News Releases

The driver of a stolen white Isuzu truck with a camper lost control on Channel Islands Boulevard near C St. and crashed into a palm tree. A man has been arrested on misdemeanor drug charges associated with the stolen truck and another person in the vehicle was taken to the hospital but was not seriously hurt.

Impairment is unknown at this time.

East and westbound traffic on Channel Islands Boulevard between C St. and J St. will be shut down for around the next three hours while the palm tree is removed.

Thank you,
Luis Mc Arthur, Commander
(805) 207-4762

Please note that the previous news release had the 67 year old victim listed as the suspect. Please note that the suspect is unknown in this case. Please use the updated news release. Thank you.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 9, 2020, 2:05 A.M.

SUBJECT: Suspicious Death Investigation Reveals Woman Died From

Stab Wound

VICTIM: 67 year old white female (name withheld pending notification)

LOCATION: 200 block West Pleasant Valley Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Edgar Fernandez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7763 | [email protected]

DETAILS:

On April 9, 2019, at about 2:05 A.M., Oxnard Police Officers responded to a call to check the well-being of a female down on the ground in front of the businesses in the 200 block of West Pleasant Valley Road. Upon arrival, officers and emergency medical services (EMS) located the 67 year old female victim unconscious and suffering from a laceration to her face. The female was pronounced dead at the scene. The female victim is known to be a transient that frequents the area. At the time of the incident, the cause of death could not be determined. It was initially ruled a suspicious death.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office responded and took the control of the deceased victim. Upon further examination, the Oxnard Police Department was notified the female had suffered a small stab wound to her torso.

Major Crimes investigators responded to the scene and took over the homicide investigation. This investigation is currently on-going. Investigators are seeking the public’s assistance with any information regarding this incident.

Detectives 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/200wpv. 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

Investigators are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective John Sunia (805) 385-7760. The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within 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 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: April 9, 2020, 4:00 P.M.

DATE: April 8, 2020, 9:00 A.M.

SUBJECT: Man Arrested for Conspiracy, Extortion, Possession and Distribution of Child Exploitation Material

SUSPECT: Andres Muro, 20-year-old, Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 700 block North C Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Scott Aaron, Sergeant

(805) 385-7756 | [email protected]

On April 8th, 2020, after a lengthy investigation, investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and members of the Southern California High Tech Task Force served a search warrant on a residence in the 700 block of North C Street, in the City of Oxnard. During the subsequent investigation and search, Oxnard resident, Andres Muro, was identified as allegedly being in possession of child exploitation material as well as participating in the distribution of child exploitation material. He worked in concert with another individual who was arrested by the Ventura Police Department on April 6, 2020.

Mr. Muro was arrested for one count of possession of child pornography with intent to distribute, one count of bringing obscene matter into or distributing within the state, one count of possessing matter depicting sexual conduct of a person under the age of 18, one count of conspiracy to commit distribution of child pornography, and one count of extortion. Mr. Muro was booked and released 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. Muro, the Instagram usernames of Goddesswoes or Branson_graf, or the possession of child pornography is encouraged to contact Detective Kevin Adair with the Oxnard Police Department 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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 5, 2020, 4:57 PM

SUBJECT: Two Suspects Arrested for Burglary

LOCATION: 4800 Block of Oceanaire Street

VICTIM: Undisclosed

SUSPECT: Taylor Markham, age 26, Simi Valley resident

Michael Arellanes, age 26, transient

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

On April 5, 2020, at around 4:57 p.m., a patrol sergeant observed a suspicious vehicle blocking the driveway of a residence that was for sale in the 4800 block of Oceanaire Street. The sergeant stopped to investigate and spoke to a neighbor. As the sergeant was gathering information, the garage door at the for sale residence opened and two subjects emerged from it. Both of the subjects were detained for further investigation. Officers contacted the realtor responsible for the property who responded to the location. Officers searched the residence and found items that had been moved from their original location and appeared to be staged for pick-up. Officers searched the suspects’ vehicle and located additional items that were taken from the residence. Suspects Taylor Markham and Michael Arellanes, both age 26, were arrested for burglary. Officers on scene recognized suspect Markham as being wanted on two additional burglaries that recently occurred in the Seabridge area. Markham was arrested on those burglaries as well, for a total of three counts of burglary. Markham has a criminal history including a previous felony conviction for burglary in Santa Barabara County. Suspect Arellanes also has an extensive criminal history, is a convicted felon, and is currently on parole for robbery.

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. Any witness can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, or visiting www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 3, 2020; 11:30 A.M.

SUBJECT: Serious Assault / Elder Abuse & Arrest

LOCATION: Sixth and Meta Streets, Oxnard

VICTIM: 77 year old male

SUSPECT: John Ortiz, 51 year old Oxnard transient

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On April 3 at about 11:30AM, Oxnard Fire, EMS personnel and Police responded to a victim of an assault at Sixth and Meta Streets in Oxnard. The victim, a 77-year old male, had been seriously battered by the suspect and was transported to a local hospital. A witness observed the assault, and stated that the suspect approached the victim and struck him in his face, causing the victim to fall to the ground. The suspect continued to kick and punch the victim several times about this head. The witness was able to obtain a photograph of the suspect as he fled the scene, and shared this with Police.

