News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 2, 2021, 5:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: Parolee in Possession of a Firearm

LOCATION: 100 blk. E. B St, Port Hueneme

SUSPECTS: Mark Garganta 24-year-old Port Hueneme resident

CONTACT: Tim Kelley, Commander

(805) 857-5297 | timothy.kelley@Oxnardpd.org

On April 2, at approximately 5:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a suspected traffic violation in the 100 blk. of E. B St. The driver, identified as Mark Garganta, was contacted as the only occupant of the vehicle. Officers conducted a records check and learned Garganta was on parole for robbery. Officers exercised Garganta’s parole search terms. During a search of the vehicle a loaded P80 9mm handgun was located. Garganta was subsequently arrested for numerous firearms violations.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 2, 2021 / 1900 hours

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 2, 2021, 9:35 P.M.

SUBJECT: Documented Gang Member in Possession of a Firearm

LOCATION: 600 blk. S. A St., Oxnard

SUSPECTS: Juan Sauceda 21-year-old Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Tim Kelley, Commander

(805) 857-5297 | timothy.kelley@Oxnardpd.org

On April 2, at approximately 9:35 p.m, officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a suspected traffic violation in the 600 blk. of South A St. The passenger, identified as Juan Sauceda, quickly exited the vehicle and fled from officers. A short foot pursuit was initiated and Sauceda was ultimately taken into custody a short distance away. It was found that Sauceda had discarded a loaded P80 9mm handgun as he fled from officers. The handgun was located a short distance from where officers took Sauceda into custody. Sauceda is a convicted felon and on felony probation and is prohibited from owning firearms. Sauceda is also a documented gang member. Sauceda was arrested for numerous firearms violations.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 2, 2021 / 2219 hours

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 1, 2021

SUBJECT: Distracted Driving Awareness Month

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Officer

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

Give the Phone a “Break”: April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Oxnard Police Department encourages drivers to give the phone a break and focus on the road.

On April 6 and April 19 the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol specifically looking for drivers who violate the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

According to the 2020 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, more than 75% of surveyed drivers listed “Distracted Driving because of TEXTING” as their biggest safety concern.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or other electronic device while behind the wheel. Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use a phone for any reason, including hands-free.

If you need to make a call or send a text, pull over and park at a safe location. Drivers should silence their phones or put the phone out of reach, such as the glove box or trunk.

Funding for distracted driving enforcement operations is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 23, 2021, 5:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: Gang Members Arrested for Possession of a Firearm

LOCATION: 900 Block of Kimball Road, Ventura CA.

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

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

On March 23, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic stop of a grey Nissan Altima in the 900 block of Kimball Road, Ventura CA. Officers contacted four subjects in the vehicle; two female occupants, Mark Hernandez (20yrs) and a male juvenile (15yrs) who are all Oxnard residents. Hernandez and the male juvenile are known criminal street gang members within the City of Oxnard, and both are currently on probation within the County of Ventura. The male juvenile is a prohibited person from possessing firearms and/ or ammunition due to prior firearm arrests, assault with a deadly weapon arrests and was released from custody under SB 439 reference a shooting that he had committed at the age of 11 or 12.

During a search of the vehicle, a loaded non-serialized P80 (Glock Style) 9 millimeter semi-automatic handgun was located concealed in the passenger compartment. P80 semi-automatic handguns are commercially sold incomplete and without serial numbers; they must be further manufactured to make them functioning firearms and later serialized. Both Hernandez and the male juvenile were arrested for various firearm and gang related charges.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 20, 2021, 11:07 P.M.

SUBJECT: Subject Arrested for Resisting Arrest and Firearm Possession

LOCATION: Seventh St. at E St., Oxnard

SUSPECTS: Andres Ibarra, 18-year-old Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Tim Kelley, Commander

(805) 857-5297 | timothy.kelley@Oxnardpd.org

On March 20th, at approximately 11:07 p.m. officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a suspected traffic violation at Fifth St. and B St. After the vehicle yielded, Ibarra fled from the traffic stop and an officer went in foot pursuit of Ibarra. As Ibarra fled he was seen holding the area around his waistband. Ibarra led the officer on a lengthy foot pursuit but was ultimately apprehended. Officers retraced the route Ibarra ran and located a loaded firearm. Ibarra was arrested for delaying a peace officer, and for carrying a loaded firearm and not being the registered owner, a felony.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 21, 2021 / 0030 hours

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 18, 2021, 2:36 p.m.

