News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: October 24, 2020

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint Results

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Traffic Officer

(805) 385-7749 | [email protected]

One Driver Arrested at the Oxnard DUI Checkpoint

Oxnard, Calif. – 587 responsible drivers were screened while driving through a DUI checkpoint on October 23, 2020, as no drivers were arrested for DUI. The checkpoint was held at Wooley Road and S. A Street from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Thirty drivers were cited for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license and one driver was arrested for a misdemeanor warrant.

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: October 22, 2020

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Officer

(805) 385-7749 | [email protected]

Oxnard Police Department Holding DUI Checkpoint on October 23, 2020

The Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint on Friday, October 23, 2020, from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location within the city limits.

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

During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or operating heavy machinery, which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.

Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license. 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: October 21, 2020, 10:25 p.m.

SUBJECT: Narcotics Sales Arrest

SUSPECTS: Douglas Schmachtenberger, 36 Year Old Los Angeles resident

LOCATION: 2200 Block of North Rose Avenue, Oxnard

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

805-256-5121, [email protected]

On October 21, 2020, Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) completed a narcotics investigation regarding Douglas Schmachtenberger, 36 year old Los Angeles resident, transporting and distributing Heroin in the City of Oxnard. Detectives contacted Schmachtenberger in a business parking lot located in the 2200 block of North Rose Avenue. During the investigation, detectives located a large quantity of Heroin, a scale, packaging material, and US Currency consistent with street sales of narcotics. The amount of Heroin located in Schmachtenberger’s possession could have caused over 2,000 potentially fatal overdoses. Schmachtenberger was charged with possession for sale of Heroin and transportation of Heroin, both felonies. He 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: October 19, 2020, at approximately 1:00 A.M.

SUBJECT: Felon arrested after posting video on Facebook Live with a gun

LOCATION: 1400 block of Park Avenue, Port Hueneme, CA

CONTACT: Luis Mc Arthur, Commander

[email protected]

(805) 207-4762

On October 19, 2020 at about 1 a.m., officers were called to Mariposa Street near Gonzales Road reference reports of a man with a gun. The officers tracked the man to the 1100 block of N.6^th Place in Port Hueneme and the man ran from his car when the officers tried to stop him.

The department used a drone to locate Nicomedes Watts, 33, from Oxnard hiding on a roof of a house in the 1400 block of Park Avenue. Watts refused to come down from the roof and at one point threatened with a knife. The department’s SWAT team and hostage negotiation team responded to the scene, and Watts surrendered after a 3-hour standoff.

During the search of his vehicle, officers found a gun case and ammunition, but the gun was not located.

Nicomedes was booked at Ventura County Jail on suspicion of multiple crimes, including conspiracy to commit a crime, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and resisting arrest.

His bail was set at $70, 000.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: October 16, 3:55 P.M.

SUBJECT: Gang Members Arrested For Firearms Possession

LOCATION: Pacific Avenue, 800 Block

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On October 16, at approximately 3:55 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic stop of a grey Audi A4 in the 800 block of Pacific Avenue for a traffic violation. Officers contacted Elias Lucas (19yrs) in the vehicle, and a male juvenile (16yrs) on foot in the area that was associated with the vehicle. Lucas and the juvenile are known criminal street gang members within the City of Oxnard. Both Lucas and the juvenile are currently on probation, and the juvenile is a prohibited person from possession of firearms and ammunition.

Officers conducted a search of the vehicle, and located a loaded GSG .22 caliber semi-automatic handgun concealed in the dash of the vehicle. An additional probation search was conducted at Lucas’ residence in the 3500 block of south “A” Street. During this search, additional .22 caliber ammunition and two high capacity AK-47 magazines were located. The firearm was later found to have been recently stolen out of the City of Oxnard. Lucas and the juvenile were arrested for firearms violations and possession of stolen property.

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: October 17, 6:40 P.M.

SUBJECT: Gang Member Arrested For Firearms Possession

LOCATION: First Street at “C” Street

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On October 17, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic stop of a black Toyota Camry for a traffic violation. Officers contacted Raymond Delatorre (44yrs) in the vehicle. Delatorre is a known criminal street gang member within the City of Oxnard, is currently on probation, is a convicted felon and is a prohibited person from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

As officers began to have Delatorre step out of the vehicle to conduct a probation search, Delatorre began to reach towards the floor for a black glove. Officers prevented Delatorre from grabbing the glove, and were able to have him exit the vehicle without further incident. During the search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded .25 caliber RG semi-automatic handgun inside of the black glove that Delatorre had attempted to grab. The firearm was also found to be unregistered. Delatorre was arrested for various firearms related violations.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: October 13, 2020, at approximately 11:00 A.M.

