Gang members arrested as
suspects in Fillmore drive-by

December 31, 2014
Santa Paula News

Two Santa Paula residents and a man living in Ventura, all gang members, have a New Year’s Eve date in Ventura County Superior Court to face charges that they fired on a Fillmore teenager Saturday night.

According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Anthony Aguirre the December 27 drive-by shooting occurred at about 9:35 p.m. shortly before Fillmore Police and Fillmore Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a call of a gunshot victim.  

Aguirre stated, “The victim told police he was walking with his brother in the area of Fourth Street and B Street when they were confronted by suspects in a vehicle who began shooting at them.”

The unidentified victim and his brother were able to run away and the victim - who was struck by gunfire - was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Shortly after the shooting, the driver of a vehicle lost control and crashed in the area of Old Telegraph Road and Highway 126.  

When responding officers found that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Ventura the three occupants of the vehicle were arrested.

Further investigation, noted Aguirre, linked those in the vehicle to the earlier shooting who “Were responsible for the earlier shooting and were fleeing the area when they lost control of the vehicle and crashed... “

According to Aguirre, the three were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, possessing a stolen vehicle and street terrorism.

Steven Cortez, 21, of Santa Paula, was being held at the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $1.01 million bail. Bail for Christian Castenada, 20, of Santa Paula was set at $510,000, while Ricardo Magana, 21, of Ventura, was being held on bail of $520,000. Arraignment for the suspects is scheduled for Dec. 31 in Ventura County Superior Court.

Cortez is well known to area police: according to records, one of his arrests includes an incident in November 2012 during a warrant search when Cortez was allegedly found to have graffiti paraphernalia depicting a gang, a violation of his probation that carries the restrictive gang terms.

The VCSD Gang Unit is conducting a follow-up investigation on the case.  Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Doug Gojkovich at 805-765-0627.

Information can also be given to Ventura County Crime Stoppers, 800-222-TIPS (8477). The call is not recorded and caller may remain anonymous.

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   





Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster