Press release - Gang Related Search Warrant and Arrest

Published 3/11/2010 (all press releases for this day)

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 2-21-10 Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to the Wagon Wheel Bowling Alley 2801 Wagon Wheel Road regarding a man with a gun under his clothing. Patrol Officers detained 2 men who fit the description given by the reporting party. While searching the men for weapons, Officer Joseph Bentley located a loaded assault pistol with a high capacity magazine in Juan Avalos’ waistband. Avalos was arrested and he later posted bail.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into gang association between Juan Avalos and Armando Gonzalez to an Oxnard criminal street gang. Detectives obtained a search warrant for both men’s homes and served the warrants on Wednesday afternoon. During the investigation Detectives learned that Avalos was living at another nearby home and obtained a search warrant for that home was well. Three residences on Surrey Circle were searched and items of gang paraphernalia, membership, and association were located.

Juan Avalos was booked into the Ventura County Jail for possession of a loaded assault pistol, possession of a loaded unregistered handgun, carrying a concealed firearm in public, and a gang allegation.

This is an ongoing investigation.