Coast Guard Searches for Missing Man

VENTURA —  A 30-year-old Thousand Oaks man became lost at sea Saturday afternoon while jet-skiing with his brother and two other people in Ventura Harbor, officials reported.

Sal Murillo Jr. had not been found late Saturday. The Coast Guard, using two helicopters and a boat, planned to continue the search through the night and into today if necessary, Officer Sean Waterman said.

Murillo, who is mentally retarded, and his family had been in an area two miles north of Ventura Harbor, Wallen said. They were headed back to shore when members of Murillo’s family realized he was missing.

The Ventura Harbor Patrol was initially notified about 4:30 p.m., searched the harbor area and then conducted an ocean search two miles west, Officer Bob Wallen said.

The Harbor Patrol’s search was halted about 8:30 p.m. when darkness fell. Coast Guard helicopters were searching waters 10 miles offshore, Wallen said. Several people carrying flashlights were standing onshore during the nighttime search, officials said.

Earlier in the search, Waterman said, a Coast Guard boat patrolled as far south as Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department was called in to investigate and was meeting with the Murillo family Saturday night, Waterman said.