Burglary Suspect Arrested
May 17, 2026 – Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on April 1, 2026, at approximately 1:00 a.m., deputies 
from the Headquarters Station responded to a commercial burglary alarm at the El Rio Smoke Shop, located at 2860 E. Vineyard Avenue in the unincorporated area of Ventura County. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the front glass door of the business had been shattered and the suspects had already fled the scene. Deputies subsequently determined an ATM machine containing U.S. currency was missing from inside the business.
Surveillance footage captured two unknown suspects arriving in an SUV, breaking the front glass door, and removing the ATM machine. The suspects then loaded the ATM into the rear of the SUV and fled the scene. Additional exterior surveillance cameras captured the suspects’ arrival and departure, including images of the suspect vehicle and its license plate. Headquarters Station Detectives immediately initiated an investigation into the burglary.
During the course of the investigation, detectives identified the suspect as Pablo Espinoza, a resident of Oxnard and learned that the Ventura County Combined Agency Team, which is a multi-agency narcotics task force, was also conducting an investigation into Espinoza related to suspected narcotics trafficking. Headquarters Station Detectives and Narcotics Detectives collaborated closely and assisted one another throughout both investigations.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for two residences associated with Espinoza in the 2000 block of Almanor Street in the city of Oxnard.
On May 15, 2026, the search warrant was served and detectives located evidence related to the burglary, narcotics, and an unregistered firearm. Espinoza was arrested for violations of Health and Safety Code Section 11378 – Possession for Sale of a Controlled Substance; Health and Safety Code Section 11370.1(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance While Armed with a Firearm; Penal Code Section 29800(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Penal Code Section 30305(a)(1) – Felon in Possession of Ammunition; Penal Code Section 459 – Burglary; Penal Code Section 487(a) – Grand Theft; and Penal Code Section 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime.
Detectives are continuing their investigation and are working to identify the second suspect, who remains outstanding. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance with any information related to the identity or whereabouts of the remaining suspect.
Espinoza was booked into Ventura County Jail for the aforementioned charges and is being held in lieu of $ 70,000.00 bail.
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Nature of Incident: |
Burglary Suspect Arrested |
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Report Number: |
26-41112 |
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Location: |
2000 Block of Almanor Street, City of Oxnard |
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Date & Time: |
May 15th, 2026, at 0700 Hours |
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Unit(s) Responsible: |
Headquarters Patrol, Headquarters Investigations, Ventura County Combined Agency Team |
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(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age |
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(S) Pablo Espinoza |
Oxnard |
45 |
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to 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
