Six gang members arrested
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Authorities arrested six adults and two juveniles in connection with gang related crimes that occurred in Fillmore and Moorpark last month.

The arrests are the result of a six-week investigation that led authorities to search 14 homes in four local cities.

"This was probably the largest search warrant ever conducted in Moorpark and it's a reflection that the community is not going to stand for street gangs having battles in their communities," said Jeff Matson, Moorpark Police Captain.

"Anytime gangs feel they can use the cities of Fillmore or Moorpark as their personal battle grounds, they'll be investigated and arrested and sent away for doing that," he said.

The suspects who were arrested Wednesday are allegedly involved with or associated with a Moorpark Street gang that has been active throughout the county.

Fillmore police received numerous calls on April 1 reporting fights, car chases and shots were being fired. But the culprits escaped before authorities arrived on the scene.

A short while later the Sheriff's Department in Moorpark began to receive calls from residents who reported shooting and fighting was taking place in downtown Moorpark.

A victim told authorities that he had been attacked by several individuals armed with baseball bats and crowbars as he waited at a stop sign in Fillmore. He escaped on foot and the attackers stole his car.

The victim returned to Moorpark in another vehicle to find his car. When he arrived in Moorpark he noticed that his attackers involved in a fight with other person.

His car was eventually found on Charles Street, it had broken windows, bullet holes and blood stains.

No one was arrested that night, but the incidents induced the investigation that yielded Wednesday's search warrants in Fillmore, Camarillo, Simi Valley and Moorpark.

Several law enforcement agencies worked together to arrest Moorpark residents Jose Mendoza, 18; Marco Lozano, 21 and Andrew Martinez, 21. The three men were booked in the Ventura County Jail on charges that included carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon.

Moorpark resident Miguel Perez Salgado, 27, was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and was released with a citation.

Two Moorpark juveniles, 16 and 14, were also arrested in connection with the above incident. The 16-year-old was released with a citation because he violated the terms of his probation and the 14year-old was taken to juvenile hall because he was allegedly involved in the carjacking incident.

Camarillo resident Magen Schmid, 18, was charged for allegedly conspiring and disturbing the peace and she was booked in the Ventura County Jail. Fillmore resident Michael Esparza, 20, who was found in possession of Marijuana, was released with a citation.