Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Location: 100-block of West Los Angeles Avenue / Moorpark, Ca. 93021
Date & Time/ RB#: May 10, 2009 @ 9:40 p.m. / 09-11543
Unit Responsible: East County Major Crimes Unit

On May 10, 2009, 27-year-old Reynaldo Munoz, who is a documented member of “MPLS,” a Moorpark street gang, nearly died of multiple stab wounds he suffered during a confrontation with rival gang members from Simi Valley.

Two Varrio Simi Valley “VSV” gang members confronted Munoz in the parking lot of a shopping center and challenged him to fight. Munoz accepted the challenge and confronted the pair with a shovel. Munoz didn’t realize there was a larger group of VSV members nearby. They joined the melee, and Munoz was left bleeding on the ground with 14 stab wounds on his head, face, and torso.

Had deputies not been nearby, Munoz would have bled to death. Since the incident, significant physical evidence and exhaustive investigation has led to the identification of 12 people who participated in this crime. Nine have been arrested so far, but three are still outstanding.

The following suspects are wanted for attempted murder, 664/187 PC and street terrorism, 186.22 PC:

Israel Rudy Esparza, 22
Unidentified male, 16

The following suspect is wanted for accessory after the fact, 32 PC and street terrorism, 186.22 PC:

Erik Michael Burch, 27

The following suspects have been arrested for attempted murder, 664/187 PC and street terrorism, 186.22 PC:

James Anthony Hodgkins, 24
Turk Rangel, 18
Gabriel Hernandez, 19
Efren Roman Esparza, 25
Michael Alfred Roman, 29

The following suspects have been arrested for accessory after the fact, 32 PC and street terrorism, 186.22 PC:

Victor Manuel Loza, 19
Taylor Theodore Rangel, 21
Angela Priscilla Kemps, 28
Richard Daniel Arvizo, 27

Last week, investigators served several search warrants at locations in Simi Valley and Los Angeles. The multi-agency operation netted three of the arrests, as well as additional evidence.

Anyone with information about the three outstanding suspects is asked to contact Detective Allen Devers at (805)494-8222.

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).