NEWS RELEASE
DATE: November 28th, 2023 approximately 4:00 PM
SUBJECT: Gang Members Arrested for Stolen Vehicle Pursuit and Firearms Possession
LOCATION: Rose Ave. and Gonzales Rd.
SUSPECTS: Juan Manuel Rivera, 23-year-old Oxnard Resident
Fernando Ocampo, 22-year-old Ventura Resident
John Nickolous Delarosa, 19-year-old Ventura Resident
Josue Ortiz-Chavez, 21-year-old Ventura Resident
CONTACT: Detective Michael Blanchard, Auto Theft Detective
(805) 385-7760, mike.blanchard@oxnardpd.org
On November 28th, 2023, at approximately 4:00 PM, members of the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force (VenCATT) located a Honda Pilot that had been previously reported stolen in the City of Oxnard in the area of Rose Ave. and Gonzales Rd. Uniformed officers with the Oxnard Police Department attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver of the vehicle failed to yield and led officers on a short pursuit through North Oxnard. The suspect stopped in a cul-de-sac, and all four occupants fled from the vehicle on foot. All four suspects from the vehicle were located nearby and taken into custody. During a search of the stolen vehicle, a loaded AR-15 style 9mm pistol was located.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Juan Manuel Rivera, a convicted felon who is currently on PRCS (Post Release Community Supervision) for a previous firearm possession-related offense. The passengers in the vehicle were identified as Fernando Ocampo, a convicted felon and on PRCS (Post Release Community Supervision) for a previous firearms possession-related offense. Josue Ortiz-Chavez, a convicted felon who is currently on probation for a previous firearms possession-related offense, and John Delarosa. Ocampo and Ortiz-Chavez also had outstanding warrants for their arrest. All four subjects are also documented criminal street gang members in Ventura County.
The Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force is comprised of detectives and investigators from allied agencies throughout Ventura County. The primary goal of VenCATT is combating auto theft throughout the county, as auto theft is often inter-jurisdictional. Countywide, there has been an increase in stolen vehicles, with Honda, Chevrolet, Kia, and Hyundai vehicles being specifically targeted. Residents of Ventura County are reminded to lock their vehicles, remove keys (including valet keys), and park in well-lit areas to help combat this rise in thefts. As always, members of the public can report suspicious vehicle-related activity to VenCATT at (805) 662-2640.
Anyone with information or video 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 at www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.”
Commander Steve Trickle
Oxnard Police Department
Patrol Watch Commander
805-385-7600