OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	August 29, 2017, 7:00 PM
LOCATION:	H Street and Gonzales Road, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Male Juvenile, 17 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Mike Adair, Commander mike.adair@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Michael Velasquez, Detective michael.velasquez@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-8287

DETAILS: On August 29, 2017, at approximately 7:00 PM, Oxnard police officers responded to the corner of H Street and Gonzales Road in reference to a robbery with a knife. Officers learned three males approached the victim and one of the males demanded a cellphone while threatening the victim with a knife. The victim feared for his life and gave the suspect a cellular phone. All three subjects then ran from the area.

While a patrol officer was checking the location for the subjects, he noticed the primary suspect who immediately ran from the officer. The officer chased the suspect into an apartment complex on Ginger St. The suspect was found a short time later hiding inside a nearby apartment. He was arrested for the robbery and the stolen property was recovered. The suspect was a male juvenile and he was subsequently booked into the Juvenile Hall for the robbery.

If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Detective Michael Velasquez at (805) 385-8287. 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.

INCIDENT:	Attempt Murder Arrest
DATE/TIME:	August 29, 2017, 5:30AM
LOCATION:	4800 Block Clover Drive, Oxnard, CA.
VICTIM(S):	57 year old adult male
SUSPECT(S):	Noah Bernal, 21years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Michael Velasquez (805)385-8287 michael.velasquez@oxnardpdo.org

DETAILS:

On August 29, 2017, at approximately 5:30AM, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the 4800 block of Clover Drive. When Officers arrived on scene they located the victim, a 57 year old male, with a stab wound to his neck. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and is currently in stable condition.

The suspect, 21 year old Noah Bernal, had fled the scene prior to Officer’s arrival. Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) responded to scene to investigate the stabbing.

At approximately 8:30 hours, suspect Bernal returned to the 4800 block of Clover Drive, and was seen on the roof top of a home. VCU investigators immediately responded to the area and located Bernal loitering in the area. Bernal was quickly apprehended by investigators without incident. Bernal was arrested for attempt murder and is currently being held on $500,000 bail at the Ventura County Sheriffs Main Jail.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 29, 2017/1:15 PM

INCIDENT:

Gang member arrested with an illegal shotgun

DATE/TIME:

August 26, 2017; 5:00PM

LOCATION:

100 Block of S. Juanita, Oxnard, CA

VICTIM(S):

State of CA

SUSPECT(S):

John Rodriguez (20 years old)

PREPARED BY:

Sr. Officer Jon Wilkie

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Jon Wilkie (805) 385-7644

jon.wilkie@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On August 26, 2017 Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) were conducting directed gang enforcement in the Colonia neighborhood.

At approximately 4:00PM hours, SEU officers contacted Colonia gang member John Rodriguez. Rodriguez was found to be on probation and he was escorted to his residence where a probation search was conducted. Officers located a loaded, illegal shotgun in Rodriguez room. Rodriguez was also found to be in possession of narcotics. Rodriguez was arrested without incident and charged with several firearm related violations and possession of narcotics.

The Oxnard Police Department 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. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witnesses to a crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 26, 2017/6:00 PM

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Inaugural Downtown Community Car Show

DATE/TIME:

Sunday, August 27, 2017 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

LOCATION:

Oxnard Police Station, 251 S. C Street / 3rd Street

PREPARED BY:

Community Affairs Manager, Melissa Valdez

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Melissa Valdez

melissa.valdez@oxnardpd.org or (805) 342-8292

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is proud to announce its Inaugural Downtown Community Car Show taking place this Sunday, August 27, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event will take place in front of the Police Station at 251 South C Street. Join us for an afternoon full of fabulous show cars, food, and the people who serve the community every day. The show will feature unique and one-of-a-kind vehicles, including Oxnard PD’s DRAGG Police Mustangs, police cruisers and special SWAT team vehicles, K-9 Unit, the Stanley Steamer vehicle from the Murphy Auto Museum, and the Lucas Oil Jet Drag cars by Caliente Racing.

