Fillmore, CA – A midafternoon tip from a concerned resident in Fillmore led to the arrest of three young men, including two adults and a juvenile, on suspicion of gang involvement, vandalism, and firearm offenses, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
Details of the Arrest
Around 1:50 p.m. on August 12, deputies responded to a report of graffiti vandalism along Goodenough Road in the Lookout Point area, an unincorporated part of Fillmore. The resident provided a description of the suspects’ vehicle, which deputies later found parked near B Street and Fifth Street.
Inside the vehicle, deputies discovered three alleged members of a tagging crew:
- Axel Martinez, 18, from Piru
- Pedro Lara Jr., 18, from unincorporated Fillmore
- A 17-year-old juvenile from Fillmore
A search of the vehicle uncovered spray paint cans, evidence linking the trio to the graffiti, and a loaded semi-automatic handgun concealed in the waistband of the juvenile.
Gang Activity and Escalating Crimes
The arrests highlight the intersection of vandalism and violent crime often tied to gang activity in Ventura County. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that graffiti vandalism not only damages property but can escalate into more serious offenses if left unchecked.
“Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities,” the Sheriff’s Office said, urging the public to take action and report such crimes.
Charges Against the Suspects
Martinez and Lara were booked at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility, while the juvenile was taken to the Juvenile Justice Center as per KTLA. The suspects face the following charges:
- Participation in a criminal street gang
- Conspiracy to commit a crime as a gang member
- Felony vandalism causing over $400 in damage
- Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
The juvenile also faces firearm violations, including:
- Possession of a gun in a school zone
- Carrying a concealed firearm
- Carrying a loaded firearm
Search Warrants and Additional Evidence
On August 14, detectives from the West County Special Enforcement Unit and the Fillmore Detective Unit served search warrants at the suspects’ residences in Fillmore, Piru, and the Rancho Sespe apartments. Additional evidence was seized, further linking the trio to the graffiti and their alleged gang activity.
Public Tip and Ongoing Efforts
The Sheriff’s Office credited the arrests to a tip from the public and encouraged residents to continue reporting suspicious activity. The community’s vigilance played a key role in helping authorities combat gang-related crime and violence in the area.
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