SIMI VALLEY

Two held in robbery of $7,000 in cigarettes

Two people were arrested on suspicion of stealing 200 cartons of cigarettes worth about $7,000 from a Simi Valley Rite Aid.

Takis Tucker, 31, of Sherman Oaks and Lamar Jackson of Los Angeles fled from the store at 1159 Los Angeles Ave., on Saturday night, according to the Simi Valley Police Department.

Their vehicle was spotted and followed by a Simi Valley police officer until it crashed into the driveway of a housing complex in the 5700 block of Cochran Street, according to police.

The two then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, authorities said.

After a two-hour search, one man was found hiding under two coats on the backseat floor of a vehicle, police said.

The second man was found in a backyard on Cochran, fled on foot and was arrested at a construction site, according to police.

VENTURA

Free downtown concert to feature Westmont violinist

Philip Ficsor, a professor of violin at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, will play classical music at a free midday concert planned this month in Ventura.

The concert will take place at 12:15 p.m. July 26 at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center, 550 N. Ventura Ave.

The public is invited to bring lunch and enjoy the performance, which is sponsored by the city of Ventura's Cultural Affairs Division.

Ficsor's wife, Claire-Marie, also will perform.

Philip Ficsor received his doctorate in violin performance from Boston University and holds other degrees from Yale University and the University of Michigan.

As a member of the violin-piano duo American Double, he recorded "William Bolcom's Complete Works for Violin and Piano."

The recording will be released Sept. 1.

OXNARD

Groups planning community block party

The Oxnard Clergy Council will join the Oxnard Police, Oxnard Fire, and Parks and Recreation departments at a block party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Wal-Mart parking lot, 2001 N. Rose Ave., Oxnard.

The community is invited to the Beat 12 Block Party. The Police Department will have a Mobile Command Vehicle present, along with SWAT, motorcycle officers, a firetruck and more.

Oxnard Parks and Recreation will provide arts and crafts activities. Ventura County agencies and local churches will have information booths, and music and other entertainment will be provided.

The event is free.

For information, call Channel Islands Vineyard at 485-0050.

VENTURA COUNTY

Donations needed for disadvantaged veterans

Dr. Gary Kraft of the Kraft Chiropractic Clinic in Oxnard is collecting clothes to be handed out to veterans at the annual Stand Down in Ventura.

The Stand Down, which will be held July 27-29 at the armory in Ventura, provides veterans with access to medical treatment, employment and legal assistance, information on housing and food support, and clothing.

Items can be dropped off at Kraft's office, 2045 Saviers Road, Suite 6, or the Veterans Service Office at 1701 Pacific Ave., Suite 110, Oxnard.

Male clothing and shoes in large sizes are needed.

For questions or to volunteer, call the clinic at 483-2225, fax 486-4646 or e-mail backmaestro@gmail.com.

— From staff reports