7 Held, Guns Seized in Raids at 18 Homes
A team of Ventura County sheriff’s deputies, county probation officers and state parole officers arrested seven people in Camarillo early Tuesday during raids at the homes of gang members, officials said.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Keith Lazz said the raids at 18 residences were prompted by the June 12 killing of 18-year-old Miguel Flores of Camarillo during a gang shootout at a birthday party in Thousand Oaks and by the recent theft of nine handguns from a Camarillo house.
Deputies seized two pistols that will be tested to see if they were used during the Thousand Oaks melee.
The probation searches, conducted by more than 50 officers, also netted a switchblade knife, a billy club, $3,800 in cash, a small quantity of marijuana and possible stolen property, including stereo equipment, jewelry and power tools.
Three adults and four juveniles ages 11 to 16 were arrested and taken to Juvenile Hall. David Velasquez, 27, and Richard Velasquez, 23, were arrested on suspicion of violating their probation. Mark Newfang, 23, was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court.
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