Juveniles Arrested for Illegal Firearm Violations 

October 18, 2023 - Ventura County Sheriff's Office officials report that on October 13, 2023, Ojai Patrol Station Deputies and the Sheriff’s Office West County Special Enforcement Unit (WC-SEU) detectives arrested four juveniles for various firearm, ammunition, negligent discharge of firearm, and marijuana violations after receiving a call for service of subject(s) shooting from a vehicle in the unincorporated area of Ojai.    

On October 13, 2023, at approximately 11:11 A.M., Ventura County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call transfer from the California Highway Patrol regarding juveniles observed shooting a handgun from a vehicle on Highway 150, Casitas Pass Road, in the unincorporated area of Ojai. The suspect vehicle was observed heading towards Ojai. Within a few minutes, an alert Ojai Patrol Deputy located the suspect vehicle travelling on Baldwin Road in the Ojai area.  Patrol deputies conducted a high-risk stop on the suspect vehicle on Santa Ana Road at Burnham Road in the Oak View area. Deputies determined the vehicle was occupied by four juveniles, who were in possession of various types of handgun ammunition, high-capacity ammunition magazines, and marijuana products.

Ojai Investigations Unit and WC-SEU detectives responded to assist with the investigation. Deputies and detectives subsequently located two semi-automatic “ghost guns” and spent bullet casings on the side of the road near the 1500 block of Baldwin Road where the patrol deputy initially observed the suspect vehicle.

All four juveniles were arrested for various firearm, ammunition, negligent discharge of firearm, conspiracy, and marijuana violations. They were lodged at the Juvenile Justice Center Facility in Oxnard.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.

The Ojai Police Station, located at 402 S. Ventura Street in the City of Ojai, provides quality police services to residents in the Ojai Valley.

The West County Special Enforcement Unit is comprised of eight detectives whose focus is assisting West County Patrol Stations with the investigation of various crimes including but not limited to violent crimes and illegal firearm activities.  The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase in illegal “ghost guns” in Ventura County. If you have any information about illegal weapons, please contact West County Special Enforcement Unit Sergeant Beau Rodriguez at 805-654-3551.    

Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.

Nature of Incident: Juveniles Arrested for Illegal Firearm Violations  

Report Number: 23-131708

Location: Ojai Unincorporated Area

Date & Time: October 13, 2023 @ 11:11 AM

Unit(s) Responsible: Ojai Patrol Services, Ojai Investigations Unit, and West County Special Enforcement Unit

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source & photo: Ventura County Sheriff's Office