OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Police crackdown on railroad trespassers and right-of-way violations
DATE/TIME:	May 10, 2017 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard railroad tracks
PREPARED BY:	Officer James Langford, 805-385-7600 james.langford@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Officer James Langford, 805-385-7600 james.langford@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On May 10, 2017, between the hours of 6:30 AM and 11:00 AM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department teamed up with Special Agents from the Union Pacific Police Department and deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for an enforcement operation on the railroad tracks running through the City of Oxnard from Camarillo to Montalvo. The objective was to look for any and all trespassers on the private railroad property belonging to Union Pacific Railroad. Also, all vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists who failed to yield the right-of-way or obey train crossing signs/warnings at all grade crossings.

During the operation, officers witnessed 60 various violations. As a result, 11 persons were arrested for trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property and 28 motorists were issued citations for various railroad related violations. One vehicle was towed as the driver had a suspended Driver License for a prior DUI conviction. Violators face fines and penalties ranging from $200.00 to $500.00 and possibly even jail time.

California was ranked # 1 in the United States for highway-rail grade collisions in 2016 with a total of 157 collisions with fatalities. Texas was in 2^nd place with 64 collisions with fatalities.

The public is reminded that trespassing on Union Pacific railroad property, or any railroad property, is a misdemeanor offense. It is also life-threatening considering the speed and size of any train. Anyone found trespassing on railroad property is subject to arrest. In addition, it is unlawful for any pedestrian, bicyclist or vehicle to travel around or under a railroad arm once the red warning lights and alarm are activated and the gate arm is closed or closing.

Listed below are some general rail safety information:

Freight trains do not travel on a predictable schedule; schedules for passenger trains change. Always expect a train at every highway-rail intersection.
Train tracks are private property, no matter which railroad owns them. Trains have the right of way 100% of the time — over ambulances, fire engines, cars, the police and pedestrians.
If there are rails on the railroad ties, assume that the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks “rusty.”
A typical locomotive weighs approximately 400,000 pounds or 200 tons. When 100 railcars are added to the locomotive, the train can weigh approximately 6,000 tons. The weight ratio of an automobile to a train is proportional to a soda can and an automobile.
A train may extend three feet or more outside the steel rail, which makes the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the rails themselves.
Trains cannot stop quickly. It is a simple law of physics: the huge weight and size of the train and the speed of the train dictate how quickly it can stop under ideal conditions. A 100-car freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour will need more than a mile to stop — that’s approximately 18 football fields — once the train is set into emergency braking.
Trains can move in either direction at any time. Trains are sometimes pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled. This is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
Modern trains are quieter than ever, with no telltale “clackety-clack.” Also, an approaching train will always be closer and moving faster than you think.
Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
Never walk down a train track; it’s illegal and it’s dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
Remember: Rail and recreation do not mix!

In an effort to increase motorist and pedestrian safety near railroad tracks, law enforcement officers will continue to enforce the State’s railroad crossing laws. Pedestrians, including students, must cross at designated railroad crossings. During this operation, traffic safety tips were provided to motorists and pedestrians to avoid becoming a rail collision statistic.

Funding for this enforcement is provided to the Union Pacific Police Department by Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit organization to educate the public about railroad safety and making the community safer. More information about railroad safety can be found by going to: www.oli.org.

Further details regarding railroad involved collisions can be found by going to: www.fra.dot.gov.

This operation was also funded in part by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 10, 2017 / 1300 Hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision Involving a Bicyclist
DATE/TIME:	May 9, 2017 / 3:00pm
LOCATION:	Victoria Avenue north of Gum Tree St., Oxnard, Ca
VICTIM(S):	Amado Ray Johnson 46-year-old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Sean Patrick Donovan 54-year-old Ventura County resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	1995 Chevrolet van
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena (805)385-7750

DETAILS:

On May 9, 2017, at approximately 3:00pm, officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a collision involving a bicyclist in the southbound lanes of Victoria Avenue north of Gum Tree St. When police and fire personnel arrived, they located 46-year-old Oxnard resident Amado Johnson deceased from injuries he suffered as a result of the collision.

