On 07/28/2025, (S) Jose Ignacio Suarez was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm with gross negligence, unlawful firearm transfer, and delaying peace officers in the performance of their duties. Additionally, Erasmo Hurtado was arrested for a local misdemeanor warrant, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and delaying peace officers in the performance of their duties.

On 07/27/2025, at about 11:51 PM, diligent members of the community reported two males fighting in the parking lot at the Rancho Sespe Apartments resulting in a shooting. These apartments are in the 2900 block of E. Telegraph Road east of Fillmore. Patrol deputies from the Sheriff’s Fillmore Station responded and determined Jose Ignacio Suarez negligently discharged two rounds from a rifle in an unknown direction. Deputies attempted to contact Suarez and directed him and any other occupant of the residence to exit residence. Suarez refused and additional Sheriff’s resources were summoned to the scene.

On 07/28/2025, at about 2:44 AM, after numerous announcements, Suarez finally exited the apartment and was arrested for violation of Penal Code § 148(a)(1) – [Obstruct, Resist, or Delay a Peace Officer].

As detectives and deputies were securing the apartment pending a search warrant, another subject, later identified as (S) Erasmo Hurtado was located hiding inside the apartment. Hurtado had an active misdemeanor warrant for his arrest and was subsequently arrested for his warrant, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and Penal Code § 148(a)(1).

At approximately 8:15 AM, Fillmore detectives obtained a search warrant for Suarez’ apartment and executed the warrant with assistance from patrol deputies and West County Special Enforcement Unit detectives. As a result, additional evidence linking Suarez to the shooting was recovered, which included a .22 caliber rifle.

Ultimately, Suarez was arrested for Penal Code § 246.3(a) – [Negligent Discharge of a Firearm], Health & Safety Code § 11550(e) – [Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance While Armed with a Firearm], and Penal Code § 148(a)(1).

Both Suarez and Hurtado were transported to the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and booked for the aforementioned offenses pending court proceedings.

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Detectives, West County Special Enforcement Unit
Date & Time: 07/27/2025 @ 11:51 PM
Location: Rancho Sespe Apartments 2900 Block of E. Telegraph Road

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Jose Ignacio Suarez Unincorporated Fillmore 31
(S) Erasmo Hurtado Fillmore 36

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

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On 07/20/2025, at about 4:09 PM, patrol deputies from the Fillmore Station responded to several reports of a shooting outside of a liquor store located in the 4000 block of E. Center Street. This business is in a quiet, unincorporated community known as Piru.

Upon arrival, deputies located an adult male suffering from a single gunshot wound. The victim was transported via ambulance to a local hospital for medical care. The victim was treated and is currently in stable condition.

Detectives and deputies from multiple units and stations responded to assist with the investigation. This investigation is ongoing, and detectives are asking for the public’s assistance with obtaining any information regarding the incident. Anyone with information about the shooing is asked to contact Detective Axel Morales at (805) 477-7011 or Detective Dustin Heersche at (805) 477-7012. Tips can also be submitted through Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), where callers can remain anonymous.

Nature of Incident: Shooting Investigation
Report Number: 25-91261
Location: 4000 Block of E. Center Street, unincorporated community of Piru
Date & Time: 07/20/2025 @ 4:09 PM

Unit(s) Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Station, Moorpark Patrol Station, Headquarters Patrol Station, Fillmore Bureau of Investigation, Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit, Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Advanced Real Time Information Center (ARTIC)

S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(V) Adult Male Piru 23

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote
Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Photo credit Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
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The Fillmore Police Department Encourages Residents to Participate in National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025.

Fillmore community members are invited to participate in National Night Out, on Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 from 5 p.m. - 7
p.m. This is an opportunity to engage in relationship building with deputies, firefighters, and other selected
representatives.

National Night Out is an annual crime prevention event and community-building campaign that promotes police-community
partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie that make our neighborhoods safer all year round. National Night Out is a
community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships. Ventura Crumble Cookie and Fillmore Starbucks have
been kind enough to donate snacks and refreshments for this event.

