Archives for March 2023

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 7, 2023, at 4:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: Suspect Arrested for December 2022 Shooting Death

LOCATION: 1200 Block Gonzales Road, Oxnard

VICTIM: John Carrillo 20-Year-Old, Oxnard resident

SUSPECT: Michael Ortega. 23-year-old Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Jess Aragon, Sergeant

(805) 385-7632 | jess.aragon@oxnardpd.org

On December 5, 2022, at about 12:50 A.M., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a shooting victim in the 1200 block of West Gonzales Road. When officers arrived, they located a 20-year-old male, later identified as John Carrillo, suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency Medical Services quickly arrived and began life-saving measures. Unfortunately, Carrillo succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

After a four-month long investigation, investigators were able to obtain sufficient evidence that identified Michael Ortega as the person responsible for the murder of John Carrillo. This was through the hard work of investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, Violent Crimes Unit and officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit.

On March 7, 2023, at about 1:00 P.M., investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit arrested Michael Ortega for murder. Ortega was in custody at Ventura County Main Jail on unrelated charges when investigators arrested him for the murder of John Carrillo. Ortega is being held without bail on the murder charge.

Additionally, investigators with the Violent Crimes Unit arrested Ortega and charged him with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon that stemmed from a separate incident that occurred the night prior to the murder of John Carrillo.

Investigators are still seeking any further information regarding this incident and are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Justin Songer at (805) 385-7680. Also, 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 also 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 7, 2023, 4:30 P.M.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 8, 2023 / 11:07 PM

SUBJECT: Subject Arrested for Firearm Possession After Vehicle Pursuit

SUSPECTS: Javier Cortez; 21 year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 1200 block of W. Hemlock St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Rocky Marquez, Commander

(805) 385-7600 rocky.marquez@oxnardpd.org

On March 8^th at about 11:07 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the 1200 block of W. Hemlock St. in Oxnard. The driver of the vehicle, Javier Cortez, failed to yield to officers and was arrested after a short vehicle pursuit. A search of the vehicle produced narcotic paraphernalia and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun. Cortez was charged with attempting to evade police and multiple-firearms related charges.

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. Booking photographs for adult felony arrest available on the department website: www.oxnardpd.org under crime & safety, and booking / call logs.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 4, 2023; 1:20 PM

SUBJECT: Missing Dependent Adult

Blair Harper, 89 year old male

LOCATION: 900 Block West Channel Islands Boulevard

CONTACT: Edgar Fernandez, Commander

(805) 385-7600 | Edgar.Fernandez@Oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing dependent adult. Blair Harper, an 89 year old male, was reported missing from his residence in the 900 block of W. Channel Islands Boulevard, just after 1:00PM today. Blair is described as a white male, 5’03” / 150 lbs with white hair. He was last seen wearing a light blue and white checkered shirt and beige pants.

It is not known where Blair may have been headed. If you see him, please call the Oxnard Police Department dispatch center at (805) 385-7740.

Date/Time Prepared: March 4, 2023 / 2:44 PM

Mr. Harper has been located and has been safely reunited with his family. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

Forwarded message –
From: Fernandez, Edgar <edgar.fernandez@oxnardpd.org>
Date: Sat, Mar 4, 2023 at 2:53 PM
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: At Risk Missing Dependent Adult
To: DL – Press Releases <dl-pressreleases@oxnardpd.org>

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 4, 2023; 1:20 PM

SUBJECT: Missing Dependent Adult

Blair Harper, 89 year old male

LOCATION: 900 Block West Channel Islands Boulevard

CONTACT: Edgar Fernandez, Commander

(805) 385-7600 | Edgar.Fernandez@Oxnardpd.org

It is not known where Blair may have been headed. If you see him, please call the Oxnard Police Department dispatch center at (805) 385-7740.

Date/Time Prepared: March 4, 2023 / 2:44 PM

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 3, 2023 (9:56 PM)

SUBJECT: Documented Criminal Street Gang Member Arrested for Possessing a Stolen Handgun

SUSPECTS: Miguel Mina, 22-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Rose Ave. at First St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | bakari.myers@Oxnardpd.org

On March 3rd, at approximately 9:56 p.m., officers attempted to contact several documented Oxnard criminal street gang members at Rose Ave. and First St. regarding alcoholic beverage violations. The subjects attempted to flee from the officers but were ultimately detained after short foot pursuits. During the foot pursuit of one of the subjects, later identified as Miguel Mina, Mina discarded a loaded pistol. The pistol was recovered and a records check was conducted, the pistol was found to be stolen.

One of the additional subjects contacted with Mina was cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol.

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.