Police Make 5th Arrest in 3 Suspected Gang Shootings

An 18-year-old Van Nuys man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder, the fifth suspect taken into custody in connection with three Van Nuys shootings believed to be gang-related, Los Angeles police said.

Oswaldo Aguilar was arrested at a North Hollywood uniform manufacturing plant where he works, said Detective Rick Swanston said.

Police also recovered a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, believed used in the shootings, during a warrant search at the home of a 17-year-old Van Nuys boy, Swanston said.

The boy had been arrested Tuesday on unrelated charges, but he also will be charged in connection with two of the three shootings, Detective Joel Price said. The youth owned one of the cars that police say was used in the shootings.

Aguilar was identified by the victim of a Feb. 8 shooting in the 7100 block of Valjean Avenue in Van Nuys. Aguilar and three youths allegedly drove a dark-colored Oldsmobile up to a group of youths standing outside a home, yelled a gang name and fired nine shots. A 17-year-old girl was wounded in the hip.

A week later, on Feb. 15, Reseda resident Miguel Villanueva, 22, was shot in the stomach by gunmen in a blue Buick who yelled the same gang name, Swanston said. The next day, David Aguilar of Van Nuys was shot in the torso in the 6500 block of Woodley Avenue in Van Nuys by a group of youths who again yelled the gang name before the shooting.

Last week, Robert Martinez of Van Nuys was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after Villanueva and Aguilar identified him as their assailant, Swanston said.

They also arrested two Reseda youths, ages 15 and 16, in connection with the shootings. The 16-year-old boy owned the Buick used in the Villanueva and Aguilar shootings, Swanston said.

The victims are believed to be members of other gangs, Price said.