Based on the preliminary investigation it was determined that Mr. Johnson was riding his bicycle southbound on Victoria Ave. A white 1995 Chevrolet van driven by 54-year old Ventura County resident, Sean Patrick Donovan, was southbound on Victoria Avenue and for unknown reasons drifted onto the dirt shoulder striking and killing Mr. Johnson.

Officers evaluated Mr. Donovan for signs of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Officers determined that Mr. Donovan was under the influence of prescription medication. Mr. Donovan was arrested and booked for violation of 23153(f) CVC (felony driving under the influence of drugs causing serious injury or death) and 192(c)2 PC (vehicular manslaughter).

Anyone who has information regarding the collision is urged to contact Senior Officer Maria Pena (805)385-7750 or via email at Maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 9, 2017 / 1930

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	May 9, 2017 at 6:15 am
LOCATION:	San Mateo Place and Kepler Drive, Oxnard, CA
VICTIM:	34-year-old male Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Chris Inglehart
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Brett Smith, 805-486-6211

DETAILS:

On May 9, 2017 at 6:15 am the Oxnard Police Department received reports of a shooting victim in the area of San Mateo Place and Kepler Drive. Officers responded and located one victim who apparently had a single gunshot wound. The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center with a non-life-threatening injury.

Officers were unable to locate a crime scene.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 9, 2017 at 9:09 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	National Bicycle Safety Month
DATE:	May 2017
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) call upon bicycle riders and motorists alike to be cautious during May’s National Bicycle Safety Month, and every other month during the year.

For riders and drivers, “Role Model” means actively decreasing the risks of traffic crashes, and preventable injuries and deaths. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 818 bicyclists died and over 45,000 were injured in crashes in 2015, with deaths rising over 12% from 2014 numbers. Over the 10-year period from 2006 to 2015, the average age of cyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes increased from 41 to 45. Alcohol involvement – either for the motor vehicle operator or for the cyclist – was reported in 37% of all fatal cyclist crashes in 2015.

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting specialized Bicycle Safety Enforcement Operations in May in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be patrolling areas frequented by bicyclists and where bicycle crashes occur.

California enacted the Three Feet for Safety Act in 2014 to share the road requiring motorists to pass bike riders with at least a 3-foot cushion. Support community efforts in your community, be involved in bicycle safety, whether while riding a bike, or driving a vehicle. Officers will focus on violations observed by both motorists and cyclists.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds everyone – Be a Role Model.

Ride and Drive Focused – Never ride or drive distracted.
Ride and Drive Prepared – Always expect the unexpected.
Safety First – Always wear a bicycle helmet when on a bicycle and a seatbelt when in a vehicle.
Know the Rules of the Road – A bicyclist is considered a vehicle on the road with all the rights and responsibilities of motorized traffic.
Share the Road – Both motorists and bicyclists should look out for each other and show mutual respect.

For more information on Bicycle Safety Month, please visit www.NHTSA.gov/bicycle-safety

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The message to all drivers and cyclists is: Share in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.”

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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department Crime Advisory – Stolen Vehicles
DATE/TIME:	04/16/17 – 05/04/17
LOCATION:	Oxnard Police Department, 251 South “C” Street, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Detective Crystal Walker
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Crystal Walker, (805) 385-7668 or crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Property Crimes Unit (PCU) would like to inform the residents of Oxnard that there have been over 30 stolen vehicles between April 16 and May 4, 2017. The more startling statistic is that approximately half of them could have been prevented (unlocked, keys left in the vehicle, vehicle left running and unattended)!

The stolen vehicle trend is citywide and there is no specific type of vehicle that is being stolen. The only commonality is that the vehicles are being left unlocked, with keys in them or they were left running and unattended.

Your Oxnard Police Department can’t do it alone and we need your help! The Property Crimes Unit would like to remind residents that Crime Prevention Is Your Responsibility, not just that of the police department. Crime prevention begins at home and with each individual person in our community. With that said, the PCU would also like to provide some tips to residents to help prevent them from becoming a victim.

Never leave your car unlocked, not even for a minute.
Never leave your keys in the car, even if you think they are really “hidden.”
Don’t leave your car idling and unattended because it is unnecessary (it doesn’t get cold enough here), it is unsafe and illegal (22515(a) V.C.) and someone can steal your car.
Wheel locks, brake pedal locks and steering wheel locks are also effective.
Also, it is a well-known fact that the crime of stealing a vehicle is not the only crime that occurs. Usually, this “first” crime can lead to fraud, theft of identity, grand theft, etc.

