OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department continues to make strides in reducing the number of reported stolen vehicles in the city. Over the course of several days, Oxnard Police Officers have arrested the following people for auto theft related charges.

On April 6, 2019, Oxnard Police officers observed a stolen 2018 Dodge Challenger near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Oxnard Boulevard. Officers stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver identified as Marisela Suarez, 25 Years old. During the investigation it was determined that the Challenger was stolen out of the city of Thousand Oaks earlier in the day.

On April 6, 2019, Oxnard Police officers observed a stolen 1990 Ford F-150 that was parked near the intersection of Watt Drive and Cypress Street. Officers contacted a subject later identified as Ernie Villa, 47 years old, and arrested him for possession of stolen property, vehicle tampering and possession of stolen property. The vehicle was reported stolen on April 2, 2019, out of the city of Oxnard.

On April 9, 2019, Oxnard Police officers observed a stolen 2011 Nissan Altima in the 3000 Block of Johnson Drive in the city of Ventura. Officers contacted the driver identified as Jairo Perez, 32 years old and arrested him for driving a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property and for possession of methamphetamine. During the investigation, it was determined that the Nissan was stolen out of the city of Oxnard on March 18, 2019.

Help protect yourself and your vehicle from thieves by remembering to:

Lock your vehicle and take out your valuables when leaving it. An unlocked car is an invitation to a thief.
Close all windows – thieves can open vehicles through the smallest of openings.
To take your car keys with you. Do not leave them in your car, or leave your car running.

Detectives from the Auto Theft Task Force are offering steering wheel locks to Oxnard residents. Owners of 1990-2000 Honda passenger vehicles are asked to be extra vigilant due to the high number of thefts involving these specific vehicles. The Auto Theft Task Force has a limited amount of steering wheel locks available, for details on obtaining a free steering wheel lock, contact Detective Enrique Alvarez at (805) 385-7664.

The Oxnard Police Department cannot effectively stop auto theft without the assistance of concerned, responsible residents. We are depending on YOU to call and tell us whenever you see suspicious persons or activity. Contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and by selecting the “Report Suspicious Activity” tab located on the homepage. Residents can also report crime by contacting Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to report suspicious or criminal activity. Translators are available 24/7.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 04/11/19 @ 6:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

The Oxnard Police Department challenges drivers to ‘silence’ the distraction

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Oxnard Police Department will be joining law enforcement agencies statewide stopping drivers who violate California’s hands-free cell phone law.

On April 8^th and April 18^th, the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking specifically for drivers on their phones.

Last year during the national campaign, the Oxnard Police Department issued 377 citations to drivers texting, calling, or performing another function on their phone. Distracted driving is dangerous, especially when it involves a cell phone. According to preliminary data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), 66 people were killed and more than 6,500 injured in 2017 from distracted driving-related crashes.

A 2018 observational survey by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) on driver cell phone use found about 4.5 percent of drivers are still using their cell phone illegally, a nearly 27 percent increase from 2016.

Under the most recent cell phone law that went into effect in 2017, drivers are prohibited from using their phone unless in a hands-free manner. The phones must be mounted on the dashboard, windshield, or center console, and can only be touched once with the swipe or tap of a finger to activate or deactivate a function. First-time offenders face a $162 fine.

If you need to make a call or text someone, pull over and park at a safe location. Struggling to stay off the phone while driving? Put your phone in a place you can’t reach, like the backseat or trunk.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 5, 2019 / 7:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Police seek public’s help in locating missing teen with developmental disabilities
DATE/TIME:	April 3, 2019, 8:15 p.m.
LOCATION:	100-block S. Marquita Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Christopher Lopez, 17
PREPARED BY:	Luis Mc Arthur, Commander luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org 805-207-4762
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Department Watch Commander 805-385-7746

DETAILS:

Christopher Lopez, 17, of Oxnard was reported missing Wednesday at around 7:00 p.m. from the 100-block of S. Marquita Street in Oxnard.

Lopez has the mental capacity of a seven year old child due to a disorder.

The family is making a plea for the public’s assistance in finding Lopez.

Lopez is described as being 5’2” tall and weighing about 130 pounds.

He has black hair and brown eyes and a scar on his left forearm.

Anyone with information about Lopez is urged to call the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 3, 2019, 8:30 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Two Year Death Investigation of Angel Ortiz
DATE/TIME:	April 8, 2017, at approximately 9:50 P.M.
LOCATION:	King Street and Wooley Road
VICTIM(S):	Angel Ortiz, 32-year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Detective Jose Velazquez (805)385-7760 jose.velazquez@oxnardpd.org
FOLLOW UP MEDIA CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763 scott.aaron@oxnardpd.org

(OXNARD, Calif) – April 8, 2019, marks the second year of the senseless murder of Angel Ortiz.

The shooting of Mr. Ortiz took place on April 8, 2017, at about 9:50 p.m., in the area of King Street and Wooley Road. The Oxnard Police Department responded to the scene after receiving numerous 911 calls of a shooting victim. Oxnard police officers arrived and located Mr. Ortiz, lying in the street. Emergency Medical Services personnel transported Mr. Ortiz to the Ventura County Medical Center, and despite lifesaving efforts by medical staff, Mr. Ortiz succumbed to his injury.

The Oxnard Police Department needs the assistance of the Ventura County community in solving Mr. Ortiz’s murder. Investigators have interviewed numerous witnesses and followed up on several leads, but are looking for a critical component to make an arrest and need the public’s assistance.

Investigators believe that there are people in the community that have information that can assist investigators.

Anyone with information regarding this homicide 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.

Any information regarding this case would be helpful to the investigation. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated by the Ortiz family, including Mr. Ortiz’s four children, the Community, and the Oxnard Police Department.

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.