“National Night Out is a great opportunity for local residents to meet and greet different team members assigned to various
Sheriff’s Specialized Units for an evening of activities,” said Fillmore Police Chief Eduardo Malagon. “Community policing
is more critical than ever before. It’s important for our community members to engage with our team in a positive
environment and know that we are truly here to serve them and keep them safe.”

The City of Fillmore, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Fillmore Police Department are committed to maintaining the
safety of all residents by continuing community partnerships.

The Fillmore Police Department invites the community to come out and ask questions, get crime prevention advice, and get to
know the officers in your neighborhood. Together, we are making communities safer, more caring places to live.

This event will be held at the Fillmore Police Station on Tuesday, August 5th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00PM. To learn more about
National Night Out in the City of Fillmore, contact Sergeant Jarrod Foote at the Fillmore Police Department, 805-524-2233.

Prepared by: Sergeant Jarrod Foote

News Release Date: 07/21/2025

Approved by: Captain Eduardo Malagon

Pictured is a city contracted Veolia van, with CCTV monitoring a sewer line at Burlington and B Streets. The monitoring equipment can be seen inside the van, and the manhole provides access to the sewer lines. Photo credit Fillmore Gazette Staff.
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Veolia North America, which operates and maintains the Fillmore Water Recycling Plant (WRP) under a contract with the City
of Filmore, was inspecting sewer lines at Burlington and B Street on Monday, July 21, 2025. A specialized remote-controlled
camera was inserted into the main line, transmitting real-time video footage to a monitor, allowing the inspector to
visually identify cracks or imperfections in the line, blockages or clogs caused by debris, grease or roots, tree root
intrusions, separation or failure of the line, or pipe material and age-related deterioration. Pictured is the monitor and
manhole entry point of the camera. The City of Fillmore owns the Fillmore WRP and provides domestic wastewater collection,
treatment, and disposal services for the city. The City Engineer and the Superintendent oversee the contract with Veolia for
these sewer services.

In March 2023, Fillmore experienced a significant sewer line break at the intersection of C Street and Ventura Street (SR
126).

This incident involved a collapsed sewer main and resulted in sewage leak estimated to be around 148,000 gallons, some of
which flowed into the Santa Clara River. Beaches near the mouth of the Santa Clara River, from Ventura Harbor to Oxnard
Shores, were closed and warning signs posted due to potential contamination.

The City contracted with construction companies to reroute the wastewater and repair the collapsed sewer line. By December
2023, the City Council approved final contracts for the nearly completed repairs, which totaled just under $10 million, with
a substantial portion covered by a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) award.

Lane closures on Highway 126 in the vicinity of the break impeded traffic for months while the City of Fillmore declared a
state of emergency to expedite repair efforts.

(The Gazette reached out to the City for more information on the coming C Street repairs, with no response.)

On Monday, July 21, 2025, at around 9:20pm, on Old Telegraph Road near the 7th Street turnoff, a white vehicle, possibly a
truck, crossed into the opposite lane and hit my daughter’s vehicle. Also in the car with my daughter were my two
granddaughters.

Thank God, due to my daughter’s great driving skills and God watching her and her daughters, she kept from going into the
ditch or possibly having a more fatal accident.

I would like to address the coward who hit them and drove off, without any consideration that he could have injured or killed
someone in the vehicle he/she hit. Shame on you. How would feel if it was your family?

I’m asking if anyone with any information to please contact the CHP or Sheriff’s Dept. if you witnessed the incident or a
vehicle driving at a high speed during the above date on Old Telegraph Road on July 21, 2025, at that time, or have heard of
someone talking about this incident. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Teresa & Susan Torres

805-727-0325

Fillmore Sheriff

805-524-2233

CHP Officer Daniel Perez

805-662-2640