Earlier this month, investigators from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Special Crimes Unit had intelligence that Juan Castillo, Michael Cantero and Esteban Oseguera were involved in a county wide theft ring. Cantero was on parole for attempted residential burglary and had recently bailed out of jail for a narcotic related arrest. Castillo and Oseguera had been arrested for similar crimes on November 13, 2014. Both were out on bail pending trial.

On December 8, 2014, at about 5:00 am, a uniformed deputy attempted to stop a stolen vehicle in the City of Ventura. The vehicle was occupied by two males and had been reported stolen the previous day in Santa Barbara County. During the stop, the male passenger ran from the vehicle and avoided capture. The driver, Esteban Oseguera, was arrested. Deputies searched the car and found numerous items that had been stolen earlier in the morning from unlocked vehicles in the City of Camarillo. Oseguera was arrested for Auto Theft and Possession of Stolen Property. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail.

On December 17th, 2014, at about 5:00 am, investigators stopped Castillo and Cantero as they left the Spanish Hills neighborhood of Camarillo. Investigators searched the car and found several items, including a handgun, that had been stolen from various unlocked vehicles in Spanish Hills. Investigators also recovered stolen property from vehicle thefts in Ojai, Ventura and Los Angeles reported over the previous several months.

Cantero and Castillo were arrested for various property and weapons related charges. Both remain in custody on $500,000 bail.

Based on recovered stolen property and suspect statements, investigators believe the suspects are responsible for hundreds of vehicle thefts and stolen vehicles over the last 6 months. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to lock their vehicles at night and remove all valuables.

Nature of Incident: Serial Theft Ring Arrested
Report Number: Numerous
Location: Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties
Date & Time: 12-17-2014
Unit(s) Responsible: Special Crimes Unit, Narcotics Unit, Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit, Headquarters Patrol
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
Juan Castillo Santa Paula 34
Michael Cantero Santa Paula 30
Esteban Oseguera Santa Paula 25
Prepared by: Sergeant Bill Schierman
Media Release Date: December 19, 2014
Follow-Up Contact: Captain Don Aguilar, (805) 797-7349
Sergeant Denise Sliva, (805) 947-9258
Approved by: Captain Curt Rothschiller

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 800-222-TIPS (8477).