Officers contacted the victim at the hospital. His injuries consisted of head trauma, as well as bruises and cuts to his head, lip and hand. He was able to provide a statement to officers. Additionally, he stated that the suspect threw rocks at his head, but missed. He was listed in guarded condition.

Officers contacted a person matching the suspect’s description at Plaza Park in Oxnard. John Ortiz, a 51 year old transient, admitted to being in a fight with the victim. He was ultimately arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, assault with serious bodily injury, and elder abuse, all felonies.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 3, 2020, 2:30 PM

SUBJECT: Suspect Arrested for Possession of Stolen Property

LOCATION: 2300 Block Eastman Avenue

VICTIM: Multiple Oxnard Businesses

SUSPECT: Gilbert Hernandez 61 Years Old

CONTACT: Greg Utter, Property Crimes Detective

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On April 3, 2020, at 2:30 PM, Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of Eastman Avenue reference two stolen box trucks that were parked in the area. Officers arrived on scene and located both box trucks parked side by side, in the parking lot of an industrial complex. Oxnard resident, Gilbert Hernandez, was located inside one of the box trucks and was taken into custody. Both trucks were reported stolen from a local Oxnard business several days prior. The vehicles were valued at approximately $100,000.00 each. Officers located stolen property from another local Oxnard business inside of both box trucks. The value of the recovered stolen property was approximately $70,000.00. During the investigation, Hernandez was found to have stolen both trucks and all of the property inside. Hernandez was arrested for multiple counts of vehicle theft and grand theft.

There is no further information to be released at this time. An investigation is continuing.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 1, 2020, 12:05 AM

SUBJECT: Double Stabbing

LOCATION: 100 Block of Carmelita Court

VICTIM: 16-year-old male

Adult male, age unknown

SUSPECT: Unknown

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

On April 1, 2020, at 12:05 AM, officers were dispatched to assist the Fire Department reference a stabbing victim in the 100 block Carmelita Court. A preliminary investigation revealed the victim, a 16-year-old male, suffered two stab wounds to his upper torso. He was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he underwent surgery and is currently listed in stable condition. Officers on scene located a blood trail, which they followed to the 100 block of Dolores Court, where they located a second stabbing victim, an adult male, who had several non-life-threatening stab wounds.

There is no further information to be released at this time. An investigation is continuing.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 29, 2020, 3:05 p.m.

SUBJECT: Traffic Stop Leads to Barricaded Subject and SWAT Call-out

LOCATION: Walgreen’s Parking Lot, 2303 Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard

VICTIM: State of California

SUSPECT: David Hernandez, age 39, Santa Paula resident

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

On Sunday, March 29,2020 at about 3:05 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the parking lot of Walgreen’s, 2303 Vinyard Avenue.

A passenger in the vehicle, David Hernandez, had outstanding felony warrants for charges of evading police officers and assaulting a police dog. Hernandez refused officers' commands to come out of the car. The SWAT team responded and attempted to negotiate Hernandez's surrender from the vehicle.

For over an hour and a half, officers tried to convince Hernandez to surrender, but he refused. SWAT officers used compliance weapons including pepperballs and teargas to force Hernandez from the vehicle. Hernandez eventually exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. An Oxnard Police canine was used to apprehend him. During the arrest, Hernandez assaulted the police dog and fought with officers. Once in custody, officers searched the vehicle and seized approximately one pound of methamphetamine.

Hernandez was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for minor injuries he sustained during the apprehension. Hernandez was later booked into the Ventura County Jail on multiple charges, including possession for sale of narcotics, transportation of narcotics, obstructing police, and harming a police dog. He was also booked for the outstanding felony warrants.

Hernandez is on the Post Release Community Supervision Program.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 26, 2020, 2:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure and Sexual Battery

SUSPECT: Martin Valdez Arias, 27 years old, Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: Various locations throughout the City of Oxnard

CONTACT: Scott Aaron, Sergeant

(805) 385-7756 | [email protected]

On March 26, 2020, at about 8:30 A.M., the Oxnard Police Department's Family Protection Unit utilizing information obtained from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Oxnard Police Department's Crime Analysis Unit, arrested Martin Valdez Arias. Mr. Arias was identified as the suspect in seven reported incidents of indecent exposure and sexual battery that occurred between January 27, 2020 and March 17, 2020 in the City of Oxnard. Mr. Arias is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail for a parole violation. He was placed under arrest for the new violations at the Ventura County Jail and booked on the additional charges with an enhanced bail amount of $300,000.

The Oxnard Police Department's Family Protection Unit presented the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office with several cases involving five counts of violation of California Penal Code section 243.4(a), sexual battery and two counts of violation of California Penal Code section 314, indecent exposure.

Anyone with additional information or have been a victim of Martin Arias is asked to contact Detective Michael McManama with the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit at (805) 385-7662.

Officers are currently on a tactical situation in the 2300 block of Vineyard Avenue. At around 3:05 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a felony wanted subject in the parking lot of Walgreen's. There were two occupants in the vehicle. The passenger came out of the vehicle. The driver, the individual wanted on the felony charges, has been refusing to exit the vehicle for over an hour. SWAT and K-9 Units are on scene. Motorists are advised to avoid the area, seek alternate routes, and expect traffic delays. The Oxnard Police Department will issue a more detailed press release after the situation is resolved.