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Arrest of Carjacking Suspects
By Ventura County Sheriff Department — Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
 Ventura County Sheriff's Department On 9-27-2010, at about 8:55 p.m., Ventura County Sheriff’s Department patrol deputies responded to a report of a carjacking at Alelia Ave. and Azahar St., in the unincorporated area of Saticoy. When they arrived, they spoke with a male pizza delivery driver. The victim stated that he was delivering a pizza to an address in the 1200 block of Alelia Ave. As he was taking the pizza out of his trunk, he was assaulted by three unknown Hispanic males. The suspects stole the victim’s car and fled before deputies arrived. The victim’s car was later found crashed and abandoned about a mile away. At about 11:45 p.m., patrol deputies stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. The car was being driven by 29 year old Karen Serrato. Also in the car were two juveniles and one adult, all gang members. The two juvenile gang members matched the description of two of the carjacking suspects and they were arrested. During the stop, Serrato gave a statement to the police and claimed to be with the three gang members around the time of the crime. She stated that they were all at her house until just prior to being stopped by the police. The two juveniles that were arrested were later released. On 9-29-2010, gang investigators developed information that the suspects in Serrato’s car had committed the carjacking. Based on that information, investigators obtained a search warrant for Serrato’s residence in the 1000 block of Los Angeles Ave., Saticoy. When deputies served the warrant, they questioned Serrato. She gave inconsistent statements but maintained that the people in her car were at her house around the time of the crime. Investigators had obtained enough evidence to show that Serrato was giving false information and arrested her for being an accessory after the fact by providing an alibi for the suspects. On 9-30-2010, gang investigators identified a 13 year old male gang member as a suspect. He was arrested for carjacking and street terrorism and lodged into juvenile hall. Over the next two days, gang investigators served five additional search warrants and arrested three more suspects. They included 20 year old Sergio Alvarez, 19 year old Jose Puga, and a 17 year old male. All were arrested for carjacking and street terrorism. The two male juveniles remain in custody at juvenile hall without bail. Jose Puga remains in custody on $210,000 bail, Sergio Alvarez remains in custody on $105,000 bail, and Karen Serrato remains in custody on $120,000 bail. The victim suffered only minor injuries. Report Number: Date & Time: (S3) Alvarez, Sergio (Carjacking, Street Terrorism Saticoy, Ca. 20 (S4) Male Juvenile (Carjacking, Street Terrorism) Saticoy, Ca 17 (S5) Male Juvenile (Carjacking, Street Terrorism) Saticoy, Ca 13 Deputy Preparing Media Release: |
