Roundup: Machete pulled at steakhouse; Ventura Fire promotion
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:
Assistant fire chief named
VENTURA – The Ventura Fire Department announced recent changes in its top ranks, with veteran firefighter Kris McDonald promoted to assistant chief.
McDonald, who has spent 18 of his 26 years as a firefighter with the city of Ventura, moved into the role at the end of December after the retirement of former Assistant Fire Chief Jack Hansen, the department announced Friday.
McDonald grew up in northern California, where he started his career in 1994 as a volunteer firefighter and EMT. He became a paramedic in 1997 and was hired the following year by the Eureka Fire Department. He came to Ventura in 2002, starting as a firefighter paramedic and moving through the ranks as engineer, captain and battalion chief.
"Kris has had a long and successful career with the department and will serve as a key member of Ventura Fire's command staff," said Chief David Endaya in a statement.
The base salary for the position ranges from $148,931 to $199,568 a year.
McDonald most recently served as a battalion chief and training chief. He managed training schedules, mobile radio communications, mobile data dispatch computers and traffic control systems. Specialty qualifications include strike team leader, among other roles. He is currently working on a bachelor's degree in fire administration and on various position qualifications within California's Incident Command Certification System.
In a statement, McDonald said he was "thrilled and truly humbled to be selected."
Hansen, prior to his retirement last month, had served Ventura for 29 years and was named firefighter of the year in 1998.
Man denied drink pulls out machete, police say
VENTURA – Police in Ventura arrested a man Thursday evening after he allegedly pulled out a machete when trying to leave a restaurant without paying, authorities said.
The incident took place shortly after 6:30 p.m. at Aloha Steakhouse on the city's beachfront Promenade at 364 S. California St., according to the Ventura Police Department.
The 25-year-old man, described as vagrant, initially ordered a drink at the bar but was denied service when he wasn't able to provide identification, officials said. He then ordered dinner and, after eating the meal, reportedly walked out without paying.
A customer who saw the man leaving tried to stop him, authorities said, and the man allegedly started to pull a machete out of his duffel bag.
More local news: Fatal crash closes Highway 118 west of Somis for hours on Friday
The bartender told the customer to let the man leave and called 911. Minutes later, officers found the suspect at California and Santa Clara streets. After failing to comply with officers' commands, he was forcefully taken to the ground, the department reported. The suspect was not injured. One officer suffered a minor hand sprain during the arrest.
The man was arrested on suspicion of a felony robbery offense and remained in Ventura County jail Friday with bail set at $100,000.
The Aloha Steakhouse was the site of a 2018 fatal stabbing when the victim, 35-year-old Anthony Melee, was dining with his family, including his daughter, then 5. A homeless man, Jamal Omar Jackson, 52, allegedly ran into the restaurant and, in an unprovoked attack, stabbed Melee in the neck with a knife. The case remains suspended in the court system as Jackson's competency is evaluated.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Machete pulled at steakhouse, Ventura fire promotion
