News Release – Serious Injury Traffic Collision (12-13-24)

DETAILS:

Commander Rocky Marquez graduated as a member of the 292^nd session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Virginia on December 12th, 2024. Commander Marquez is the eighth command staff member in department history to complete this prestigious program.  Nationally, fewer than one percent of officers have the opportunity to attend the program. 

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy offers 11 weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training. Participants must have proven records as professionals within their agencies to attend. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions. 

The 292nd session consisted of two-hundred and fifty-seven law enforcement officers who graduated today from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. The 292nd session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 27 countries, eight military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations. 

Commander Marquez is currently assigned as the Investigative Services Bureau Commander, overseeing the Major Crimes Unit, Violent Crimes Unit, Drug Enforcement Unit, Family Protection Unit, Property Crimes Unit, and Crime Analysis Unit. He also manages the Unmanned Aerial Systems Unit and the Oxnard Police Explorer Post.

About the FBI National Academy 

FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other staff with advanced degrees provide the training; many instructors are recognized internationally in their fields. Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits many of the courses offered. A total of 55,797 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, the same facility where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts. 

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department participates with outside agencies in the investigation and prosecution of narcotics related crimes. Assets seized are proportionately shared among the participating agencies. The California Health & Safety Code requires that a portion of the seized assets “shall be used for the sole purpose of funding programs designed to combat drug abuse and divert gang activity…It is the intent of the Legislature to cause the development and continuation of positive intervention programs for high-risk elementary and secondary school age students.”

The Oxnard Police Department invites community-based organizations interested in this funding to visit: https://www.oxnardpd.org/asset-forfeiture-community-funds/ and complete an application for consideration and review. As the City of Oxnard continues to look for viable options to the gang lifestyle for our youth, the Oxnard Police Department is excited for this opportunity to work with the community to provide healthy and productive alternatives.

The deadline for applications to be submitted is Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

UPDATED NEWS RELEASE

DATE:             December 6, 2024

SUBJECT:      Shooting Suspects Arrested   

LOCATION:    100 block of Fontana Drive, Oxnard

VICTIM:           22 Year-Old Male, Oxnard Resident

SUSPECTS:    Victor Lara, 19-Year-Old, Oxnard Resident

                        Joel Ruiz, 22-Year-Old, Camarillo Resident

CONTACT:      Detective Diego Estrada

                        (805) 385-8291 | diego.estrada@oxnardpd.org        

On November 30, 2024, at 7:52 p.m., officers with the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 100 block of Fontana Drive of reports of a gunshot victim. Officers arrived at the scene and located a 22-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. He was transported to a trauma center, where he underwent emergency surgery. He is listed in critical but stable condition.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) identified Victor Lara and Joel Ruiz as the suspects in the case. Search warrants and arrest warrants were obtained for both Lara and Ruiz.

On December 4, 2024, VCU, with assistance from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit, Canine Unit, and Drug Enforcement Unit, located and arrested Lara at his residence in Oxnard. Lara discarded a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest. Lara was charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, and several firearms-related charges.

On December 6, 2024, VCU, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Unit, located and arrested Ruiz at his residence in Camarillo. Ruiz was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy.

Additionally, both Lara and Ruiz are documented members of a criminal street gang. Because of this, they were each charged with violation of the Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention Act (gang enhancement).

If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Diego Estrada at 805-385-8291 or by email at diego.estrada@oxnardpd.org.

Also, anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7755 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 1 (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:           December 5, 2024

SUBJECT:    Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Enforcement

CONTACT:   Mike Gens, Sergeant

                        (805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | michael.gens@oxnardpd.org

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation Planned for December 6th, 2024

Oxnard, Calif. – The Oxnard Police Department will conduct a traffic safety operation on December 6th, 2024 between 7:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide the right- of-way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.   

The Oxnard Police Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or killed in a crash:

Pedestrians:

·         Be predictable. Use crosswalks when available.

·         Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.

·         Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

·         Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.

·         Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers:

·         Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.

·         Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

·         Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists:

·         Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.

·         Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

·         Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.

·         If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

·         Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians with marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.