News Releases

Please see the updated press releases for the fatal collision at the Cooper Road and Grant Avenue intersection on May 13, 2024. Both the original and updated press releases have been translated into Spanish.

NEWS RELEASE UPDATE

DATE: May 16, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal Hit and Run Collision Involving a Pedestrian

LOCATION: Cooper Road and Grant Avenue

PEDESTRIAN: Ponciano Abarca-Garcia, 40-year-old, resident of Oxnard

VEHICLE: Dark blue, 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra

CONTACT: Oscar Toraya, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | oscar.toraya@oxnardpd.org

The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the pedestrian as Ponciano Abarca-Garcia, a 40-year-old resident of Oxnard.

The suspect vehicle has been identified as a dark-colored 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra. Investigators believe the vehicle to have moderate damage on the left side of the license plate, above the rear bumper.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Oscar Toraya at (805) 200-5668 or via email at oscar.toraya@oxnardpd.org. Also, anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600.

If the inquiry is outside the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage using the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more effective way to reach the Investigator. Our watch commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and still can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 16, 2024

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrols

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 | michael.gens@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard Police Department to hold DUI Checkpoint and use extra officers to patrol for suspected impaired drivers

The Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers working patrol on Friday, May 17, 2024, specifically looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In addition, the Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city. The DUI Checkpoint and DUI patrols will be from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

DUI checkpoints and patrols are done in locations with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

In 2021, 1,370 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above). The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take these precautions to avoid a DUI:

● Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation – to get home.

● Walking while impaired is also dangerous. Have someone sober walk you home or stay with you until a sober driver is available to pick you up.

● Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

● Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

A DUI arrest is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.

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

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 13, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal Hit and Run Collision Involving Pedestrian

LOCATION: Cooper Road and Grant Avenue

PEDESTRIAN: Approximately 35 years old, name withheld pending next of kin notification

VEHICLE: Dark blue, 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra

CONTACT: Oscar Toraya, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | oscar.toraya@oxnardpd.org

On May 13, 2024, at approximately 5:31 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a pedestrian in the area of Cooper Road and Grant Avenue. Officers located a male unresponsive in the roadway with injuries consistent with being involved in a traffic collision. Emergency Medical Services quickly arrived, however, pronounced the male deceased at the scene. Investigators believe the pedestrian fell while walking in the crosswalk and was hit by an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene after the collision.

The suspect vehicle is a dark-colored 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra. Investigators believe it has moderate damage on the left side of the license plate, above the rear bumper.

Police are currently on scene investigating a collision at Oxnard Boulevard and Rose Avenue. All southbound traffic is blocked on Rose Avenue at Oxnard Boulevard. Southbound traffic on Oxnard Boulevard at Statham is also blocked. Commuters wishing to enter the Pacific Coast Highway or the area should seek an alternate route. Information will be updated when available.

All traffic lanes are now open.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 10, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian

LOCATION: Rose Avenue at Oxnard Boulevard

DRIVER: Jose Garibay, Oxnard Resident

VEHICLE: 2002 Ford F-150

PEDESTRIAN: Josefina Romo, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org

On May 10, 2024, at approximately 5:24 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred at the intersection of Rose Avenue and Oxnard Boulevard. The pedestrian, later identified as 67-year-old Oxnard resident Josefina Romo, sustained major injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the vehicle, 58-year-old Oxnard resident Jose Garibay, remained on scene, was uninjured, and cooperated with investigators.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that Jose Garibay was driving southbound Oxnard Boulevard when he struck Josefina Romo, who had been crossing Oxnard Boulevard in the marked crosswalk at Rose Avenue. Investigators did not believe that speed, alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors to the collision. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)200-5668 or via email at alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 10, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian

LOCATION: Rose Avenue at Oxnard Boulevard

DRIVER: Jose Garibay, Oxnard Resident

VEHICLE: 2002 Ford F-150

PEDESTRIAN: Josefina Romo, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 10, 2024

SUBJECT: Organized Retail Theft Arrests

SUSPECTS: Kourosh Mirshekar, 35 year-old Oxnard Resident

Atefeh Mohammadi, 27 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 4300 block of Waterside Lane, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7623 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) jose.velazquez@oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit along with the Drug Enforcement Unit, completed a two-month long investigation into allegations of organized retail thefts that occurred within the City of Oxnard.

