Suspected gang members arrested
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

Five suspected gang members, including a 15- and 16-year-old, were arrested last week on a number of charges, including vandalism, resisting arrest and battery on an officer.

Sgt. William Hammer of the Moorpark Police Department said four of the five suspects are documented gang members, and one of the juveniles is an associate of the gang.

"Don't let their ages fool you," Hammer said. "Sometimes when we read ages, we think of how young these kids are, but when they start at 11, and are working at the direction of 27 and 28yearolds, they can be pretty violent. They can get involved in just as heinous activities."

Around 10:30 p.m. last Friday, Ventura County deputies responded to a vandalism call in the 100 block of First Street. When deputies arrived, they saw a black SUV speeding away, Hammer said.

After pulling over the vehicle at First Street just east of Moorpark Avenue, deputies noticed a knife inside the SUV. In order to search for additional weapons, they began asking the five occupants to exit the vehicle.

According to the police report, Augusto Chapa, a 23-year-old from Bakersfield, struck one deputy in the chest and fled before being caught. A Moorpark juvenile, whose name was withheld, became combative during the search and a Taser had to be used to subdue him. Jose Rodriguez, a 22-year-old from Thousand Oaks, then exited the car and struck a deputy in the face before he, too, was Tasered.

Two additional Moorpark residents, Miguel Salgado, 28, and another unnamed juvenile, were also arrested.

Witnesses have identified the five suspects as being involved in the graffiti incident.

"We have very high incidents of graffiti-type vandalism and the majority of those are perpetrated by gang members," Hammer said. "Any time we (arrest) gang members acting in concert to do something, it's a step forward. Then we can convince them that the activity is unacceptable, or to change current activity level.

"Sometimes the only way you can win is by incarceration. It depends on the individual."

All suspects were arrested for vandalism, conspiracy, criminal threats and participation in a street gang. In addition, Rodriguez and one juvenile were charged with interfering or delaying an officer while performing his duty, and Salgado was arrested for burglary.

Chapa was also arrested for two outstanding warrants for violation of parole, battery on a peace officer and interfering or delaying an officer while performing his duty.

The three men were booked into Ventura County Jail and the two juveniles were booked into Ventura County Juvenile Hall.