OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Search Warrant Service / Firearms Arrest
DATE/TIME:	January 18, 07:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	4600 Block Phoenix Drive
SUSPECT(S):	Edgar Ventura, 19 year old Oxnard resident Rafael Alvarado, 19 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Jess Aragon, Detective [email protected] 805-207-9097
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jess Aragon, Detective [email protected] 805-207-9097

DETAILS:

On January 18, 2018, at approximately 07:00 a.m., Investigators with the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) in conjunction with the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) and K-9 unit served a search warrant at a residence in the 4600 block of Phoenix Drive, City of Oxnard. During the search warrant several firearms were located including two shotguns, a stolen handgun and over 100 rounds of ammunition. One of the residents, Edgar Ventura, was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant and firearm related charges. Ventura’s associate, Rafael Alvarado, was arrested for a felony violation of probation.

The search warrant was in response to the recent violence throughout the city. The Oxnard Police Department, Violent Crimes Unit, and the Special Enforcement unit are committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known and active gang members residing in the city. Citizens are reminded to contact the Oxnard Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or witness a crime.

If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Detective Jess Aragon at (805) 207-9097. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or 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: January 18, 2018 / 3:20 P.M.

Rafael Alvarado Edgar Ventura

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Halaco Inhabitants to Vacate Property
DATE/TIME:	January 17, 2018 at 6:30 AM
PREPARED BY:	Melissa Valdez, Community Affairs Manager (805) 342-8292 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Melissa Valdez, Community Affairs Manager (805) 342-8292 [email protected]

DETAILS:

At sunrise this morning, members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Neighborhood Policing Team with assistance from the Special Enforcement Unit, Traffic Unit, and Ventura Police Department’s Patrol Task Force led an operation at the Halaco site, located at 6200 Perkins Rd. The purpose of the operation was to follow up with the inhabitants that were previously directed to vacate the property by January 17, 2018. Halaco inhabitants had been repeatedly advised that they were trespassing on private property, and would be subject to arrest if they did not vacate the property by the deadline.

During this morning’s operation, police and social service workers contacted thirty-six (36) persons on the site. All 36 individuals voluntarily left the premises and it was not necessary to make any arrests for trespassing.

Assistant Chief Jason Benites said, “We are pleased that we did not have to arrest anyone for trespassing this morning. Though some individuals had outstanding arrest warrants, our preference from the beginning has been to seek compliance from those who have been camping there. Hopefully those who vacated the premises do not return, as they will face arrest if they do. ”

Seven (7) were arrested for outstanding warrants. Seventeen (17) vehicles that were determined to be either abandoned or inoperable were towed.

“We first had the abandoned, inoperable vehicles towed, in order to afford others with operable vehicles to remove them from the site,” said Benites. “Vehicles are a means for the people that are here to leave, and we did not want to take away that option from them.”

In order to assist Halaco inhabitants with their ability to vacate the site, Police and workers from Oxnard City Corps also offered to place personal belongings into temporary storage. Several of the Halaco inhabitants took that option. Items that were stored were first photographed, geo-coded with a mobile app, then cataloged for storage. Halaco inhabitants were given instructions how to make arrangements to retrieve their belongings at a later time. The City of Oxnard will hold such property for up to ninety (90) days; unclaimed property will then be subject to disposal.

The intersection of Perkins Rd. and McWane Blvd. is temporarily blocked with barricades for up to ninety (90) days, while the scheduled abatement of the property takes place. Vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian access is restricted south of the intersection, and the barricade is being monitored by security guards, 24 hours a day. Several “no trespassing” signs were also posted in conspicuous places to deter people from entering the site.

The Police Department will continue future sweeps through to the Halaco site, to ensure that people have not returned. All of the Halaco inhabitants have been advised that moving forward, any individual found to be trespassing on site will be taken into custody and charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor.

The Halaco site, formerly a recycling facility and currently an EPA superfund location, is not safe to inhabit. The living conditions are unsanitary. Accumulated piles of refuse raise health concerns, and have negative environmental impacts on the adjacent Ormond Beach Wetlands, a nature preserve with protected and endangered species.

