News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 16, 2020

SUBJECT: Winter Mobilization

LOCATION: City of Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Traffic Officer

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

Be Safe, Be Sober This Holiday Season

National Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign (Dec. 14th to Jan. 1st)

This holiday season, the Oxnard Police Department wants to remind the public about the importance of being safe and sober when you are driving.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we celebrate the holidays, the Oxnard Police Department is dedicated to keeping the public safe and urges people to stay at home or use a designated sober driver if you plan to drink.

Starting Dec. 14 and through New Year’s Day, the Oxnard Police Department will have officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over, intended to show zero tolerance for drunk driving and keep roads safe.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs. Do your research and understand how certain drugs you are taking may affect your driving ability.

Due to COVID-19, the state of California is asking residents to avoid large gatherings for the holidays to mitigate the spread of the virus.

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: December 16, 2020, 1:00 PM

SUBJECT: Oxnard’s Police and Fire Department Brings Heroes and Holidays to Your Home

LOCATION: City of Oxnard

CONTACT: Hannah Estrada, Senior Officer

(805) 200-2132 | hannah.estrada@Oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police and Fire Department were proud to celebrate our 10th annual holiday tradition for our community, bringing “Heroes and Holidays to Your Home 2020”. This year has been a trying year for many families, which made it even more important to continue our tradition, to recognize and give back to our community.

This special occasion honored well-deserving youth and families who have displayed strength and perseverance during a very challenging period of time. Eight (8) families were selected, and each family was gifted $500 in gift cards during a special drive up event, which included a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

These special visits were made possible with the generous donations from our partners in public safety. We thank the Oxnard Peace Officers Association, Oxnard Firefighters IAFF Local 1684, and the Oxnard Firefighters Foundation for your continued support and dedication to our community.

Santa Fire Engine 2.jpg

Paul Carganilla

Community Affairs Manager

phone: (805) 385-7631 / mobile: (805) 342-8292

email: paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org

251 South C Street, Oxnard, CA 93030

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 15, 2020, 3:30 p.m.

SUBJECT: Narcotics Sales Arrest / Firearms Arrest

SUSPECTS: Tyryn Champagne, 26-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 1600 Block of West Fifth Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

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

On December 15, 2020, Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) completed a narcotics investigation regarding Tyryn Champagne, 26-year-old Oxnard resident, selling Heroin and Methamphetamine to the residents of Oxnard. Detectives conducted a search warrant at Champagne’s residence and located Methamphetamine, Heroin, Xanax, US Currency and packaging material consistent with street sales of narcotics. Detective’s also located a loaded .380 semi-automatic pistol on a table in the residence and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun in the living room closet. Champagne was charged with possession for sale of Methamphetamine, possession for sale of Xanax, and several firearms violations, all felonies. She was booked into Ventura County Jail with a bail request of $350,000.

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: December 15, 2020, 7:00 a.m.

SUBJECT: Narcotics Sales / Identity Theft / Firearm Arrest

SUSPECTS: Alejandra Castillo, 34 year old Oxnard resident

Jesus Gutierrez, 36 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 2200 block of North H Street

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

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

On December 15, 2020, the Oxnard Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and the Oxnard Swat Team served a search warrant in the 2200 block of North H Street in reference to Alejandra Castillo being involved in the sale of Methamphetamine. The Oxnard Swat Team made contact with the occupants and ordered them out of the residence. During the service of the search warrant, Jesus Gutierrez barricaded himself in a bedroom and began destroying evidence. Swat officers utilized powdered irritant to prevent further destruction of evidence. Gutierrez surrounded without further incident.

Alejandra Castillo was contacted and detained at the residence. During the investigation, detectives located Methamphetamine consistent with the street sales of narcotics. Detectives also located a shotgun and several rounds of ammunition for the weapon. Additionally, Castillo was found in possession of several credit cards belonging to several different people. Castillo was placed under arrest for possession of Methamphetamine for sale, possession of a firearm with narcotics, and Identity theft, all felonies. Jesus Gutierrez was arrested for resisting or delaying a police officer during the course of his/her duties, destruction of evidence, and felony firearms violations.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 11, 2020, 1:49 A.M.

