3 Men Released, No Charges Filed in Gang-Related Slaying

Nearly two weeks after a deadly gang shooting struck fear into a working-class Newbury Park neighborhood, authorities have released three men and have yet to file charges in the slaying of the 19-year-old victim.

Seven suspects were arrested last week in the April 28 slaying of Edgar Cruz and wounding of his 18-year-old friend, Andres Morales.

The suspects were set to be arraigned on criminal charges Wednesday. But three of the men were released before their court hearing, and so far none of the other four has been charged with the slaying.

Prosecutors did, however, file attempted murder charges against a 21-year-old Van Nuys gang member in the shooting of Morales. Jesus Miranda is also accused of firing a gun at an occupied dwelling. An arraignment is set for May 17.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Department officials would not comment on why the three men were released, nor would they say if they would be rearrested soon.

“I could not say this at this time,” said Senior Deputy Harold Hanley.

Chief Deputy Dist. Atty. Ron Janes declined to discuss details of the case. “I think that if you talk to the Sheriff’s Department,” he said, “they will be able to tell you that the investigation is continuing.”

The men’s release renewed fears among residents near the crime scene, the 540-unit Conejo Creek condominium complex, which is home to more than 2,600 residents.

“Why? What happened?” Belsie Castellon asked as she rushed to a neighbor’s house to pick up her 7-year-old son, Alex, for soccer practice. “They told us last week that they had arrested . . . people. It’s no good--I don’t like it.”

Residents at the complex were shaken by the shooting, which occurred in one of the nation’s safest cities as neighbors and their children were standing in the street, talking and playing, about 8:30 p.m.

According to authorities, two carloads of gang members cruised into the neighborhood and shot Cruz as he stood in the middle of the street. A feud involving a recent Salvadoran resident who moved to the complex and had ties to the Van Nuys gang apparently initiated the attack.

Cruz and Morales were shot in the abdomen. Witnesses told police that three or four shots were fired before the assailants fled, and at least two shots struck a house.

Cruz and his friend were unarmed, and police said they were not members of two established gangs in their community.

A second gang-related shooting occurred two days later at a nearby Mexican restaurant, leaving residents on edge despite an increased police presence. The release of the three men this week only exacerbated those fears.

“It might happen again,” said resident Rosita Guitu, a Filipino immigrant and a single mother. “Maybe they’ll come here.”

Catherine Seary, 67, said knowing that the men are free made her more determined to move from the troubled complex, which has been her home for more than 20 years.

“This used to be a good neighborhood,” said Seary.

Seary’s son, Wes, a San Fernando Valley resident, said the recent shootings at Conejo Creek have made him anxious to move his mother out of the neighborhood as soon as he can.

Hanley said it is understandable that residents of the complex would be concerned about their safety as a result of the men’s release. But he added that police are doing everything they can to protect the community.

“That part of the city is receiving more service from the Police Department than any other part of the entire Conejo Valley,” Hanley said. “That includes weekends and weekdays.”

An additional patrol officer has been assigned to the neighborhood during the week, and two officers roam the complex on weekends. Two bicycle officers also watch the complex seven days a week.

Hanley said the extra patrols will remain in effect “until the city or our administration decides otherwise.” A community meeting is set for Saturday to discuss this week’s events and to address any concerns.

Meanwhile, some city leaders have suggested assigning a deputy to work from the complex. The proposal is expected to come before the Thousand Oaks City Council for consideration Tuesday.

Authorities released Mabrisio Rodrigues, 26; Jose Francisco Torres, 29; and Francisco Rodriguez, 28, on Tuesday.

Three others, Adan Gonzalez, 24; Roberto Carlos Guerra, 20; and Carlos Alberto Escobar, 24, remained jailed on immigration holds. Jesus Miranda, who was linked to the Morales shooting, is being held on $800,000 bail.

Authorities say the men are part of a Salvadoran street gang, Mara Salvatrucha, which has gained a reputation for violence across Los Angeles.

Times staff writer Tina Dirmann contributed to this story. Times Community News reporters Katie Cooper, Holly Wolcott and Josh Karp also contributed.