On October 12, 2022, Sheriff’s Gang Unit (SGU) and Ventura Police Department personnel arrested John Picarelli for multiple felony violations. Picarelli led police on a vehicle pursuit in the Ventura and Santa Paula areas, he broke into a Ventura residence and barricaded before surrendering, and was found to be unlawfully in possession of multiple firearms.
In early October 2022, SGU detectives conducted a firearm investigation of John Picarelli, who is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition due to a previous felony conviction. Detectives obtained a search warrant for Picarelli and his vehicle.
On October 12, 2022, at approximately 1200 hours, SGU detectives located Picarelli in his vehicle in the 11000 block of W. Telegraph Road in Ventura. Detectives attempted to detain Picarelli to execute the search warrant, but he sped away and crashed into an unmarked police vehicle. Detectives and officers went in pursuit of Picarelli, who drove to Santa Paula and returned to Ventura. Picarelli subsequently crashed his vehicle and fled on foot inside an apartment complex near the 10900 block of Telegraph Road in Ventura. Picarelli broke into an apartment and barricaded himself. Detectives and officers, with the assistance of a Sheriff’s helicopter, maintained a perimeter and secured the scene until additional resources responded.
Ventura Police Department Tactical Negotiating Unit, and SWAT officers took over the barricaded suspect scene. After an approximate hour stand-off, Ventura Police Department officers successfully took Picarelli into custody without incident.
Additionally, Sheriff’s Office personnel searched Picarelli’s vehicle pursuant to the search warrant and located multiple illegal firearms, ammunition, and miscellaneous assault rifle parts. The firearms included an illegal semi-automatic “ghost gun” and an illegal “sawed-off” shotgun with an obliterated serial number.
Picarelli was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility for several violations, including felony assault, felony evading, burglary, and various firearm and ammunition violations.
On October 14, 2022, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed multiple felony charges against Picarelli and he remains in jail custody.
The Sheriff’s Gang Unit is comprised of eight detectives, who focus on protecting West County communities by actively investigating illegal firearm activities. The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase of unlawful firearm activities in Ventura County, including illegal “ghost guns”. If you have any information about illegal weapons in the West County areas in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, please contact Detective Sergeant Beau Rodriguez at 805-767-0360.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank members of the public for their on-going support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes. We are better at what we do because of our community partnerships.
Join us in the fight on crime by following us on Twitter @VENTURASHERIFF, Facebook, Instagram @ VCSHERIFF, and with Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777 to receive local law enforcement and public safety alerts and advisories.
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