News Releases

DATE: August 7th, 2020, 5:40 P.M.

SUBJECT: Gang Member/ Prohibited Person Arrested for Firearm Possession

LOCATION: Ventura Road and Bay Boulevard, Oxnard

SUSPECTS: Alejandro Arroyo, 28 year-old Oxnard resident

Juan Rodriguez, 34 year-old Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Christopher Williams, Commander

(805) 207-7234 | [email protected]

On August 7th, at approximately 5:40 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation on Ventura Road at Bay Boulevard, in Oxnard. Officers contacted the driver, Juan Rodriguez, 34 year-old Oxnard resident, and passenger, Alejandro Arroyo, 28 year-old Oxnard resident. Arroyo is a documented criminal street gang member and is on parole for carjacking. Rodriguez and Arroyo are both convicted felons and are prohibited from possessing firearms. Officers conducted a parole search of the vehicle and located a loaded 9mm firearm.

Arroyo was arrested for various firearm violations and for violating conditions of parole. Rodriguez was arrested for allowing a passenger to carry a loaded firearm in his vehicle and violating conditions of probation.

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: August, 7, 2020 / 2030 hours

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 7, 2020, 8:31 P.M.

SUBJECT: Serious injury traffic collision involving a Metrolink train and a vehicle

LOCATION: Del Norte Blvd. at Fifth Street, Oxnard

DRIVER: 55-year-old male of Oxnard

VEHICLE: 2003 Chevy S-10 pickup truck

CONTACT: Paul Knapp, Senior Officer

(805) 385-7750 | [email protected]

On August 7, 2020, at approximately 8:31 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision involving a Metrolink train and a vehicle that occurred at Del Norte Blvd. and Fifth Street. Officers determined that a 55-year-old male of Oxnard driving a Chevy S-10 pickup truck was traveling southbound on Del Norte Blvd. As the driver drove onto the railroad grade crossing located north of Fifth Street, he turned right and drove westbound onto the railroad tracks where the vehicle became stuck. A westbound Metrolink train then approached the intersection and attempted to stop but was unable to avoid the collision and collided with the pickup truck.

The driver sustained serious injuries and was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition. No one riding on the Metrolink train was injured. After the investigation was completed, the Metrolink train was able to continue to the Oxnard Transit Center.

Traffic investigators have taken over the investigation. It is unknown whether alcohol and/or drugs 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 [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 6th, 2020, 6:20 P.M.

SUBJECT: Gang Member/ Prohibited Person Arrested for Firearm Possession

LOCATION: South J St/ Linden Dr., Oxnard

SUSPECTS: 17-year-old Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Christopher Williams, Commander

(805) 207-7234 | [email protected]

On August 6th, at approximately 6:20 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation on South J Street at Linden Drive, in Oxnard. Officers contacted the driver who is a 17-year-old documented Oxnard gang member. Officers learned that he is on probation with searchable terms. The 17-year-old juvenile has previously been arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm. Officers conducted a probation search at his residence and located a loaded 9mm firearm in his bedroom. The 17-year-old juvenile was arrested for various firearm violations.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August, 6, 2020 / 2030 hours

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 6, 2020, 2:45 P.M.

SUBJECT: Attempted Bank Robbery Arrest

VICTIM: Wells Fargo Bank

SUSPECT: Craig James Brashear, 45 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: Wells Fargo Bank, 400 block E. Esplanade Drive Oxnard, CA

CONTACT: Rocky Marquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On Thursday, August 6, 2020, officers responded to a report of a bank robbery in progress at the Wells Fargo Bank, located in the 400 block of E. Esplanade Drive, in Oxnard. The suspect, Craig Brashear, claimed to have a “bomb” and demanded an undisclosed amount of money from the bank teller. A bank employee immediately retreated from the counter and called police to report the incident. Responding officers contacted and detained Brashear as he was fleeing the business. Brashear also claimed to have placed an explosive device on the roof of the business. The Oxnard Police Department Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was used to search the roof for possible explosive devices. No suspicious devices were located in the area.

Craig Brashear was arrested for attempted robbery of the bank and the malicious informing of a false explosive device. A records check revealed that Brashear has multiple prior bank robbery convictions.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 5, 2020, 12:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: Doctor Arrested for Sexual Assault

SUSPECT: David Nathanial Michelson, 73-year old, Newbury Park resident

LOCATION: 1800 block North Rice Avenue, Oxnard

CONTACT: Scott Aaron, Sergeant

(805) 385-7756 | [email protected]

Sharon Giles, Commander

(805) 385-7620 | [email protected]

On August 5, 2020, at about 08:00 A.M., after an eight-month-long investigation, investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit arrested 73-year old Newbury Park resident, David Michelson. Mr. Michelson is a cosmetic surgeon in the City of Oxnard. Doctor Michelson was arrested for sexually assaulting one of his patients during a medical exam.

The victim was a patient of Doctor Michelson at Michelson Cosmetic Surgery. During an appointment, the victim alleged that Doctor Michelson digitally penetrated and orally copulated her breast.

The Oxnard Police Department's Family Protection Unit investigated this case. At the completion of the investigation, investigators presented the case to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for review. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed the case, and an arrest warrant was issued for Doctor Michelson. He was arrested for two counts of Digital Penetration, and one count of sexual battery.

Doctor David Michelson was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on a bail amount of $100,000.

The Oxnard Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation and believes there could possibly be other victims that have not reported similar incidents to the police. Anyone with information regarding this case or any similar incidents involving Doctor Michelson is asked to contact Detective Juan Morales (805) 385-3922.

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.

