OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision Involving a Bicyclist
DATE/TIME:	October 10, 2019 / 11:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	Wooley Rd. @ Industrial Ave.
PEDESTRIAN:	45-year-old male (Name withheld pending notification to next of kin)
VEHICLE/DRIVER	2019 Freightliner 55-year-old male
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Justin Songer, Traffic Officer (805)200-5668 Justin.songer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Thursday, October 10, 2019, at approximately 11:30 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a bicyclist on Wooley Rd. near the intersection of Industrial Ave. Officers arrived and located a 45-year-old male deceased.

Based upon the preliminary investigation, officers determined that the 45-year-old male was riding a bicycle eastbound in the westbound lane of Wooley Rd. A 2019 Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling westbound on Wooley Rd. and struck the bicyclist. Officers believed the driver of the truck fled the scene. However, officers located the tractor-trailer a short time later. Officers determined that the driver of the truck, a 55-year-old male, was unaware that he had struck the bicyclist. The driver is cooperating with investigators. No arrests have been made. It is unknown at this time whether alcohol or drugs were involved in the collision. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone that may have witnessed the collision or has information is asked to call or email Officer Justin Songer at (805)200-5668 justin.songer@oxnardpd.org

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10-10-19 / 4:20 p.m.

INCIDENT:	Carjacked Vehicle Leads Police into Pursuit and Ends with Two Arrests
DATE/TIME:	October 9. 2019 / 1800 hours
LOCATION:	Laurel Street at Lassen Street
VICTIM:	69 year old female, name withheld
SUSPECTS:	15 year old female, name withheld 16 year old female, name withheld
VICTIM VEHICLE:	Black 2014 Volkswagen Jetta
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Sergeant (805) 385-7600 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On October 9, 2019, at approximately 6:00 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded with emergency medical personnel to the intersection of Laurel Street and Lassen Street in reference to a carjacking that just occurred. When officers arrived, they contacted the victim, a 69 year old female, who sustained moderate facial injuries during the incident in which her black 2014 Volkswagen Jetta had been stolen. The victim was transported from the scene by EMS and taken to St. John’s Hospital where she was listed in stable condition.

During the investigation, officers discovered that the victim had picked up the two female juvenile suspects, who were not known to her, in the area of the 600 block of West Guava Street after they asked her for a ride home. The victim drove them to the intersection of Laurel Street and Lassen Street where the suspects told her to stop. Suddenly, the victim was assaulted by the female suspects, one who struck her head with an aluminum baseball bat and the other struck her face with a glass bottle. The victim, in fear for her safety, left the vehicle while both suspects entered the vehicle and drove away.

As the vehicle was fleeing the scene, driven by one of the female suspects, it collided with a parked vehicle. Witnesses to the collision attempted to stop the suspects but they were able to flee the scene in the vehicle.

Approximately 45 minutes after the incident, one of the investigating officers observed the stolen Volkswagen traveling near the intersection of Saviers Road and Hill Street. As responding officers arrived to conduct an enforcement stop, the vehicle immediately led officers on a reckless, high-speed pursuit for approximately one mile. The pursuit ended at the intersection of Doris Avenue and ‘C’ Street where the Volkswagen collided into another parked vehicle. Following the collision, the driver fled on foot but was captured a short distance away by pursuing officers. The suspect seated in the passenger seat was also taken into custody at the scene.

Both suspects, who were not injured as a result of this incident, were positively identified as committing the carjacking. The suspects were arrested and booked into Ventura County Juvenile Hall on multiple offenses including carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, conspiracy, felonious evading and fleeing the scene of the traffic collisions.

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: October 9, 2019 / 2330 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Traffic Collision Involving a Bicyclist
DATE/TIME:	October 9, 2019 / 1:02 p.m.
LOCATION:	Saviers Rd. / Bard Rd.
BICYCLIST:	43-year-old male
VEHICLE(S)/ DRIVER(S)	2017 Nissan Versa 88-year-old female 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 23-year-old male
PREPARED BY:	Adam Aguilar, Traffic Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Adam Aguilar, Traffic Officer (805)385-7750 Adam.aguilar@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at approximately 1:02 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Saviers Rd. and Bard Rd.

