OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting in Oxnard. One dead, two additional injured.
DATE/TIME:	February 9, 2020, 4:04 P.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	31 year old Hispanic male, deceased, name withheld pending family notification 45 year old Hispanic male, gunshot wound victim, Oxnard Resident 33 year old Hispanic male, gunshot wound victim, Santa Paula Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Edgar Fernandez (805) 385-7763 Edgar.Fernandez@Oxnardpd.org
FOLLOW UP CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Edgar Fernandez, (805) 385-7763 Edgar.Fernandez@Oxnardpd.org Commander Sharon Giles (805) 385-7620 Sharon.Giles@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

(Oxnard, Calif) – On February 9, 2020, at about 4:00 P.M., Oxnard police officers responded to the mobile home park located at 1301 Commercial Avenue regarding a possible gunshot victim. When officers arrived, they located a 45 year old male Hispanic suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his lower body. The male was immediately transported to the hospital. He was listed in critical condition at the time of this release. Additionally, officers located a 31 year old Hispanic male lying in a nearby shed, close to where the first gunshot wound victim was located. Additional EMS arrived on scene and began emergency life saving measures. Unfortunately, the second male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

While this incident was unfolding, additional officers were notified of a possible third gunshot victim in the area of the 1400 block of Pine Street. Officers located a third gunshot wound victim, a 33 year old Hispanic male in the area. The third victim had one non-life threatening gunshot wound to his arm. He was also transported to the local hospital for medical assistance.

The motive for this shooting is unknown. It appears that additional parties may have been involved. The investigation into this incident is still on-going.

Investigators 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/1301commecial. 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.

The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City.

Investigators are asking the public to come forward if anyone has witnessed this incident. The public is asked to contact Detective Ken Tougas (805) 200-5669.

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: February 9, 2020, 9:00 P.M.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	February 15, 2020 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jose Diaz, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Planned for Saturday night

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Saturday, February 15, 2020, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

DUI checkpoints like this one are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

In 2017, 1,120 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads. Last year, the Oxnard Police Department investigated 267 DUI collisions which claimed two lives and resulted in another 101 injuries.

The Oxnard Police Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who are drinking and how they are getting home.

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not! Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 12, 2020 / 10:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing Incident, Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	02/09/2020, 5:06 a.m.
LOCATION:	200 Block of West Vineyard Avenue, City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	50-Year-Old Female, Oxnard Resident 46-Year-Old Male, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Tavares, 21-Year-Old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Mike Johnson, Sergeant (805) 486-6211 Mike.johnson@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Mike Velasquez, Detective (805) 385-8287 michael.velasquez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 02/09/2020 at approximately 5:06 a.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the 200 block of West Vineyard Avenue in reference to a stabbing victim. When officers arrived, they found two stabbing victims, a 50-year-old female and a 46-year-old male, in two separate apartments. The male victim was suffering from numerous stab wounds to his upper body and the female victim was suffering from several lacerations to her upper body. Officers also located the suspect, Juan Tavares, inside of one of the apartments.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to assist. Based on preliminary information, it appears that Tavares and victims are related and reside together. At one point, Tavares woke up and for unknown reasons, stabbed both victims as they slept. The female victim fled to a neighboring apartment to request help. Another family member detained Tavares until officers arrived. Tavares was arrested for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon and was transported to the Ventura County Jail. The Investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 02/09/2020, 10:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Two arrested after police stop turns up guns
DATE/TIME:	February 9, 2020, 3:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	100 Block of Carmelita Court, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	James Magana, 21-year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Scott Coe, Sergeant Scott.Coe@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7746
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Luis Mc Arthur, Commander luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org (805) 207-4762

DETAILS:

On Sunday, February 9, 2020, at about 3:30 a.m. officers stopped a gold Honda Civic in the 100 block of Carmelita Court for traffic violations. When officers went up to the driver, they observed that he had a gun in plain sight, leading to a search that turned up a loaded handgun and two other guns including a replica handgun made to look real.

The driver, identified as James Magana, 21, was arrested on felony weapon charges. A passenger was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant.

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740, 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: February 9, 2020 / 6:45 a.m.

