McLean noted that Friday’s operation was probably one of the largest ever undertaken in the city and one that carried a message: “We’re tired of your BS and we’re not going to tolerate it. If we have to use all our resources to put you away from the community we’re going to do it. We’re doing our best to keep the community safe.”
Although the record spate of murders that plagued the city — nine in less than 18 months throughout 2013 and 2014, more than the entire amount committed from 2003 to 2012 — has ebbed, there has been a rising number of shots fired calls. Of the nine murders that occurred in 2013-2014 five were the result of gang violence, including a woman killed by a stray bullet. Of the remaining four murders, three were committed by gang members or gang associates but were not directly tied to gang activity.
Thursday’s warrant searches involved the Santa Paula Police, Ventura County Sheriff’s, Ventura Police, Oxnard Police, Port Hueneme Police, Simi Valley Police, Ventura County District Attorney Investigations, Ventura County Probation, CA. State Parole, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Secret Service (SS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Arrested Thursday were: Matthew Duenas, 27, for a domestic battery warrant; Hugo Lopez, 50, felon suspected to be in possession of ammunition and paraphernalia and outstanding warrants; Ricardo Resendez, 40, suspicion of violation of alcohol probation terms; Carlos Felipe Ek, 25, suspected violation of parole; Jesus Jose Maciel, 36, suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of paraphernalia; Joe Rivas 35, suspected violation of PROS (Post Release Offender Status) terms; Christopher Garcia, 30, suspected possession of unlawful paraphernalia; Anthony Vasquez, 41, possession of unlawful paraphernalia and the 17-year-old juvenile for suspected violation of probation.
Friday the agencies teamed up again to check compliance at five residences in Ventura and El Rio-Oxnard where two suspects were arrested.
A 17-year-old juvenile member of a Santa Paula gang was arrested at his residence in Ventura for a violation of his terms and conditions of his probation, suspected possession of gang attire.
Santa Paula gang member Austin Coulter, 23, was arrested at his residence in El Rio-Oxnard; he had two outstanding felony warrants and was considered armed and dangerous as well new charges of felon suspected to be in possession of a firearm (shotgun), felon in possession of ammunition (shotgun ammunition and .45 caliber ammunition) and possession of controlled substance and paraphernalia.
According to SPPD Commander Ish Cordero, “Due to the nature of the warrants for Coulter, his residence was surrounded by police and after multiple announcements into the residence, Coulter exited and was taken into custody without incident.”
Coulter was transported to Ventura County Jail and the juvenile also taken into custody Friday was transported to Juvenile Hall where they were respectively booked. All those arrested Thursday were booked at the Santa Paula Police Department before they were transported to Ventura County Jail.