Roundup: Child rapist gets 72-year sentence, Santa Ynez murder suspect caught, more
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County and regional agencies:
Man sentenced to 72 years for child sex crimes
VENTURA COUNTY — A 46-year-old man has been sentenced to 72 years to life in prison for sex crimes against three underage girls in Camarillo.
Ricco Rico, of Temecula, was sentenced Monday in Ventura County Superior Court. The case covered crimes that took place between 2008 and 2010.
Rico was previously convicted of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, lewd acts on a child under 14, rape of a victim using alcohol, oral copulation of an intoxicated person and oral copulation by force.
Rico targeted each of the three victims, molesting two of them and raping the third, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. All of the crimes took place in Camarillo.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy DA Courtney Lewis.
Home invasion robbery suspect caught
VENTURA — A 19-year-old Ventura man was arrested Sunday night after committing a suspected home invasion robbery, according to the Ventura Police Department.
The incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m. in a garage in the 6900 block of Gull Court.
Five people had been inside the garage with the door partially open. The suspect entered through the open door, pointed a handgun at the group and demanded money and property from them, police said. The victims obliged and the suspect fled with several items.
Shortly after the robbery, a single-vehicle crash was reported near Thille Street and Johnson Drive. Officers at the accident noticed the driver matched the description of the robbery suspect.
The suspect was found to have several items stolen from the victims and was arrested on suspicion of robbery and drug-related DUI.
Santa Barbara authorities catch murder suspect
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY — Santa Barbara County Sheriff's officials arrested a homicide suspect days after he escaped arrest in a suspected stolen vehicle.
Before the man was apprehended, the agency had released his booking photo and sought the public's help finding him, noting he was considered dangerous.
The homicide was reported around 4 a.m. Saturday on Jason Way in Santa Ynez.
After a man was found dead at the home, deputies searched the area and identified the suspect as Rylen Svane-Morris, 26, of Lancaster.
Hours after the killing, a blue Chrysler minivan was reported stolen in the same area. Authorities believe Svane-Morris stole the vehicle after he allegedly committed the murder.
The victim was identified Monday as Terry Lee Wilson, 72. A spokesperson for the sheriff's agency told news outlets the suspect had previously dated the victim's daughter.
On Tuesday, Svane-Morris was arrested in Santa Cruz by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. He was booked into jail for the no-bail homicide warrant.
The stolen vehicle was also recovered by Santa Cruz deputies and will be returned to the owner, authorities said.
Items may be updated.
Jeremy Childs is a general assignment reporter covering courts, crime and breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at 805-437-0208, jeremy.childs@vcstar.com, and on Twitter @Jeremy_Childs.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Ricco Rico sentenced to 72 years on child sex charges, more
