Crucifix Attack Hurts Five People in Ventura

The 911 calls started coming into the Ventura Police Command Center about 6 a.m. Thursday morning. Witnesses reported a person out of control attacking people on the 200 block of E. Main Street in downtown Ventura.

Police said the suspect, Forrest Brantley, 35, broke into the gift shop at the Ventura Mission and stole two crucifixes. He allegedly approached a person in the parking lot and demanded to use their phone. When the victim refused, Brantley allegedly hit the person with a crucifix.

Witnesses said Brantley then started walking down Main Street and attacked two more people with the crucifixes. The rampage continued with he approached a 75-year old man who was sitting in a vehicle. Police said Brantley smashed out a window and started hitting the man.

He continued to attempt to rob people as he walked eastbound on Main. Brantley allegedly smashed out a window at the ARC Thrift Shop and stole a bike. He then approached another victim on the 300 block of Main Street and started hitting that person with a crucifix.

By now, a group was following Brantley as he approached the intersection of Chestnut St. and Main St. where police took him into custody.

Brantley faces three counts of attempted robbery, two counts of commercial burglary, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of vandalism and one count of elder abuse.

The 75-year old man suffered a moderate injury to his face and was treated at the hospital. The other victims suffered minor injuries.