Archives for February 2021

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: February 4, 2021, 9:42 p.m.

SUBJECT: Serious Injury Collision

LOCATION: C Street at Eighth Street, Oxnard

DRIVER/VEHICLE: 30-year-old female of Port Hueneme, CA

2002 GMC Envoy

DRIVER/VEHICLE: 29-year-old female of Oxnard, CA

2005 Ford Focus

CONTACT: Paul Knapp, Senior Officer

(805) 385-7750 | paul.knapp@oxnardpd.org

On February 4, 2021, at approximately 9:42 p.m., Oxnard officers and EMS personnel responded to a call of a traffic collision involving two vehicles that occurred at the intersection of C Street and Eighth Street. Officers determined that a 2002 GMC Envoy driven by a 30-year-old female from Port Hueneme broadsided a 2005 Ford Focus driven by a 29-year-old female from Oxnard. Both drivers were seriously injured and immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center. The 30-year-old female was admitted to the hospital and listed in stable condition. The 29-year-old female sustained life-threatening injuries and is listed in critical condition.

Traffic investigators responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Based on preliminary information, it was determined that prior to the collision, the Ford Focus was traveling northbound on C Street and the GMC Envoy was traveling westbound on Eighth Street. For unknown reasons, the driver of the GMC Envoy entered the intersection and continued into the path of the oncoming Ford Focus. After the broadside collision, both vehicles continued towards the northwest corner of the intersection and then came to rest adjacent to the sidewalk.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Senior Officer Paul Knapp at (805) 385-7750 or via email at paul.knapp@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: February 5, 2021 (8:08 PM)

SUBJECT: Van collides into police unit

LOCATION: Fifth Street and Rose Avenue

VEHICLE: 2003 Dodge Ram

Ford Crown Victoria Police Unit

Driver: Withheld, female age 78

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771 | email@Oxnardpd.org

On 2/5/21, at around 8:08 PM, officers were dispatched to a report of a van that was intentionally driven onto the railroad tracks at the intersection of Fifth Street and Rose Avenue. It was reported that a train was approaching. A patrol sergeant was the first to arrive on scene within 30 seconds and observed a 2003 Dodge Ram van on the tracks, west of Fifth Street. The sergeant illuminated the vehicle with his spotlight and the driver of the van simultaneously accelerated, driving off the tracks, southbound through a ditch, eastbound on Fifth Street (against traffic), before turning northbound on Rose Avenue and driving against traffic. The van side-swiped a truck that was travelling southbound on Rose Avenue. The van then headed directly toward the Sergeant’s police unit and collided head-on with the patrol unit at approximately 25-30 mph before coming to a stop. Driver of the van continued to depress the accelerator causing the rear tire to continuously spin. The Sergeant exited his patrol unit and made a tactical approach up to the van. Shortly afterwards, the driver of the van stepped out of the vehicle. The Sergeant quickly assessed that the driver was a non-threatening elderly female in her late 70’s. Fortunately, there were no obvious injuries to either party. The female was transported to a local hospital for precautionary reasons for observation. After a preliminary investigation, it appears the driver likely suffered from a medical and/or psychiatric episode while driving and did not purposely intend to ram the police unit or harm to the Sergeant. The incident was documented as a traffic collision and not as a crime. However, as normal procedure, the officers seized the elderly female’s driver’s license and requested a priority re-examination with the DMV, to assess her ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Senior Officer Paul Knapp at (805) 385-7750 or via email at paul.knapp@oxnardpd.org.

Officers are on scene of a fatal traffic collision involving two vehicles that occurred this evening at approximately 9:42 PM at the intersection of Eighth and B Street. The Traffic Unit is responding to take over the investigation. It is anticipated that the roadways immediately surrounding the area will be closed for the next several hours and motorists are advised to seek alternate routes. A news release with further details of the collision will be completed later this evening.

Correction- The location of the collision is at the intersection of Eighth and C Street.

On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 11:02 PM Whitney, Robin <robin.whitney@oxnardpd.org> wrote:

Officers are on scene of a fatal traffic collision involving two vehicles that occurred this evening at approximately 9:42 PM at the intersection of Eighth and B Street. The Traffic Unit is responding to take over the investigation. It is anticipated that the roadways immediately surrounding the area will be closed for the next several hours and motorists are advised to seek alternate routes. A news release with further details of the collision will be completed later this evening.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: February 4, 2021

SUBJECT: Unattended Vehicle Enforcement

LOCATION: Citywide, Oxnard, CA

CONTACT: Enrique Alvarez, Auto Theft Task Force

(805) 385-7664 | Enrique.Alvarez@Oxnardpd.org

In our ongoing efforts to reduce auto thefts, the Oxnard Police Department Auto Theft Task Force conducted an operation this morning targeting vehicles that were found to be running without the driver being present. Often, early risers in Oxnard tend to turn their cars on to warm them up. While the car is warming up, the drivers head indoors to finish getting ready for their day, leaving their car unattended. These actions create a crime of opportunity that is often taken advantage of by criminals.

Auto Theft Detective Enrique Alvarez, who participated in this morning’s operation, said, “I regularly read reports where a hard-working resident who is preparing for work has their vehicle stolen because they left it running out in front of their home.” He further stated that these car theft victims frequently tell him that they were only away from their vehicle for a minute.