Based on the preliminary investigation, officers determined that a 2017 Nissan Versa was traveling southbound on Saviers Rd. and attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Bard Rd. A 2007 Chevrolet Silverado traveling northbound on Saviers Rd. struck the Nissan. The collision caused the Silverado to rollover. The Silverado struck a bicyclist standing on the sidewalk of the northeast corner of the intersection.

The driver of the Nissan Versa, an 88-year-old female, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where she is listed in stable condition. The driver of the pickup, a 23-year-old male, sustained minor injuries. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old-male, suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center. He is listed in critical condition.

It is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were involved. The collision is still under investigation.

Anyone who has information regarding this collision is asked to contact Officer Adam Aguilar at (805) 385-7750 or via email at adam.aguilar@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10-9-19 / 6:30 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Leads to Man’s Death
DATE/TIME:	October 5, 2019, 9:27 P.M.
LOCATION:	3000 block of Merced Place, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Hispanic Male, 32-year-old, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763 Scott.Aaron@Oxnardpd.org
FOLLOW UP CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763 Scott.Aaron@Oxnardpd.org Commander Sharon Giles (805) 385-7620 Sharon.Giles@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On October 5, 2019, at about 9:27 P.M., patrol officers from the Oxnard Police Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the 3000 block of Merced Place for multiple reports of several gunshots fired in the area. When officers arrived, a Hispanic male was found with several gunshot wounds. EMS began lifesaving measures but sadly, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Investigators are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Jake Jundef (805) 385-7680. Investigators are also 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/3000mercedplace. 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.

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: October 6, 2019, 12:00 A.M.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	October 5, 2019 / 5:01 a.m.
LOCATION:	5300 block Perkins Road
SUSPECT(S):	Gabriel Guillen, 18 year old, Oxnard Resident Janet Barajas, 27 year old, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Edgar Fernandez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Edgar Fernandez, Sergeant (805) 385-7600 / edgar.fernandez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On October 5, at about 5:00 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of the 5300 block of Perkins Road, in Oxnard, regarding a carjacking that had just occurred. Officers contacted the victim, who stated he was preparing to go to work and getting into his vehicle when he was approached by a male subject who brandished a firearm and demanded his property. The victim complied and handed over his car keys to the suspect. The suspect then got into the victim’s vehicle and fled the area.

Officers located the carjacked vehicle approximately an hour after the initial call in the area of Cloyne Street and De Anza Way, in the City of Oxnard. The vehicle was occupied by the carjacking suspect, identified as Gabriel Guillen, and a passenger, identified as Janet Barajas, both Oxnard residents. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident.

During the investigation, it was determined that Barajas was responsible for stealing license plates from a separate vehicle in Oxnard. This theft took place immediately after the carjacking. The stolen license plates were later found to have been placed on the carjacked vehicle in an attempt for the car to evade detection.

A search of the stolen vehicle uncovered a loaded firearm inside the car. Guillen was positively identified as the suspect who committed the carjacking. Guillen is a documented criminal street gang member in the City of Oxnard and is on active felony probation and prohibited from possessing a firearm and/ or ammunition.

Guillen was subsequently charged with the carjacking and multiple weapons violations. While Barajas was charged with possession of stolen property and additional charges related to the theft of the stolen license plates.

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: 10/5/2019 @ 0900 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Hueneme High School incident: battery on a peace officer
DATE/TIME:	October 4, 2019 September 25, 2019 @ 3:20 PM (original incident)
LOCATION:	Hueneme High School (Oxnard, CA)
SUSPECT(S):	Hueneme High School student – 14 year old female (name withheld due to age)
PREPARED BY:	Jason Benites, Assistant Police Chief
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jason Benites, Assistant Police Chief (805) 385-7624 / jason.benites@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

During the first week of this month, media outlets reported an incident involving an Oxnard Police Department School Resource Officer (“SRO”) arresting a 14 year-old female Hueneme High School student on the school’s campus. The incident occurred the previous week, on September 25, 2019. In the news stories, video footage from bystanders depicted the SRO and the female struggling during the arrest. The news stories also depict claims from the teenager that the officer used excessive force. This story has since spread onto social media.

“The bystander video footage is limited in its scope, depicts only a small portion of what actually happened. This can mislead the audience,” said Oxnard Assistant Police Chief Jason Benites. “Unfortunately, when partial information quickly spreads across television and social media, it can easily contribute to a damaging false narrative. The messages from last week’s incident at Hueneme High School are such a case.”

