Sweep Nets 9 Arrests on Various Charges

An early morning raid by police and probation officials Thursday resulted in the arrest of nine people on charges ranging from drug possession to witness intimidation, authorities said.

The sweep of 27 locations conducted by Simi Valley police officers and officials from the Ventura County Probation Department targeted suspected gang members and people who had violated parole, said Simi Valley Police Chief Randy Adams.

Authorities said Rick Rogers, 32, was arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine and was being held at County Jail in Ventura on $5,000 bail. Officers also arrested David Vrana, 30, on suspicion of marijuana possession, authorities said. He was being processed at County Jail on Thursday night.

Arrested and booked into County Jail for allegedly violating his parole on a burglary conviction was Lucio Santisteban, 21, authorities said. No bail was set.

Citing their ages, Adams did not release the names of the six others arrested in the raid. They included a 15-year-old male gang member, held on suspicion of possessing tobacco and violating his parole by concealing a 12-year-old runaway girl. The girl was returned to her father in Pasadena, Adams said. Also arrested were:

* A 17-year-old boy with gang ties whom authorities said intimidated a witness to a gang-related incident earlier this week.

* An 18-year-old male graffiti tagger on suspicion of marijuana possession.

* A 15-year-old male gang member suspected of robbery.

* A 16-year-old male gang member on suspicion of possessing gang paraphernalia.

* An 18-year-old male with gang ties, suspected of violating his parole because he possessed property with the serial numbers removed.

Authorities are still searching for an 18-year-old male tagger thought to be in possession of methamphetamine, and a 19-year-old woman with gang ties suspected of felony assault.