NEWS RELEASE
DATE: March 28th, 2024 (5:52 p.m.)
SUBJECT: Vehicle Pursuit Ends with Arrest of Documented Gang Member in Possession of Firearms
SUSPECTS: Ruben Romero, 24-year-old Oxnard resident
LOCATION: 3000 blk. Merced Pl., Oxnard
CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant
(805) 797-6202 | bakari.myers@Oxnardpd.org
On March 28th, at approximately 5:52 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a vehicle code infraction. The vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle traveled east on Channel Islands Blvd. and then south on Rice Ave. before returning to the Diamond Bar neighborhood where the pursuit concluded. Officers conducted a high risk stop on the vehicle and removed the occupants without incident. Officer checked the area where the pursuit began and located two loaded unregistered semi-automatic handguns that had been discarded from the vehicle. The driver, identified as Ruben Romero, was charged with reckless evading and firearm possession. Romero was also charged with child endangerment for having the juvenile passengers in the vehicle during the pursuit. Romero is a documented criminal street gang member with a prior felony firearms conviction. The adult and two juvenile passengers were released from the scene.
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 this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. 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.