OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Warrant Arrest
DATE/TIME:	February 17, 2018 / 12:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	300 block of W. Channel Islands Blvd, Pt. Hueneme
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Gary Meza, 36 years, Oxnard resident Frank Duran, 31 years, Oxnard resident Misty Lopez, 37 years, Oxnard resident Emmanuel Estrella, 26 years, Oxnard resident Lauren Evans, 26 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Rick Marquez, Sergeant rick.marquez@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND  CONTACT INFO:	Christopher Williams, Commander Christopher.williams@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-8290

DETAILS:

On February 17, at approximately 12:30 a.m., officers from the Special Enforcement Unit attempted to contact a wanted subject in the 300 block of west Channel Islands Blvd in Port Hueneme. Gary Meza, who was walking with an unidentified male, was wanted for an outstanding felony warrant and two outstanding misdemeanor warrants. As officers approached Meza, he and the unidentified male fled into a hotel room at the Casa Via Mar Inn. Additional officers responded and attempted to establish contact with the subjects for over two hours without success.

Members of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) and K-9 Unit responded to assist. Officers continued to try and establish communication with Meza and his companion and instructed them both to exit the hotel room. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to gain the cooperation of Meza and his partner, Violent Crimes Unit detectives authored a search warrant for the hotel room.

After a six hour stand-off, SWAT officers forced the hotel room door open. Meza immediately complied with officers and he was taken into custody without incident. Four additional subjects were found inside the room. Emmanuel Estrella was arrested for a violation of probation under the Post Release Offender program. Frank Duran, a documented gang member, and Lauren Evans were arrested for delaying a peace officer in the performance of their duties. Misty Lopez was arrested for a violation of parole. Gary Meza was arrested for his outstanding warrants and for a violation of probation under the Post Release Offender program. Meza is also a documented gang member.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city.  Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or you can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  February 17, 2018 / 1100 hours