SUBJECT: Catalytic Converter Thieves Arrested

SUSPECTS: Wilfredo Revolorio (Los Angeles resident)

Michele Gomez (Los Angeles resident)

Ruperto Dominguez (Los Angeles resident)

LOCATION: 500 block North Juanita Ave, Oxnard

CONTACT: Meagan Tobey, Detective

(805) 385-7755 | Meagan.tobey@OxnardPD.org

DETAILS:

On December 11, 2020, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 500 block of North Juanita Ave reference suspicious subjects using power tools to cut the underneath of a parked vehicle.

An alert resident saw a neighbor's vehicle being tampered with and immediately called police. When officers arrived on the scene, they detained three subjects: Wilfredo Revolorio (32 years), Michelle Gomez (38 years) and Ruperto Dominguez (30 years), all Los Angeles residents. The investigation revealed that the three subjects were attempting to cut and steal the catalytic converter from the parked vehicle and had multiple tools in their vehicle located nearby. Revolorio is on Post Release Community Supervision out of the county of Los Angeles for weapons violations. He has a previous conviction for driving a stolen vehicle, burglary and weapons offenses and has served three prison sentences. All three subjects were arrested for vehicle tampering, possession of burglary tools, and conspiracy to commit a crime and later booked into the Ventura County Jail. Gomez has a previous conviction for burglary and narcotics sales. Dominguez has a previous conviction for possession of burglary tools and narcotics-related offenses.

The Oxnard Police Department has recently experienced an increase in reports of catalytic converter thefts throughout the city. All residents are encouraged to be active members of their neighborhood and report all suspicious activity. If it were not for this alert and concerned resident, these suspects might have gotten away.

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: December 11, 2020, 12:35 P.M.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 11, 2020, 10:00 P.M.

SUBJECT: Arrest for Firearms Possession

LOCATION: 800 Block of East Gonzales Road

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

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

On December 11, at approximately 10:00 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) and Oxnard K-9 Unit conducted a vehicle stop for a traffic violation at the 800 block of East Gonzales Road. Officers contacted the driver, Juan Contreras (24yrs), who is a known criminal street gang member within the City of Oxnard. Contreras was contacted in the vehicle with two additional subjects who were also identified as known criminal street gang members within the City of Oxnard. One of the subjects contacted with Contreras was found to be on probation with search terms.

Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located a loaded 9-millimeter Glock style Polymer-80 semi-automatic handgun concealed underneath the driver’s seats. Contreras was arrested for various firearms related charges. The firearm was found to be non-serialized and unregistered.

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: December 12, 2020, 6:00 P.M.

SUBJECT: Arrest for Firearms Possession

LOCATION: 200 Block of Hill Street and 3000 Block of Nyeland Avenue

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

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

On December 12, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic stop on a black Jeep for a vehicle code violation at the 200 block of Hill Street. Officers contacted Ramiro Gomez (21yrs) in the vehicle. While officers spoke with Gomez, the officers observed a firearm in the vehicle. Gomez was taken into custody without further incident.

Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and recovered a loaded 9-millimeter Glock style Polymer-80 semi-automatic handgun in the center console. Gomez was arrested for various firearms related charges. The firearm was found to be non-serialized and unregistered.

Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) responded and authored a search warrant for Gomez residence at the 3000 block of Nyeland Avenue. During the service of the search warrant, officers located a Titan 22 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a bolt-action rifle, ammunition and additional items indicative of the sales of controlled substances.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 13, 2020 (8:30 PM)

SUBJECT: Barricaded subject arrested for attempted murder of a police officer

LOCATION: 600 block of W. Vineyard Avenue

VICTIM: State of California

SUSPECT: Michael Balam, age 42, Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771 | robin.whitney@oxnardpd.org

On December 13, 2020, officers were dispatched to a call of a possible crime that occurred inside an apartment in the 600 block of W. Vineyard Avenue. While on scene, officers attempted to contact the occupants of the apartment however suspect Michael Balam, age 42, refused to allow the occupants to open the door for the officers. While officers were on scene, they received information that Balam was armed with a firearm inside the apartment. Officers were also informed that there were four additional occupants inside the residence, including several juveniles, who had locked themselves inside a bedroom. Officers began evacuating nearby residences. OPD SWAT and Crisis Negotiations Team responded and established communications with the occupants inside the apartment. Suspect Balam refused to surrender, remained agitated, told officers he was armed with a firearm, and continued making threats towards the officers and the occupants inside the apartment. After approximately three hours, a gunshot was fired from inside the apartment. The bullet went through the front door and narrowly missed striking SWAT team members who were staged very close to the door. The bullet penetrated into a nearby apartment that had previously been evacuated. Shortly afterwards, SWAT made an exigent entry into the apartment, simultaneously rescuing the four occupants and taking Balam into custody. He was arrested for attempted murder of a police officer, felony child endangerment, and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

The incident is being investigated by the department’s Major Crimes Unit and Family Protection Unit. 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: December 9, 2020, 11:35 P.M.

SUBJECT: Shooting Victim Found Dead in Oxnard

VICTIM: Black Male, 26 years of age, Los Angeles resident (name withheld pending notification to next of kin)

SUSPECT: Unknown

LOCATION: 600 block of Rubens Place, Oxnard

CONTACT: John Sunia, Detective

(805) 385-7760 | John.Sunia@OxnardPD.org

DETAILS:

On December 9, 2020, at 11:35 P.M., Oxnard police officers were dispatched to a call of shots fired and a subject down in the 600 block of Rubens Place in Oxnard. When officers arrived they located the victim down in the street. He appeared to be suffering from a gunshot wound to his head. Emergency medical personnel arrived but could not resuscitate the victim. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

This is the 8^th homicide this year in the City of Oxnard. Investigators are seeking the public’s assistance with any information regarding this incident.

Detectives are encouraging anyone who may have video recorded or photographed all or part of the incident, to upload your media directly to the investigators via the following link: https://oxnardpd.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/600rubensplace. All submissions are immediately logged into the Oxnard Police Department’s digital evidence system. Contact information is not stored by Axon and community members can remain anonymous, choosing to upload their files without providing contact information.

Investigators are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective John Sunia (805) 385-7760. The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: December 10, 2020, 4:15 A.M.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 8, 2020, 2:15 P.M.

SUBJECT: Robbery, Suspects Arrested

LOCATION: 1300 Block Of West Iris Street, Oxnard, CA

CONTACT: Kevin Gormley, Detective

(805) 385-7686

kevin.gormley@oxnardpd.org

On December 8, 2020 at approximately 2:15 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a robbery that had just occurred in the 1300 block of West Iris Street. When they arrived, officers learned that two victims were driving in the 1300 block of West Iris Street when they were stopped by a male suspect who was standing in the middle of the street. That suspect produced a firearm and entered the rear seat of the vehicle. A second suspect produced a knife and also entered the vehicle. The suspects proceeded to rob the victims of their property. The suspects then exited the vehicle and fled.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation. Based on the investigation, investigators were able to identify the suspects as 35-year-old Oxnard resident Richard Valenzuela and a 16-year-old male Oxnard resident. At approximately 4:10 P.M., investigators observed Valenzuela and the 16-year-old male in a vehicle in the area of Channel Islands Boulevard and “J” Street. Investigators conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and both suspects were taken into custody without incident. Both suspects were arrested for their role in the robbery. Valenzuela was later booked into the Ventura County Jail. The juvenile suspect was booked into the Ventura County Juvenile Hall.

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.