NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 17, 2024, at 11:53 P.M.

SUBJECT: Woman Shot. Dies in Oxnard

LOCATION: 1000 block of Industrial Ave., Oxnard

VICTIM: Yanelly Vargas 35-Year-Old Female, Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT: Unknown

CONTACT: Jaime Miranda, Sergeant (805) 385-7632 (Tues – Fri 7:00 AM -5:00 PM) | jaime.miranda@Oxnardpd.org

On March 17, 2024, at approximately 11:53 P.M., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a fight with possible shots being fired in the 1000 block of Industrial Ave. Officers and EMS personnel arrived on scene and located a 35-year-old female, later identified as Yanelly Vargas, suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso. Vargas was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center, where she succumbed to her injuries.

The Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation.

Investigators encourage anyone who has any information or may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Ricardo Vega (805) 385-7688. The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City.

Also, 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 3/18/24 / 5:00 P.M.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 17, 2024

SUBJECT: DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Saturation Results

CONTACT: Michael Gens, Sergeant

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

Seven impaired drivers arrested during DUI checkpoint and saturation.

On March 17, 2024, between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department held a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint at Channel Islands Boulevard and Peninsula Road. The operation resulted in seven arrests for impaired driving, and twenty-three citations.

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

Funding for this checkpoint and DUI enforcement patrols was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 17, 2024

SUBJECT: Firearms Arrest During California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control “Holiday Enforcement” Operation

SUSPECT: Anthony Ixta, 26-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Oxnard, California

CONTACT: Corporal Steven Ramirez II, F.A.C.T. Compliance Officer

(805) 385-7600 | Mon-Thur 8AM-6PM | steven.ramirez@oxnardpd.org

On Sunday, March 17, 2024, The Oxnard Police Department conducted an enhanced alcohol enforcement detail at various locations throughout the city.

This Holiday Enforcement Operation was focused on addressing alcohol-related crimes and quality-of-life issues near establishments that sell alcohol. During the operation, officers arrested two individuals who were drinking and involved in narcotics-related activity at Del Sol Park. One of the arrestees, identified as Ixta, was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm concealed in his waistband. Ixta was booked at Ventura County Jail for multiple firearms violations. An associate of Ixta was also arrested and booked for various narcotic-related charges.

In addition to the firearms arrest, officers issued four alcohol-related citations in public locations near alcohol establishments.

This enforcement operation, funded by ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program and the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA, is designed to raise awareness about alcohol-related crimes throughout California and keep communities safe.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 17, 2024 / 15:35 p.m.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 12, 2024

SUBJECT: St. Patrick's Day Weekend DUI Enforcement Operations

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 | michael.gens@oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department is working to keep roadways safe this St. Patrick’s Day.

Please Celebrate Responsibly: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by millions across the country, often culminating in parties where drinking is involved. Sadly, this leads to tragedies on our roadways when drivers choose to leave parties impaired.

This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol ready to stop and arrest drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Additional officers will be on patrol Friday, March 15, 2024 from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., and again on Sunday, March 17, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. In addition to the patrols on Sunday, the Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city.

DUI checkpoints and patrols are done in locations with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

In 2021, 1,370 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above). The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take these precautions to avoid a DUI:

● Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation – to get home.

● Walking while impaired is also dangerous. Have someone sober walk you home or stay with you until a sober driver is available to pick you up.

● Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

● Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

A DUI arrest is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 10, 2024

SUBJECT: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Statewide “Shoulder Tap” Operation

LOCATION: Oxnard, California

CONTACT: Steven Ramirez II, F.A.C.T. Compliance Officer

(805) 385-7600 | steven.ramirez@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard Police Department and ABC cite two in a Statewide Underage Drinking Enforcement Operation

The Oxnard Police Department and agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) cited two individuals during ABC’s statewide Shoulder Tap operation on March 09, 2024, in Oxnard for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors. This enforcement operation is designed to create awareness about the dangers of underage drinking throughout California and keep communities safe.

A Shoulder Tap operation focuses on adults who purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 21. A minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol. The minor also indicates they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the underage person, they can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

“We conduct these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “By preventing underage drinking we can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUI’s.”

Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

This operation was funded by ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program and the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.

*UPDATE*

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 8, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian

LOCATION: Rose Avenue at Fifth Street

DRIVER: Miguel Garcia Ruiz, Oxnard Resident

VEHICLE: 2003 Ford F-250

PEDESTRIAN: 73-year-old Oxnard Resident, name withheld pending next of kin notification

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

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

Update (Refer to the original collision information below)

On March 4, 2024, at approximately 6:16 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred near the intersection of Rose Avenue and Fifth Street. The pedestrian was transported to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office later identified the pedestrian as Modesto “Morey” Navarro. Navarro was a longtime resident of Oxnard. The driver, Miguel Garcia Ruiz, also of Oxnard, remained on scene and cooperated with officers.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)200-5668, or by email at alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

On March 4, 2024, at approximately 6:16 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred near the intersection of Rose Avenue and Fifth Street. The pedestrian, a 73-year-old resident of Oxnard, sustained major injuries and was transported to a hospital. He was pronounced deceased a short time later. The driver of the vehicle, Miguel Garcia Ruiz, also of Oxnard, remained on scene and was uninjured.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that Garcia Ruiz was driving northbound Rose Avenue when he struck the pedestrian, who had been crossing Rose Avenue, north of Fifth Street. Investigators did not believe that speed, 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.

