver and Mata are acquaintances, according to police.

The man was found about a mile from the store and arrested. He was later released when police determined he had given the suspect a ride but wasn't involved in the robbery.

Mata was taken to Ventura County jail and booked on suspicion of felony first-degree robbery and misdemeanor conspiracy to commit a crime.

She is being held on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in the Ventura County Superior Court Friday, according to jail records.