Modesto Perez Guevara

Suspect was out on bail for resisting arrest when fatal stabbing occurred

March 30, 2016
Santa Paula News

The autopsy was conducted Monday on an Oxnard man found dead in a Santa Paula apartment after an argument escalated into a stabbing leading to the arrest of an area man on suspicion of murder.

Friday’s stabbing was not the first time the suspect, Modesto Perez Guevara, 23, had contact with Santa Paula Police according to SPPD Det. Sgt. Cody Madison.

Guevara, a Santa Paula resident, was out on bail for a felony charge of resisting arrest and battering a SPPD Officer, an alleged offense that occurred four days before 44-year-old Ricardo Garcia was found dead in the apartment on the 100 block of Ventura Street.

Officers had responded March 25 about 10:20 a.m. to a report of a stabbing in the apartment complex and when they arrived, emergency medical crews were already on the scene and pronounced 44-year-old Garcia dead.

Madison said the autopsy showed that Garcia died from a single stab wound to the torso.

Garcia was at his brother’s apartment, which was undergoing some work and watching over things for him when the stabbing occurred.

Said Madison, “Garcia and Guevara were acquaintances that got into an argument. Guevara was armed with what was essentially a small combat knife…” 

Although there is no indication that Guevara had any prior intent to kill the victim, Madison said the suspect “Does have a history of violence…four days prior to the stabbing he was arrested for felony resisting arrest,” when a SPPD Officer responded to a disturbance call.

Guevara and his brother were both arrested after they scuffled with the officer who received minor injuries.

The suspect in Friday’s homicide, “Was out on bail when this murder occurred…”

Guevara was found in the mobile home park in the 400 block of Craig Drive and arrested in connection with the stabbing. 

Madison said the SPPD appreciates the efforts of the Ventura County Narcotics and Gang Task Force that assisted the SPPD with surveillance of the residence leading up to Guevara’s arrest.

“They were not investigating him for anything else,” Madison noted.

Guevara was booked into Ventura County Main Jail in Ventura with his bail set at $500,000; there is a request pending to raise bail to $1-million. As a suspect released on bail for a felony that is suspected of committing another felony it is likely Guevara will have a no bail hold.

Madison said there are indications that Guevara was under the influence of drugs at the time of the stabbing. 

Although Garcia is believed to be a former gang member and Guevara belongs to an area gang, Madison said gang rivalry was not a motive for the attack.





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