Investigation leads to arrests of two in Santa Paula

Ventura County sheriff’s deputies arrested two Santa Paula residents while serving an arrest warrant, authorities said Friday.

The search was performed around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of Ventura Street.

Deputies arrived and found Ricardo Salvador Martinez, 18, of Santa Paula, who had an outstanding warrant for criminal threats and was believed to be a suspect in a Fillmore stolen-vehicle investigation, authorities said.

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Deputies monitored Martinez, who was in the garage of a condominium complex, authorities said. Authorities said they watched the garage open and a woman identified as Bianca Cervantes, 21, of Santa Paula, enter and make contact with Martinez.

Authorities said they intervened and detained the two suspects. A probation search of the vehicle yielded narcotics packaged individually for sale and a loaded handgun, authorities said. Deputies determined Cervantes and Martinez were responsible for the drugs and firearm, according to authorities.

Martinez and Cervantes were arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs for sale, possessing drugs while armed with a firearm and being under the influence of a controlled substance while possessing a firearm, authorities said. Martinez was also arrested on suspicion of battery and criminal threats, authorities said. Both were booked into county jail, according to authorities.

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com.