DATE: October 5, 2022

SUBJECT: Traffic Safety, Education, and Enforcement Grant

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7749 | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard Police Department Awarded $500,000 Grant to Deter Unsafe Behaviors, Increase Safety on Roads

The Oxnard Police Department will increase patrols throughout the community and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads.

The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including:

DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.
Community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

The grant program will run through September 2023.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DATE: October 5, 2019, at 9:25 P.M.

SUBJECT: Police Seek Information on Homicide Case

LOCATION: 3000 block of Merced Place, Oxnard, CA

VICTIM: Richard Madera, 32-year-old, Oxnard Resident

SUSPECTS: Unknown

CONTACT: Justin Songer, Detective

(805) 385-7680 | justin.songer@Oxnardpd.org

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit are seeking information from the community to help solve the murder of 32-year-old Richard Madera.

Mr. Madera was shot and killed on October 5, 2019, and today marks the three-year anniversary of that incident. Mr. Madera was standing in the front yard of a residence in the 3000 block of Merced Place when he was shot multiple times. Despite the lifesaving efforts given by Emergency Medical Services, Mr. Madera succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Mr. Madera left behind a loving family, including three small children.

Detectives are encouraging anyone who was present at the scene and may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Justin Songer (805) 385-7680. The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City.

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: October 3, 2022, 4:40 A.M.

SUBJECT: Elderly man Shot in the Head Dies

LOCATION: 700 Block of Cooper Road, Oxnard

VICTIM: Salvador Mejia Chavez, 80-Year-Old Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT: Unknown

CONTACT: Charles Buttell, Detective

(805) 385-7688 | charles.buttell@Oxnardpd.org

UPDATE – October 4, 2022

An 80-year-old Hispanic male, who was shot in the head in the early morning hours on Monday, October 3, 2022, has died as a result of his injury. The victim has been identified as Salvador Mejia Chavez, an Oxnard resident. Mr. Chavez died at approximately 1 P.M. today at the Ventura County Medical Center. The motive for the shooting is still not clear to detectives. The investigation is ongoing.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit will lead the investigation. Detective Charles Buttell is the case agent for the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this homicide investigation is asked to contact Detective Charles Buttell at 805-385-8291 or charles.buttell@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 23, 2022, 3:00 P.M.

SUBJECT: Missing Person

LOCATION: 200 block South E Street, Oxnard

MISSING PERSON: Victor Frutos II, 47-year-old, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Scott Aaron, Sergeant

(805) 385-7756 | Scott.Aaron@Oxnardpd.org

The Missing Persons Unit

(805) 385-7629

On Sunday, September 18, 2022, at about 10:00 A.M., Victor Frutos left his residence with an acquaintance, and he was last seen getting into a primer black older model Chrysler or Dodge van with sliding doors. Mr. Frutos’ whereabouts are unknown, and his family is searching for him.

Victor Frutos is a 47-year-old Hispanic male, 5’8, 125 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a black t-shirt, gray sweat pants, gray Adidas shoes, and a spiked arm bracelet.

Mr. Frutos’ family reported him missing on Tuesday night, September 20, 2022. According to his family, Mr. Frutos may have the mental capacity of a 14-15-year-old but was living independently. Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit are working with his family to locate him. There is no indication that Mr. Frutos is missing due to foul play or criminal wrongdoing.

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Mr. Frutos. If you have any information about the disappearance of Mr. Frutos, we ask that you contact the Oxnard Police Department dispatch immediately at (805) 385-7740.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 19, 2022

SUBJECT: Fatal Traffic Collision Involving a Vehicle and Bicyclist

LOCATION: Saviers Road and Glacier Ave, Oxnard

DRIVER/VEHICLE: Orlando Uranga, 35 year old Oxnard resident / 2005 Ford-150

BICYCLIST: Male (name withheld pending next of kin notification)

CONTACT: Corporal Andrew Pinkstaff, Traffic Investigator

(805) 385-7750 | andrew.pinkstaff@oxnardpd.org

On September 19, 2022, at approximately 1939 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department and E.M.S. personnel responded to a call for service regarding a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist. The collision occurred at the Saviers Road and Glacier Avenue intersection.

The initial investigation determined that a 2005 Ford F-150, driven by Orlando Uranga, was traveling southbound on Saviers Road towards Glacier Avenue. The bicyclist, who was seen crossing westbound over Saviers Road to Glacier Avenue, was struck by the vehicle. The bicyclist was severely injured and transported by EMS personnel to a nearby hospital however succumbed to his wounds shortly after. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene of the collision and cooperated with investigators. The investigation is ongoing regarding the cause of the collision and whether speed, drugs, and/or alcohol were involved.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is urged to contact Corporal Andrew Pinkstaff at (805) 385-7750 or via email at andrew.pinkstaff@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 21, 2022

DATE OF INCIDENT: June 6, 2022, at 6:57 a.m.

SUBJECT: Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested

LOCATION: Incident- Lemonwood Park

Arrest- 2100 Block of Joyce Place

VICTIM: 75-Year-Old Male Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT: Stephanie Mendez, 30-Year-Old Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Michael Velasquez, Detective

(805) 385-8287 | michael.velasquez@Oxnardpd.org

On June 6, 2022, at approximately 6:57 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a stabbing victim at Lemonwood Park, located at 2055 San Mateo Place. Prior to officers arriving, the victim, a 75-year-old Oxnard resident, was transported by a private party to a local hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Evidence of the assault was located in Lemonwood Park. Witnesses described the attacker as a white or Hispanic female in her mid 20’s.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation. After a lengthy investigation, it was learned that the victim was walking through the park when the unprovoked attack occurred. During the altercation, the victim was stabbed in the neck. The suspect then fled the area on foot. Investigators were able to identify the suspect as 30-year-old Oxnard resident Stephanie Mendez. On the morning of September 21, 2022, investigators served a search warrant at Mendez’ residence, where she was contacted and taken into custody without incident. Mendez was later booked into the Ventura County Jail for attempted murder and released to the custody of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Michael Velasquez at 805-385-8287 or michael.velasquez@oxnardpd.org.