INCIDENT:	Gang Member Arrested for Possession of a Firearm and Controlled Substance
DATE/TIME:	February 8, 2020/ 8:40 p.m.
LOCATION:	500 Block, “M” Street, Oxnard CA.
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Jesus Aparicio, 18 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Martin Cook, Sergeant Martin.cook@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Christopher Williams, Commander Christopher.williams@Oxnardpd.org 805-207-7234

DETAILS:

On February 8, at 8:40 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) and Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Patrol Division contacted several subjects in the cul-de-sac of the 500 Block of south “M” Street reference drinking alcohol in public. Officers identified one of the subjects as Jesus Aparicio (18 years). Aparicio was identified as a criminal street gang member within the City of Oxnard. During the contact, Aparicio was found in possession of a loaded .25 caliber semi-auto handgun and numerous pills of Xanax.

The .25 caliber handgun was found to be unregistered and not registered to Aparicio. Aparicio was arrested for various firearm and narcotics related charges.

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.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Man Arrested After Pulling Replica Handgun on Officers
DATE/TIME:	February 6, 2020/ 0940 hours
LOCATION:	4300 Block Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Fernando Morales Lopez, age 49, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander (805) 385-7780 Robin.whitney@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 2/6/20, at about 9:40 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of Saviers Road and Yucca Avenue regarding a man seen in possession of a handgun. The reporting party described the weapon as a .44 caliber handgun. Responding officers observed a subject matching the description riding a bicycle near the intersection of Saviers Road and Bard Road and attempted to detain him. The subject refused to stop. He fled on his bicycle for a short distance before discarding it and fleeing on foot. Two officers gave chase and ordered him to stop multiple times however he refused to do so. As officers caught up to the suspect, he removed a replica handgun from his waistband, and nearly provoked an officer involved shooting. The suspect threw the weapon to the ground and continued to physically resist officers, before they were able to take him into custody. The replica handgun had all the appearances of real Glock 17 handgun. The suspect was identified as Fernando Morales Lopez, age 49. Lopez was arrested for a felony warrant along with misdemeanor charges of possession of an imitation firearm without the required markings, possession of a controlled substance and narcotic paraphernalia, and resisting arrest.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 6, 2020/ 9:30 p.m.

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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 5, 2020

OFFICER NATHAN MARTIN MEMORIAL SERVICE

AND TRAFFIC CLOSURE INFORMATION

Memorial services for Oxnard Police Officer Nathan Martin will be held on Friday, February 7th. Services will begin at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1201 Paseo Camarillo, CA 93010. Friends and co-workers are invited to pay their respects to Officer Martin inside the Relief Society Room of the church from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The viewing will be followed by a public memorial service inside the main chapel beginning at 11:00 a.m.

In respect to the family’s wishes, video recording by media will not be permitted inside the chapel during the ceremony. A staging area for media personnel will be available in the Constitution Park parking lot east of the church.

Immediately following the church service, a procession to include Officer Martin’s family and Oxnard Police Department personnel will move to a graveside service at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park located at 2052 Howard Road, Camarillo, CA 93012. Additional friends, co-workers, and law enforcement personnel are invited to drive directly to the cemetery after the procession has left the church.

Paseo Camarillo will be closed between Lantana Street and Carmen Drive on February 7, 2020 from 8:00 am through 3:00 pm due to a large anticipated funeral attendance at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Community members wishing to attend the event are encouraged to carpool, as there is limited parking at the church and cemetery. Those attending must enter Paseo Camarillo from Lantana Street, as the Carmen Drive entrance will not be open. The VCTC bus service on Paseo Camarillo will not be available during the hours of 12:30 p.m. through 2:30 p.m. due to the funeral activities. If possible, please avoid the area to reduce traffic congestion.

Please continue to keep Officer Martin’s family, friends, and coworkers in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Prepared by: Paul Carganilla, Oxnard Police Department Community Affairs Manager & Captain Eric Hatlee, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer

News Release Date: February 5, 2020

Media Follow-Up Contact: Paul Carganilla, O.P.D. / paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org / (805) 385-7631

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspect Arrested for Child Exploitation Material
DATE/TIME:	February 5, 2020, 8:15 A.M.
LOCATION:	1100 Block Otano Way, Oxnard, California
SUSPECT:	Ernesto Reyna, 19-year old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7756 Scott.Aaron@OxnardPD.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Kevin Adair (805) 385-7663 Kevin.Adair@OxnardPD.org

DETAILS:

On February 5, 2020, at about 8:15 A.M., after a four-month-long investigation, investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit and members of the Southern California High Tech Task Force served a search warrant at a residence in the 1100 block of Otano Way in the City of Oxnard. During the subsequent investigation and search, Ernesto Reyna was identified as allegedly being in possession of child exploitation material as well as participating in the distribution of child exploitation material.

