Moorpark Police Department Arrests Barricaded Subject
September 18, 2025 – Ventura County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on September 16, 2025, at approximately 
7:28 p.m., Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies and detectives responded to a residence in Moorpark following an earlier incident involving Ernesto Gonzales.
Detectives had identified Gonzales as the suspect from an earlier disturbance at a local business. Deputies went to Gonzales’ residence, located in the 6400 block of Westwood Street in Moorpark, to serve a no trespass notice related to the earlier disturbance. When deputies made contact with Gonzales at the front door, he brandished a handgun and pointed it at the deputies. The deputies immediately retreated to a position of cover and requested additional law enforcement resources. A shelter in place notice was issued during the incident to ensure the safety of those in the area while the situation was being resolved by law enforcement personnel.
The Sheriff’s SWAT team and listed specialized units responded to the scene. Over the course of the incident, deputies made several attempts to deescalate the incident by attempting to talk to Gonzales, advise him he was under arrest, and to exit the house unarmed. Gonzales refused to exit his residence. After several hours, deputies from the Sheriff’s SWAT team utilized a less-lethal option through a bedroom window, which prompted Gonzales to surrender without further incident.
Gonzales was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Main Jail for violations of Penal Code 69 (Resisting an Executive Officer) and Penal Code 417.4 (Brandishing an Imitation Firearm at a Peace Officer).
A search warrant was issued for Gonzales’ residence. During the search of the residence, a black pellet gun was discovered in Gonzales’ bedroom. The pellet gun resembles a real handgun (refer to the photo above). The pellet gun was collected as evidence.
This was an isolated incident involving a single individual and there is no ongoing public safety threat to the area. The shelter in place notice was removed after Gonzales was taken into custody.
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Nature of Incident: |
Moorpark Police Department Arrests Barricaded Subject |
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Report Number: |
25-118867 |
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Location: |
6400 block of Westwood Street |
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Date & Time: |
9/16/2025 |
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Unit(s) Responsible: |
Moorpark Patrol Services |
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(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age |
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(S) Ernesto Gonzales |
Moorpark, CA |
34 |
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information, which leads to 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
