Traffic stop leads to firearms arrest on troubled street in south Oxnard

Oxnard police arrested a man on a suspected firearm offense after a traffic stop on a historically crime-ridden street.

Around 9:30 p.m. Friday, officers conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the 400 block of Cuesta Del Mar Drive, the Oxnard Police Department reported. The block is in the Southwinds neighborhood at the city’s southern end, located north of Hueneme Road and west of Saviers Road.

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The vehicle “abruptly stopped” and the driver and passenger tried to flee, according to police. The passenger, identified as 29-year-old Oxnard resident Jesus Larios, allegedly discarded a loaded gun as he fled.

Officers arrested Larios on suspicion of a felony firearms violation, authorities said. The 21-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of a misdemeanor offense. The Star generally does not name those arrested solely for misdemeanor violations.

An alley behind the 200 block of Cuesta Del Mar was the site of Oxnard’s latest homicide, leaving Husim Avalos Sanchez, 37, of Oxnard, dead of gunshot wounds Wednesday. An analysis by The Star found Cuesta Del Mar and its alleys have been the site of numerous crimes through the years, several of them deadly. 

Gretchen Wenner covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at gretchen.wenner@vcstar.com or 805-437-0270.