Photo: Ricardo Salvador Martinez and Bianca Ruby Cervantes
Ventura County – During the opening weeks of September, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department detectives attached to the Fillmore Investigative Unit were on the hunt for 18-year-old Santa Paula resident Ricardo Salvador Martinez, who was sought in connection with an unsolved stolen vehicle case.
According to VCSD spokesman Sgt. Vince Alvarez, it wasn’t until September 18th that the cops got a warm lead and information that Martinez was holed up in “a garage in a condominium complex” in Santa Paula. In addition to the stolen vehicle case, detectives also sought Martinez on “an active warrant for his arrest for criminal threats.”
When detectives located the garage in question, they patiently “monitored the location.” During their surveillance, the cops spotted 21-year-old Santa Paula resident Bianca Ruby Cervantes as she exited the garage unit. Having had her own prior contacts with law enforcement throughout the local environs, Cervantes was immediately identified and contacted.
At this point, detectives took a look inside the car parked in the garage and found Martinez doing his best not to be seen. “He was quickly apprehended” and taken into custody. The ensuing examination of the vehicle revealed narcotics packaged for sale and a loaded handgun hidden inside.
Both Martinez and Cervantes were arrested and transported to Ventura County Jail, where they were booked on charges of possession of dangerous drugs while armed with a loaded firearm, possession of drugs for sale, and being under the influence of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm. Martinez was also charged on his warrant for criminal threats and battery.
Photos: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