The investigation led to the identification of two suspects, Kourosh Mirshekar and Atefeh Mohammadi, both Oxnard residents, who were involved in multiple thefts during a one-month span. Detectives quickly gathered sufficient evidence to secure search warrants to prevent the ongoing loss of property occurring at Oxnard businesses. Detectives worked closely with the victimized business and secured a search warrant for the suspect’s residence, located in the 4300 block of Waterside Lane.

On May 10, 2024, detectives with the Property Crimes and Drug Enforcement Units along with the Special Enforcement Unit, executed the search warrant at the suspect’s residence. During the search of the residence, detectives located several items of stolen property and evidence related to the Organized Retail Theft investigation. In addition to the recovered stolen property, detectives seized a large quantity of U.S. currency believed to be proceeds derived from the activity of Organized Retail Theft.

Both Mirshekar and Mohammadi were arrested and booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention Facility on charges associated with Organized Retail Theft.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing Organized Retail Theft in the city of Oxnard. Ventura County is not immune to these crime trends and has seen a significant increase in criminal activity year after year. From 10/01/2022 until 09/30/2023, within Ventura County, there were 554 reported Organized Retail Theft (ORT) incidents, 1,058 reported stolen vehicle incidents, 799 reported catalytic converter theft incidents, and three reported cargo theft incidents. In total, this amounts to approximately 2,414 crime incidents impacting the citizens of Ventura County. The total estimated loss attributed to these crimes for Ventura County is approximately $10 million per year.

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

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department’s 25th Annual Memorial Ceremony
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
LOCATION:	251 South C Street, Oxnard, California
PREPARED BY:	Paul Carganilla, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Mike Thomas (805) 385-8300 Michael.Thomas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, the Oxnard Police Department will be hosting its 25th Annual Memorial Ceremony. The ceremony will occur in front of the Oxnard Police Department.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Decades later, the event became known as National Police Week. This year, National Police Week is from Sunday, May 12, 2024, to Saturday, May 18, 2024. During National Police Week, thousands of law enforcement officers and survivors travel to Washington D.C. and other parts of the United States to honor those officers that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Our Memorial Ceremony will honor Oxnard’s seven fallen police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Each officer made the ultimate sacrifice while proudly wearing the badge of the Oxnard Police Department and bravely working to keep the City of Oxnard safe.

Our fallen Oxnard Police Officers are:

Deputy Constable Andrew McNaughton

End of Watch – March 23, 1906

Constable William E. Kelley

End of Watch – August 20, 1921

Officer Albert Gasperetti

End of Watch – April 15, 1956

Officer Frederick J. Clark

End of Watch – October 12, 1971

Senior Officer John Adair

End of Watch – October 7, 1980

Officer James E. O’Brien

End of Watch – December 2, 1993

Officer James R. Jensen, Jr.

End of Watch – March 13, 1996

The ceremony is open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend to honor our fallen police officers and pay tribute to all law enforcement officers who continue to serve.

Several streets surrounding the Oxnard Police Department will be closed beginning at 7:00 am until approximately 12:00 pm. Vehicle traffic will be diverted from the area and intersections will be controlled by police personnel. Motorists traveling through the area should expect minor delays and are asked to avoid the area if they are not attending the ceremony. The following intersections will be closed:

Northbound C Street from Fourth Street
Westbound Third Street from B Street
Eastbound Third Street from D Street
Southbound C Street from Second Street

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 8, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.

*UPDATE*

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 7, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a bicyclist

LOCATION: Saviers Road at Pleasant Valley Road

DRIVER: Unknown

VEHICLE: 2002 Mercury Mountaineer

PEDESTRIAN: Youssef Anis Salama Ayad, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org

Update (Refer to the original collision information below)

On May 3, 2024, at approximately 6:04 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist that occurred near the intersection of Saviers Road and Pleasant Valley Road. The bicyclist was transported to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the bicyclist as Youssef Anis Salama Ayad, a 33-year-old resident of Oxnard. The collision investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)200-5668, or by email at alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

On May 3, 2024, at approximately 6:04 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist that occurred near the intersection of Saviers Road and Pleasant Valley. The bicyclist, an unidentified adult male, sustained major injuries and was transported to a hospital. He was pronounced deceased a short time later. The vehicle fled the scene.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that the bicyclist was riding southbound Saviers Road in the northbound bicycle lane. The vehicle, a Mercury Mountaineer, exited the parking lot of the Speedway Express Gas Station and made a right turn onto Saviers Road. The vehicle struck the bicyclist, and then fled the collision scene. Investigators did not believe that speed was a contributing factor to the collision. It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors to the collision. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Patrick Blanche at (805)200-5668 or via email at Patrick.blanche@oxnardpd.org.