Deputies arrest gang members for multiple robberies in Ventura County

VENTURA, Calif. -- Detectives arrested four people involved in multiple robberies going back since November 2019 in Ventura County.

Ventura County Sheriff's deputies arrested four gang members for robberies going back since November in Oxnard and Ventura.

During the month of November 2019, detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff Gang Unit began investigating a series of robberies that occurred in the communities of Oak View, Silver Strand Beach and the cities of Oxnard and Ventura.

Sheriff's Gang Unit detectives worked with Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit and learned that the suspects were all Oxnard criminal street gang members.

Through the investigation, detectives learned the gang focused on committing robberies using firearms, weapons and often focused on persons less likely to report crimes to law enforcement.

On November 1 around 11:30 p.m., Ojai Valley Patrol Station deputies responded to the 800 block of North Ventura Avenue in Oak View in reference to a vandalism.

In their investigation, deputies learned of a possible armed robbery had been committed just prior to the vandalism.

The Gang unit detectives were able to locate a victim at a later time and confirmed an armed robbery occurred in which several hundred dollars were taken.

On November 3, around 11:40 a.m., deputies assigned to the West County Patrol Station responded to the Corner Store located in Silver Strand beach community.

Two male suspects, wearing masks, entered the store armed with a baseball bat and took more than $2000 in money, alcohol, tobacco products and lottery tickets from an elderly clerk.

On November 4 around 1:34 p.m., Oxnard Police Department officers responded to Del's Pizza at 620 South Oxnard Boulevard in Oxnard in reference to an armed robbery.

A suspect entered the restaurant armed with a firearm and demanded money before fleeing.

During the investigation, detectives were able to identify Danny Jacuinde, 22, Oxnard, Kevin Andrade, 19, Port Hueneme and a 17-year-old teen, Oxnard, as suspects in the Corner Store robbery.

On November 8 and 9, Andrade, Jacuinde and the 17-year-old teen were taken into custody for the Corner Store robbery.

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office filed robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime and street terrorism charges on the three suspects.

On December 12, detectives served a search warrant and took Jovany Cervantes, 21, Oxnard into custody for the Oak View robbery/vandalism.

Weapons were located at Cervantes residence, including a semi-automatic handgun, believed to be unlawfully obtained.

Cervantes was charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, unlawful transfer of a firearm and possession of metal knuckles.

Cervantes was booked at the Ventura County Jail.

Cervantes bail was set at $250,000.

On Friday, Andrade and Jacuinde were also arrested for the Oak View robbery and vandalism for robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, street terrorism, vandalism and participation in a criminal street gang.

Andrade and Jacuinde's bail was set at $500,000.

Detectives identified Jacuinde as the suspect in the Del's Pizza robbery, investigators have submitted the case to the District Attorney's Office for filing.

Detectives expect additional robbery related arrests in the near future.

The investigation resulted in numerous residential search warrants, a total of eight people have been arrested along with seizures of carious weapons, narcotics and gang indicia.

Sheriff's Gang Unit investigators are still looking into other robberies believed to have been committed by members of this gang.

Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact detectives or their local police department.