Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Three arrested in stolen gun investigation



Location: 400 Block Fillmore Street, Fillmore

200 Block Ponderosa Place, Nipomo



Date & Time: May 15, 2010 5:00 PM



Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit





(S)uspects Charge City of residence Age

Cesar Calderon Possession of stolen Fillmore, CA 20

property

Ricardo Calderon Illegal transfer of Fillmore, CA 18

Firearm

Eduardo Mendez Illegal transfer of Nipomo, CA 22

Firearm.







The Sheriff’s Gang Unit arrested three suspects Friday, May 14, 2010 for a variety of charges that included possession of a stolen handgun and illegal transfer of a firearm. The arrests were made during the service of two search warrants in connection with a grand theft investigation.



For the past week, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit has been conducting a grand theft investigation where a .45 Caliber handgun and other items were taken from a vehicle on the West end of Fillmore. Gang investigators had information that local gang members were in possession of the handgun. On Thursday, gang investigators conducted a probation search in the 400 block of Fillmore Street. During the probation search, investigators found a knife that was taken during the grand theft from the vehicle. Investigators also obtained other items that linked a Nipomo gang member to the stolen handgun. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence in the 400 block of Fillmore Street as well as a residence in the 200 block of Ponderosa Place in Nipomo, which they served on Friday evening.



While searching the residence in Fillmore, gang investigators found a different handgun that was stolen from a residential burglary in the City of Oxnard in 2009. Cesar Calderon was present during the search warrant and was arrested for a variety of charges. His brother, Ricardo Calderon, was arrested at his place of business in Camarillo. Cesar was arrested for possession of stolen property and four warrants. He remains in custody on $45,000 bail. Ricardo was arrested for possession of a stolen firearm and illegal transfer of a firearm. He remains in custody on $10,000 bail.



When gang investigators searched the residence in Nipomo, they found several pictures of the stolen handgun that were taken with cell phone cameras. The resident, Eduardo Mendez, was located at his place of work and arrested for illegal transfer of a firearm. Investigators also located several grams of cocaine that were possessed by Mendez with the intent to sell. Mendez was transported to Ventura County where he was booked into the Ventura County Jail for the illegal transfer of a firearm.



Under California State Law, all firearm transactions and transfers must be made through a licensed gun dealer. Gang members routinely transfer firearms illegally between each other and from gang to gang in an effort to keep law enforcement officers from seizing them. It’s not uncommon for a gang member to “borrow” a firearm to commit a violent crime, and then illegally transfer the firearm to anther gang member to hide it from law enforcement. Gang investigators are continuing their efforts to recover the handgun stolen from the Fillmore area.





Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant Schierman



Follow-up Contact: Sergeant Schierman 654-2856



Date of Release: May 16, 2010



Approved By: Mike De Los Santos, Captain #0730