Arrest of Burglary Suspects 

April 28, 2025 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on April 21, 2025, Luis Heredia and Maria Ochoa Hernandez were arrested for their involvement in two burglaries that occurred in the 1400 and 1900 blocks of East Ojai Avenue in Ojai.

At about 11:48 P.M., the victim in the 1400 block of East Ojai Avenue was woken by several loud noises. The victim checked the source of the noise and discovered a utility vehicle had been stolen from his property. In addition, a fence and gate were damaged by the suspect(s). The victim notified Sheriff’s Dispatch and Ojai Patrol deputies responded. While responding to the call, an alert deputy noticed a U-Haul van traveling away from the scene. The deputy alerted additional deputies to be on the lookout for the vehicle.

Deputies arrived on scene and confirmed a burglary occurred, locating evidence the U-Haul van may have been involved. The utility vehicle was located dumped a short distance away. At approximately 1:00 A.M. April 22, 2025, an Ojai Patrol deputy observed a U-Haul van traveling south on North Ventura Avenue in the area of Valley Meadow Drive. The deputy observed the vehicle driving erratically and initiated an enforcement stop. The occupants of the U-Haul, Luis Heredia and Maria Ochoa Hernandez immediately fled and were apprehended a short distance later. Evidence linking Heredia and Hernandez to the burglary was located inside the vehicle. In addition, the U-Haul was an unreported stolen vehicle from the Lancaster area.

At approximately 5:20 A.M., a victim in the 1900 block of East Ojai Avenue reported a commercial burglary. Deputies and Ojai Detectives responded to the scene and were able to identify Luis Heredia and Maria Ochoa Hernandez as the suspects.

Luis Heredia and Maria Ochoa Hernandez were arrested and booked each for two counts of VC 10851(a)- Unlawful taking of a vehicle, two counts of PC 459- Burglary, two counts of PC 496(a)- Receiving stolen property, PC 182(a)(1)- Conspiracy to commit a crime, and two counts of PC 148(a)(1)- Resist, obstruct, delay a peace officer.

Both Luis Heredia and Maria Ochoa Hernandez are in custody for the above listed charges on a $20,000 bail and had a scheduled court date of April 23, 2025, at 1:30 P.M.

Nature of Incident:	Arrest of Burglary Suspects
Report Number:	25-48320
Location:	1400 and 1900 blocks of E. Ojai Avenue
Date & Time:	04/21/2025 @ 11:48 PM
Unit(s) Responsible:	Ojai Patrol, Ojai Investigations
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent		City of Residence	Age
(S) Luis Heredia (S) Maria Ochoa Hernandez		Orange County Orange County	25 36

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office