Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Felony Gang Weapons Arrest Case: 090006941
Location: Muir Street @ Grand Avenue, Fillmore, California
Date & Time: 03/19/2009 @ 1:30 p.m.
Unit Responsible: Fillmore Patrol Station

Suspects, Address, Age:
Female Juvenile, Fillmore Ca. 17
Ruiz, Juan, Fillmore Ca., 20
Martinez-Torres, Alfredo, Fillmore Ca., 25

On 03/19/2009, at about 1:30 p.m., Ventura County Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy, Scott Duffner, took two Fillmore-area gang members into custody for felony possession of a firearm in a vehicle and possession of a dangerous weapon (police baton). A third suspect, gang member /fugitive Alfredo Martinez, fled the area of the traffic stop and escaped arrest. Martinez is considered to be dangerous and he is a wanted fugitive by the Federal Government for weapons charges.

Deputy Duffner attempted to stop the suspects’ Honda four-door sedan for traffic violations when the vehicle failed to yield on Telegraph Road in the City of Fillmore. The suspects continued to drive westbound out of the city and into the unincorporated rural area near Muir Street and Grand Avenue. Deputy Duffner suspected the suspects were organizing an attempt to escape.

Suddenly, while Deputy Duffner was still attempting to stop the vehicle, the rear passenger door opened. Alfredo Martinez-Torres leapt from the vehicle while it was still in motion and fled into a nearby orchard. Moments later, the 17 year-old female gang member then jumped out of the car and tried to run. Despite being outnumbered, Deputy Duffner took her into custody without incident and he was also able to control the vehicle’s driver, Juan Ruiz. Almost immediately, Deputy Duffner located a rifle, ammunition, and police baton hidden in the vehicle.

Additional deputies, including another K-9 unit and two helicopters, responded to the area and conducted an extensive two-hour search of the local orchards and the Sespe River area. Martinez-Torres was able to elude deputies, however, efforts continue to locate him and take him into custody.

This was the fifth illegal gun seized from gang members in less than a week by Fillmore deputies. The Fillmore Police Department maintains a zero tolerance posture toward gangrelated crime and will continue to pursue and arrest gang members for all violations. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and the Fillmore Police Department encourage all citizens to immediately report suspicious and criminal activity and support the effort to make the community free from crime.

Please call 9-1-1 if you see Alfredo Martinez-Torres (see attached photo) or know of his whereabouts.

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 (805) 524-0970.