In actuality, police found about a half-ounce of heroin with a street value of about $1,000, said Sgt. Ismael Cordero. “It was all bindled up in various sizes and - due to the large total amount - is why he was charged with sales and not personal use.”Valdez was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for the two outstanding felony warrants issued when he failed to make a court appearance on charges of theft and being under the influence of a controlled substance. New charges against Valdez stemming from the Sunday morning incident include possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, and committing a felony while out on bail. New bail has been set at $80,000.
Early Sunday drive lands SP man in jail for drug and other charges
August 18, 1999
Santa Paula Police Department
Early Sunday morning seemed like the right time for a Santa Paula man to take a drive, but after he was recognized by police it led to his arrest on two outstanding felony warrants, a couple of drug charges and committing a felony while out on bail.
At about 7:27 a.m., Santa Paula Police Department Officers John Coffelt and Dan Kiernan observed Richard Valdez, 28, driving a vehicle on the 600 block of East Main Street, according to Agent Joey de los Reyes.The officers recognized Valdez, pulled him over and attempted to take him into custody, but Valdez, wanted for two outstanding felony warrants, bolted and took off on foot, abandoning his vehicle at the scene.Officers Coffelt and Kiernan began to pursue Valdez on foot and during the pursuit saw him begin to, “Throw several objects from his person,” said Agt. de los Reyes.After the short foot pursuit the officers took Valdez into custody and an investigation was launched to see what he had been throwing as he ran: “The items turned out to be a substantial amount of heroin, which Valdez had packaged for sale,” Agt. de los Reyes noted.
