Community
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Juveniles Arrested for Graffiti Vandalism
| Nature of Incident: | Juveniles Arrested for Graffiti Vandalism | ||||
| Report Number: | 26-12428 | ||||
| Location: | Heritage Grove neighborhood, Fillmore | ||||
| Date & Time: | 02/19/2026, 6:07 PM | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore School Resource Deputies, Fillmore Detective Unit, West County Special Enforcement Unit, Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit |
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| (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent |
City of Residence |
Age | |||
| (V) Fillmore Community Members (S) Juvenile Male (S) Juvenile Male (S) Juvenile Male |
Fillmore Fillmore Fillmore Fillmore |
17 16 15 |
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| Narrative: | |||||
| On 03/13/2026, three (3) juvenile males were arrested for their involvement with multiple gang graffiti vandalisms which occurred in the Heritage Grove neighborhood on 02/19/2026. Graffiti vandalism is an eyesore that directly affects the quality of life in our communities. If left unchecked, graffiti can decrease property values and lead to the deterioration of entire neighborhoods. Graffiti may also be the catalyst for additional, more serious crimes affecting our communities. The removal of graffiti costs homeowners, business owners and taxpayers thousands of dollars each year. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is committed to responding to public concerns in a manner that builds confidence in our agency and strengthens relationships to empower businesses and residents to be the eyes and ears of the community. On 02/19/2026, at about 6:07 PM, diligent members of the community reported several juveniles using spray paint to vandalize property in the Heritage Grove neighborhood in Fillmore. Fillmore patrol personnel responded to the area and confirmed vandalisms had occurred, and the vandalisms were likely gang related. Over the next coming weeks, the Fillmore Detective Unit collaborated with Fillmore School Resource Deputies on the investigation and identified three juvenile males as the suspects. In March 2026, the Fillmore Detective Unit obtained a search warrant for the three suspects’ residences who all reside in Fillmore. On 03/13/2026, personnel from Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore School Resource Deputies, Fillmore Detective Unit, West County Special Enforcement Unit, and Camarillo Special Enforcement Unit executed search warrants at the three residences in Fillmore and seized additional evidence linking them to the crimes and participation in a criminal street gang. At the time of the search warrants, all three juveniles were contacted, arrested, cited, and released to their parent(s)/guardian(s) for violations of Penal Code § 594(b)(1) – [Graffiti Vandalism], Penal Code § 186.22(d) – [Street Terrorism], and Penal Code § 182.5 – [Criminal Gang Conspiracy]. The Fillmore Police Department encourages citizens to immediately report suspicious people and vehicles, and to promptly report any graffiti they come across by calling our dispatch center at (805) 654-9511. Following a police investigation, all graffiti should be immediately removed. Anyone with information pertaining to any crimes is urged to contact The Fillmore Police Station at (805) 524-2233 or the listed detectives below. The reporting party may remain anonymous. Graffiti Removal The City of Fillmore removes all graffiti in public areas by either painting over it or by using a power washer, depending upon the location of the graffiti. Residents are encouraged to call the city graffiti hotline at (805) 524-1500, prompt number 4, then 3. Additionally, private property owners are encouraged to help combat vandalism by removing any graffiti visible on their properties. 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 “X” @fillmoresheriff, Facebook, Instagram @VCSHERIFF and @FILLMOREPD, 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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| Prepared by: | Sergeant Jarrod Foote | ||||
| News Release Date: | 03/13/2026 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Detective Axel Morales [email protected] 805-477-7011 Detective Dustin Heersche [email protected] 805-477-7012 |
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| Approved by: Booking Photo Release: |
Captain Eduardo Malagon YES NO |
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511