News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME: February 6, 2024 / 5:30PM

SUBJECT: Brandishing / Possession of a Firearm Arrest

SUSPECT: Victor Hernandez, 49-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 100 block south C Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

Kevin.Baysinger@OxnardPD.org

(805) 385-7746 (Sun-Wed 4PM-2AM)

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police Officers received a report of a brandishing of a firearm in the 100 block of S. C Street. Officers initially made contact with the victim at the police station, then responded to the area where the crime occurred. There, they observed and made contact with Hernandez. Hernandez was ultimately detained and found to be in possession of a loaded .38 revolver. After completing their investigation, officers arrested Hernandez, a previously convicted felon, for the brandishing of a firearm, resisting officers, unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition, and being under the influence of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm.

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 by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

Barricaded Subjects/ UoF (1535 hours): Officers responded to 4531 Beaumont Avenue in reference to the RP's son's girlfriend, Fernanda Velazquez (10/26/07), refusing to leave the residence. Velazquez's probation terms specifically stated that she was not to associate with her boyfriend, Alexis Arellano (1/12/08). Velazquez had also recently cut off her electronic monitoring bracelet for probation and was a Station 1 missing juvenile. When Officers arrived at the residence, both Arellano and Velazquez fled into a bathroom and unsuccessfully attempted to flee out a second-story window. Arellano and Velazquez barricaded themselves in the bathroom for approximately an hour and refused to comply with the officer's commands to exit the restroom. Two volleys of pepperball were deployed for area saturation of the bathroom, and Arellano and Velazquez finally exited the bathroom. Arellano attempted to struggle with officers but was taken into custody without further incident. Sergeants Cook and McBride on-scene. McBride provided CNT and Sergeant Cook to complete the UoF report. 24-8121

Non-fatal Overdose (0011 hours): Victim, Michael Stewart (5/18/93), was located unresponsive by a passerby in the carport area of 1300 Edgewood Way. The passerby started CPR. When officers arrived, Stewart was conscious, and no Narcan was administered. No paraphernalia was located, and Stewart was transported to St. John's for further treatment. Sergeant Wooley on-scene. 24-8225

Non-fatal Overdose (0026 hours): Victim, Amador Pascual (4/28/95), was located unconscious in the stairwell of the parking structure at 328 South "B" Street by a bystander. The bystanders administered two doses of Narcan and began CPR. When EMS arrived, they administered a third dose of Narcan, and Pascual regained consciousness. No paraphernalia was located and Pascual was transported to St. John's for further treatment. Sergeant Wooley on-scene. 24-8229

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME: February 4, 2024 / 10:45PM

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECT: German Lucatero, 32-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Fifth and A Streets, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

Kevin.Baysinger@OxnardPD.org

(805) 385-7746 (Sun-Wed 4PM-2AM)

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the area of Fifth and A Streets in Oxnard. During their contact with the occupants of the vehicle, officers observed a handgun on Lucatero. Officers retrieved the firearm; it was a loaded unserialized 9mm P80 handgun. Lucatero was arrested for multiple firearms violations.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 26, 2024

SUBJECT: Distracted Driving Enforcement

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

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

On January 29th, 2024, the Oxnard Police Department will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

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

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 26, 2024 (9:29 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Vehicle Pursuit Ends with Arrest of Documented Gang Members in Possession of Firearms

SUSPECTS: Rafael Alvarado, 25-year-old Oxnard resident

Victor Ortiz, 18-year-old Oxnard resident

Michael Rios, 31-year-old Oxnard resident

16-year-old Camarillo resident

LOCATION: 2900 blk. Merced Pl., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | bakari.myers@Oxnardpd.org

On January 26, at approximately 9:29 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a vehicle code infraction. The vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle traveled through the Lemonwood neighborhood and into the Diamond Bar neighborhood where the pursuit ended. A passenger, later identified as Victor Ortiz, attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended and found to be in possession of a loaded .45 Caliber semi-automatic handgun. Officers later conducted a records check on the serial number and learned that the handgun had been reported stolen.

Officers removed the remaining occupants from the vehicle. The driver was identified as a 16-year-old Camarillo resident. The two remaining occupants were identified as Rafael Alvarado and Michael Rios. Once the occupants were removed from the vehicle officers located an additional handgun concealed in the passenger compartment. Upon further inspection officers learned that the firearm was a loaded 9-millimeter, Glock-style, Polymer 80, un-serialized, semi-automatic handgun with an extended 33 round magazine. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. Rafael Alvarado was charged with possessing the P80 with the extended magazine.

