Officials Seek Help in Finding 3 Fugitives

Investigators with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department are asking for help in locating three wanted men.

All the men have outstanding felony warrants, according to department reports.

Investigators are searching for Russell Earl Linton, 36, who was arrested in April 1997 for having a handgun despite his status as a convicted felon. He was released from jail on bail, but he did not show up for his scheduled court appearance.

His last known address was 3074 Channel Drive in Ventura. He may be driving a maroon Pontiac Firebird and is said to frequent the Channel Drive area.

He is described as about 5 feet 10 and 170 pounds with brown hair and eyes.

Marco Aurelio Hernandez, 22, was convicted of burglary and vandalism in 1994 and is wanted for violating his terms of probation, officials said.

His last known address was 1345 Althea Court in Oxnard. He has “Hernandez� tattooed on his back and “MH� on his upper right arm. He is described as about 5 feet 6, 185 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Investigators are also looking for Christopher Dale Ontineru, 23, who was arrested on suspicion of possession of narcotics and being under the influence of drugs earlier this year. He was released from jail and failed to show up for his scheduled court hearing.

Ontineru is a fisherman, and his last known job was with local sportfishing boats, authorities said.

His last known address was 835 S. Spruce St. in Oxnard. He is described as about 6 feet 3, 210 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information on any of the wanted men to call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers hotline at 385-TALK or 494-TALK.

Tipsters can call anonymously, and if the information leads to an arrest, they could receive rewards of as much as $1,000, officials said.