Couple Busted for Brandishing, Firearm Possession, Conspiracy
By F. Scott Faulkner
Ventura County, CA — Abram Chavez Ortiz, 19, and Betzayra Rios Valencia, 21, both Ventura residents, were arrested on August 27, 2024, following an investigation into a firearm brandishing incident that occurred earlier in the month in the Oak View community, adjacent to the City of Ojai.
The investigation leading to their arrests began on August 12, 2024, when deputies
from the Ojai Patrol Station responded to a call reporting that a man had brandished a
semi-automatic handgun at an adult male victim in the 600 block of North Ventura
Avenue in Oak View.
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Beau Rodriguez,
“the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle driven by a female accomplice.” Shortly
afterward, deputies from the Headquarters Patrol Station located the suspect vehicle
near Solimar Beach in Ventura, with Valencia sitting behind the wheel, whereupon she
was taken into custody and transported to Ventura County Jail to be booked on charges
of brandishing, conspiracy, and accessory violations. She has since posted bail.
Over the ensuing two weeks, detectives continued their investigation and identified
Abram Chavez Ortiz as the male suspect who had earlier eluded authorities. On August
27, apparently not able to distance herself from him following her earlier arrest,
Valencia was surveilled and tracked to an Oxnard shopping center parking lot.
Detectives approached her vehicle and discovered her sitting in the car next to Ortiz
himself. Both Ortiz and Valencia were taken into custody and transported to Ventura
County Jail.
A subsequent search of the Ortiz and Valencia residences led to the discovery of live
ammunition and a replica firearm. Ortiz, prohibited from possessing firearms and
ammunition due to his criminal record, was booked on charges related to the outstanding warrant, brandishing, conspiracy, and ammunition violations. He is no longer in the custody of the Ventura County Sheriff’s. His bail was set at $30,000. Valencia was once again charged with conspiracy and accessory to a crime … and was once again released on bail.
