SIMI VALLEY : 8 Illegal Immigrants Tied to Crime Spree

Eight of nine suspected gang members who are accused of going on a vandalism spree and assaulting a Simi Valley resident earlier this week are illegal immigrants who may face deportation, authorities said Tuesday.

Police said they will turn the eight suspects over to immigration officials for deportation proceedings once authorities resolve all state charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism.

The police booked five adult males into the Ventura County Jail on Monday night in connection with the assault, which left several windows smashed and a female resident injured at the house in the 300 block of Bonita Drive.

Police said Simi Valley residents Ismael Loeza, 22; Eduardo Lopez, 20; Ramon Munoz, 21, and Moorpark residents Octavio Godinez, 29, and Angel Barron, 22, are in the country illegally.

Officials said they are also holding three minors, who are illegal immigrants, in the county’s juvenile facility. Police did not reveal the countries of origin for the suspects or the ninth suspect’s name or city of residence.

According to police reports, sometime after 8:40 p.m. Monday, a crowd began smashing the windows of a house and vandalizing several cars on Bonita Drive. Police also believe one member of the group entered the house and injured the female resident’s legs with a stick or a bat.

The rampage came minutes after Sergio Munoz, 19, of Simi Valley was struck by a car in the 900 block of Ashland Avenue in what police believe was a gang-related incident. Police said Munoz has admitted gang affiliation and that they believe the nine suspects arrested in the house attack were friends of Munoz.

Authorities reported the beating of a 14-year-old and a drive-by shooting last week in the neighborhood surrounding the 4100 block of Apricot Road. Police now believe the four incidents may be related.