NEWS RELEASE
DATE: June 29, 2021, 5:45 P.M.
SUBJECT: Subject Arrested For Possession of a Firearm, Short Barreled AR-15 Rifle
LOCATION: 100 block East Gonzales Road
CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant
(805) 385-7600 | martin.cook@oxnardpd.org
On June 29, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) and Patrol Division conducted a traffic stop of a grey Honda Civic in the 100 block of East Gonzales Road for a vehicle code violation. Officers contacted Oxnard resident Arnulfo Celis (27yrs) in the vehicle. During the officer’s contact with Celis, Ventura Police Department’s K-9 Unit assisted at the traffic stop. The Ventura Police K-9 has been trained in the detection of firearms and explosive materials. The K-9 alerted on Celis’ vehicle, and Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit authored a search warrant for Celis’ Honda Civic.
During the subsequent search of Celis’ vehicle pursuant to the search warrant, a short barreled AR-15 style rifle with a high capacity magazine were located in the passenger compartment concealed in a duffle bag. The rifle was un-serialized, unregistered and found to be an 80% lower receiver that was finished into a functioning firearm. 80% AR-15 lower receivers are commercially sold incomplete and without serial numbers; they must be further manufactured to make them functioning firearms and serialized. Celis was arrested for various felony firearms related charges.
The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.