Police Arrest 3 in Stabbing of Boy, 14

Two men and a 17-year-old boy were arrested Monday night on suspicion of attempted murder in the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy, authorities said.

Police believe the incident, which occurred about 4 p.m. at 5th and H streets, was gang-related, Cmdr. Lee Wilcox said.

According to police, a van pulled up to the intersection and two males jumped out and began beating the victim before one of them pulled out a knife and stabbed him three times, Wilcox said.

The victim, who police declined to identify, underwent surgery at St. John’s Medical Center for a puncture wound to a lung and two other lacerations to his upper body. He was in stable condition Monday night, authorities said.

Witnesses gave police a license plate number and description of the van, which officers found about 45 minutes later. Officers tailed the car and arrested the three on Gonzales Road, Wilcox said.

Booked into jail on suspicion of attempted murder were Noel Garcia, 18, and Paul Acosta, 20, both of Oxnard. The 17-year-old was taken to juvenile hall.