Jessie Moten: Three down, one to go as Arellano suspect focus of SPPD search
November 13, 2013
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula Times
With “Three down and one to go,” Police Chief Steve McLean said the capture of murder suspect Jesse Moten is now the focus of Santa Paula Police.
Moten, 19 of Santa Paula, a documented gang member known as “Napps” and “Clumsy,” is wanted for allegedly gunning down Joseph Arellano, 24, on June 28 outside a home in the 200 block of North 6th Street.
Arellano was shot multiple times at about 1:50 p.m. in front of the home of his grandmother in what police believe was a gang-related attack. Arellano was just inside the picket fence of the neat vintage home just south of a famed stretch of historic East Santa Paula Street when he was shot.
Witnesses told police the vehicle carrying the shooter parked away from the 6th Street house and the gunman exited. When Arellano walked up to the residence, the shooter came out from a concealed position and fired multiple times before fleeing. Arellano, struck in the back, was pronounced dead at Ventura County Medical Center.
Arellano was the second homicide of 2013 and his murder was followed by three other fatal incidents.
At one point the SPPD created a $5,000 first come first served wanted poster showing Moten, Andres Rene Rodriguez, Rodriguez’s companion who was later exonerated, and Omar Ruiz.
Rodriguez, a documented Oxnard gang member wanted in the July 17 murder of 33-year-old Angela Bryant, and Ruiz, who is accused of gunning down 21-year-old Ulises Virto, 21, on May 27, have been captured.
Now said McLean, it’s Moten’s turn.
McLean said Ruiz’s arrest November 7, in Camarillo, was the result of, “A complete team effort between the SPPD and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.... they were relentless in the pursuit of Ruiz and Jesse Moten will get nothing less.
“There’s no backing off, no forgetting, just 100 percent effort in getting him,” said McLean.
“He’ll hear the SWAT team crashing through the door.”
Moten, a native of Santa Paula born December 29, 1993, is Hispanic, 5’ 8” tall, 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
He has tattoos of dots above and next to his eyes, red lips tattooed on his neck, an Aztec circle with a skull on one side of his chest and Felicia on his left forearm.
Moten was last reported to have a shaved head that is also tattooed, although police said he might be letting his hair grow in to alter his appearance. A documented gang member, Moten is on parole.
Moten, said McLean, should give up: “There’s no place for him far enough to go and that includes Mexico.... we proved that with Andres Rene Rodriquez,” handed over to Santa Paula Police at the border by Mexican authorities in mid-September.
Noted McLean, “All our efforts and energy, and the efforts and energy of the community should be on Moten, this is the person we want now, and that $5,000 reward still stands,” for his capture and conviction in the murder of Arellano.
Anyone with information about Moten’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Santa Paula Police Department, 805-525-4474.
If the caller would prefer to remain anonymous, they can call the SPPD recorded Tip Hotline, 805-933-5691.
In addition, tips can be emailed to the SPPD at tipline@spcity.org
Those with information can also call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477). The caller may remain anonymous and the call is not recorded.
Ventura County Crime Stoppers can also be contacted by texting “Busted” plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
Crime Stopper Tips can also be sent via the website, www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org
Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for a tip that leads to a felony arrest as confirmed by the arresting agency.
