Arrest of Boxer Stirs Disbelief

As word spread Monday that their hometown hero had been accused of a felony burglary, La Colonia residents expressed disbelief over the weekend arrest of boxing champion Fernando Vargas.

“It’s a lie,” said 12-year-old Oscar Barron. “They’re just trying to make him look bad. Why would he want to ruin his reputation?”

Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies continued their investigation of Vargas and four other men who allegedly assaulted a man with a deadly weapon in Summerland early Sunday. Vargas was arrested on suspicion of burglary for allegedly entering a building with intent to commit a felony, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit a crime.

But Vargas’ attorney says his client was only trying to defend himself and is “devastated” by the allegations and his arrest.

“Reports in the news media linking Fernando Vargas and a burglary in the Summerland area are misleading,” attorney Gregory W. Moreno said in a prepared statement. “In fact, Mr. Vargas was the victim of an assault by two individuals and merely took action to defend himself. We are convinced that this charge will quickly be rectified by the authorities.”

Moreno said Vargas, who spoke through his attorney, would make a personal statement to the public “at the appropriate time.”

Some residents said the 21-year-old Vargas has a reputation for being hot tempered. Others recalled a high-speed police chase through Oxnard streets in 1997 after Vargas had an argument with his sister.

But for the successful boxer to be guilty of burglary and assault with a deadly weapon seems beyond belief, they say.

“He’s supposed to be a hero,” said Fernando Cervantes, a coach at La Colonia Youth Boxing Club, where “Ferocious Fernando” Vargas got his start more than a decade ago. “I told the kids it’s not true, but they know.”

Aspiring young fighters such as 10-year-old Erwin Ipatzi say it can’t all be true. Vargas is the successful boxer who inspired Erwin to look beyond his economically disadvantaged neighborhood and dream big.

“He’s the best. I really like how he fights,” said Erwin, who began training at the local club three years ago. “I really want to be like him.”

Robert Garcia, the junior lightweight world champion who is also a product of the small La Colonia center, said he doubts all the allegations against Vargas are true. The fighters have known each other for years and were both trained by Garcia’s father, Eduardo.

“Him getting in a fight--that I can believe. He’s got a temper,” Garcia said while visiting the boxing club. “About the burglary, I don’t think that’s true.”

According to Santa Barbara County authorities, Vargas was visiting with an unknown woman at her Summerland condominium about 4 a.m. Sunday when another man arrived.

Authorities said that man, who was not identified, and Vargas got into a fight. It was broken up by 23-year-old Doug Rossi, who was with another female resident of the condominium in a separate room, authorities said.

After the fight ended, authorities said, Rossi returned to the other room. Vargas had been dropped off at the house and made a phone call to be picked up, according to sheriff’s officials.

Ernesto Vargas, 27, Vincent Arenas, 20, Carlos Alberto Lopez, 28, and Freddie Flores, 21, arrived soon after, authorities said. Fernando Vargas and the men then allegedly assaulted Rossi.

“They broke the lock and knocked down the door,” sheriff’s Sgt. Bill Turner said. “They battered him with an unknown striking instrument.”

Deputies are not certain whether the men had entered the house armed, but authorities said they found blood-stained golf clubs and a homemade billy club. How many members of the group were involved in the attack, or if Vargas participated, is still unclear, authorities said.

Rossi was taken to a nearby hospital with moderate head injuries; he was treated and released.

In the meantime, authorities said, Fernando Vargas and his four friends drove away, heading southbound on the Ventura Freeway, where they were stopped by sheriff’s deputies. The two women from the condominium identified the group, and the men were arrested and booked. They were later released on $10,000 bail each.

Residents cite the prestige Vargas has brought to the community. He made the 1996 Olympic boxing team. Two years later he won the International Boxing Federation junior-middleweight championship, which he successfully defended 10 days ago against Raul Marquez.

When the International Marketing Group tried to lure Vargas to Miami with a $2-million contract, the Oxnard native refused, saying he would never leave his home.

“Whenever he wins, he yells, ‘La Colonia,’ ” said 13-year-old Javier Aviles. “I’m proud.”

Since Vargas’ rise to fame in recent years, attendance at the boxing club--operated by the Police Athletic League--has skyrocketed.

“All the kids give him their support. They look at his picture. This is what they’re here for,” said Ruben Juarez, who manages the gym. “They all want to be another Fernando Vargas.”

Hamm is a Times Community News reporter, and Springer is a Times staff writer.

* PRISON TERM? Fernando Vargas may face three or four years in prison if proven guilty. D3