Officers conducted a records check on Michael Rios and learned that he’s currently on parole for robbery and carjacking. Rios was arrested for violating the terms of his parole. The 16-year-old juvenile was arrested for felony evading.

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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 25, 2024

SUBJECT: Narcotic Sales / Illegal Gun Possession Arrest

SUSPECTS: Michael Silerio, 56 year-old Oxnard Resident

Monica Silerio, 50 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 1300 block of Edgewood Way, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7623 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) jose.velazquez@oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) completed an investigation into the alleged narcotic sales committed by Michael Silerio, a 56 year-old Oxnard resident. During the course of the investigation, DEU detectives gathered sufficient evidence allowing them to secure a search warrant for Silerio’s residence.

On January 25, 2024, the Oxnard Police Department’s DEU, with the assistance of the Violent Crimes and K9 units executed the search warrant at Silerio’s residence. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of illegal narcotics possessed for sales and two illegally possessed handguns. Silerio has a prior felony conviction which prohibits him from owning or possessing any firearms. He was arrested for numerous narcotic and firearms-related offenses and booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention facility.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit is comprised of detectives who have been federally deputized as Task Force Officer(s) by the Federal of Bureau of Investigation. These Task Force Officer(s) are assigned to the Ventura County Criminal Investigation Division and are in charge with the duties of investigating violations of the drug and criminal laws of the United States of America.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses in the city of Oxnard. 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 by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 24, 2024 (5:36 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Police Service Dog “Joey” Locates Concealed Handgun, Documented Gang Member / Prohibited Person Arrested

SUSPECTS: Rudy Ordonez, 20-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 1200 blk. Felicia Ct., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | bakari.myers@Oxnardpd.org

On January 24th, at approximately 5:36 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a foot patrol in the 1200 blk. of Felicia Ct. During the foot patrol they contacted Rudy Ordonez, a documented criminal street gang member with prior firearms convictions. The officers located Ordonez as he was attempting to hide near a parked vehicle.

Officers were aware of Ordonez’ prior firearm conviction and were aware of his search terms. K9 Officer Coronel responded with his partner, Police Service Dog “Joey” to assist with a search of the area where Ordonez was observed hiding. Joey, who has been trained in detecting the presence of firearms and ammunition, conducted a search where Ordonez was seen hiding and located a loaded Glock 9-millimeter handgun that was concealed near the wheel well of the vehicle.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 25, 2024 (7:29 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Documented Gang Member / Prohibited Person, in Possession of P80 Handgun

SUSPECTS: Victor Lara, 18-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 2500 blk. El Dorado Ave., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | bakari.myers@Oxnardpd.org

On January 25, at approximately 7:29 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) were conducting a foot patrol in the 2500 blk. of El Dorado Ave. reference gang activity. Officers made contact with three individuals that appeared to be smoking marijuana in public. As officers made contact with the subjects, they attempted to flee but were quickly apprehended.

One subject, later identified as Victor Lara, was observed discarding an object near the north side of a residence. Officers checked the area and located a loaded handgun. Upon further inspection of the firearm, officers determined the handgun to be a loaded 9-millimeter, Glock-style, Polymer 80, un-serialized, semi-automatic handgun. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. Lara was arrested for possessing the P80 handgun.

Lara is a documented criminal street gang member who has prior convictions for firearm possession. Due to Lara’s convictions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Firearm prohibition is also a specific term of his probation.

Officers are on scene of a traffic collision at Stroube Street and Vineyard Avenue. Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route until the scene is cleared.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 23, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian

LOCATION: Vineyard Avenue at Stroube Street

DRIVER: Albert Betkouchar, Santa Clarita Resident

VEHICLE: 2014 Honda Accord

BICYCLIST: Unidentified Male, 30-to-40 years old

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org

On January 23, 2024, at approximately 7:04 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred at the intersection of Vineyard Avenue and Stroube Street. The pedestrian, an unidentified male in his thirties, sustained major injuries and was transported to a hospital. He was pronounced deceased a short time later. The driver of the vehicle, Albert Betkouchar, remained on scene and was uninjured.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that Betkouchar was driving northbound Vineyard Avenue when he struck the pedestrian, who had been crossing Vineyard Avenue at the intersection of Stroube Street. Investigators did not believe that alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors to the collision. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)200-5668 or via email at alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.