Police, Fire, and Water Department personnel are on scene of a significant water main break at the intersection of Pleasant Valley and Perkins Road. Traffic is closed on Pleasant Valley Road, in both directions, between C and J Street. The road closure is expected to be in effect for an extended period of time. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 22, 2020, 1:00 P.M.

SUBJECT: Arrests Made In String of Robberies

LOCATION: Pleasant Valley Road and Charles Street, Oxnard, CA

CONTACT: Jaime Miranda, Detective

(805) 385-7547

[email protected]

During the week of July 18^th2020,the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit began an investigation into a series of robberies of street vendors in the Southwinds Neighborhood. On July 22^nd 2020, investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit were conducting directed enforcement in the Southwinds Neighborhood in reference to those robberies. At approximately 1:00 P.M., investigators observed what they believed was a robbery in progress to a street vendor near the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Charles Street.

Investigators drove towards the incident to make contact with the involved parties however the suspect drove away in a vehicle. Investigators conducted an enforcement stop on the vehicle and contacted the lone occupant, who was identified as 26-year-old Oxnard resident Diego Cruz. While speaking with Cruz, additional investigators contacted the victim, who confirmed that Cruz was attempting to rob him.

Cruz was arrested for four counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery. He was later booked into the Ventura County Jail on those charges. Anyone with any information regarding this crime or similar crimes is encouraged to contact Detective Jaime Miranda at 805-385-7547.

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.

Oxnard Police Department Will Work With District Attorney’s Office

to Vacate Civil Gang Injunctions

In response to an increasing gang presence throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the City of Oxnard, in partnership with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, sought a court order establishing gang injunctions in 2005 against the Colonia Chiques and Southside Chiques street gangs.The two civil gang injunctions proved to be an effective tool in a comprehensive approach to reduce gang violence in Oxnard’s neighborhoods.

By late 2017, two California court decisions significantly changed the requirements for placing individuals on injunctions. As a result of the need to change processes, the Oxnard Police Department suspended enforcement of its two gang injunctions. Over the course of the next two and a half years, the Oxnard Police Department and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office worked together to develop processes that would be compliant with the new court decisions. However, these practices added steps that, while procedurally sound and on firm legal ground, have shown to be especially time and labor intensive. One significant consequence of this was that it had become burdensome to manage even a small number of gang members. A review of the cost-effectiveness and resources needed to properly continue the effort prompted the decision to discontinue civil gang injunctions in Oxnard for the foreseeable future.

“We always looked at the gang injunctions as one tool, of many, in our efforts to reduce gang crime. When we announced our intent to seek the first injunction, we saw an immediate decrease in gang activity. From the start, we used a measured and thoughtful approach toward the management and enforcement of the injunctions. Over time, gang behavior has evolved and court decisions restricted our use of the injunctions. Both of these factors made the injunctions less impactful in lowering gang crime. Since 2017, we have been unable to enforce the two injunctions. In our continuing efforts to best use our limited resources, we have determined that we will no longer maintain and enforce the two injunctions.” – Chief Scott Whitney

District Attorney Greg Totten shared, “I respect the decision by Chief Whitney to cease enforcement of the gang injunctions in Oxnard, where gang association and related crime has evolved from street corners to smart phones. As gangs adapt their methods of perpetrating crime, so must law enforcement in order to bring those who commit violent gang crimes to justice.”

Prepared by: Assistant Chief Eric S. Sonstegard

News Release Date: July 21, 2020

Media Follow-Up Contact:

Eric S. Sonstegard, Assistant Police Chief

[email protected] / (805) 990-1079

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 19, 2020, 10:20 P.M.

SUBJECT: Documented Gang Member Arrested with Concealed Handgun

LOCATION: Fifth St. at “H” St., Oxnard

SUSPECTS: Angel Carrillo, 24-year-old Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Christopher Williams, Commander

(805) 207-7234 | [email protected]

On July 19, at approximately 10:20 p.m. officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation near the intersection of Fifth St. and “H” St. Officers contacted the driver, Angel Carrillo, and learned that he was driving on a suspended license and had a misdemeanor warrant. Officers also noted that Carrillo’s passenger was in possession of an opened alcoholic beverage. Officers had Carrillo and his passenger exit the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle for additional open alcoholic beverage containers and located a concealed semi automatic handgun. Carrillo was arrested for felony possession of a concealed handgun. Carrillo is also a documented criminal street gang member in the city of Oxnard.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July, 19, 2020 / 2330 hours

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 17, 2020; 5:20 P.M.

SUBJECT: Carjacking/Attempt Carjacking Arrest

SUSPECT: Jose Ramiro Torres, 24 years old

LOCATION: Various

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On July 17, 2020, at about 5:20PM officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 1800 block of N. Rose Avenue reference a stolen vehicle. Officers contacted the victim, who stated he was to the rear of the businesses when the suspect approached and demanded a ride. The suspect simulated a weapon and the victim, in fear for his safety, backed away from his vehicle. The suspect entered and drove away in the victim’s vehicle.

As officers were checking the area, they also responded to a hit and run collision involving the victim’s vehicle. The suspect, Torres, fled but was located a short time later by officers in the 1400 block of N. Lombard Street. The victim of the carjacking identified the suspect as the person who took his vehicle. The victim of the hit and run collision also identified Torres as the person who was driving the suspect vehicle and fled the scene after the collision.

Officers were called to a third victim at 2200 E. Gonzales Road. This victim stated he was seated in the passenger’s seat of his vehicle when the suspect, later identified as Torres, entered through the driver’s side door and attempted to take the vehicle. The victim and Torres struggled over the keys before Torres eventually fled the area.

Torres was arrested for carjacking, attempt carjacking and misdemeanor hit and run driving.

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: July 17, 2020 / 11:20PM

Torres