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15 arrested in activities at 2 homes left vacant
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Fifteen people — eight adults and seven juveniles — were arrested Friday night in suspected vandalism and trespassing at two vacant south Oxnard homes police think might be in the foreclosure process, according to a statement from the Oxnard Police Department.
Police recovered two handguns from one of the homes in what they say appeared to be a gang-related gathering. They found gang graffiti and vandalism at both homes, which had several thousand dollars in damage, according to the statement.
The incident was reported just after 7:15 p.m. A dozen officers subsequently surrounded the properties and made the arrests without incident.
All 15 suspects — 11 males and four females — were charged with misdemeanor trespassing, felony vandalism and participation in a criminal street gang. One suspect, 19-year-old Erick Garcia of Oxnard, also was charged with felony possession of a deadly weapon, a lock-blade knife.
The suspects range in age from 15 to 29. The adults were booked into Ventura County Jail and bail was set at a minimum of $100,000 each. The juveniles were cited and released to their parents.
Police are not releasing the block or street name where the incident occurred because it could result in additional illegal conduct at the vacant residences and give identifying information about the gang involved.
Police, mindful of the large number of foreclosed and abandoned properties because of the housing crisis, would like residents to report unusual activity in their neighborhoods. They also urge real estate agents and financial institutions to provide 24-hour contact numbers related to unoccupied properties for emergency notification after normal business hours.
Posted by lakerboy805 on June 29, 2008 at 3:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
After school program?
Posted by beachmom on June 29, 2008 at 5:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good for those neighbors who saw something amiss and reported it! We all need to be alert and report this stuff when we see it.
Posted by wynonarose on June 29, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good work OPD. Hope the juveniles released to parents learn a quick lesson from the experience. Depends on the caliber of the parents I suppose.
Posted by SUNNY on June 29, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am glad people are reporting these break ins!! There are so many of these homes in Oxnard that are vacant due to foreclosure... OPD can't watch them all! Way to go Oxnard residents!
Posted by myOpenyun on June 29, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Better start checking all the homes that are vacant! Not just in Oxnard either.
Posted by GWAR on June 29, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cite and release, that is not a good thing. The little pukes should be sent up right along with their mentors.
Posted by UncleRico on June 29, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My question is this: what kind of 29 year old hangs out with 15 year olds?
On second thought, I guess the question answers itself.
Posted by keepin_it_real on June 29, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW!!! Eight adults, ages to 29? I guess some never learn. At least the bail is set high, doubt anyone will be able to bail them out. Lock them up and keep them. I'm sure our streets will be a little safer without them. The juveniles should be in juvy, as far as I am concerned. These idiots need to learn a hard lesson and I doubt they will learn it at home.
Good the neighbors alerted OPD and no one was injured. I am also glad the addresses were not released.
Posted by keepin_it_real on June 29, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
UNCLERICO=The other answer is, the older ones have the kids do the dirty work until they graduate then they become the older ones and the cycle begins again.
I truly believe they need to be much harder on these kids. Nip it now!!!!!
Posted by SUNNY on June 29, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't know I keep reading about gang members being arrested (Janelle Mata) and she and her sister were able to post a high bail amount... then a month later re-arrested, but not before the two year old , her, and the Flores's were involved in a single car accident!! Then I read where her brother and another member of the Flores family were arrested and a two year old was left with them. I keep wondering how many times this two year old will be left with these criminals before he either dies or eventually grows up to be a worse gang banger??? Come on CPS do something with these teens and that poor toddler!! All these stories were in the star in last two months!!! And every time that 2yr. old is in the story!! Or read the press releases from the VC Sheriffs Dept.
If we don't stop these kids now, and get them away from these dangerous,people they will become dangerous people.
Posted by zscuba_8e on June 29, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great work to LE. Adults who are involved with juveniles should also be charged with child endangerment, and child abuse. Make them register as sex offenders too.
Posted by zscuba_8e on June 29, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great work to LE. Adults who are involved with juveniles should also be charged with child endangerment, and child abuse. Make them register as sex offenders too.
Posted by zscuba_8e on June 29, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great work to LE. Adults who are involved with juveniles should also be charged with child endangerment, and child abuse. Make them register as sex offenders too.
Posted by RachelK on June 29, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yeah, also good for the neighborhood...
Posted by high_society on June 29, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
zscuba_8e-
"Great work to LE. Adults who are involved with juveniles should also be charged with child endangerment, and child abuse. Make them register as sex offenders too."
I agree! Losers!
Posted by deepwater805 on June 29, 2008 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These are animals, proven by the pack mentality. Unlike most wild animals, these belong in cages....
Posted by locotats on June 30, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People in all neighborhoods should do DAILY checks on the vacant homes in their areas. Solicit everyone in your neighborhood to jump on board and this will reduce if not totally prevent these incidents. Its called Neighborhood Watch.
Posted by mamaof2 on June 30, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow a 29 yr old getting caught up in this kind of stuff is pretty pathetic.
Posted by 1800biteme on June 30, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
beachmom...couldn't have said it better myself, good jobs neighbors. if we all could do the same in our own areas i think it could help some. it looks like prtygrl (whatever her name is) friends are at it again.
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