Full Notification

On June 21, 2023, at approximately 5:07 p.m., Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) officers responded to reports of a shooting at the River Ranch Apartments, located at 1546 Patricia Avenue near the wash. Officers arrived on scene and located the victim, who was suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound while seated on the curb.

Following an extensive investigation, SVPD Detectives identified and arrested 42-year-old Simi Valley resident Anthony Romero for multiple felony charges, including:

• 245(a)(2) PC – Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
• 29800(a)(1) PC – Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• 30305(a)(1) PC – Prohibited Person in Possession of Firearm/Ammunition

Between March and June 2023, SVPD officers observed a noticeable increase in gun-related incidents and arrests connected to the West Side Locos criminal street gang. Firearms were recovered at a local school, during traffic stops, and through enforcement actions involving probationers and parolees in Simi Valley.

During the Romero investigation, detectives learned he was residing in both Texas and California. Information developed showed Romero was purchasing firearms in Texas and transporting them into California. This intelligence was shared with the Irving Police Department (Texas), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Office, and the ATF Los Angeles Field Office.

A joint investigation revealed that Romero, a convicted felon, was illegally purchasing multiple firearms in Texas and trafficking them through New Mexico and Arizona before delivering them to California. Once in California, Romero distributed the firearms to members and associates of the West Side Locos gang.

The case was presented to a Federal Grand Jury in Texas, which authorized a search warrant for Romero’s Texas residence. During the warrant service, additional illegal firearms were seized. Romero was later arrested in Simi Valley after the Grand Jury indictment and extradited to Texas.

Romero pled guilty to several federal firearms violations. On July 15, 2025, he was sentenced to nine years in Federal Prison.
Romero has been well-known to the Simi Valley Police Department since 1997. He is a documented member of the West Side Locos gang, with an extensive criminal history that includes multiple arrests and lengthy prison terms for gang-related crimes. Despite prior incarcerations, Romero has remained an active participant in the gang.

The Simi Valley Police Department is committed to working with its law enforcement partners to investigate and dismantle criminal networks trafficking firearms in our community. It is equally grateful for the diligence of our community members in reporting criminal activity.