Five Oxnard residents arrested in series of gang-related shootings

Five Oxnard residents have been arrested in connection with a series of gang-related shootings reported over the past two months, authorities said Wednesday. 

The arrests were made March 15 and 17 as authorities with the Oxnard Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office served search warrants at various homes in Oxnard, sheriff’s officials said in a news release. 

Three guns, ammunition and evidence of gang ties were found at the homes, authorities said. 

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Three guns were found as authorities in the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and Oxnard Police Department investigated a series of gang-related shootings.

The crimes were reported in different jurisdictions, but as the investigations unfolded, detectives learned the same suspects were involved, sheriff’s officials said. 

“The suspects were believed to actively ‘hunt’ for victims during their violent spree,” according to the news release. 

Investigators did not provide dates or locations of each shooting incident or the extent of injuries to any victims. A sheriff’s detective could not be immediately reached for comment. 

Although five people suspected in the shootings were arrested, a sixth person who happened to be at one of the homes under investigation was also taken into custody. The 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with an outstanding warrant, authorities said. 

Three guns were found as authorities in the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and Oxnard Police Department investigated a series of gang-related shootings.

According to the news release, the following shooting suspects were arrested: 

  • Jose Castanon, 25, was booked into Ventura County jail in connection with two counts of attempted homicide, two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, shooting at an occupied dwelling, unlawful transfer of a firearm, carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm and street terrorism. His bail was set at $1 million. 
  • Sergio Ramos, 20, was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide, conspiracy to commit a crime, two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, unlawful transfer of a firearm, possession of ammunition by a felon and street terrorism. His bail was set at $1 million. 
  • Manuel Alcala, 19, was booked in connection with attempted homicide, conspiracy to commit a crime and street terrorism. His bail was set at $100,000. 
  • Jose Tellez, 20, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a firearm, conspiracy to commit a crime and street terrorism. His bail was set at $100,000. 
  • A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide, conspiracy to commit a crime and and street terrorism. He is being held in juvenile hall. 

Anyone with information relating to gangs and illegal firearms can contact sheriff’s Detective Jauregui at 805-654-2856.

Three guns were found as authorities in the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and Oxnard Police Department investigated a series of gang-related shootings.