Public’s Help Sought in Finding 3 Men, 1 Woman

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is asking the public’s help in locating four fugitives wanted in crimes ranging from witness intimidation to petty theft. Warrants have been issued in each case.

Richard Manford Phillips, 38, was arrested on suspicion of drug possession, petty theft and theft of utilities. He posted bail but has allegedly failed to make court appearances. Before deputies and bail bondsmen started looking for him, Phillips fled his home in the 300 block of Santa Monica Avenue in the Port Hueneme beach community of Silver Strand, authorities said.

Phillips, a fisherman by trade, is believed to have returned to Silver Strand or the Oxnard area. He is white, 5 feet 10, weighs 175 pounds and has blue eyes. He has brown hair and is balding.

Joseph Adam Barassi, 30, was convicted of selling drugs and sentenced to probation. He allegedly violated his probation by using drugs and driving without a license. He failed to appear in court on those new charges, authorities said. He was later arrested but posted bail and has repeatedly failed to show up for court.

Barassi is white, 5 feet 10, weighs 200 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes. He last worked as a painter.

Deputies are also searching for Barassi’s 34-year-old brother, James Robert Barassi. Barassi was arrested twice in 1998 on suspicion of possessing drugs for sale. He was also arrested for allegedly intimidating a witness. He posted bail in all three cases and has failed to appear in court, authorities said. He is also wanted for allegedly violating his probation in another case by being under the influence of drugs.

Barassi last lived in the 200 block of B Street in Oxnard.

He is white, 5 feet 11, weighs 185 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes.

Monica Marie Lapizco, also known as Monica Marie Mosqueda, 22, was convicted of drug possession and placed on probation. She has allegedly failed to comply with the terms of her probation.

Lapizco last lived in the 3200 block of Circle Drive in Oxnard. She is Latina, 5 feet 10, weighs 200 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. On her neck is a tattoo that says “My Wife Deborah” and on her right arm is a butterfly and the word “Georgia.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 494-TALK or 385-TALK.