Ventura Police Department – Incident Press Release
On December 16th at 9:05 AM , the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call reference a truck that had just been stolen from a parking lot in the 1800 Block of Main St. A few minutes later, a motor officer located the truck traveling west bound on Santa Clara St. at Chestnut St. Several units responded to assist and upon attempting to conduct a traffic stop, the suspect driver (later identified as Michael Stendnitz (DOB 7/12/86) Vagrant) did not stop and continued traveling at a slow rate of speed westbound on Santa Clara St.
Stendnitz eventually drove the truck up over a curb and slowly hit a tree at Santa Clara St. and Oak St. causing minor damage. Stednitz was the sole occupant in the truck and was taken into custody without any further issues. The truck was returned to the owner and Stednitz was arrested for felony unlawful taking of a vehicle.