Mr. Reyna was arrested for one count of possession/control of matter depicting sexual conduct of a person under 18, one count of possession of child pornography with intent to distribute, and one count of bringing obscene matter into or distributing within the state. Mr. Reyna was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on a bail amount of $50,000.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind the public that the possession of child pornography is a felony and can be punishable with imprisonment in State Prison. In addition to being captured in images and videos, many children depicted are often the victims of sexual assault, exploitation, or human trafficking. The Oxnard Police Department is committed to protecting the safety of our youth and the continuing investigation of these crimes against children will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted.

Anyone with information regarding Mr. Reyna or the possession of child pornography is encouraged to contact Detective Kevin Adair with the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit at (805) 385-7663. For additional information on how to report child pornography, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 5, 2020, 11:00 A.M.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspect Arrested for Child Molestation
DATE/TIME:	January 24, 2020, 9:20 P.M.
LOCATION:	Oxnard, California
VICTIM(S):	Three Female Victims (4 to 10 years of age) Names Withheld
SUSPECT:	Francisco Tellez Mejia, 63-year old, Camarillo resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763 Scott.Aaron@OxnardPD.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Michael McManama (805) 385-7662 Michael.McManama@OxnardPD.org

DETAILS:

On January 21, 2020, at about 12:25 P.M., the Oxnard Police Department responded to a report of suspected child molestation. The Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit responded and assumed control of the investigation. During the investigation, a total of three victims were identified.

On January 24, 2020, investigators arrested 63-year-old Francisco Mejia for multiple counts of child molestation. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has filed twelve (12) separate counts of sexual assault against Mejia which includes, Penetration with a Foreign Object on a Child, Forcible Lewd Acts on a Child, and Lewd Acts on a Child.

The alleged offenses occurred between 2003 and 2016 in the City of Oxnard. There were three juvenile female victims who ranged in age from 4-years-old to 10-years-old at the time of the alleged offenses. Mr. Mejia is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail on a bail amount of $1,000,000.

Investigators have reason to believe that there may be other victims. Anyone with additional information should contact Detective Michael McManama at (805) 385-7662.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 4, 2020, 4:30 P.M.

Franacisco Tellez Mejia

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Man Arrested for the Murder of Carlos Murillo
DATE/TIME:	February 3, 2020, 2:30 P.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	Carlos Alberto Murillo (24 years old), Port Hueneme Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Librado Ruiz Rojo (19 years old), Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Edgar Fernandez (805) 385-7763 Edgar.Fernandez@Oxnardpd.org
FOLLOW UP CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Edgar Fernandez, (805) 385-7763 Edgar.Fernandez@Oxnardpd.org Commander Sharon Giles (805) 385-7620 Sharon.Giles@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

(Oxnard, Calif) – On January 26, 2020, at about 12:40 A.M., Oxnard police officers along with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the 3200 block of Sycamore Street for a reported stabbing victim. When officers arrived, they located 24-year old Carlos Alberto Murillo lying on the ground suffering from multiple stab wounds. EMS arrived on scene and began emergency life saving measures. Unfortunately, Murillo succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Investigators responded to the crime scene and assumed the investigation. Major Crimes Investigators worked in conjunction with investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU), Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), and the Ventura County Combined Agency Task Force (VCAT) on this case. These investigators worked tirelessly and quickly to identify and locate the suspect in this case.

During this week-long investigation, Major Crimes Investigators gathered sufficient evidence and probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Librado Ruiz Rojo for the murder of Carlos Alberto Murillo. Rojo was arrested without incident at approximately 2:30 p.m. in the City of Oxnard. Rojo will be held at Ventura County Jail with a bail of $500,000.

Although Rojo has been arrested for the murder of Carlos Murillo, Major Crimes Investigators will continue to investigate this case. This is not believed to be a gang related murder. The motive is still under investigation.

Investigators 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/3200sycamorest. 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.

The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City.

Investigators are asking the public to come forward if anyone has witnessed this incident. The public is asked to contact Detective Jeff Kay (805) 385-8174.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 3, 2020, 4:00 P.M.

Ruiz Rojo, Librado