– By F. Scott Faulkner
OXNARD, CA — May 15, 2026 – Not all lovers of public artwork are drawn to it for reasons of aesthetic appreciation, as evidenced by the recent arrest of 45-year-old Oxnard resident Anita Hurtado.
According to Oxnard Police Department spokesman Sgt. Robert Caston, officers and
detectives attached to the OPD Neighborhood Policing Team began investigating the
theft of “portions of a custom copper fountain handcrafted by a local artist” when
portions of the fountain “disappeared” on February 3, 2026 and February 15, 2026.
The fountain, which had been installed at The Collection at River Park earlier this year
for public enjoyment, had a value “in excess of $35,000” in copper and other
materials. The theft took place in stages and had been taken apart “to make it easier to
haul away.”
As detectives worked the case, officers learned some of the stolen copper had been
transported to a local recycling center, where the material was later processed. The
discovery helped investigators trace the theft back to Hurtado, who was located and
contacted at her residence on the afternoon of May 13.
Hurtado was taken into custody “without incident” and transported to Ventura County
Jail, where she was booked on charges of grand theft, possession of stolen property and
conspiracy to commit a crime.t