SUBJECT: Suspect Arrested for Criminal Threats and Felony Evading

LOCATION: 5000 Blk. San Juan Avenue, Oxnard, CA

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

[email protected]

(805) 385-7769

On October 13, 2020, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to the 5000 block of San Juan Avenue reference a person making threats to harm family members and himself. Officers arrived on scene and learned that Rodolfo Martinez, a 27-year old Oxnard resident, had threatened to shoot the mother of his child and mentioned that he was in possession of a firearm. Martinez fled the scene in a vehicle before police officers arrived. The officers searched the area and were able to locate Martinez in a parking lot in North Oxnard.

When officers attempted to contact Martinez, he fled in his vehicle. The officers, with assistance from a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter unit, pursued Martinez southbound on the 101 Freeway. Throughout the pursuit, Crisis Negotiators with the Oxnard Police Department and personnel with Ventura County Mental Health Ventura County Mental Health were in phone contact with Martinez and encouraged him to give himself up to police. Once in the City of Thousand Oaks, Martinez entered a shopping center parking lot, stopped the vehicle, and refused to exit the vehicle. At this point, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department was asked to assist with the incident.

Martinez then drove from the parking lot and headed in a northbound direction towards Oxnard. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department pursued Martinez and used a vehicle intervention technique to stop his vehicle and safely bring the incident to a conclusion. Inside the vehicle, officers located parts to an assault weapon.

Martinez was arrested for making criminal threats and felony evading.

Paul Carganilla

Community Affairs Manager

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

email: [email protected]

251 South C Street, Oxnard, CA 93030

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: October 14, 2020

SUBJECT: Traffic Safety, Education, and Enforcement Grants

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Officer

(805) 385-7749 | [email protected]

Oxnard Police Department awarded $486,000 from two grants by the

Office of Traffic Safety

Oxnard, Ca. – Oxnard Police Department received funding from two grants totaling $486,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The police department received $33,000 for one of the grants that focuses on the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.

“Our goal is that education will change poor behaviors and make our roads safer,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “This funding will help ensure the safety of those out biking or walking.”

The grant funds will be used for a variety of activities promoting bicyclist and pedestrian safety including:

· Education workshops geared toward youth and older adults.

· Education on the importance of safety equipment that improves visibility such as reflective armbands, bicycle headlights, and taillights.

· Community walks and bicycle safety courses.

· Bicycle helmet inspections.

· Distribution of bicycle helmets to those in need following education presentations.

The Oxnard Police Department was awarded a second grant for $453,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety that will assist in efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on Oxnard roads.

Oxnard Police Chief Scott Whitney said, “Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. These grants will help promote traffic safety and reduce injuries caused by preventable collisions through educational presentations, traffic safety equipment for our community, and needed resources for our department.”

The grant will fund a variety of traffic safety programs including:

Patrols with emphasis on alcohol and drug-impaired driving prevention.
Patrols with emphasis on the education of traffic rights for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Patrols with emphasis on awareness and education of primary causes of crashes such as excess speed, failure to yield, failure to stop at stop signs/signals, improper turning/lane changes.

Community education presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, DUI, speed, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Collaborative efforts with neighboring agencies on traffic safety priorities.
Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

The grant programs run from Oct. 1, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2021.

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

Hello –

Mr. Jones was located safely and reunited with his family.

Thank you

On Sat, Oct 10, 2020 at 6:43 PM Baysinger, Kevin <[email protected]> wrote:

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:            October 10, 2020; 5:45 P.M.

SUBJECT: Missing Dependent Adult

                       Richard Jones, 84 year old male

LOCATION: 1400 block Visalia Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

                       (805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing dependent adult. Richard Jones, a 84 year old male, was reported missing from his residence in the 1400 block of Visalia Street at about 5:45PM. Richard is described as a white male, 5’6”, 150 pounds, with white hair. He was last seen wearing a red short sleeve shirt, white pants, and black shoes. He was last seen around 5:00PM on Patterson Road between Wooley Road and Hemlock Street.

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

Date/Time Prepared: October 10, 2020 / 6:35PM

Richard Jones

MP Photo.jpg

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: October 10, 2020; 5:45 P.M.

SUBJECT: Missing Dependent Adult

Richard Jones, 84 year old male

LOCATION: 1400 block Visalia Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing dependent adult. Richard Jones, a 84 year old male, was reported missing from his residence in the 1400 block of Visalia Street at about 5:45PM. Richard is described as a white male, 5’6”, 150 pounds, with white hair. He was last seen wearing a red short sleeve shirt, white pants, and black shoes. He was last seen around 5:00PM on Patterson Road between Wooley Road and Hemlock Street.

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

Date/Time Prepared: October 10, 2020 / 6:35PM

Richard Jones

MP Photo.jpg