Authorities have made several arrests in connection with a stabbing that took place in El Rio last month. According to a media release by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred on the 2800 block of E. Vineyard Avenue and involved multiple known gang members.
The call that brought deputies to the crime scene came in at around 5:44 PM, August 19. The Sheriff’s Office's West County Special Enforcement Unit, alongside Major Crimes Bureau and Oxnard Police Department's Special Enforcement and Violent Crimes Units, managed to quickly identify and apprehend four suspects from Oxnard, including three adults and one juvenile. Detectives arrested the suspects, finding evidence related to the crime over a two-week period following the stabbing.
The adult suspects were identified as Sergio Contreras, Fabian Martin Ramirez, and Uzai Lopez, all 18 to 19 years old. They are currently facing a series of charges, including felony assault with a deadly weapon and street terrorism, as the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office reported. Their court dates are pending as they remain in custody.
Meanwhile, the District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple felony charges against the 15-year-old juvenile suspect in the Ventura County Juvenile Court system. This act to swiftly bring to justice those involved serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of community and law enforcement to address gang-related violence in the area.
The investigation into the stabbing is ongoing, and Sergeant Beau Rodriguez, who prepared the media release, emphasized the integral role of community partnerships in solving such crimes. Detective Steve Bibian, mentioned in the release, can be contacted with any information about the case at 805-677-8733.
For those wanting to help but wish to remain anonymous, Ventura County Crime Stoppers offers up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Tips can be shared by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477). The community is also encouraged to stay informed and engaged in crime prevention by following local law enforcement on social media and signing up for Nixle alerts.
