by Cindy Summers
Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura Police Department and are not the opinions of the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Felon in Possession of an Assault Weapon arrest
On April 12, at approximately 8am, Ventura Police Department patrol officers stopped a vehicle driven by 27 year old Ventura resident Salvador Gutierrez for a traffic violation. It was determined that Gutierrez did not have a valid driver’s license and his vehicle was to be impounded.
Officers conducted an inventory search of the vehicle and located an assault type rifle in the back seat. A records check of this firearm confirmed that it had been reported stolen a month earlier from a self-storage facility in Ventura. Several other firearms were also stolen and had not been recovered.
Gutierrez was arrested for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possession of stolen property.
Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit detectives obtained a search warrant for Gutierrez’ residence and an additional vehicle in the 200 block of E Warner in Ventura.
Detectives served the search warrant and located several gun parts and ammunition that had been confirmed stolen inside Gutierrez’ bedroom. Inside his additional vehicle, a large moving type box-truck, 11 additional firearms and ammunition was located. Detectives also found a large quantity of baseball cards, comic books, and other collectable memorabilia that was determined to have been stolen from a second victim’s self-storage facility in Ventura.
Violation of Post Release Offender, Obstructing a Police Officer
On April 15, at approximately 7pm, a Ventura Police Officer assigned to work in the emergency room at the Ventura County Medical Center, 3291 Loma Vista Rd., contacted the suspect, later identified as 39 year old Port Hueneme Resident James Gayton, disturbing inside the emergency room lobby. As a precaution to assure the safety of the other people waiting inside the lobby, the officer escorted Gayton into the secured emergency room. Once inside the emergency room, Gayton became violent and picked up a chair in a threatening manner. The officer deployed her taser and with the assistance of ER nursing staff, Gayton was taken into custody.
Carrying a Loaded and Concealed Firearm, Resisting Arrest and Warrant
April 15, at approximately 7:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a male subject walking the 1200 block of Victoria Ave, who was carrying a gun that was concealed in his clothing. It was also reported the armed subject was walking with two other individuals. Several officers were already in the area investigating a separate call involving a possible armed subject on a bike, and responded to the call.
A Ventura Police Department K-9 unit arrived on scene and saw the three subjects, one matching the description of the armed subject, walking near the intersection of Cypress Point and Telephone Rd. As the K-9 officer stopped to detain them, the suspect, later identified as a 16-year-old juvenile male resident of Ventura, fled into a nearby apartment complex, with numerous residents and children in the area. The officer, and his K-9 partner, pursued the suspect who refused orders to stop running. The K-9 was deployed and apprehended the suspect as he attempted to climb a wall. During a search of the area, a loaded handgun was found in the bushes, near where the suspect was taken into custody. Additional ammunition was found in the suspect’s possession.
The two other subjects were detained and released from the scene.
Man with a Gun
On April 20, at approximately 1:40am, the above date and time, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from a caller reporting a male heard yelling for someone to “call the police” in the 2800 block of Pierpont Blvd. While officers were responding to the call, additional callers reported hearing a gunshot being fired.
When officers arrived on scene, they encounter the 52-year-old male resident of Ventura standing in the middle of the street, armed with a large caliber handgun. He was standing in front of his residence. Officers made verbal contact with the male and safely detained him without further incident.
The investigation revealed that he did fire one round from the handgun into the wall of his backyard, after he reported seeing someone prowling outside of his residence and tampering with his vehicle.He was ultimately transported to Ventura County Mental Health for an evaluation.
Attempted Suicide
On April 20, at approximately 3pm, patrol officers were hailed by a citizen who reported that while she was driving in the 1800 block of Harbor Blvd., a female attempted to jump in front of her vehicle as she drove past her. Officers began checking the area, when they observed the female, later identified as a 37-year-old, leave the shoulder of the roadway and jump in front of a passing vehicle. The female was struck and thrown over the vehicle.
Officers immediately began rendering add to the female until Ventura City Fire and AMR personnel arrived on scene. She was transported to VCMC and admitted in critical condition.
The investigation determined the female intentionally jumped in front of the vehicle in an attempt to harm herself.
Possession of a Firearm in a School Zone, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon on Campus
On April 21, at approximately 12:30pm, the Ventura Police School Resource Officer assigned to Buena High School was notified by school staff that a student was possibly on campus with a firearm. As a precaution, the school was immediately placed on lockdown while officers and school security searched for the student. The student, a 16-year-old junior Ventura resident, was found at his vehicle which was parked in the school parking lot and detained. A search of his vehicle revealed an unloaded rifle and ammunition, in additional to a knife and brass knuckles.
During the investigation officers learned the student got upset at his teacher for not being allowed to use the restroom, and made mention to a gun as he left the classroom. The teacher notified administrative staff and the School Resource Officer.
The student was arrested for possession of a firearm in a school zone and possession of a dangerous weapon on campus. He was lodged into the Ventura County Juvenile Hall.
