Citizens Patrol members help deputies make arrest

Two members of the Camarillo Citizens Patrol helped deputies nab a shoplifting suspect late last week in front of a local supermarket.

While on patrol Thurs., Feb. 8 around 7:30 p.m., Citizens Patrol members Jim Walker and Bill Mounday were flagged down by a security guard in front of the Tresierras Marketplace on Arneill Road.

The security guard told the two Citizens Patrol members that a shoplifter, who was reportedly drunk, had twice entered the supermarket and stolen a bottle of vodka and a bottle of wine from the store.

The security guard gave Walker and Mounday a description of the man, who had apparently left the area.

The two made a quick check of the surrounding shopping center and spotted Jose Corral, 20, crouched near vending machines at the entrance of the FedEx Kinko's copy store a few doors down from the supermarket.

Walker said the pair called for sheriff's deputies to question Corral when he tried to walk away. The Citizens Patrol members followed Corral in their patrol car. They said he tried to elude them.

When deputies arrived, Walker said Corral tried to run away but tripped and fell and was eventually arrested by deputies. During the arrest, Corral fought with deputies and broke the thumb of one of the officers, police said.

Corral was arrested and faces charges of burglary and resisting arrest.

Senior Dep. Bob Maclean, a spokesman for the Camarillo Police Department, said the Citizens Patrol is the "eyes and ears" of the department and that Walker and Mounday had gone above and beyond their duties in helping deputies make the arrest.

- Daniel Wolowicz