The Oxnard Police Department’s video from the officer’s body-worn camera depicts a more comprehensive situation that led to the encounter, includes the encounter in its entirety, and disputes the allegations.

What happened: At approximately 3:20 PM on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, an Oxnard Police SRO was working at his assigned campus, Hueneme High School. The SRO and a campus administrator were monitoring the school’s dismissal, and had seen a large group of students gathering on the campus. The SRO and the campus administrator saw two teenage female students engaged in a hostile verbal exchange. One of the females (the one that was ultimately arrested) was the primary aggressor.

The SRO requested that another school staff member take the aggressive student to the office, to discourage or prevent a fight. The administrator contacted the student, who refused to comply, and then turned away and walked off campus. After walking a short distance, the student reversed course and began to walk back.

Believing that the female was returning to start a confrontation, the SRO approached the female and said “Hi, come with me.” The female replied by saying “No no no no!” The SRO initiated a legal detention and placed her in a low-level compliance hold. He then began to escort her towards the school’s office. What followed was that the female became actively resistive, and grabbed the officer’s hand. The officer warned her, and her response included swearing and active physical resistance. The officer brought her to the ground. The teen then punched the officer several times, including his face, knocking off his sunglasses. The officer then placed her into handcuffs, as she was now under arrest.

The incident was also witnessed by several school staff members.

The teen was arrested for resisting / delaying a peace officer, as well as for misdemeanor battery on a peace officer. She was cited and released to her parents.

An Oxnard Police Department sergeant responded to the incident. This supervisor assessed the situation, including a review of the officer’s body worn-camera footage. The sergeant concluded that the officer’s actions were within policy. Since the news stories circulated, the department’s Professional Standards Division has reviewed this matter, and concurs that the officer’s actions were within policy.

Assistant Chief Jason Benites: “The officer had a right to contact and detain this student, who was causing a disturbance on campus. The officer requested that the student come with him, and she resisted verbally, then physically. The officer used proper arrest and control techniques throughout the encounter, and exercised restraint despite being punched several times, including in his face.”

Police Chief Scott Whitney said, “Our officers have a tough job. We work closely with the schools to maintain safe campuses. This officer was trying to prevent a fight or other violence on the campus. This incident was properly handled by the officer.”

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10/4/2019 @ 1655 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault With A Deadly Weapon/ Prohibited Person Arrested
DATE/TIME:	10/01/2019/ 12:30PM
LOCATION:	Shooter’s Paradise, 1910 Sunkist Circle, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	58-Year-Old Ventura Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Audwin Darrett, 54-Year-Old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Mike Johnson, Sergeant (805) 486-6211 Mike.johnson@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Ricardo Vega, Detective (805) 385-8291 ricardo.vega@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On October 1st, 2019, at approximately 12:30 p.m., Officers with the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched Shooter’s Paradise, 1910 Sunkist Circle, in reference to a subject attempting to sell a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Upon arrival, officers contacted Audwin Darrett, who was inside of the business. Darrett was in possession of a rifle at the time. A records check revealed that Darrett was a prohibited person based on a prior felony conviction and could not possess a firearm. In addition, officers believed that Darrett matched the description of a suspect from a shooting that occurred on September 30th, 2019, at approximately 8:30 P.M. Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit were contacted and responded to assist.

In the shooting incident, the suspect entered One Stop Liquor, located at 1061 West Wooley Road, and brandished a rifle at another male. The suspect followed the male through the store, verbally threatened him while holding the rifle, then exited. A short time later, the suspect fired several shots at the male, with at least one round entering One Stop Liquor. The suspect and the male victim fled prior to the arrival of police.

Investigators continued to work the case and during the course of the investigation, it was determined that Darrett was responsible for the shooting that occurred at One Stop Liquor. On October 3, 2019, investigators contacted Darrett at the Ventura County Jail, where he was still in custody for illegally possessing the rifle. Investigators arrested Darrett for two counts of assault with a firearm and one count of shooting into an inhabited dwelling.

Because the investigation is still ongoing, a photo of Darrett will not be released at this time. Anyone with any knowledge of the shooting incident is encouraged to contact Detective Ricardo Vega at (805) 385-8291.

