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According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sr. Deputy Steve Krupnik, the investigation into gang-related graffiti which continues to plague several of the area’s communities is conducted by the VCSD’s Special Enforcement Unit. At the Camarillo substation, this is a team “comprised of a sergeant and four detectives” tasked with suppressing graffiti vandalism as well as dealing with “illegal firearms and gang-related crimes.”
Because spray painting gang “markers” is an obvious indication of other criminal activity, graffiti is a serious offense that generates a formidable law enforcement response.
Proof of that came on December 31, 2023 as Camarillo Special Enforcement detectives were alerted to “multiple fresh graffiti vandalisms” which the cops immediately recognized as the work of 24-year-old Oxnard resident Juan Bejar. The ensuing investigation into Bejar’s activities led to the issuance of a search warrant on Bejar’s residence.
That warrant was served on the morning of January 18th , but it was not well received by two females within the residence who refused to open the door. That’s not only a questionable reaction to a lawful police order, but it proved pointless as the detectives “utilized tools to breach the door” and promptly entered the premises.
While Juan Bejar himself “immediately complied” and was taken into custody, 29-year-old Vanessa Bejar and 60-year-old Sofia Escobar “willfully refused to exit the residence” and were themselves detained and taken into custody.
All three suspects were transported to Ventura County Jail, where Juan Bejar was charged with felony vandalism with a gang enhancement. Vanessa Bejar and Escobar were charged with resisting, obstructing, and delaying a peace officer. The females were released on their own recognizance with a future court date while Juan Bejar remains in custody on a no-bail hold.
