Murder suspects allegedly kidnapped Oxnard woman before shooting
An Oxnard couple charged with murder in the March 17 shooting of a woman, 35, have also been charged with kidnapping the victim.
The Ventura County District Attorney's Office filed a complaint Friday charging Margarita Jimenez, 33, and Jorge Alberto Garfias, 36, with murder and kidnapping, along with special allegations that could impact sentencing if they are convicted.
Jimenez allegedly pulled the trigger, prosecutors said.
The two are accused of killing Oxnard resident Yanelly Vargas late on a Sunday night in the parking area outisde the All Star Auto Body shop, 1021 Industrial Ave. in Oxnard. Vargas died of a gunshot wound to the chest, authorities said.
The victim was previously Garfias' girlfriend, authorities said. A special allegation against Garfias claims he took advantage of a position of trust and confidence to carry out the crime.
The Oxnard Police Department arrested the two Wednesday on suspicion of murder. The kidnapping charge appeared when prosecutors filed the complaint Friday morning in Ventura County Superior Court.
The two defendants appeared in court Friday afternoon for arraignment. The hearing was continued to May 3 with no pleas entered.
The DA's office said police initially responded to a fight between a man and woman outside the Vida Live bar on Oxnard Boulevard, south of Seventh Street. The site is several blocks away from the Industrial Avenue scene.
The victim was allegedly tricked into coming outside the bar, where Garfias and Jimenez emerged from a truck, prosecutors said in a news release Friday. The defendants reportedly beat Vargas and forced her into their vehicle.
Vargas emerged from the truck 15 minutes later, when Jimenez followed her and shot her, according to the DA's account. Jimenez and Garfias then fled in the truck.
The entire incident was reportedly captured on surveillance video, prosecutors said.
The DA's complaint notes Jimenez had a prior conviction for assault with a deadly weapon involving a 2016 shooting case along with other convictions, including in the juvenile justice system.
As of Saturday morning, Jimenez was housed at the county's Todd Road Jail facility outside Santa Paula and Garfias was at the main jail. The two are being held without bail.
The continued arraignment will be held on the afternoon of May 3rd in courtroom 13.
This story may be updated.
Gretchen Wenner is the breaking news and city editor at the Star. She can be reached at gretchen.wenner@vcstar.com.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Murder suspects allegedly kidnapped Oxnard woman before shooting
