Father, Son Deny Forgery, Car Theft

A Ventura man and his father have pleaded not guilty to auto theft and forgery charges stemming from a high-speed chase involving a stolen undercover car belonging to Ventura police.

Justin Eugene Rice, 19, of Ventura and his father, Hannie Eugene Rice, 39, of Hanford, were arraigned in Ventura County Municipal Court on Wednesday and denied charges of auto theft and passing bad checks.

Ventura police said they got a call from a Ventura restaurant employee Monday about two people who tried to pay their bill with a stolen check. Police spotted the men’s vehicle and gave chase, but the men soon ditched the van they were driving. Authorities said they learned later that the van had been stolen.

Police chased the men on foot through an orchard and caught Justin Rice, but they could not arrest Hannie Rice before he allegedly stole an unmarked police car that had been left unattended with its keys in the ignition.

They followed the unmarked car two miles before finding it deserted. Police caught Hannie Rice in the backyard of a house on Owens Avenue.

Justin Rice is being held in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail. His father, who had been paroled from prison a week earlier, is being held without bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled Aug. 6 to determine whether the men should be held for trial in Superior Court.