CORRECTED NEWS RELEASE ATTACHED :

The fire was reported on March 5th. News release was issued Wednesday, March 6th.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 6, 2024

SUBJECT: Colonia Structure Fire

LOCATION: 245 East Colonia Road, Oxnard CA

On March 5, 2024, at approximately 10:28 P.M., Public Safety Dispatchers received calls reporting a structure fire at 245 East Colonia Road in the City of Oxnard, California.

The Oxnard Fire Department responded to the scene, with assistance from the Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura City Fire, and the Naval Base’s Federal Fire Ventura County.

At the time of this news release, the fire is ongoing, but has been contained to the structure at 245 East Colonia Road. There are no reported injuries from emergency personnel.

Street traffic is closed on Oxnard Boulevard in both directions – from Roderick Avenue to 2nd Street. Colonia Road is closed from Oxnard Blvd to Hayes Avenue. Railway traffic in the area is also closed. The anticipated re-opening of these means of transportation are to-be-determined – possibly after noon Wednesday, March 6th. Community members are encouraged to plan on transportation through alternate routes, avoiding the area until further notice.

There is no information regarding injuries to local residents or regarding the cause of the fire available at this time. Updated information will be released as soon as it is available.

The Shelter In Place Order and Realtime Incident Dashboard for this event accessed at: www.vcemergency.com

Southern California Edison has responded to the area. Updates on power outages are available at https://www.sce.com/outage-center/check-outage-status .

MEDIA CONTACT : Oxnard Fire Battalion Chief Stephen McNaughton – stephen.mcnaughten@oxnard.org , (805) 814 – 1066

NEWS RELEASE (03/06/24 02:45 A.M.) PREPARED BY : Oxnard Police Department Community Affairs Manager Paul Carganilla – paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org , (805) 385 – 7631

Good evening:

Oxnard Police officers are assisting the Oxnard Fire Department reference a structure fire in the area of Colonia Road and Oxnard Boulevard. Oxnard Boulevard has been closed in both directions between Cooper Road and Roderick Avenue. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes.

We will send out another notification once the streets are re-opened.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 6, 2024

SUBJECT: Colonia Structure Fire

LOCATION: 245 East Colonia Road, Oxnard CA

On March 6, 2024, at approximately 10:28 P.M., Public Safety Dispatchers received calls reporting a structure fire at 245 East Colonia Road in the City of Oxnard, California.

The Oxnard Fire Department responded to the scene, with assistance from the Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura City Fire, and the Naval Base’s Federal Fire Ventura County.

At the time of this news release, the fire is ongoing, but has been contained to the structure at 245 East Colonia Road. There are no reported injuries from emergency personnel.

There is no information regarding injuries to local residents or regarding the cause of the fire available at this time. Updated information will be released as soon as it is available.

The Shelter In Place Order and Real-Time Incident Dashboard for this event accessed at: www.vcemergency.com

Southern California Edison has responded to the area. Updates on power outages are available at https://www.sce.com/outage-center/check-outage-status .

MEDIA CONTACT : Oxnard Fire Battalion Chief Stephen McNaughton – stephen.mcnaughten@oxnard.org , (805) 814 – 1066

NEWS RELEASE (03/06/24 02:45 A.M.) PREPARED BY : Oxnard Police Department Community Affairs Manager Paul Carganilla – paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org , (805) 385 – 7631

DOC and PDF attached.

Paul Carganilla

Community Affairs Manager, Oxnard Police Department

DESK: (805)385-7631 | CELL: (805)342-8292

Regular Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8AM-6PM

On Wed, Mar 6, 2024 at 2:49 AM Carganilla, Paul <paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org> wrote:

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 6, 2024

SUBJECT: Colonia Structure Fire

LOCATION: 245 East Colonia Road, Oxnard CA

On March 6, 2024, at approximately 10:28 P.M., Public Safety Dispatchers received calls reporting a structure fire at 245 East Colonia Road in the City of Oxnard, California.

The Oxnard Fire Department responded to the scene, with assistance from the Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura City Fire, and the Naval Base’s Federal Fire Ventura County.

At the time of this news release, the fire is ongoing, but has been contained to the structure at 245 East Colonia Road. There are no reported injuries from emergency personnel.

Street traffic is closed on Oxnard Boulevard in both directions – from Roderick Avenue to 2nd Street. Colonia Road is closed from Oxnard Blvd to Hayes Avenue. Railway traffic in the area is also closed. The anticipated re-opening of these means of transportation are to-be-determined – possibly after noon Wednesday, March 6th. Community members are encouraged to plan on transportation through alternate routes, avoiding the area until further notice.

There is no information regarding injuries to local residents or regarding the cause of the fire available at this time. Updated information will be released as soon as it is available.

The Shelter In Place Order and Real-Time Incident Dashboard for this event accessed at: www.vcemergency.com

Southern California Edison has responded to the area. Updates on power outages are available at https://www.sce.com/outage-center/check-outage-status .

MEDIA CONTACT : Oxnard Fire Battalion Chief Stephen McNaughton – stephen.mcnaughten@oxnard.org , (805) 814 – 1066

NEWS RELEASE (03/06/24 02:45 A.M.) PREPARED BY : Oxnard Police Department Community Affairs Manager Paul Carganilla – paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org , (805) 385 – 7631