OXNARD : Suspect in Slaying Surrenders to Police

The suspect in a March 19 slaying near an Oxnard convenience store surrendered to police Monday after a warrant was issued for his arrest last week.

Robert B. Truitt, 19, of Oxnard surrendered to Oxnard Police Officer Mike Williamson just after 10 a.m. in the parking lot of a Camarillo drive--in restaurant, Sgt. Denny Phillips said.

A warrant for Truitt’s arrest was issued Friday after the shooting death of Manuel Albis, 21, also of Oxnard.

Albis suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died after an early-evening altercation with Truitt in front of the Dorija Market on East Channel Islands Boulevard, police said.

Witnesses identified Truitt from a photo lineup last week, Phillips said.

The surrender was negotiated during a phone call that Truitt made to Williamson earlier Monday morning, Phillips said.

The two knew each other through Williamson’s work as a youth services liaison officer, Phillips said.

“I think he realized it was in his best interest to turn himself in, rather than risk getting into a situation where he could get hurt with some cop he’s never seen before,” he said.

“After all, he was described in the papers as armed and dangerous, and he probably knew that whenever we have that type of a situation, we take special precautions.”

An arraignment will be scheduled after the case is forwarded to the district attorney’s office, Phillips said. Until then, Truitt will be held without bail at Ventura County Main Jail, he said.