Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit arrested three suspects in connection to a carjacking that occurred last Sunday morning. The three are believed to be Oxnard gang members.

On 2-21-2010, at about 4:45 AM, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call of a carjacking in the unincorporated area of Nyeland Acres. During the initial investigation, deputies learned that at about 4:00 AM, a male suspect approached a parked vehicle in the 2900 block of Friedrich. The car was occupied by a male and female victim who were sleeping. The male suspect opened the driver’s door and began beating the male driver. The suspect ordered the female to get out of the car or he would kill her. When the female got out of the car, the suspect brandished a knife and ordered the male victim to drive him away.

The suspect had the male victim drive him around the unincorporated area of Oxnard for about 45 minutes. During the kidnapping, the suspect made several phone calls. While driving in the area of Alvarado and Ventura Blvd, El Rio, the male victim jumped out of the moving vehicle and escaped. Neither victim was hurt. The car was later found abandoned at Vineyard Ave and Ventura Blvd, Oxnard.

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit took over the case and was able to identify the male suspect as Jose Casillas. Gang Investigators believe that as Casillas drove the male victim around Oxnard, he called Marco Gutierrez. Investigators believe that Casillas told Gutierrez he had kidnapped the male victim and asked him for advice. Investigators believe that Gutierrez told Casillas to hold on to the male victim and drive him to Gutierrez’ house in the 2400 block of Colonia Ave, in Oxnard. The male victim was able to escape before Casillas made it to Gutierrez’ residence.

On Wednesday, gang investigators located Casillas and his brother, David Lopez, as they reported to their probation officer at the Oxnard probation office. They were found to be in possession of some of the victims stolen property and arrested. On Thursday, gang investigators contacted Marco Gutierrez as he left his residence and arrested him.

Throughout the investigation, gang investigators served several search warrants and recovered all of the victim’s stolen property. This included a stereo that had been stripped from the vehicle.

Jose Casillas was booked into the Ventura Jail on numerous charges including Carjacking, robbery, and kidnapping for the purpose of robbery. He remains in custody on $265,000 dollar bail. Marco Gutierrez was booked into the Ventura County Jail for conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He remains in custody on $105,000 dollars. David Lopez was booked into the Ventura County Jail for accessory after the fact and possession of stolen property. He remains in custody on $25,000 dollar bail.

RB#:10-4340

Location: 2900 Block Friedrich, Oxnard

Date & Time: 2-21-2010/0345

Unit Responsible: Gang Unit

Suspects Charge City of residence Age
1) Casillas, Jose Kidnap/Carjacking Oxnard 19
2) Gutierrez, Marco Kidnap/Carjacking Oxnard 18
3) Lopez, David Possession stolen Oxnard 21
Property/ Accessory

Officer Preparing Release: Sgt Schierman

Follow-up Contact: Sgt Schierman 654-2856

Date of Release: 2-26-2010

Approved by: Captain B. Norris