Oxnard Investigators Seek Assistance with Homicide

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:                        August 18, 2020, 4:00 p.m.

SUBJECT:                 Convicted Felon Arrested in Stolen Vehicle

LOCATION:               Westar Drive @ Vanguard Drive

CONTACT:                Meagan Tobey

                                  (805) 385-7755, [email protected]

On 08/18/2020, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the victim of a reported stolen vehicle located their vehicle driving in the area of Channel Islands Boulevard and Dupont Street. Auto Theft Task Force and Property Crimes Detectives responded to the area and located the vehicle in the area of Ives Avenue and Rose Avenue. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle in the area of Westar Drive and Vanguard Drive. The driver was identified as 30-year-old Oxnard resident Jonathan Chavez and arrested for unlawful driving of a stolen vehicle and unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle.  

A records check of Chavez indicated that he has been convicted four times for auto theft and has served 1,185 days (3.5 years) for these convictions. Chavez was subsequently charged with an additional count of auto theft with a prior conviction.

A significant percentage of stolen vehicles are preventable. The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind the residents of the following tips to prevent a vehicle from being stolen:

·         Never leave your vehicle unlocked, not even for a minute.

·         Never leave your keys in the vehicle, even if you think they are “hidden.”

·         Don’t leave your vehicle idling and unattended because it is unnecessary, it is

unsafe, illegal and someone can steal your vehicle.

·         Wheel locks, brake pedal locks, and steering wheel locks are also effective.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing auto theft 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:           August 13th, 2020, 5:20 P.M.

SUBJECT:    Gang Member/ Prohibited Person Arrested for Firearm Possession

LOCATION:  1000 block of South ‘G’ Street, Oxnard

SUSPECT:  Rafael Lopez 27 year old,  Oxnard resident

VICTIM:      Withheld

CONTACT:   Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

                        (805) 256-5121 | [email protected]

On August 13th, at approximately 5:20 p.m., detectives from the Property Crimes Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit observed a wanted felon, Rafael Lopez, driving in the area of Ninth Street and ‘G’ Street. Lopez was wanted for a felony Post Release Offender (PROs) warrant for exhibiting a deadly weapon at law enforcement to prevent arrest. Detectives attempted a traffic stop on his vehicle in the 1000 block of South ‘G’ Street, Oxnard. Lopez immediately pulled over and fled the vehicle on foot. While running through the neighborhood, Lopez armed himself with a loaded 9mm handgun. Lopez approached an open window of a residence and was confronted by the victim. Lopez pointed the firearm at the victim and fled. Lopez was observed attempting to get into a vehicle and confronted by detectives. Lopez turned and discarded the handgun before surrendering without further incident.

Detectives attempted to locate the firearm in the backyard of a residence and were unsuccessful due to debris and overgrown bushes. Detectives requested the assistance of the Oxnard K9 Unit. K9 Capone arrived on scene and located the firearm in a bush in the backyard.

Lopez is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm. He was arrested for several felony firearms charges, exhibiting a firearm in a threatening manner, a felony, and misdemeanor narcotics possession.     

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing weapon related crimes 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. 

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  August, 13, 2020 / 2030 hours

 image.png

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:           August 13, 2020, 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

SUBJECT:    Traffic Enforcement Operation

LOCATION:  City of Oxnard

CONTACT:   Adam Aguilar, Traffic Officer

                        (805) 385-7750 | [email protected]

On Thursday, August 13, 2020, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department and California Highway Patrol deployed specially trained personnel in response to recent complaints and traffic collisions related to illegal street racing, reckless driving, and unsafe vehicles operating on our roadways.  The police department has received complaints from community members of large numbers of modified vehicles gathering and disturbing at different locations around the city.     

During the traffic enforcement operation, officers arrested two drivers for participating in a street race, six people were arrested for aiding or engaging in exhibition of speed, and two drivers were arrested for reckless driving.  In addition, nine vehicles were towed during the operation.    

Over the past several years, there has been an increased presence of these types of unsanctioned events in Oxnard and throughout the county. Street racing, drag racing, drifting, and other forms of unpermitted driving create a very dangerous environment for everyone on our roadways. The Oxnard Police Department will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to this dangerous and illegal behavior. Those doing these acts will be subject to citations, vehicles being towed, and possibly arrested.

