Officer Kills Car Theft Suspect

A Ventura police officer shot and killed a knife-wielding car theft suspect Thursday night after a struggle while trying to arrest him, authorities said.

The suspect, who was not identified pending notification of his family, was shot shortly before 7 p.m. at the Topper Motel & Liquor Store in the 1600 block of Thompson Boulevard, authorities said.

“During the arrest, the suspect brandished a knife,” Sgt. Brock Avery said. “The officer felt his life was in jeopardy.”

The suspect, who was in his 20s or 30s, was wanted on suspicion of stealing a sport utility vehicle and possessing stolen mail and personal checks. He was taken to Ventura County Medical Center and pronounced dead upon arrival. Avery said two uniformed police officers, whom he declined to identify, had a warrant to arrest the man and received a tip that he was at the motel. When they arrived about 6:45 p.m., the officers spotted the suspect inside a stolen Ford Bronco.

“The detectives approached him and then a struggle ensued” outside the vehicle, Avery said.

Only one of the officers fired his service weapon, Avery said. He was placed on paid leave, which is standard procedure.

It was the first officer-involved shooting in Ventura since May 13, 2001, when an officer shot a suspect armed with an assault rifle.