Ventura police arrest city employee on suspicion of theft, embezzlement

VENTURA, Calif. -- Ventura Police arrested a city employee on suspicion of embezzlement and theft on Wednesday.

Police arrested Francisco Cenicero, 57, from Ventura for grand theft and embezzlement.

On May 18, the Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit began investigating ongoing embezzlement and theft of city property from the Ventura City Maintenance Yard on the 300 block of San Jon Road in Ventura.

Ceniceros was identified as the suspect in this crime. He was placed on administrative leave due to the investigation.

On Wednesday, detectives served a search warrant at Ceniceros' residence. Detectives were able to locate the stolen property and identified it as belonging to the City.

Ceniceros was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail.

The investigation is currently ongoing.