Oxnard Police Department Website
- http://www.oxnardpd.org/contact.asp

Oxnard Police Department Facebook Page
- http://www.facebook.com/oxnardpd

Ventura County Crimes Stoppers
- www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx
- (800) 222-8477

Detective Jose Velazquez
- jose.velazquez@oxnardpd.org
- (805) 385-7760

Violent Crimes Hotline
- (805) 982-7070

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 1, 2019, at 3:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	March 29, 2019 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

DUI Checkpoint Nets Two Arrest

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit arrested two impaired drivers while conducting a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint on March 29, 2019. The checkpoint was conducted at Oxnard Boulevard north of Second Street between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., resulting in the following:

788 vehicles screened
Two DUI-alcohol suspects arrested
Nine drivers cited for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
16 citations issued
One vehicle towed

Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. Oxnard PD supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all 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.

Studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

Oxnard PD offers these reminders to ensure a fun night doesn’t get spoiled with a DUI:

Decide before you go out whether you plan to drink or drive. You can’t do both.
If you plan to drink, designate a sober driver before going out, or map out another way to get home safely by taking a cab, ride-share services like Uber or Lyft, or using public transportation. You can also look up designated driver services in your area using the National Directory of Designated Driver Services (NDDDS).
If you are a designated driver, bars and restaurants statewide have created non-alcoholic specialty drinks (“DDrinks”) for sober drivers: http://bit.ly/OTSDDrinks
If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, call 911. Offer a description of the vehicle, location, and direction of travel.
See your friend or other patron impaired trying to get behind the wheel? Take the keys or help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be approximately $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension, and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Whether by bike, car, motorcycle, or walking, the Oxnard Police Department encourages everyone to be a part of the solution and ‘Go Safely California.’

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 30, 2019 / 3:10 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Man Arrested for Attempt Kidnap
DATE/TIME:	March 28, 2019 / 8:17 a.m.
LOCATION:	Gladiola Street at Ironbark Drive
VICTIM(S):	Name Withheld, Male Student
SUSPECT(S):	Cesar Fausto, 47 year-old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Daniel Shrubb, Sergeant Daniel.Shrubb@OxnardPD.org 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Department Watch Commander 805-385-7746

DETAILS:

On March 28, 2019, at approximately 8:17am, Oxnard Police Officers responded to a call of an adult male subject disturbing in front of Sierra Linda Elementary School on Ironbark Drive, in Oxnard. When officers arrived, school staff had detained 47 year-old Cesar Fausto a short distance away from the school campus.

The investigation revealed that Fausto walked into the parking lot of the school and briefly contacted a male student walking to school. A school staff member saw Fausto approach the student and reach out to him with his hand as he walk alongside him. The student immediately ran from Fausto toward the school office. Fausto left the parking lot on foot but was later detained by school staff until police officers arrived.

It was learned that Fausto asked the student if he would take a walk with him but the student quickly ran away before anything happened. Fausto was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for attempted kidnapping and causing a disturbance on school grounds.

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 28, 2019 / 1250 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Dependent Adult
DATE/TIME:	3/28/19, 11:58 a.m.
LOCATION:	1000 block South J Street
VICTIM(S):	Jorge Ponce, 22 years old
PREPARED BY:	Rocky Marquez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Rocky Marquez, Sergeant Oxnard Police Department 805-385-7740 rockymarquez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is currently searching for a missing 22-year-old dependent adult who walked away from his home on 3/28/19. Jorge Ponce was last seen in the area of the 1000 block of South J Street in Oxnard, around 10:00 a.m. Jorge is Autistic with the mental capacity of a 5 year old. He is described as a Hispanic male, 5’9”, 126 lbs., black hair, brown eyes, wearing a blue tee shirt and black shorts with red trim.

Anyone who has seen Jorge or knows his possible whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740 or dial 911.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/28/19, 12:50 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	March 29, 2019 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Planned this Friday

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, March 29, 2019, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

DUI Checkpoints 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.

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: March 28, 2019 / 8:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Dependent Adult
DATE/TIME:	3/27/19, 11:45 p.m.
LOCATION:	1000 block South J Street
VICTIM(S):	Jorge Ponce, 22 years old
PREPARED BY:	Mike Gregson, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Mike Gregson, Sergeant Oxnard Police Department 805-385-7740 mike.gregson@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is currently searching for a missing 22-year-old dependent adult who walked away from his home on 3/27/19. Jorge Ponce was last seen in the area of the 1000 block of South J Street in Oxnard, around 10:00 p.m. Jorge is Autistic with the mental capacity of a 5 year old. He is described as a Hispanic male, 5’9”, 126 lbs., black hair, brown eyes, wearing a blue tee shirt and black shorts with red trim.

Anyone who has seen Jorge or knows his possible whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740 or dial 911.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/27/19, 11:45 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Documented Gang Member Arrested with firearm and Narcotics
DATE/TIME:	March 26, 2019 / 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	100 Block of Carmelita Court, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Eric Madrid, 27 year old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Robert Flinn @Oxnardpd.org 805-385-8289
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Christopher Williams, Commander Christopher.williams@Oxnardpd.org 805-207-7234

DETAILS:

On March 26, at approximately 6:00 p.m., officers from the Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic enforcement stop in the 100 block of Carmelita Court reference a vehicle code infraction. Upon making contact with the driver, Eric Madrid, officers observed in plain view narcotics from inside the vehicle. Further investigation yielded a 9mm handgun, ammunition and additional narcotics for sales.

Madrid is a documented criminal street gang member. Further, he is a convicted felon and is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition. Madrid was arrested for multiple felonies that include selling and transporting controlled substances, removing the manufacturer’s number from a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm and being in possession of a firearm with a controlled substance.

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 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 26, 2018 / 9:00 P.M