Photo: Firearm and other evidence | Courtesy of VCSD Gang Unit
Ventura County, CA – Considering the frequency of arrests of individuals on firearms violations, one might wonder if it’s even remotely safe to drive down neighborhood streets to simply do one’s weekly grocery shopping.
That question comes to mind with yet another bust by the hyper-active Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Gang Unit (SGU) detectives pursuant to their month-long surveillance and investigatory efforts into the activities of Oxnard residents Cesar Guerrero, 24, and Marco Cerda, 23.
According to VCSD spokesman Senior Deputy Matt Smith, the SGU investigation in early December informed detectives that Guerrero—“a convicted felon on Ventura County Post Release Offender Status”—is prohibited from owning or possessing any firearm or ammunition. Their curiosity undoubted spiked by this awareness, on December 2, 2022, SGU detectives observed Guerrero as he sat in a vehicle driven by Cerda—who just happened to be the subject of an active felony arrest warrant.
Upon spotting the approaching cops, Cerda drove off at a high rate of speed rather than engage with them in what he undoubtedly realized would be a very difficult conversation. As these things frequently proceed, however, Cerda’s driving ability was not a match for his hubris and he promptly crashed the car. Undaunted and still unwilling to exchange Holiday greetings with the cops, both Cerda and Guerrero took off running.
Their footspeed was apparently no match for the stamina of the cops who “pursued them to a nearby open field” and promptly took both Cerda and Guerrero into custody.
The ensuing search of Cerda’s vehicle led to the discovering of a loaded “ghost gun” and “a small amount of fentanyl.” Both young men were transported to Ventura County Jail, where they were booked on “multiple firearm, narcotics, and traffic violations.” Guerrero’s bail was set at $250,000 while Cerda’s was set at $120,000.
Photo: Courtesy VCSD Gang Unit
by Robert L. McCullough
