Nature of Incident: Multiple Location Gang Search Warrant
Report Number: 21-1863
Location: 1800 block Los Feliz Drive, Thousand Oaks
5000 block Alta Colina Road, Camarillo
1900 block Colonia Place, Camarillo
160 block Stonegate Road, Camarillo
1300 block Whitecliff Road, Camarillo
900 block Gracia Street, Camarillo
700 block Walker Avenue, Camarillo
2400 block Barry Street, Camarillo
1900 block of Dewayne Avenue, Camarillo
Date & Time: January 28, 2021 at 7:00 AM
Unit(s) Responsible: Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail, Camarillo Directed Enforcement Unit, Camarillo Detective Bureau, Thousand Oaks Detective Bureau, Thousand Oaks Special Enforcement Unit, Thousand Oaks Directed Enforcement Unit, Ojai Detective Bureau, West County Detective Bureau, Moorpark Special Enforcement Detail, Moorpark Detective Bureau, Ventura County Major Crimes Bureau, East County Major Crimes Bureau, Ventura County Sheriff’s Gang Unit, Pre-Trial Detention Facility Classification Unit, Todd Road Jail Classification Unit, Ventura County Sheriff’s Special Crimes Unit, Ventura County Sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau, Ventura County Combined Agency Task Force, Ventura County Aviation Unit
(S)uspects:
City of Residence Age
Emilio Bejar
Miguel Bejar
Daniel Espinoza
Juan Bejar
Rodolfo Valencia
Juan Lopez
Gerardo Ayala
Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks
Camarillo
Camarillo
Camarillo
Camarillo
Camarillo
19
18
20
21
30
35
24
Narrative:
The Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail, with the assistance of multiple other investigative units, executed an eight-location search warrant in the Cities of Camarillo and Thousand Oaks.
Beginning in November 2020, a known criminal street gang based in the city of Camarillo, was involved in several vandalisms and assaults, including an attempted murder. In two of those crimes a handgun was used. While the aforementioned crimes were being investigated by the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail and Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit, the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail initiated a separate investigation to identify known members and associates of the criminal street gang. Additionally, the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail was also attempting to link members of this criminal street gang to graffiti which had increased within the city.
On January 28, 2021, an eight-location search warrant was executed in the cities of Camarillo and Thousand Oaks. The goal behind the search warrant was to find evidence of recent gang related crimes. In excess of ninety detectives and civilian investigators from multiple Ventura County Sheriff’s stations assisted with the execution of this large-scale search warrant.
Evidence such as gang clothing, gang graffiti, graffiti instruments, replica firearms and fully functioning firearms were recovered. One of the functioning firearms included a high-powered rifle and one of the handguns had been reported to law enforcement as stolen in 2012. The graffiti instruments recovered included permanent markers and over 50 cans of spray paint.
Emilio Bejar, Miguel Bejar, Juan Bejar, Daniel Espinoza, and Rodolfo Valencia were arrested for vandalism and committing crimes for the benefit of a gang. Juan Gonzalez was arrested for unlawful transfer of a firearm and being in possession of a stolen firearm. Juan Lopez was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and being in possession of drug paraphernalia. Gerardo Ayala was arrested for unsafe storage of a firearm. Everyone, with the exception of Gerardo Ayala, was booked into the Ventura County Jail.
The Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail is comprised of six plain clothes detectives who focus their efforts on crimes that negatively affect the quality of life of the law-abiding citizens of Camarillo. This includes violent crimes and those related to criminal street gangs.
Anyone with information about gang activity or dangerous crimes occurring within the city is encouraged to contact the Camarillo Special Enforcement Detail at (805) 388-5100. Callers can remain anonymous. Information can also be provided by email at [email protected]
Prepared by: Detective Chris Dyer
News Release Date: January 29, 2021
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Chris Dyer
(805) 535-0270
Approved by:
Booking Photo Release: Captain Shane Matthews
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
