OXNARD : Suspected Trespasser Awakened, Arrested

Oxnard police on Monday arrested a man who they said broke into an unoccupied home, went to sleep in the bedroom and then scuffled over a gun with officers who responded.

Two officers went to the 1100 block of Poplar Street at 4:20 a.m. to investigate a report of trespassing at a home where the resident was away. They found John Maestas, 26, asleep, police said.

After he was awakened, Maestas rolled over to reveal that he had a gun in his pocket, police said. When the officers drew their weapons, the suspect grabbed the gun of one officer, police said.

A violent struggle followed, causing minor injuries to the officers and to Maestas, who was treated at a hospital before being booked into Ventura County Jail, police said.

Maestas, whose hometown was not known, was arrested on suspicion of resisting officers, attempting to take an officer’s firearm, and being a felon in possession of a concealable firearm.