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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
| INCIDENT:
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Oxnard Police and FBI Arrest Homicide Suspects
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| DATE:
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April 28, 2017
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| LOCATION:
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Farmington, New Mexico and Oxnard, California
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| VICTIM(S):
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Giovanni Vega, 25 year old Oxnard resident
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| SUSPECT(S):
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Christopher Arevalo, 24 year old Oxnard resident
Joseph Minister, 23 year old Oxnard resident
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| PREPARED BY:
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Major Crimes Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763
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| CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:
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Major Crimes Detective Steven Ramirez II (805) 385-7760 |
DETAILS:
Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested two suspects that authorities say were involved in the murder of 25 year old Oxnard resident Giovanni Vega.
On December 8, 2016, Vega was found shot to death in the 200 block of West Vineyard Avenue. Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit and Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to investigate the murder. During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to identify two suspects. Detectives say that 24 year old Christopher Arevalo and 23 year old Joseph Minister were involved in Vega’s death. Detectives believe the motive for the killing was gang related.
Major Crimes Detectives diligently and persistently investigated the homicide case, and worked very closely with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. The detectives were able to obtain sufficient evidence against Arevalo and Minister in order to arrest them for the murder of Giovanni Vega. During the investigation, detectives learned that Arevalo fled California shortly after the murder and was possibly hiding out in New Mexico.
Major Crimes Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Arevalo and requested assistance from the FBI. The Ventura County FBI Office joined in the search for Arevalo. Additional FBI Agents and other investigative resources stationed in New Mexico participated in the search for Arevalo.
On April 28, 2017, at approximately 7 a.m., FBI Agents spotted Arevalo at a residence in Farmington, New Mexico. The FBI’s SWAT Team served a federal search warrant at the residence and took Arevalo into custody without incident. The FBI and their agents were instrumental in the search and arrest of Arevalo. Arevalo is in the process of being extradited back to Ventura County. He is currently being held at the San Juan County Adult Detention Facility in New Mexico.
On April 28, 2017, at approximately 6 p.m., Oxnard Police Officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) contacted and arrested Joseph Minister at his residence. Minister is currently in custody at Ventura County Jail for murder. His bail is set at $2,000,000.00.
Major Crimes Detectives will continue to investigate the murder of Giovani Vega. Anyone with information regarding the murder of Giovanni Vega is asked to call Major Crimes Detective Steven Ramirez at (805) 385-7760. You can also provide information anonymously by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.
DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 1, 2017 at 9 a.m.
Arevalo being taken into custody
Booking photo of Arevalo (courtesy of SJCADC)
Booking photo of Minister (OPD)