NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspected Prowler Arrested
DATE/TIME:	March 12, 2020 / 11:15 a.m.
LOCATION:	800 block of Yale Place, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Name withheld
PREPARED BY:	Marc Amon, Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Marc Amon, Commander [email protected]

DETAILS:

On March 12, 2020, two neighbors in the Pleasant Valley Estates housing tract observed a suspicious subject looking into rear yards of their neighbors’ homes. The reporting neighbors contacted police and followed the subject until the first officers arrived. When the officers attempted to stop the subject on his bicycle the subject dumped the bicycle and started climbing fences to rear yards to elude detainment. Responding officers set up a containment perimeter and launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to assist in the search. The UAV operator was able to follow him and coordinate perimeter officers to contain in the suspect in the rear yard of a home in the 800 block of Yale Place. Officers persuaded the suspect to surrender, without incident, utilizing the Police Canine “Leo”.

The suspect was arrested for resisting arrest and an additional drug-related charge. He is now under investigation as a suspect in recent burglaries and thefts in the neighborhood.

Blackstock junior high school and Hueneme high school were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure. The lockdown lasted for approximately 15 minutes.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 12, 2020 / 1300 hours

Suspect entering the shed.PNG

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Second Arrest in the Murder of 17 Year Old Juvenile
DATE/TIME:	March 10, 2020, at about 11:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	Ventura County Main Jail, Ventura, CA
VICTIM(S):	Peter Morales, 17-year-old Hispanic male
SUSPECT(S):	Victor Andrew Aguiar, 25-year-old Hispanic male
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Edgar Fernandez (805) 385-7763 [email protected]
FOLLOW UP CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Edgar Fernandez, (805) 385-7763 Edgar.Fernandez@Oxnardpd.org Commander Sharon Giles (805) 385-7620 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On September 14, 2019, at about 10:45 P.M., 17-year-old victim, Peter Morales was shot and killed in the City of Oxnard. Investigators worked tirelessly for months to uncover evidence and identify those responsible for the death of the 17 year old. On December 18, 2019, Oxnard Police Department investigators had gathered enough evidence to arrest the first suspect, Jose Dimas, a 21 year old Oxnard resident, for the murder of Morales.

Major Crimes investigators continued to work diligently on this case and were able to identify an additional suspect responsible for the death of Peter Morales. Today, Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes investigators arrested a second suspect, Victor Andrew Aguiar, a 25 year old Oxnard resident, for his involvement in the murder of Peter Morales. Aguiar is currently in custody for another unrelated crime.

Major Crimes Investigators worked in conjunction with investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU), Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), Cyber Intel Unit, Ventura County Combined Agency Task Force (VCAT), Federal Bureau of Investigations and the U.S. Marshall’s Office.

Investigators are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Ken Tougas (805) 200-5669. 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/1700elsinorecir. 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 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: March 10, 2020, 4:30 P.M.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearm and Narcotics Arrest
DATE/TIME:	March 9, 2020; 1:30AM
LOCATION:	1800 Block of Macarthur Pl, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Miguel Garcia, 22 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Scott Coe, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7746
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Scott Coe, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7746

DETAILS:

On March
9, 2020 at 1:30 AM, Oxnard Police Officers were investigating a noise complaint
in the 1800 block of Macarthur Place. They observed Miguel Garcia walking away
from his unoccupied vehicle in an attempt to flee. Garcia was found to be in possession of
narcotic paraphernalia and a search of his vehicle revealed a loaded revolver
and additional narcotics. Possession of
the firearm was a felony because it was not registered to Garcia and was found
in addition to narcotics. Garcia was arrested for various firearms and narcotic
related charges.

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:
March 9, 2020 / 4:00 AM

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Narcotics Search Warrant
DATE/TIME:	March 5, 2020 @ 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	100 block of East Cedar Street, Oxnard 1900 block of Camino Del Sol, Oxnard
VICTIM:	State of California
SUSPECT:	Enrique Lopez, 63 year old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant [email protected] 805-256-5121
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant [email protected] 805-256-5121

DETAILS:

On March
5, at 4:00 p.m., the Ventura County Combined Agency Task Force (VCAT) served a
search warrant in the 100 block of East Cedar Street and the 1900 block of
Camino Del Sol in reference to narcotics sales in the City of Oxnard and
throughout Ventura County. During the execution of the search warrant, Officers
observed Enrique Lopez, 63 year old Oxnard resident, leaving the residence on
East Cedar Street. Lopez is a Post Release Offender (PRO) and was wanted on a
felony warrant for narcotics sales in Ventura County. Additionally, Lopez had a
felony warrant for narcotics sales in Los Angeles County. Lopez was contacted a
short distance away and placed under arrest for his two outstanding felony
warrants.

During
a search of his residence, detectives located two handguns, an assault rifle
with a high capacity magazine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Psilocybin Mushrooms,
Alprazolam (Xanax), and a large sum of US Currency. During a search of the
residence on Camino Del Sol, detectives located a stolen handgun. The
investigation is ongoing.

