News Release
On September 8, at approximately 4:21 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at the intersection of Vineyard Ave. and Kentia St. Officers contacted the driver who was identified as Eduardo Arreola. As officers contacted Arreola regarding the traffic violations, Arreola sped away from the officers and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit traveled through the Sierra Linda and Fremont North neighborhoods. During the pursuit three passengers fled from the vehicle. One of the passengers, identified as Marisela Suarez, was apprehended on Ventura Rd. north of Gonzales Rd.
Suspect Arreola continued to attempt to evade officers until his vehicle became disabled on Kelp Ln. north of Wooley Rd. Arreola was taken into custody at the conclusion of the pursuit without incident, and charged with felony evading. The Oxnard Police Dispatch Center received a call from a resident that observed one of the passengers discard a handgun from the vehicle during the pursuit. Officers interviewed the resident and also recovered video that showed the handgun being tossed from Arreola’s vehicle.
Marisela Suarez was identified as the suspect that discarded the handgun from the vehicle. Upon further inspection of the firearm, officers determined it was a loaded 9-millimeter, Glock-style, Polymer 80, un-serialized, semi-automatic handgun. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. This Polymer 80 handgun was modified with a threaded pistol barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, or silencer and fit the definition of “assault weapon”, an additional felony. Suarez was searched incident to her arrest and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Arreola was charged with reckless evading and Suarez was charged with firearm and narcotics violations. Arreola and Suarez were booked into Ventura County Jail.
The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.
