Although SPPD officers were able to corner Lopez, “Due to his unwillingness to cooperate with officers’ demands and his aggressiveness towards them,” the Taser was deployed to subdue Lopez. Lopez, who was not injured, was arrested, as was the driver of the vehicle, Gilberto Alcala, 31, of Santa Paula.Alcala, a “documented gang member,” Smith noted, was arrested for a parole violation. Lopez was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a hypodermic needle, and resisting, obstructing or delaying a peace officer. Lopez also was charged, according to Smith, with a parole warrant that was issued as a result of the incident.Both men, who are not eligible for bail, were taken to Ventura County Jail.
Two known gang members arrested, one is Tasered
October 22, 2008
Santa Paula Police Department
Two known gang members were arrested early Saturday after the vehicle they were riding in was stopped by a Santa Paula police officer.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesTwo known gang members were arrested early Saturday after the vehicle they were riding in was stopped by a Santa Paula police officer. The incident turned into a foot pursuit that resulted in one of the men being subdued with a Taser.According to Santa Paula Police Department Sergeant Ryan Smith, the incident occurred Saturday, October 18 at approximately 12:58 p.m. when a SPPD officer stopped a vehicle for a mechanical violation in the area of the 100 block of West Harvard Boulevard. “The passenger was immediately identified as Guadalupe Lopez,” a 31-year-old Ventura resident who is a known gang member on parole.“Lopez immediately fled from the vehicle and the officer pursued him,” and during the chase Smith said “Lopez discarded narcotics,” later recovered by responding officers. In addition, several times during the chase Lopez “simulated that he had a handgun.”