The
Ventura County Combined Agency Task Force (VCAT) is comprised of Narcotics
Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Oxnard Police
Department.

Anyone with information regarding this
case or other criminal activity is encouraged to

contact Sergeant Brandon Ordelheide
at (805) 256-5121, 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.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang Member / Prohibited Person Arrested for Firearms Possession
DATE/TIME:	March 6, 2020 / 1:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	2000 block, San Benito Street, Oxnard CA. 93033
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Robert Michel, 37 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Martin Cook, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Christopher Williams, Commander [email protected] 805-207-7234

DETAILS:

On March 6, 2020 at 1:14 a.m.,
officers from the Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic stop
in the 2000 block of San Benito Street for a vehicle code violation. The driver was identified as Robert Michel.
Michel is a documented criminal street gang member within the City of Oxnard.
Michel is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms. While
speaking to Michel, officers observed narcotics in plain view inside of the
vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle,
a loaded .410 gauge shotgun, .410 gauge ammunition, a 30-06 scoped rifle, heroin and narcotics
paraphernalia were located. Michel was charged with several firearms &
narcotics related violations.

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: March 6, 2020 / 0300 hours

Robert Michel.jpg Shotgun, Rifle.jpg

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Motorcycle Safety Enforcement
DATE:	March 7, 2020
PREPARED BY:	Jose Diaz, Senior Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jose Diaz, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting motorcycle safety enforcement

The Oxnard Police Department encourages drivers and riders to share the road

The Oxnard Police Department will have extra officers out on patrol Saturday, March 7, 2020, between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. looking for violations made by drivers and motorcyclists that increase the risk of crashes.

The motorcycle safety enforcement operation aims at educating both motorcyclists and drivers on the rules of the road.

Motorcycle fatalities have jumped dramatically in California over the past decade. In 2017, there were 576 people killed in motorcycle crashes statewide, up nearly 17 percent from 494 in 2015. Over the course of the past three years, motorcycle-involved collisions have resulted in five fatal and 99 injury crashes in Oxnard alone.

Drivers should be alert for motorcyclists, as many motorcycle crashes are caused when drivers do not see them. Check your mirrors and blind spots, especially when merging, turning, or changing lanes.

Riders should make themselves visible by wearing brightly colored, protective clothing and keeping lights on during the day. Riders should also change lanes only when there is enough room and always wear a Department of Transportation compliant helmet.

Although lane splitting is now legal, motorcyclists should be extra careful traveling between lanes, avoiding the practice of riding next to large vehicles like big rigs, buses, and motorhomes and factoring in lane width, traffic flow, and roadway conditions.

All motorcycle riders, regardless of skill level, are encouraged to enroll in the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com/ or calling 1-877 RIDE-411 (1-877-743-3411).

Funding for motorcycle safety enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 5, 2020 / 5:30 p.m.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Prolific Offender Parolee Arrested for Prowling
DATE/TIME:	March 3, 2020/ 4:04 p.m.
LOCATION:	200 Block of West First Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Scott Estrada, age 27, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander (805) 385-7771 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 3/3/20, at approximately 4:04 p.m.,
officers were dispatched to a possible interrupted residential burglary that
just occurred in the 200 block of West First Street. The suspect fled the scene
and was last seen running northbound on A Street. A description of the suspect was
broadcasted and responding units began searching the area. Officers located a
subject who matched the description at First Street and Oxnard Blvd. and
detained him for further investigation.

Officers interviewed the victim and
determined it was not a burglary. However, the resident reported the suspect
was looking through her front window. The suspect then walked around to the
side of the house and entered the backyard where the resident confronted the
suspect and threatened to call the police, at which time the suspect fled the
scene on foot.

An infield identification was conducted
and the resident positively identified suspect Scott Estrada, age 27. Estrada,
who is on parole for burglary, was arrested for prowling, possession of
narcotic paraphernalia, and violation of his parole. He is a prolific offender.
A review of his criminal history shows he has been arrested over a dozen times for
burglary, over a dozen times for prowling, and over six times for auto theft.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:
March 3, 2020/ 8:20 p.m.

—

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal traffic collision involving a motorcyclist and semi-truck and trailer
DATE/TIME OF COLLISION:	March 4, 2020 / 11:16 p.m.
LOCATION:	Victoria Avenue at Teal Club Road, Oxnard, CA
VEHICLE/DRIVER	2012 Peterbilt semi-truck and trailer 40-year-old male, Oxnard resident
MOTORCYCLIST/VEHICLE:	2016 Indian Scout motorcycle 33-year-old male, Ventura resident (Name withheld pending notification of next of kin)
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jose Diaz, Senior Officer (805)385-7749 [email protected]

On March 4, 2020, at approximately 11:16 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision involving a motorcycle and semi-truck and trailer that occurred on Victoria Avenue at Teal Club Road. Officers determined that the motorcyclist who was riding a 2016 Indian Scout motorcycle was traveling northbound on Victoria Avenue and collided with a 2012 Peterbilt semi-truck and trailer which was traveling southbound Victoria Avenue attempting to make a left turn onto Teal Club Road.

