Suspect in Jeep Theft, Kidnapping Identified

Authorities have identified 27-year-old Ramon David Maldonado as the suspect in a vehicle theft and kidnapping of a 1-year-old boy in Ventura on Thursday. Maldonado is also wanted for violating his parole and is believed to be in the Santa Maria area.

Maldonado is 5 feet 9, 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos of a nude woman on one arm and “Santa Maria” across his back, authorities said.

A Jeep Cherokee, with the tot in the back seat, was stolen when the boy’s father made a quick stop at a pizzeria. When the vehicle was found abandoned about an hour later in Oxnard, Connor Tushla was still tucked safely in his car seat.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Cpl. Tom Mendez at 339-4477 or 339-4416.