Two arrested in Simi Valley shooting thought to be gang members

Two suspects arrested Monday night after shots were fired into a car in Simi Valley are gang members, officials said. The shooting and a stabbing Friday in Simi Valley stemmed from a conflict between local gang members and a former member of the gang, police said. The shooting occurred about 7:40 p.m. Monday in the 1200 block of Cochran Street. Three young men were driving in the area when another car pulled up beside them and someone fired rounds from a 9mm semi-automatic handgun at their vehicle, Simi Valley police said. The bullets hit the car, but the occupants — Simi Valley residents age 17, 20 and 22 — were uninjured, police said. Police saw the shooter's vehicle near Second and Ayhens streets. When officers tried to pull it over, the suspects drove away, and a chase took place, police said. During the pursuit, a handgun was thrown out of the vehicle, police said. The chase ended after police put a spike strip on Madera Road south of Cochran Street, officials said. The suspects — Anthony Romero, 29, and a 17-year-old boy, both of Simi Valley — were arrested without incident. Both are gang members who were known to investigators, officials said. Romero was booked into Ventura County jail on suspicion of shooting at an occupied vehicle, street terrorism, conspiracy, evading and a firearms charge. He is ineligible for bail because of a parole violation, jail records show. The teen was booked into juvenile hall. Investigators found the handgun they think was used in the shooting, police said. The stabbing occurred about 10:20 p.m. Friday near Erringer Road and Heywood Street, police said. Police responded to a reported fight and found a 23-year-old man with a stab wound to his neck, officials said. The man had surgery, but the wound was not life-threatening. At least one suspect in the stabbing left in the victim's car, police said. Officers arrested a suspect, Bryan Hernandez, 20, of Simi Valley, after a search that included a helicopter and K-9 unit. Hernandez remained in custody this week on suspicion of charges including attempted homicide and street terrorism, jail records show. He was being held in lieu of $500,000 bail. The stabbing and shooting stemmed from a confrontation between gang members and someone who left the gang about three years ago, police said.

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