The goal of this event is to bring area car enthusiasts together for a chance to show off their vehicles and build stronger community partnerships. The car show proceeds will benefit the DRAGG and PAL programs which serve our youth in Oxnard. The event is free to attend and open to the public. In addition to the show vehicles on display, we will also have vendors from the automotive industry on hand. Special thanks to The Oxnard Peace Officers Association, Borla Exhaust, and State Farm Insurance for proudly sponsoring this event.

Music will be provided by 104.7 Old School Radio so bring the family out to enjoy the show cars and have plenty of family fun.

If you have any questions regarding the Downtown Community Car Show, please contact Community Affairs Manager, Melissa Valdez at melissa.valdez@oxnardpd.org or (805) 342-8292.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Pharmacy Burglary
DATE/TIME:	8/24/17; 0232 hours
LOCATION:	Walgreens, 2851 S. Rose Ave.
VICTIM(S):	Walgreens
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Jeff Long, Sergeant Jeff.Long@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jeff Long, Sergeant Jeff.Long@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7600

DETAILS:

On the above date/time, officers responded to a call of a burglary in progress to the Walgreens located at 2851 S. Rose Ave. Several Oxnard officers arrived within two minutes of the call and observed the suspect vehicle fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed. A vehicle pursuit was initiated. Officers pursued the vehicle for several minutes through the Oxnard Plains before the suspect vehicle entered the 101 Fwy. at Santa Rosa Rd. The suspect vehicle exited on Westlake Blvd. The vehicle ran several red lights at a high rate of speed without slowing. Due to public safety concerns, officers slowed for the red lights and temporarily lost the suspect vehicle.

Within a couple minutes, the suspect vehicle was located abandoned in the Westlake area. Several Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived including two K-9’s to assist with the area search. The suspects were not located. The suspect vehicle was recovered and the stolen prescription medication was recovered.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident 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 http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit at tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08/24/2017; 0650 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Prohibited gang members arrested for possession of a loaded shotgun and handgun
DATE/TIME:	8/21/17 / 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	Kamala St at “C” St
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Arturo Avalos, 20 year old Oxnard resident Victor Aguirre, 20 year old Oxnard resident Gabriel Enriquez, 19 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant Daniel.Whitmer@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant Daniel.Whitmer@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7600

DETAILS:

On August 21, 2017, at approximately 3:00 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Gang Unit (Special Enforcement Unit) were conducting uniform gang enforcement in the area of Fir St and “N” St. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle in this area for a traffic violation and a vehicle pursuit ensued.

The vehicle eventually stopped and the right front passenger, Victor Aguirre, ran from the vehicle. During the foot pursuit Aguirre threw a loaded handgun into an alley. Aguirre was apprehended by the pursuing officers and the gun was recovered. The driver of the vehicle, Arturo Avalos, remained in the vehicle. The vehicle was searched and a loaded shotgun was located in the trunk. All three of the vehicle occupants are documented gang members.

Aguirre was arrested for being a prohibited person in possession of a loaded firearm along with numerous other firearm charges. Avalos was arrested for the vehicle pursuit, probation violations, and possessing a loaded shotgun. Gabriel Enriquez was arrested for misdemeanor warrants.

The Oxnard Police Department Gang Unit (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. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witnesses to a crime.

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 http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit at tip via text or email.

Arturo Avalos

Victor Aguirre

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08/21/17 / 1700 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shoulder Tap Operation
DATE/TIME:	August 20, 2017 / 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
LOCATION:	Various Locations – Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Leonardo Sales, 56 year old Oxnard resident Miguel Marquez, 50 year old Oxnard resident Randy Cervantez, 26 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	David Castillo, Police Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	David Castillo David.Castillo@OxnardPD.org

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department arrested three adults on Sunday, August 20, 2017, for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors. One of the adults arrested was also found to be in possession of narcotic paraphernalia. Another subject was contacted during the operation and found to be a Post Release Offender. He was found to have an outstanding felony warrant and arrested. The operation was conducted at various locations throughout the city.

The Oxnard Police Department conducted a program called a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation which targets adults who purchase alcohol for people less than 21 years of age. Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.

If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, officers then arrest and cite the adult for furnishing alcohol to the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics show they generally have a higher rate of drunken driving crashes than adults. Studies also show the combination of alcohol and youth tends to increase criminal conduct. According to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can increase chances of risky sexual behavior and teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, compromise health, and result in unintentional injury and death.