To remedy concerns about this site, the City of Oxnard initiated an abatement process for the site in August of 2017. Once abatement work begins later this month, this process will consist of trash cleanup, debris removal, vegetation abatement, and demolition of free-standing concrete walls.

We encourage those seeking temporary shelter to visit the West County Winter Warming Shelter located at the Ventura National Guard Armory through March 31, 2018. The shelter opens nightly at 6 PM and provides a hot dinner meal, a place to sleep, showers and breakfast. The shelter is a County collaborative and is available for single occupants and families. For information concerning this, as well as additional services, the public can call “211” or (805) 385-1800.

We would like to remind the public that while the City of Oxnard does not provide any direct homeless services or emergency housing, the City does provide funding to several agencies and non-profit organizations that do provide such services. Below is a list of service agencies and places that provide assistance:

EMERGENCY HOUSING

If you are facing homelessness or are already homeless and need emergency housing:

Homelessness Prevention Program

Rapid Re-Housing Program

County of Ventura Human Services Agency

805-385-8585

www.vchsa.org/hprp

The Kingdom Center

(women and children only)

805-487-3400

www.tkcoxnard.org

Turning Point Foundation

(services for homeless with mental illness)

805-652-0000

www.turningpointfoundation.org

RAIN Project Transitional Living Center

805-389-3308

www.raincommunities.org

OTHER SERVICES FOR HOMELESS PERSONS

Community Action of Ventura County

Day-time One-Stop Center; mail drop, counseling, job resources, showers

621 Richmond Ave., Oxnard CA 93030

805-436-4000

www.ca-vc.org

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Housing and utility assistance, health care, employment resources

Assistance hotline: 1-888-552-7872

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 17, 2018/ 5:30 pm

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang Member Arrested for Possession of a Stolen Firearm
DATE/TIME:	January 14, 2018, 12:40 AM.
LOCATION:	Palm Drive and C Street
VICTIM:	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	David Gonzales, 30 year old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Roque Rivera, Police Officer, [email protected] (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Roque Rivera, Police Officer, [email protected] (805) 385-7600

Details

On January 14, 2018, at about 12:40 A.M., officers from the Special Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop in the area of Palm Drive and C Street. The driver of the vehicle, David Gonzales was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and arrested. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a stolen .357 caliber revolver as well as narcotics and paraphernalia indicative of drug sales. Gonzales is a documented gang member.

Gonzales was arrested and later booked into the Ventura County Jail for possessing a stolen firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sales.

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 criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or 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.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Felon in Possession of Ammunition Arrest
DATE/TIME:	January 12, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION:	100 blk. Lupita St.
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Pablo Reynosa, 42-year-old, Oxnard resident Marie Salas, 38-year-old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Bakari Myers, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7771
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Chris Williams, Commander [email protected] 805-385-8290

DETAILS:

On 1/12/18, at approximately 7:30 p.m., officers from the Special Enforcement Unit responded to a residence in the 100 blk of Lupita St. to conduct a probation search and compliance check on Pablo Reynosa. Reynosa is currently on probation for burglary and a convicted felon who had been previously indicted in “Operation Supernova” in 2011. Operation Supernova targeted drug traffickers associated with the Colonia Chiques Criminal Street Gang.

As officers arrived at the location, occupants barricaded themselves in a room, in the residence. Officers received information that Reynosa was in possession of at least two firearms. Officers also received information that Reynosa was in the company of Marie Salas; a records check confirmed that she had a felony warrant. Officers surrounded the residence and attempted to make contact with Reynosa and Salas for over two hours.

Reynosa and Salas ultimately surrendered to officers and were taken into custody without incident. Officers searched Reynosa’s room and recovered three handgun magazines, one which was loaded. Officers also located a stun gun in Reynosa’s room. Reynosa was charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a stun gun, and for resisting arrest. Salas was arrested for her felony warrant.

Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or 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 at tip via text or email.

Pablo Reynosa Marie Salas

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Police, Clergy, and Social Services Workers Partner for Operation at Halaco Site
DATE/TIME:	January 12, 2018 @ 6:30 AM
PREPARED BY:	Melissa Valdez, Community Affairs Manager (805) 342-8292 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Melissa Valdez, Community Affairs Manager (805) 342-8292 melissa.valdez @oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

At 6:30 AM this morning, members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Neighborhood Policing Team and Traffic Unit led an operation at the Halaco site, located at 6200 Perkins Rd. The purpose of the operation was to follow up with the inhabitants that were previously served a “notice to vacate” on October 19, 2017. The original notices provided direction to vacate the area by December 5, 2017. However, this date was extended to coincide with the opening of Ventura County Winter Warming Shelter, which experienced a delay in its opening.

The Police Department partnered with various social service providers and faith-based representatives to provide Halaco’s inhabitants with offers of assistance. Such assistance includes help in their relocation or decision to accept appropriate services. Since mid-2017, members of the Oxnard Police Department, along with social service providers including the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, Ventura County Homeless Services, and City departments have made numerous contacts with inhabitants at Halaco to offer them social services. By the end of November of 2017, ninety-three (93) persons had been contacted on this site and offered services. Ventura County Emergency Medical Services also provided hepatitis vaccinations to approximately thirty-five persons and flu shots for approximately forty (40) persons.

During this morning’s operation, police and service providers contacted forty-eight (48) persons on the site. Six (6) of them indicated willingness to accept social services.

Another significant part of this operation was to notify all persons on the Halaco site that they were trespassing on private property, and they would be subject to arrest as of Wednesday, January 17, 2018. Flyers were distributed and a large sign was posted stating this. All vehicles on the premises were tagged with notices that they would be subject to towing on that date.

With its population of several dozen squatters living there, the Halaco site has placed a disproportionate demand on public safety resources over the past year. The location has been a leading “repeat service call” location, with calls for service ranging from violent crimes, property crimes, gang violence, and drug-related activity. A homicide involving one of its inhabitants occurred in January of 2017, as well as several violent crimes throughout the year. These crimes included two firearm-involved carjackings, one of which involved an Oxnard resident being kidnapped and taken to the site. An employee of a nearby business was assaulted with a knife by a Halaco inhabitant. During the 2017 Thanksgiving Holiday, a man was shot and another was battered with a hammer. Over a dozen stolen vehicles were recovered on the site in 2017, and more in the immediate area. The Fire Department has responded several dozen times to several fires, as well as injured persons and overdoses. Additional incidents with some connection to the Halaco site and/or its residents have also occurred in the surrounding area.

In order for the abatement to begin, all persons and vehicles on the site must vacate the premises. A deadline to vacate has been set for Wednesday, January 17, 2018. Starting on that date, the Police Department will begin enforcement operations at the site. Officers will arrest individuals found on the site, and all vehicles on the premises will be towed.

“Enforcement is most certainly not our preferred option,” said Assistant Police Chief Jason Benites. “We are hoping for compliance and would prefer to not have to arrest a single person, nor tow a single vehicle. The fact remains however, that this is private property currently undergoing an abatement process, and everyone must leave. This is also not a safe place for people to live. We also realize that the subject of homelessness is a difficult one, and we are doing everything that we can to give the Halaco inhabitants reasonable time to leave, as well as present them with numerous opportunities to accept services that are intended to help them address their situations.”

The Oxnard Police Department is working with social service providers and various clergy in an effort to encourage the occupants that it is in their best interests to leave the site voluntarily. We encourage those seeking temporary shelter to visit the West County Winter Warming Shelter located at the Ventura National Guard Armory through March 31, 2018. The shelter opens nightly at 6 PM and provides a hot dinner meal, a place to sleep, showers and breakfast. The shelter is a County collaborative and is available for single occupants and families. For information concerning this, as well as additional services, the public can call “211” or (805) 385-1800.