Violators driving modified vehicles will be referred to a State Referee, who will perform equipment inspections. State Referees will not sign off citations until a vehicle is in full compliance with the law.

It is the mission of the Oxnard Police Department to promote traffic safety and to reduce the number of collisions in our community.  The police department will continue these types of enforcement operations in an effort to make our roadways safer.   

If anyone has questions regarding this enforcement operation, please contact Traffic Officer Adam Aguilar at [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:                        August 12, 2020, 5:00 a.m.

SUBJECT:                 Unattended Vehicle Operation leads to Stolen Vehicle Arrest

LOCATION:               Yucca St / ‘A’ Ct  Oxnard, CA

CONTACT:                Enrique Alvarez

                                   (805) 385-7664, [email protected]

Our city is experiencing an increase in stolen vehicles. To combat the problem, the Oxnard Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit, Auto Theft Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Unit is taking a proactive comprehensive approach in prevention, enforcement, and investigation of stolen vehicles.

On 08/12/2020, at approximately 0500 hours, Detectives with the Property Crimes Unit conducted an unattended vehicle operation. The purpose of this operation was to educate the public on the importance of not leaving vehicles idling and unattended on the street or in the driveway. Unattended vehicles continue to contribute to the rise in auto theft citywide. 

While conducting this operation in the area of Yucca Street and ‘A’ Court, detectives located an occupied stolen vehicle, a green Nissan truck. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 35 year old Oxnard resident Jacob Perryman, fled from the vehicle and detectives gave chase. Perryman was taken into custody a short distance away and charged with driving a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, unlawful possession of vehicle master keys, and in possession of a stolen vehicle with prior arrests. Perryman has been arrested four times this year for property crime related offenses and narcotic related offenses.

A significant percentage of stolen vehicles are preventable. The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind the residents of the following tips to prevent a vehicle from being stolen:

·         Never leave your vehicle unlocked, not even for a minute.

·         Never leave your keys in the vehicle, even if you think they are “hidden.”

·         Don’t leave your vehicle idling and unattended because it is unnecessary, it is unsafe, illegal and someone can steal your vehicle.

·         Wheel locks, brake pedal locks and steering wheel locks are also effective.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing auto theft 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. 

MISSING PERSON

DATE:            August 12, 2020, 2:46 PM

SUBJECT:     At risk missing adult

LOCATION:  1300 block of Bayside Circle

VICTIM:         Brendalin Thielman

CONTACT:    Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

                       (805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing adult female who is considered to be at risk. On August 12, 2020, at 2:46 PM, the department received a call of a missing adult from the 1300 block of Bayside Circle.  The missing person is Brendalin Thielman. She is described as a Black, female, 67 years, 5’6”, 95 lbs, wearing a dark colored dress and gray jacket. Mrs. Thielman was last seen walking away from her residence earlier today at around 9:00 AM. Anyone who has seen Mrs. Thielman, or knows her possible whereabouts, is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740 or dial 911. 

  DATE / TIME PREPARED:  August 12, 2020 / 5:22 PM  

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:           August 11, 2020, 7:50 a.m.

SUBJECT:    Single vehicle fatal traffic collision

LOCATION:  Ventura Road south of Wagon Wheel Road, Oxnard

DRIVER:       49-year-old male of Oxnard  

VEHICLE:     2003 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck

CONTACT:   Manuel Perez III, Traffic Officer

                        (805) 385-7750 | [email protected]

On August 11, 2020, at approximately 7:50 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a single-vehicle traffic collision that occurred in the area of Ventura Road south of Wagon Wheel Road.  Officers determined that a 49-year-old male of Oxnard driving a 2003 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was traveling northbound on Ventura Road, and, for unknown reasons, veered off the roadway onto the center divider.  The vehicle then struck a support structure for the train bridge located on Ventura Road south of Wagon Wheel Road. 

The driver sustained critical injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision.  

Traffic investigators have taken over the investigation.  It does not appear that alcohol and/or drugs were involved.  Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Officer Manuel Perez at (805) 385-7750 or via email at [email protected].