Information can be reported online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnard.org, and click on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous and still provide valuable information by calling Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 5, 2020

OFFICER NATHAN MARTIN MEMORIAL SERVICE

AND TRAFFIC CLOSURE INFORMATION

Memorial services for Oxnard Police Officer Nathan Martin will be held on Friday, February 7th. Services will begin at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1201 Paseo Camarillo, CA 93010. Friends and co-workers are invited to pay their respects to Officer Martin inside the Relief Society Room of the church from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The viewing will be followed by a public memorial service inside the main chapel beginning at 11:00 a.m.

In respect to the family’s wishes, video recording by media will not be permitted inside the chapel during the ceremony. A staging area for media personnel will be available in the Constitution Park parking lot east of the church.

Immediately following the church service, a procession to include Officer Martin’s family and Oxnard Police Department personnel will move to a graveside service at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park located at 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo, CA 93012. Additional friends, co-workers, and law enforcement personnel are invited to drive directly to the cemetery after the procession has left the church.

Paseo Camarillo will be closed between Lantana Street and Carmen Drive on February 7, 2020 from 8:00 am through 3:00 pm due to a large anticipated funeral attendance at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Community members wishing to attend the event are encouraged to carpool, as there is limited parking at the church and cemetery. Those attending must enter Paseo Camarillo from Lantana Street, as the Carmen Drive entrance will not be open. The VCTC bus service on Paseo Camarillo will not be available during the hours of 12:30 p.m. through 2:30 p.m. due to the funeral activities. If possible, please avoid the area to reduce traffic congestion.

Please continue to keep Officer Martin’s family, friends, and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Prepared by: Paul Carganilla, Oxnard Police Department Community Affairs Manager & Captain Eric Hatlee, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer

News Release Date: February 5, 2020

Media Follow-Up Contact: Paul Carganilla, O.P.D. / paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org / (805) 385-7631

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

The family of Officer Nathan Martin and the Oxnard Police Department would like to share the following memorial arrangements:

The memorial service for Officer Nathan Martin will be held on Friday, February 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. The memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1201 Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo, CA 93010. Friends and co-workers will be able to pay their respects to Officer Martin during a public viewing at the same location from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Immediately following the memorial service, there will be a graveside service at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park located at 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo, CA 93012.

Parking will be limited, carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Please continue to keep Officer Martin’s family, friends, and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Prepared by: Assistant Chief Eric S. Sonstegard

News Release Date: February 1, 2020

Media Follow-Up Contact:

Paul Carganilla, Community Affairs Manager

paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org / (805) 385-7631

Eric S. Sonstegard, Assistant Police Chief

eric.sonstegard@oxnardpd.org / (805) 990-1079

/34658-2/

January 31, 2020 / 15:15

The Oxnard Police Department is sharing the following statement on behalf of Marita Martin, wife of Officer Nathan Martin:

“The entire Martin family, including fellow Oxnard Police Department Officer Thomas S. Martin (brother), wishes to express its most heartfelt gratitude for the love, support, comfort, and concern shown by family, friends, colleagues, clergy, and the community at large following Officer Nathan D. Martin’s tragic passing earlier this week. Marita (wife), Gabriel (son, 20), Soraya (daughter, 17), David (son, 14), and Susan (mother) have experienced heavenly solace in the face of unbearable grief thanks to an outpouring of compassion and generosity. We say thank you from the bottom of our hearts to the Oxnard Police Department, the Oxnard Peace Officers Association, students and staff at Hueneme High School, friends near and far, and to the many other law enforcement agencies, local businesses, church members, neighbors, and donors that are helping us face this reality with bravery and hope. Nathan loved the people of Oxnard. He loved Hueneme High School. He loved to serve and protect with O.P.D. Your continued prayers for our family are most humbly appreciated.

Sincerely,

The Martin Family”

Media Inquiries:

Paul Carganilla, Oxnard Police Department Community Affairs Manager

paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org / (805) 385 – 7631

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Procession Route for Officer Nathan Martin (01/31/20)
DATE/TIME:	January 31, 2020 / 9:00 a.m.
PREPARED BY:	Paul Carganilla, Community Affairs Manager (805) 385-7631 paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Paul Carganilla, Community Affairs Manager (805) 385-7631 paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On the morning of Friday, January 31, 2020, Oxnard Police Officer Nathan Martin’s body will be escorted by police department personnel from the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office (3100 Foothill Road, Ventura) to the Conejo Mountain Memorial Park, located at 2052 Howard Road in the city of Camarillo. The processional is set to begin at 9:00 a.m.

ROUTE:

Beginning at 3100 Foothill Rd., Ventura, CA, 93003.
Westbound Foothill Rd. to Hillmont Ave.
Southbound Hillmont Ave. to Loma Vista Rd.
Eastbound Loma Vista Rd. to Mills Rd.
Southbound Mills Rd. to E Main St.
Eastbound Main St. to the Southbound 101 Freeway.
Southbound 101 Freeway to the Pleasant Valley Rd. / Santa Rosa Rd. offramp.
Eastbound Pleasant Valley to Pancho Rd.
Southbound Pancho Rd. to Howard Rd.
Eastbound Howard Rd. to 2052 Howard Rd.

We encourage any community members who would like to show support to Officer Martin’s family to line the route in a safe and responsible manner.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 30, 2020 5:20 p.m.