Leaving your vehicle running and unattended is against the law and carries a fine of $70. Today, Auto Theft Detectives set out to enforce this law and educate motorists on the consequences of leaving their vehicles running while they are indoors. Detectives issued a total of 12 citations to residents throughout the City.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to enforce this law and ask that our community members do their part in helping reduce auto theft in our city by not leaving their vehicles running and unattended.

Anyone with information regarding this operation or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department's website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also stay anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: February 3, 2021, 7:50 a.m.

SUBJECT: Maintaining a Drug House Investigation

SUSPECTS: Alejandro Galvan, 35 year old Oxnard resident

Christopher Johnson, 39 year old Oxnard resident

Danice Hernandez, 27 year old Oxnard resident

Vanessa Velez, 39 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 400 Block of North Ventura Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

805-256-5121, Brandon.Ordelheide@oxnardpd.org

During the month of January, 2021, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) began an investigation into narcotics activity occurring at a residence located in the 400 block of North Ventura Road. During the investigation, detectives identified Alejandro Galvan as the primary resident. DEU Detectives developed enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for maintaining and operating a drug house.

On February 3, 2021, with the assistance of the Oxnard SWAT team, Oxnard K9 Unit, and Ventura County Sheriff's Office, DEU Detectives served a search warrant at the residence. During the service of the search warrant, six people were detained.

DEU detectives responded to the residence after all of the subjects were detained to complete the investigation. During the investigation, detectives located fentanyl, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia throughout the residence, and ammunition. Upon completion of the initial investigation, Galvan was arrested for misdemeanor narcotics violations. Christopher Johnson was arrested for a misdemeanor narcotics related warrant. Danice Hernandez was arrested for a misdemeanor warrant and misdemeanor possession of narcotics. Vanessa Velez was arrested for misdemeanor possession of narcotics.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to identifying and disrupting the narcotics activity responsible for creating quality of life issues within Oxnard neighborhoods. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: February 2, 2021, 3:00 p.m.

SUBJECT: Narcotics Sales Arrest

SUSPECTS: Juan Ortiz, 20-year-old Oxnard resident

Juan Ambriz, 19-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 1500 block of Lombard Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

805-256-5121, Brandon.Ordelheide@oxnardpd.org

During the month of January, 2021, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) began an investigation into narcotics activity occurring at a residence located in the 1500 block of Lombard Street. During the investigation, detectives identified the resident, Juan Ortiz, as being involved in the sales of narcotics to Oxnard residents.

Based upon the information obtained during the investigation, DEU Detectives obtained a search warrant for Juan Ortiz and his residence located in the 1500 block of Lombard Street. On February 2, 2021, Officers from the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and detained Juan Ortiz and Juan Ambriz pursuant to the search warrant. SEU Officers and DEU Detectives conducted a search of the vehicle and Ortiz’s residence.

During the service of the search warrant, detectives located fentanyl packaged for sale, psilocybin mushrooms, ecstasy pills (MDMA), a large quantity of Marijuana, and further evidence of narcotics sales. Ortiz was placed under arrest for possession of fentanyl for sale, a felony, and possession of Marijuana for sale, a misdemeanor. Ambriz was placed under arrest for possession of psilocybin mushrooms for sale and possession of MDMA for the purpose of sales, both felonies. Ambriz was additionally charged with possession of concentrated cannabis for sale, a misdemeanor.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses in the City of Oxnard. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: February 2, 2021, 7:00 P.M.

SUBJECT: Arrest for Firearms Possession and Controlled Substances for Sale

LOCATION: Rose Avenue and La Puerta

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | martin.cook@oxnardpd.org

On February 2, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic stop on a grey Chevy Camaro for a vehicle code violation at the intersection of Rose Avenue and La Puerta. Three subjects were contacted in the vehicle; the driver, Joel Torres (25yrs), and passengers, Cesar Morales (19yrs) and Joanna Ayala (29). During the stop, officers saw controlled substance paraphernalia in plain view next to Torres’ seat. Ayala was found to be on probation for vehicle theft, and Morales and Torres provided false names and information to the officers on the stop. Morales was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest, and Ayala was found in possession of methamphetamine and controlled substance paraphernalia during a probation search of her person.

During a search of the vehicle, methamphetamine, a scale, controlled substance paraphernalia, a large quantity of small baggies, Xanax, Hydrocodone pills, .38 Special ammunition and a loaded Rossi .38 Special revolver were located. The items located in the vehicle were indicative of controlled substances for sale. Torres was found to be in possession of these items, and was arrested for various firearm and controlled substances for sale charges. The firearm was not registered to Torres.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: February 2, 2021

SUBJECT: Super Bowl Sunday enforcement

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Officer

(805) 385-7749 | jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

Say No to Drinking and Driving: Enjoy the Super Bowl at Home This Year

Whether it’s the commercials, halftime show, or the game itself, the Oxnard Police Department is reminding everyone that we are all on the same team when it comes to being safe on Super Bowl Sunday.

Super Bowl LV is Sunday, Feb. 7, and the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol over the Super Bowl weekend looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that alcohol is not the only thing that impairs and may lead to a DUI. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and marijuana may affect your ability to drive safely. Do your research and understand how a drug affects you before deciding whether or not you are OK to drive.

Although many watch parties will be virtual this year, it’s important to plan ahead, designate a sober driver, or simply stay at home for the night.

Funding for Super Bowl Sunday enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.