Ventura Police Department – Incident Press Release
On April 1st at 4:45 PM, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 of a subject in possession of a gun at the Jack in the Box in the 2300 block of Thompson Blvd. The caller, who was a customer inside the business, reported the subject was not threatening with the gun, but said the gun could be seen concealed in his waistband.
When officers arrived on scene, the suspect fled from inside the business and officers pursued him on foot. The suspect, later identified as Ojai resident, Ronald Zirpolo, began climbing fences into the backyards of nearby residences and officers lost sight of him. A perimeter was quickly set up around the area and with the assistance of Ventura Police K9’s and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter, a yard to yard search was conducted.
After approximately 1.5 hours of searching, Zirpolo was found hiding inside the garage of a residence in the 300 block of Seaward Ave. He was taken into custody without incident. Zirpolo was found to have an injury to his hand that he sustained while fleeing from officers. He was treated at VCMC and later arrested for resisting arrest, trespassing, prowling and for being a post release offender.
Zirpolo was not found to be in possession of the gun when taken into custody. Officers continued to search backyards and found the gun. The gun was a replica firearm.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that in 2016, Zirpolo was convicted of being a felon armed with a firearm with a 2nd strike, felon in possession of ammunition, and grand theft.
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