Charges dropped in attempted kidnapping arrest


Ventura County prosecutors dismissed an attempted kidnapping case previously filed against a Camarillo man involving an alleged incident at Santa Rosa Valley Park on Sept. 3.

Randy Berks, 24, was arrested March 17 following an investigation. Officials with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office said a woman was running through the parking lot near a trailhead around 4 p.m. when Berks drove into the lot on Hill Canyon Road.

The arrest report said he opened all his car doors to create a barrier to block the woman running toward him.

Authorities said Berks called out to the woman and gave chase when she ran by his car and he grabbed her left arm. The police report said Berks slipped, which allowed the woman to run to her car and drive away.

Court records show Berks pleaded not guilty to a single felony county of attempted kidnapping March 19, and the case was dismissed by prosecutors April 8.

Supervising Deputy District Attorney Brent Nibecker said the DA’s office made the decision after determining prosecutors were unable to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Nibecker, declined to detail the new information that led to the decision to drop the case.

Alex Wilson