Gang Enforcement
Ventura County Sheriff's Department
Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit arrested four people yesterday while conducting an anit-gang operation in the unincorporated area of El Rio. All four suspects are believed to be gang members or associates.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit served a narcotics search warrant and conducted several probation searches Thursday morning in the 2400 and 2500 blk of Balboa St. in the unincorporated area of El Rio. The anti-gang operation was in response to a recent rash of gang crimes within a half block area of Balboa St. The crimes included a shooting, arsons and numerous reports of gunshots fired in the early morning hours. During the searches, four people were arrested for narcotics related offenses.

Among the arrested was Omar Pacifuentes who was on probation for dissuading a witness in a criminal trial. As part of his probation terms, Pacifuentes was required to submit to a search by any law enforcement officer for firearms, weapons and narcotics. When gang officers contacted Pacifuentes at his residence in the 2500 blk of Balboa St., he was uncooperative and refused to let investigators search him. Pacifuentes fought with the investigators as they attempted to handcuff him. Investigators located a methamphetamine smoking pipe in Pacifuentes’ belongings and found that he was under the influence of methamphetamine. Pacifuentes was arrested for resisting arrest and being under the influence of narcotics.

All four people arrested were booked at the Ventura County Jail.

RB#: 10-18254

Location:2400 & 2500 Blk Balboa St., El Rio

Date & Time:7-29- 2010/ 0930

Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit

(S)uspects Charge City of residence Age
Vincente Flores Under the influence of narcotics El Rio 24
Andrew Lozano Under the influence of narcotics El Rio 25
Omar Pacifuentes Under the influence of narcotics El Rio 20
Resisting arrest
Vanessa White Under the influence of narcotics El Rio 19

Officer Preparing Release: Sgt Bill Schierman

Follow-up Contact: Sgt Bill Schierman 654-3551

Date of Release:7-30-2010