A documented street gang member is back in custody after a violent confrontation in Fillmore. 34-year-old Ivan Hernandez was arrested on January 18, 2026, following a multi-agency manhunt.
The incident began on the afternoon of January 17 near the Chambersburg Bridge. Deputies responded to reports of a man chasing people with a knife in the Santa Clara River bottom.
When deputies arrived, they located a male victim and several witnesses. They quickly identified the attacker as Hernandez, who was already on active parole for a previous shooting.
The search for Hernandez was a major tactical operation. It involved the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit, a K9 unit from the Oxnard Police Department, and drones from the Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit.
Hernandez originally managed to evade capture by hiding in the dense brush of the river bottom. However, patrol deputies returned to the area early the next morning for a second sweep.
During the Sunday morning search, deputies successfully located Hernandez and took him into custody. They also found physical evidence near the site that linked him directly to the assault.
Hernandez now faces a felony charge for assault with a deadly weapon. Because he violated the terms of his release, a parole hold was also placed on his case.
The suspect was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. He is currently being held without bail pending his upcoming court appearance.
The Sheriff’s Office thanked the public for their assistance in tracking Hernandez down. They noted that community tips are vital for solving crimes in remote areas like the river bottom.