SUBJECT: Fatal Traffic Collision

LOCATION: Bard Road west of Justin Way, Oxnard

DRIVER/VEHICLE: 28-year-old male of Oxnard, CA

2003 Nissan 350Z

DRIVER/VEHICLE: 30-year-old male of Oxnard, CA

2003 Ford Explorer

CONTACT: Paul Knapp, Senior Officer

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

On March 18, 2021, at approximately 2:36 p.m., Oxnard officers and EMS personnel responded to a call of a traffic collision involving two vehicles that occurred on Bard Road west of Justin Drive. Based on the investigation, it was determined that a 2003 Nissan 350Z and 2003 Ford Explorer were traveling westbound on Bard Road at a high rate of speed. For unknown reasons, the vehicles were involved in a collision west of Justin Drive, continued onto the eastbound lanes of Bard Road, and then collided with a tree on the south sidewalk. The collision caused both vehicles to catch on fire.

The driver of the 2003 Nissan 350Z, identified as a 28-year-old male of Oxnard, sustained critical injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the 2003 Ford Explorer, identified as a 30-year-old male of Oxnard, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center due to minor injuries and is listed in stable condition.

Traffic investigators believe that speed was a contributing factor to the collision. An investigation is ongoing to determine whether drugs and/or alcohol were involved. 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: March 17, 2021

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint Results

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Traffic Officer

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

One Driver Arrested at the Oxnard DUI Checkpoint

Oxnard, Ca. – 1504 drivers were screened while driving through a DUI checkpoint on March 17, 2021. The checkpoint was held at Oxnard Blvd. south of Wagon Wheel Road from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Fourteen drivers were cited for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license. One driver was arrested for DUI.

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

As businesses continue to reopen, including bars and restaurants, impaired driving remains a top traffic safety concern. Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 17, 2020, 10:00 A.M.

SUBJECT: Prohibited Person Arrested for Firearms and Narcotics Possession

LOCATION: 1600 Block West Ninth Street, Oxnard, CA

CONTACT: Ricardo Vega, Detective

(805) 385-8291

ricardo.vega@oxnardpd.org

On March 17^,2021 at approximately 10:00 A.M., investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit assisted the Ventura County Probation Agency, Oxnard Probation and Post Release Offender Unit, with a probation search at a residence in the 1600 block of West Ninth Street. While at the residence, the subject of the search, 26-year-old Enrique Arciga, was contacted and detained.

During the search of the residence, three handguns and an AR-15 style rifle were located, along with a large amount of ammunition. In addition, narcotics and evidence of narcotics sales were located. Arciga was arrested for numerous firearms and narcotics related charges, in addition to his probation violations, and was later booked into the Ventura County Jail.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes 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 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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 16, 2021

SUBJECT: St. Patrick's Day Impaired Driving Prevention Campaign

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Officer

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

Be Safe and Sober this St. Patrick’s Day

If you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, remember to do so responsibly by having a plan to get home safely. This St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), the Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location within the city limits. In addition, specially trained officers will be on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

On St. Patrick’s Day 2019 in California, seven people were killed, and 116 others were injured in crashes caused by driving under the influence. Not only does driving under the influence put yourself and others on the road at risk, but it also hurts financially; attorneys’ fees, fines, court costs, insurance rate hikes, and car repairs can reach $15,000 or more in California.

California’s public health guidance advises to limit mixing with people you don’t live with as much as possible to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Although many St. Patrick’s Day celebrations will be held virtually this year, it’s important to designate a sober driver or stay at home for the night.

If you ever see a suspected drunk driver on the road, call 911.

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

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 16, 2021, 1:40 P.M.

SUBJECT: Gang Members Arrested for Possession of Firearms and Controlled Substances for Sale

LOCATION: 2000 Block of East Pleasant Valley Road

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

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

On March 16, at approximately 1:40 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic stop of a silver Mercedes C300 at the 2000 Block of East Pleasant Valley Road. Officers contacted two subjects in the vehicle, Jose Santillan (37yrs) and Peter Robledo (25yrs). Both Santillan and Robledo are known criminal street gang members within the City of Oxnard and the City of Ventura. Robledo is a Post Release Offender for domestic violence and Santillan is also on probation in the County of Ventura. Santillan and Robledo were both found to have felony warrants for their arrest, and are prohibited persons from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Officers had Robledo exit the vehicle, and Robledo was found to have a loaded P80 (Glock Style) 9 millimeter semi-automatic handgun concealed in his front waistband. The P80 handgun also had a threaded barrel that can be used to place a suppressor on the tip of the barrel. Santillan was found to have a loaded Beretta APX 9 millimeter handgun concealed in the center console of his vehicle. Both Santillan and Robledo were also found to be in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine, cash and other items indicative of controlled substance sales. Homeless Liaison Officers and Drug Enforcement Unit officers responded, and Santillan and Robledo were arrested without further incident for numerous felony firearms offences and felony possession of methamphetamine for sale.

Robledo is currently in the Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – that was effective October 1, 2011. This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious (irrespective of priors) or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent committing offense. Prior convictions are not considered.