OXNARD : 2 Youths Arrested in Drive-By Shooting

Two Oxnard teen-agers have been arrested on suspicion of participating in a drive-by shooting witnessed by a patrol officer on a stakeout, authorities said Friday.

Gasper Ortiz, 19, was booked into County Jail on suspicion of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, carrying a concealed weapon and participating in a criminal street gang. A 17-year-old male, whose name was not released because of his age, was booked into Juvenile Hall on the same charges as well as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, police said.

The incident occurred about 11:15 p.m. Thursday near the corner of San Marino and East Poplar streets in south Oxnard. Officer Terry Burr was conducting a surveillance of the area when he saw a pickup truck drive by slowly, circle the block and return. The passenger leaned out the window and fired a shot toward an occupied house. No one was hurt.

The pickup sped away and Burr broadcast the vehicle’s description. Officer Bill Crisostomo stopped the truck a few seconds later. Both suspects were taken into custody, and a gun was found inside the vehicle, police said.