Roundup: Search for downed plane comes up empty; Halloween drive-through in Simi, more
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:
Reported plane crash comes up empty
MUSSEL SHOALS – A report that a plane crashed into the ocean north of Ventura Friday afternoon launched a major search effort that had turned up nothing as of 6 p.m.
A single caller had reported a plane crash shortly after 1 p.m., according to Ventura County Fire Department officials.
Initially, crews were told to respond to Mondos Beach along Pacific Coast Highway, north of Emma Wood State Beach. Later, they were directed to nearby Mussel Shoals, closer to La Conchita.
In addition to multiple fire engines and trucks, the report brought boats from local harbor patrols and the U.S. Coast Guard as well as sheriff's helicopter crews. Ventura City and Carpinteria fire department units also responded.
A search of the area turned up no evidence of a plane crash as of 6 p.m. Authorities said they had contacted local airports and the air facility at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu and were told no planes were missing.
Clear skies and minimal wind made the search go quickly, fire officials said.
Ventura County Fire Capt. Brian McGrath said late Friday afternoon Coast Guard officials were continuing to search the area as a matter of due diligence. The county's Fire Boat 15 and a battalion chief on the ground continued to help with the search effort until about 4:30 p.m.
No debris or oil slicks indicating a craft had gone down in the water had been found, McGrath said. Authorities were concerned about the possibility an experimental aircraft had crashed, he said, since their flights are not tracked. Based on the original report, officials did not think the call involved a hang glider, he added.
Coast Guard officials said in a tweet they had five boats, two jet skis and two aircraft involved in the search as of 3:30 p.m. Officials indicated they would search until sunset.
On Saturday morning, Coast Guard officials said they had determined no plane went down.
"After further investigation, the report of an airplane crash was inaccurate," a Coast Guard tweet read. "The plane was fine and landed at an airport."
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Halloween drive-through returns to Simi
SIMI VALLEY – Residents can roll by Saturday for a free Halloween drive-through event hosted by the Simi Valley Police Department.
The drive-through has two components. A less-scary version for younger children will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A slightly scarier version for older kids will follow from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Drivers will start at the City Hall parking lot at 2929 Tapo Canyon Road. The lot can be accessed from northbound Lemon Drive and eastbound Avenida Simi.
The event ends at the police department's front parking lot at 3901 Alamo St. The street will be closed to regular traffic.
Participants will stay in their cars during the drive-through. No foot traffic is allowed.
It's the second annual Halloween drive-through hosted by the police department. Officials planned the first one during last year's COVID-19 lockdowns, said Officer Casey Nicholson. The department wanted to provide the community "a sense of normalcy" with a holiday-related event, he said.
"It was more popular than anticipated," Nicholson said.
About 550 cars turned out last year, he said. This year, authorities are planning for perhaps double that number. They hope to make the drive-through an annual event.
No candy is handed out at the drive-through, Nicholson said. There will be two themes that include live actors: a haunted hospital and a haunted carnival.
Traffic officers will be at the scene to help direct traffic flow.
The department's overflow parking lot will be open for anyone who needs police-related assistance while the event is underway.
Man shot near encampment
OXNARD – Police are investigating a shooting late Thursday night near Ormond Beach in south Oxnard.
The incident was reported around 11:50 p.m. near the dead end at Arcturus Avenue and McWane Boulevard, the Oxnard Police Department reported.
Officers searched the area and found a man near a homeless encampment with several gunshot wounds to his legs, officials said. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital and was said to be in stable condition. The injuries were of moderate severity and did not appear life threatening, a police official said Friday.
No one had been arrested as of Friday afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to call Oxnard police at 805-385-7600.
Two armed robberies in Ventura
VENTURA – Police in Ventura responded to a pair of separate armed robberies at local shops Thursday night.
Shortly before 7:30 p.m., officers responded to Sally Beauty Supply at 4705 Telephone Road.
A man wearing a black beanie and a camouflage face mask reportedly entered and demanded money from employees as he lifted his jacket to show a handgun in his waistband, according to the Ventura Police Department.
After getting cash from an employee, the man fled on a bicycle. Officers arrived within two minutes but weren't able to find the suspect.
Shortly after 10 p.m., officers responded to another armed robbery at the Wild Side Smoke Shop at 2850 Johnson Drive. A man believed to be in his 20s demanded cash from the clerk while revealing a gun in his waistband, the department said. He fled after getting cash.
Officers arrived at the second scene within two minutes and searched with a K-9 police dog but couldn't find the man.
No injuries were reported during either incident. Anyone with information about either robbery is asked to call 805-650-8010.
Cytlalli Salgado is a breaking news reporter for the Ventura County Star. She can be reached by calling 805-437-0257 or emailing cytlalli.salgado@vcstar.com.