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: 10/03/2019, 4:15 P.M.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	High School Student Arrested for Threats to Campus
DATE/TIME:	September 27, 2019 / 7:50 a.m.
LOCATION:	Oxnard High School – City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	State of California Names withheld due to age
SUSPECT(S):	Oxnard High School Student – 18 years old
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Daniel Shrubb
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. Daniel Shrubb (805) 200-2134 daniel.shrubb@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On September 27, 2019, at approximately 7:50 a.m., Oxnard Police Department officers received information that a threat to commit a school shooting at the campus of Oxnard High School was posted on a social media website (Snapchat). The threat was posted online the day prior during the evening hours, and referenced that the suspect will “shoot up” Oxnard High School “tomorrow” if the post received 100 screenshots of the original post.

During the course of the investigation, the School Resource Officer on campus identified a student as the person who posted the threat. The student admitted to posting the message online from another student’s Snapchat account.

The student was arrested and charged with the crime of criminal threats of violence to a school campus, and later booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Local schools have seen a recent uptick in similar types of social media posts on outlets such as Snapchat, Twitter, and Instagram. Hoax threats or threats of potential violence targeting schools and other public places are taken very seriously by both police and school district personnel. They can have serious consequences for both public safety and for those who issue the threats. #ThinkBeforeYouPost

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10/2/19 1200 Hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Hit-and-Run Collision Involving a Bicyclist
DATE/TIME:	October 2, 2019 / 12:11 a.m.
LOCATION:	C Street at Rincon Way
PEDESTRIAN:	46-year-old male
VEHICLE/DRIVER	Sedan, possibly a Honda Accord
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Manny Perez, Traffic Officer (805)385-7750 Manny.perez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at approximately 12:11 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to an injury traffic collision involving a bicyclist at the intersection of ‘C’ Street and Rincon Way. Officers arrived and located a 46-year-old male suffering from serious injuries. The individual was immediately transported by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center and is listed in “critical” condition.

Based upon the preliminary investigation, officers determined that a vehicle turning onto Rincon Way from ‘C’ Street struck the victim at the intersection. The victim was pinned underneath the car. The driver of the vehicle continued traveling westbound on Rincon Way, dragging the victim approximately 100 feet before he became dislodged. The vehicle fled the scene. Officers believe the suspect vehicle is possibly a Honda Accord or similar style sedan.

Anyone that may have witnessed the collision or has information is asked to call or email Officer Manny Perez at (805)385-7750 Manny.perez@oxnardpd.org .

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10-2-19 / 5:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian
DATE/TIME:	September 30, 2019 / 7:40 a.m.
LOCATION:	900 block of Cooper Rd. Oxnard
PEDESTRIAN:	1. 8-year-old Oxnard resident (deceased) 2. Adult female Oxnard resident (age unknown) 3. 9-year-old female Oxnard resident
VEHICLE/DRIVER	2002 Chevrolet van / 17-year-old Ventura resident
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Justin Songer, Traffic Officer (805)200-5668 Justin.songer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Monday, September 30, 2019, at approximately 7:40 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision involving three pedestrians at the intersection of Cooper Rd. and Anita Ave. Upon arrival, officers located an adult female and two children, an eight-year-old boy and nine-year-old girl, suffering from serious injuries. Ambulances transported the three victims to Ventura County Medical Center. Both females are in stable condition. Sadly, despite lifesaving efforts, the eight-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries. All three are residents of Oxnard. Both children are students of Cesar Chavez Elementary School.

Based upon the preliminary investigation, officers believe that the three pedestrians were crossing northbound across Cooper Rd. at the intersection of Anita Ave. The pedestrians were crossing in a marked crosswalk next to Ramona Elementary School. A 2002 Chevrolet van was traveling eastbound on Cooper Rd. and struck the pedestrians. The driver of the van was a 17-year-old female resident from Ventura. The van’s driver remained at the scene. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the collision. Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor.

Several students attending Ramona Elementary School witnessed the collision. The school’s administration has made counselors available to these students.

The collision is still under investigation. Anyone who has information regarding the collision is urged to contact Officer Justin Songer at (805)200-5668 or via email at Justin.songer@oxnardpd.org.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to remind drivers to drive with caution and obey all traffic laws near schools.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9/30/19 @ 2:00 p.m.