Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: Kuehner Drive at the 118 Freeway, Simi Valley
Date & Time: November 18, 2009, 6:00 P.M.
Unit Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Unit, Simi Valley Police Department Narcotics Unit, and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office

(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (W)itnesses City of residence Age
Adrian Mayorga Palmdale 32
Eric Santellan Pacoima 22
Jose Lomeli Pacoima 29
Francisco Garrido Palmdale 22

On 11-18-09, the Sheriff’s East County Narcotics Street Team, the Simi Valley Police Department’s Narcotic Unit, and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office concluded a month long heroin sales investigation. Investigators received information that Adrian Mayorga was distributing large amounts of heroin in the San Fernando Valley and the City of Simi Valley. In addition, investigators learned Mayorga was trying to sell a stolen handgun. Investigators suspected this stolen handgun was used in a home invasion robbery in the Woodland Hills area, which occurred on October 5th, 2009. During this home invasion robbery, a victim was shot and seriously wounded. The home invasion robbery is suspected to be drug related.

On 11-18-2009, investigators took Adrian Mayorga, Eric Santellan, Jose Lomeli and Francisco Garrido into custody as they were trying to sell 2 ounces of heroin and a loaded, stolen handgun. Sheriff’s investigators are working with the Los Angeles Police Department to confirm the recovered handgun was in fact used in the home invasion robbery. All four suspects were booked into the Pre-Trial Detention Facility for heroin sales, with a special allegation that the group was armed with a loaded firearm. The four suspects will be arraigned in the Ventura County Superior Court on 11-20-2009.