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Alex Castro |
SPPD: SP gang member arrested at cemetery on numerous charges
May 04, 2016
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
A Santa Paula gang member didn’t hesitate to let a SPPD Officer know he had a loaded weapon inside his vehicle parked at the local cemetery Thursday, just one factor that led to his arrest.
According to SPPD Sgt. Jeremy Watson the April 28 incident occurred about 2:46 p.m. when an officer was dispatched to a report of a suspicious person at Santa Paula Cemetery, 380 Cemetery Road.
When the officer arrived on scene he located the subject and his black Ford Mustang parked at the cemetery.
“The officer recognized the subject,” 33-year-old Alex Castro of Santa Paula.
“Upon observing the officer’s approach, Castro approached his vehicle and knelt down behind the open door,” and when the officer made contact with Castro, “He immediately notified the officer of a loaded firearm inside the vehicle.”
Castro was then detained and a record check revealed he is on active Ventura County probation with search terms, the latter usually associated with documented gang members convicted of a crime.
Watson said a search of the vehicle was conducted “pursuant to the terms and conditions of Castro’s probation,” and the officer located a loaded .22 caliber revolver inside the Mustang.
Also found was what is suspected to be methamphetamine, marijuana and “narcotic paraphernalia…further investigation revealed Castro is a convicted felon.”
Ultimately Castro was arrested for suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, convicted felon in possession of ammunition, gang enhancements, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a smoking device.
After being booked at the Santa Paula Police Station Castro was transported to the Ventura County Main Jail in Ventura where his bail was set at $145,000.