The driver of the semi-truck and trailer, identified as a 40-year-old male of Oxnard, was uninjured and cooperated with the traffic investigators. The motorcyclist, identified as a 33-year-old male of Ventura, sustained critical injuries and succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the collision.

Traffic investigators have taken over the investigation and are attempting to determine the cause of the collision. It is unknown whether speed or alcohol/drugs were involved. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Senior Officer Jose Diaz at (805) 385-7749 or via email at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/5/20 @ 3:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Juvenile Sexually Battered
DATE/TIME:	February 25, 2020, 7:55 A.M.
LOCATION:	400 block of Canterbury Way
VICTIM:	16-year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT:	Unknown Hispanic male, 22-27 years
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7756 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7756 [email protected] Commander Sharon Giles (805) 385-7620 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On February 25, 2020, at about 5:00 P.M., a 16-year-old female came to the station and reported she had been sexually battered earlier in the day. The initial information is while the 16-year-old was walking on the sidewalk on her way to school at about 7:55 A.M. an unknown suspect approached her from behind. He grabbed her around the waist and grabbed her buttocks. The victim turned around and the suspect fled the area. The suspect was described as a Hispanic, male, 22-27 years, 5-7,160 lbs, brown hair, short goatee, wearing a white t-shirt and blue/white checkered pajama pants. The suspect has not been located at this time and the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit is investigating the case.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 26, 2020, 4:00 P.M.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard’s crime statistics show a 14.9% decrease in 2019
DATE/TIME:	February 27, 2020, 1:00 pm
PREPARED BY:	Sharon Giles, Investigative Services Bureau Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sharon Giles, Investigative Services Bureau Commander [email protected]; (805) 385-7620

DETAILS:

The City of Oxnard is pleased to report a decrease in reported crime for the fourth consecutive year. Specifically, the number of crimes reported in the City of Oxnard in 2019 was 14.9% lower than 2018.

The Department of Justice’s Uniformed Crime Reporting (“UCR”) Program collects crime statistics from 17,000 law enforcement agencies throughout the country. The Oxnard Police Department has been tracking its UCR statistics for nearly 50 years. The statistics are classified into eight “Part One” crimes, which are broken into two categories – violent crime and property crime. Here are the statistics from 2019, with a comparison to 2018:

Part I Crime (YTD)	2018	2019	Percent Change	Num. Diff.
Violent Crimes
Homicide	14	14	0.0%	0
Rape	66	63	-4.5%	-3
Robbery	327	275	-15.9%	-52
Aggravated Assault	394	374	-5.1%	-20
Total	801	726	-9.4%	-75
Property Crimes
Burglary	704	670	-4.8%	-34
Motor Vehicle Theft	783	585	-25.3%	-198
Larceny (Theft)	3,568	2,987	-16.3%	-581
Arson	41	48	17.1%	7
Total	5,096	4,290	-15.8%	-806
Grand Total	5,897	5,016	-14.94%	-881

In looking at the two crime categories, property crimes fell by 15.8% in 2019. Violent crime is down by 9.4%.

There were 14 homicides in Oxnard in 2019, equal to 2018. Detectives cleared eight of 2019’s homicide cases with arrests, with an additional seven cases from previous years. When combined, more homicide cases were cleared than occurred, creating a clearance rate of 107% in 2019. A more detailed explanation is listed in the attachment of this news release.

Oxnard’s 9.4% violent crime decrease was largely due to the reduction of robberies, having 52 less than the previous year. Through crime analysis staff and careful review of data, the department’s investigative and field units worked together to aggressively address robbery crime trends, as well as investigate those persons who were known to commit multiple robberies.

Property crimes were reduced by an overall 15.8%. The largest property crime category decrease was motor vehicle theft at 25.3%, followed by larceny, at 16.3%. The Oxnard Police Department continued to focus on property crime prevention efforts, and believes that this effort significantly contributed to the decrease.

Motor vehicle theft has been a historic problem, and detectives addressed this in a number of ways. Specifically, the property crimes detectives reinstated the Oxnard Police Auto Theft Task Force, and assigned an additional detective to focus on auto theft enforcement, using Intelligence-Led Policing strategies. Additionally, by focusing on prolific offenders, including monitoring, enhanced enforcement, probation searches, crime mapping, and partnerships with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, along with the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force, the Oxnard Police Department was able to reduce motor vehicle theft.

Police Chief Scott Whitney said, “We work very hard to reduce crime and make our city safer. We’re focused and smart in our efforts. We focus on violent offenders and frequent offenders. We respond quickly to crime trends and we rely on the trust and respect we have established within our neighborhoods to work closely with our residents.”

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 27, 2020, 1:00 pm

UCR News Release Attachment 2019

UCR News Release 2019