This project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Education and Teen Alcohol Enforcement Program Grant, funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/20/17 2030 Hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT: DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results

DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 19, 2017 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

LOCATION: City of Oxnard

PREPARED BY: Ricardo Vazquez, Traffic Sergeant

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO: Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint on August 19, 2017, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. The checkpoint was located southbound Oxnard Boulevard south of Vineyard Avenue. 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. The Oxnard Police Department 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.

The following are the results of the DUI/driver’s license checkpoint:

• 552 vehicles screened
• Three DUI-alcohol drivers arrested
• One DUI-drugs driver arrested
• 16 drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended
• 28 citations issued
• Four vehicles were towed

Drivers are encouraged to download the Designated Driver VIP, or “DDVIP,” free mobile app for Android or iPhone. The DDVIP app helps find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives for the designated sober driver, from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more. The feature-packed app even has social media tie-ins and even a tab for the non-DD to call Uber, Lyft or Curb.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting additional DUI/driver’s license checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols in our ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries upon our streets and highways.

The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08/20/17 3:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Officer-Involved Serious Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME: August 19, 2017 / 12:10 a.m.

LOCATION: Oxnard Blvd. at Ash Street, Oxnard

DRIVER/VEHICLE: Andres Lopez Hernandez, 38-year-old Port Hueneme resident – Tan 2003 Mazda Protégé

PREPARED BY: Ricardo Vazquez, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847
ricardo.vazquez@oxnardpd.org

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO: Manuel Perez, Traffic Officer (805) 385-7750
manuel.perez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On August 19, 2017, at approximately 12:10 a.m., an Oxnard police officer was involved in a serious injury collision while responding to a call for service regarding a disturbance in the 1600 block of South Oxnard Blvd. The officer was traveling southbound Oxnard Blvd. and was involved in the collision after a driver of a 2003 Mazda Protégé failed to stop for a stop sign at Ash Street and attempted to make a left turn northbound Oxnard Blvd. After the collision, the officer lost control of the police vehicle and collided with a parked semi-truck.

The driver, identified as 38-year-old Andres Lopez Hernandez, and the involved officer were transported to the Ventura County Medical Center. The officer was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital. Hernandez was admitted to the hospital due to critical injuries but is listed in stable condition.

The collision is still under investigation. Anyone who has information about this collision is urged to contact Traffic Officer Manuel Perez at (805) 385-7750 or via email at manuel.perez@oxnardpd.org.

INCIDENT:

Theft Operation

DATE/TIME:

8/18/17; 1400-2000 hours

LOCATION:

Rite Aid 720 N. Ventura Road

VICTIM(S):

Rite Aid 720 N. Ventura Road

SUSPECT(S):

Five Oxnard residents

PREPARED BY:

Jeff McGreevy, Sergeant, Neighborhood Policing Team

Jeffrey.mcgreevy@Oxnardpd.org

805-385-7746

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Jeff McGreevy, Sergeant, Neighborhood Policing Team

Jeffrey.mcgreevy@Oxnardpd.org

805-385-7746

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Neighborhood Policing Team conducted a theft operation in partnership with Rite Aid 720 N. Ventura Road. This Rite Aid retail store has historically been a “hot spot” in recent years for theft and other nuisance type activity that require a police response. The Oxnard Police Department is partnering with several retail stores like Rite Aid and conducting extensive Crime Prevention inspections of several retailers to give merchants tips and tools to reduce crime in and around their stores.

On Friday afternoon several officers from the Neighborhood Policing Team conducted a plain clothes theft operation with Rite Aid loss prevention agents. The store loss prevention agents are in direct contact with police officers who are stationed inside and outside the store. When a theft is observed the police officers are signaled and detain suspects outside after they exit the store without paying for merchandise. Today’s operation resulted in five arrests for theft. One of the women arrested had her infant child with her and had encouraged a 16 year-old girl to steal alcohol. She was also arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and conspiracy to commit theft.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to work with our retail partners towards reducing shoplifting crimes and helping them with crime prevention education resources. We ask our community members to think twice before you steal from a store in Oxnard, as you never know when you will be greeted outside by an Oxnard Police Officer.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08/18/2017; 2140 hours