MOORPARK : 6 Held Over Fracas Involving Deputies

Six Moorpark residents were arrested early Sunday after they allegedly assaulted two Ventura County sheriff’s deputies who were trying to arrest a man for drinking in public.

The fracas began at 12:50 a.m. at 2nd Street and Moorpark Avenue in downtown Moorpark when two deputies spotted several people standing on 2nd Street who appeared to be on the verge of a fight, Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Nagel said.

Upon investigation, the deputies discovered that one of the men was drinking alcohol on the street, he said.

When deputies tried to arrest the man, his friends and neighbors, including some who came out of their nearby homes, demanded the man’s release, Sheriff’s Sgt. Harold Humphries said.

Some of the residents then physically assaulted the deputies, including kicking, hitting and scratching them, Humphries said.

The deputies radioed for backup, and 16 police units from the Sheriff’s Department and the Simi Valley Police Department were dispatched to the scene, Humphries said.

The man who deputies allegedly saw drinking in public is also suspected of joining in the attack on the officers.

He escaped during the melee, Humphries said.

Humphries said deputies know the suspect’s identity but are withholding it until they find and arrest him.

Michael Lopez, 19, and Saul Ramos, 31, were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

Geneieviede Gomez, 44, was arrested on suspicion of interfering with deputies in the performance of their duties.

Richard Gomez, 21, Daniel Gomez, 46, and Deanna Garcia, 28, were arrested on suspicion of failing to disperse from an unlawful gathering.

Lopez, Garcia, Daniel Gomez and Geneieviede Gomez were released by Sunday evening.

Ramos and Richard Gomez were still in custody at Ventura County Jail.