On the afternoon of October 16th, the tranquility of an Oxnard neighborhood was disrupted when a documented gang member led police on a chase that prematurely ended in a residential burglary and handgun possession arrest. Luis Orozco, a 40-year-old Oxnard resident, whose name now headlines local crime reports, became the subject of police pursuit following a routine traffic stop due to a vehicle code infraction in the 300 block of La Canada, as detailed by the Oxnard Police Department in a news release.
The sequence of events that unfolded next vividly illustrates the nature of unexpected hazards police can encounter. Upon the vehicle slowing, Orozco alleged to quickly eject from the car, clutching his waistband, and scaling a fence into a yard. While officers engaged the remaining passengers, an extensive manhunt ensued. It was in the heat of this chase that a .45 caliber handgun, discarded presumably by Orozco, was discovered, prompting immediate lockdowns at nearby schools, as reported by the Oxnard Police Department.
Orozco, known to the authorities as a member of a criminal street gang, was no stranger to the law with a history laden with felony charges for firearms and narcotics possession. According to Sergeant Bakari Myers, "SWAT officers broadcasted additional surrender commands and use of force warnings to Orozco from the robot and Orozco ultimately surrendered," as stated by the Oxnard Police Department. He was charged again with multiple felony firearms violations, burglary, and resisting arrest.
In alignment with their ongoing commitment to staunch the flow of gang-related violence and criminal activity, the Oxnard Police Department urges the community to contribute any relevant information. Tips can be sent through the Oxnard Police Department's website or anonymously via Ventura County Crime Stoppers.
