Once turned loose Evan located a “suitcase and sat down,” his signal that he detected narcotics, said Sgt. Fogata. “Inside were lots of drugs and an electronic scale...”The suitcase also contained 3.4 grams of methamphetamine packaged in five Baggies, a syringe “loaded with heroin,” and a methamphetamine pipe, said Sr. Ofr. Madison.Michael Navarro, 19, refused to leave a bathroom when ordered by police and he was arrested.Two other adults inside the residence were questioned and released with the 5-year-old child.Police Chief Steve MacKinnon said that the incident demonstrates pro-active policing.“We’ve been encouraging the officers to get out of their cars more often,” he noted. “It makes sense...engine noise is distracting and when the officers turn off the engine they can hear noises blocks away.”Such tactics have been proven to work, “particularly with Officer Ramirez,” noted Chief MacKinnon. “He’s known as a magnet for this type of activity. We kid him about it” but Officer Ramirez has gained a reputation for detecting less than obvious criminal activity.Marcelo and Hernandez were charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a methamphetamine pipe and being under the influence of a controlled substance.Gildardo Martinez, 31, was charged on a felony no bail warrant and possession of a controlled substance.Zepeda was charged on a felony no bail, armed and dangerous warrant for a parole violation and Navarro was charged with obstructing a police officer in the course of their duties.Those arrested were transported to Ventura County Jail: Marcelo was later released and bail for Hernandez and Navarro was set at $20,000 and $10,000 respectively.
Five arrested after stairwell encounter starts chain reaction of events
February 28, 2007
Santa Paula Police Department
Five people were arrested on various charges early Thursday when a Santa Paula Police Officer started a chain reaction of events that started when he attempted to question two men standing in an apartment stairwell, according to a SPPD spokesman.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesFive people were arrested on various charges early Thursday when a Santa Paula Police Officer started a chain reaction of events that started when he attempted to question two men standing in an apartment stairwell, according to a SPPD spokesman.The incident occurred at approximately 12:25 a.m. in an apartment complex located in the 100 block of West Santa Barbara Street.According to SPPD Senior Officer Cody Madison, who was involved in the incident, SPPD Officer Hector Ramirez was conducting a foot patrol in the apartment complex when he encountered the two men standing in a stairwell.When Ofr. Ramirez stopped, one man fled leaving behind Manuel Zepeda, 40.Sr. Ofr. Madison and Ofr. Scott Varner arrived on scene to assist and Zepeda was found to have a felony, no bail armed and dangerous warrant for a parole violation.“Once Zepeda was taken into custody, Officer Ramirez” checked the apartment complex for the subject who had fled.And, when Officer Ramirez “walked past an apartment window,” he observed Sheila Hernandez and Arthur Marcelo, both 29, “smoking methamphetamine. Officer Ramirez contacted the two subjects through the window,” and Marcelo made a “furtive movement towards the small of his back at the waistband.”At that point Ofr. Ramirez drew his weapon and detained the two subjects at gunpoint while he entered the apartment.Inside were six adults and one 5-year-old child.“For officer safety reasons and due to two subjects already being detained at gunpoint, mutual aid was requested from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department,” noted Sr. Ofr. Madison.Also summoned to the scene were SPPD Sgt. Jimmy Fogata and his K-9 partner Evan, a certified narcotics detection canine.
