Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 2600 block of Balboa St., El Rio
Date & Time: 2-5-2009
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit

Suspects Charge, City of residence, Age
Horacio Morales Attempt murder/Robbery Oxnard 18
Martin Cervantez Attempt murder/Robbery Oxnard 19
Male Juvenile Attempt murder/Robbery Oxnard 15
Gustavo Vargas Attempt murder/Robbery Oxnard 18

Outstanding Suspects
Eduardo Heredia 19 yrs old, Hispanic male 5’10” 140 pounds

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Gang Unit arrested a fourth suspect for the attempt murder and robbery of two juveniles in the unincorporated area of El Rio.

On 1-6-2009, Three male juveniles, ages 15 to 16, were walking in the 2600 block of Balboa St., El Rio. They were approached by five males who identified themselves as Oxnard gang members. The five suspects began removing money and property from the juvenile victims. One of the suspects obtained a knife and stabbed two of the three juvenile victims. One of the victims suffered a stab wound to the arm and the second suffered a stab wound to the abdomen. All five suspects fled after the incident. The victims were transported to the hospital and treated for their wounds.

Ventura County Sheriff and Oxnard gang investigators were able to identify all five of the suspects. On 1-30-2009, they arrested two of the suspects in the 1200 block of Fuschia, Oxnard, and arrested the third at a local continuation high school. A search of their residence found evidence of the crime.

On 2-5-2009, Sheriff’s Gang Unit investigators arrested Gustavo Vargas, 18 yrs, as he reported to his probation officer in the City of Oxnard. Gang investigators from both agencies are looking for the last outstanding suspect who is identified as Eduardo Heredia,19 yrs.

Horacio Morales is being held in custody on $305,000 bail, Martin Cervantes is being held in custody on $1,170,000 bail, Gustavo Vargas is being held in custody on $500,000 bail, and the male juvenile is being held on $300,000 bail.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the outstanding suspect is asked to call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department or the Oxnard Police Department.