EMERGENCY HOUSING

If you are facing homelessness or are already homeless and need emergency housing:

Homelessness Prevention Program

Rapid Re-Housing Program

County of Ventura Human Services Agency

805-385-8585

www.vchsa.org/hprp

The Kingdom Center

(women and children only)

805-487-3400

www.tkcoxnard.org

Turning Point Foundation

(services for homeless with mental illness)

805-652-0000

www.turningpointfoundation.org

RAIN Project Transitional Living Center

805-389-3308

www.raincommunities.org

OTHER SERVICES FOR HOMELESS PERSONS

Community Action of Ventura County

Day-time One-Stop Center; mail drop, counseling, job resources, showers

621 Richmond Ave., Oxnard CA 93030

805-436-4000

www.ca-vc.org

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Housing and utility assistance, health care, employment resources

Assistance hotline: 1-888-552-7872

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 12, 2018/ 2:00 pm

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang Member Arrested for Possession of a Firearm
DATE/TIME:	January 1, 2018, 6 P.M.
LOCATION:	Camino Del Sol and Entrada Drive
VICTIM:	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Joseph Hidalgo, 23 year old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Christopher Williams, Commander [email protected] 805-385-8290
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Christopher Williams, Commander [email protected] 805-207-7234

On January 1, 2018, at about 6 P.M., officers from the Special Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop in the area of Camino Del Sol and Entrada Drive. The front passenger of the vehicle, Joseph Hidalgo, had several outstanding warrants and was arrested. During a search of the vehicle, a .22 caliber handgun was located. Hidalgo is a documented gang member and is on probation.

Hidalgo was arrested and later booked into the Ventura County Jail for possessing a firearm while on probation and for carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 1, 2018, 8:20 P.M.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department Launches “Eyes on Crime” Surveillance System Registration; Axon Citizen Goes Live
DATE/TIME:	01/05/18, 9:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	Citywide
PREPARED BY:	Crystal Walker, Detective
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Crystal Walker, Detective (805) 385-7668 or [email protected]

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is asking community members, “What if YOU could help solve a crime? What if YOU could provide valuable intelligence to detectives and help close a case?”

This morning, your Oxnard Police Department launched two new ways to facilitate media collection and storage of potential evidence. The “Eyes on Crime” Surveillance System Registration encourages the public to provide video footage to help officers possibly identify and prosecute suspects of crime. By registering your surveillance system with the “Eyes on Crime” program, you give officers an idea of where they can find potential video evidence in a timely manner. This assists our patrol officers and investigators in locating video evidence immediately in case there is a need to piece together what occurred during an event or identify suspects.

All a community member or business owner needs to do is fill out a simple form, either online or by visiting the police department, to provide information on their surveillance system. Surveillance systems can be either residential or business and times they can be accessed are noted. You may remain anonymous although the Oxnard Police Department does require a method of contact (phone, email) to register. To register online, visit: https://www.oxnardpd.org/community-programs/.

If there is a concern as to the sharing of contact information, we assure community members that information provided will be for Official Use Only. The Oxnard Police Department will not provide information to any non-law enforcement agency and only then for Official Use Only. Also, the Oxnard Police Department will not use information to create a distribution list unless the information is directly related to registration.

In addition to the “Eyes on Crime” program, the Oxnard Police Department will also be offering Axon Citizen. Axon Citizen is a new way to upload evidence to the Oxnard Police Department by allowing officers to send a link where community members can safely upload media.

Axon has been a partner of the Oxnard Police Department since the summer of 2016 and has been the application used in conjunction with the body-worn cameras. Any footage officers record using body-worn cameras is uploaded directly to cloud storage where it is kept for use in court. During calls for service, officers receive media from a community member and then upload it themselves to cloud storage. Axon Citizen allows community members’ video and photos to be uploaded via a link directly to cloud storage, in effect cutting out the middle man.

As always the Oxnard Police Department is “Protecting the Community with Exceptional Service.” With these innovative programs now in place, the Oxnard Police Department hopes to facilitate collection of evidence and make any contact with community members much easier. For further information regarding surveillance system registration or Axon Citizen, contact Det. Crystal Walker at (805) 385-7668 or [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 01/05/18, 9:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Grand Theft from a Commercial Business
DATE/TIME:	December 30, 2017, 5:20 a.m.
LOCATION:	300 West Esplanade Drive, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	24 Hour Fitness (vacant)
SUSPECT(S):	Martin Angel Ramos, 47 years, Oxnard resident Delwyn Brown, 40 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Edgar Fernandez, Sergeant Edgar.Fernandez @Oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Charles Buttel, Detective [email protected] (805) 385-7755

DETAILS:

On December 30, 2017, at approximately 5:20 a.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to reports of two suspects prowling on the rooftop of the vacant business, located at 300 West Esplanade Drive. The suspects were contacted as they attempted to leave the area. They were found to be in possession of stolen copper wiring and additional property, which was determined to be taken from the rooftop of the business.

Officers subsequently arrested Delwyn Brown and Martin Ramos for multiple theft related charges. Both suspects were also found to have multiple outstanding warrants issued and were additionally charged.

If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7796. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

Delwyn Brown

Martin Ramos

DATE / TIME PREPARED: December 30, 2017, 7:45 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery/Attempt Murder Arrest
DATE/TIME:	January 4, 2018, 11:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	Ventura County Main Jail
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Ayala, 20 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant [email protected] (805) 248-9122
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant [email protected] (805) 248-9122

DETAILS: On December 31, 2017, at approximately 6:00 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a possible gunshot victim at Vons grocery store located at 1291 South Victoria Avenue. Upon arriving, officers learned that two subjects had entered the store, selected 2 cases of beer and left without paying. Loss prevention employees attempted to contact the subjects outside the store. One of the subjects, later identified as Juan Ayala 6/24/97, was confronted by a loss prevention employee who grabbed Ayala’s shirt causing him to drop the two (2) cases of beer he was holding. Ayala pulled a firearm from his waistband, pointed it at the employee’s head and fired one shot, nearly striking the employee and causing temporary hearing loss. As Ayala ran to a nearby vehicle he shot at the victim a second time, again missing him. During the initial investigation a witness described the getaway vehicle as white SUV, possibly a 2005-2011 Chevrolet Trailblazer with out of state license plates.

On January 1, 2018, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Port Hueneme Police were dispatched to a fight at the beach, 500 block of East Surfside Drive. As Port Hueneme Officers arrived they observed a subject, later identified as Juan Ayala 6/24/97, fleeing the scene holding his waistband. During a brief foot pursuit Ayala threw a handgun. Ayala was apprehended and the handgun was recovered. During the Port Hueneme investigation, they learned Ayala was in possession of a set of keys to a white Chevy Trailblazer with Idaho license plates. Their officers were aware of the incident the previous day at Vons and contacted the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit.

On January 2, 2018, investigators reviewed surveillance video of the beer theft and observed Ayala and another subject in the store taking two cases of beer. Ayala was identified as the shooter by witnesses. Investigators contacted Ayala, who was in custody at the Ventura County Jail from the Port Hueneme incident, and arrested him for robbery and attempt Murder.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempt Murder/Mayhem
DATE/TIME:	December 29, 2017, 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	400 block Colonia Road, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Ricardo Sanchez Lemus, 36 years, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Anthony Alzalde, 18 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant [email protected] (805) 248-9122

DETAILS:

On December 29, 2017, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to an injured person suffering from 3^rd degree burns to the left side of his body. The victim (Lemus) was transported to Ventura County Medical Center by ambulance. The departments Violent Crimes Unit and Oxnard Fire Department’s Arson investigator responded to investigate the circumstances. During the course of their investigation they identified, Anthony Alzalde, as the person who committed the assault on Lemus. Officers searched the area and located Alzalde in a restroom of a nearby park. He was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges of Attempt Murder and Mayhem.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: December 29, 2017, 6:00 p.m.