Be a “Partner if Public Safety” and help keep Oxnard crime free and safe. If you see suspicious activity, please report to the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385–7740 or dial 9-1-1. Anonymous information and tips can also be made with the Ventura County Crimestoppers at (805) 385–8255.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 05-04-17, 1200

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENTE:	Anuncio de Crimen del Departamento de Policía de Oxnard – Vehículos Robados
FECHA/HORA:	04/16/17 – 05/04/17
UBICACION:	Departamento de Policía de Oxnard, 251 Sur Calle “C”, Oxnard
PREPARADO POR:	Detective Cristal Walker
PREGUNTAS PARA LOS MEDIOS DE COMMUNICACION:	Detective Cristal Walker, (805) 385-7668 o crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org

DETALLES:

La Unidad de Crímenes de la Propiedad del Departamento de Policía de Oxnard (UCP) desea informar a los residentes de Oxnard que ha habido más de 30 vehículos robados entre el 16 de abril y el 4 de mayo de 2017. ¡La estadística más alarmante es que aproximadamente la mitad de ellos podría haberse prevenido (abiertos, las llaves dejadas en el vehículo, el vehículo encendido y desatendido)!

La tendencia de vehículos robados es en toda la ciudad y no hay ningún tipo específico de vehículo que está siendo robado. La única cosa común es que los vehículos se están dejando abiertos, con las llaves en ellos o se dejaron encendidos y desatendidos.

¡Su Departamento de Policía de Oxnard no puede hacerlo solo y necesitamos su ayuda! La Unidad de Crímenes contra la Propiedad quiere recordar a los residentes que La Prevención Del Crimen Es Su Responsabilidad, no sólo la del departamento de policía. La prevención del Crimen comienza en casa y con cada persona en nuestra comunidad. Dicho esto, la UCP también le gustaría proporcionar algunos consejos a los residentes para ayudar a evitar que se convierta en una víctima.

Nunca deje su vehículo abierto, ni siquiera por un minuto.
Nunca deje las llaves en el vehículo, incluso si cree que están realmente “escondidas”.
No deje su vehículo encendido y desatendido porque es innecesario (no hace suficiente frío aquí), es inseguro e ilegal (22515 (a) V.C.) y alguien puede robar su vehículo.
Los seguros de las ruedas, los seguros de los pedales de los frenos y los seguros del volante también son efectivas.
También, es un hecho bien conocido que el crimen de robar un vehículo no es el único crimen que ocurre. Por lo general, este “primer” delito puede conducir al fraude, robo de identidad, robo de gran cantidad, etc.

Sea un “Compañero en Seguridad Pública” y ayude a mantener un Oxnard libre de crimen y seguro. Si usted ve actividad sospechosa, por favor informe al Departamento de Policía de Oxnard al (805) 385-7740 o marque 9-1-1. Información anónima y consejos también se pueden hacer con Crimestoppers del Condado de Ventura al (805) 385-8255.

FECHA/HORA PREPARADO: 05-04-17, 1200

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
DATE:	May 2017
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

May is Motorcycle Safety Month

Riders Urged to Get Trained and Ride Safe

Improving Motorcycle Safety Aim of Oxnard Police Department Operation

The Oxnard Police Department is joining law enforcement statewide and across the United States in the National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month special enforcement operations. In addition, the California Motorcyclist Safety Program is offering special, low-cost rider training classes during the month of May.

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations on May 7, 2017, and May 28, 2017, in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes. They will be cracking down on both those operating vehicles and motorcycles who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns, or any other dangerous violations.

The California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) is offering a “Total Control Refresher Training” course during the month of May. This four-hour riding class is for experienced riders with a current motorcycle license. Riders will use their own street-legal motorcycle during the class taught by CMSP-certified instructors at a cost of only $95. Log onto the CMSP website (http://cmsp.msi5.com) to register at a location near you.

California motorcycle fatalities saw a phenomenal drop of 37 percent from 2008 to 2010, but then rose 31 percent by 2015. Efforts like these are aimed at curbing any more rises in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers back downward. Over the course of the past three years in Oxnard, motorcycle-involved collisions have resulted in five fatal and 121 injury crashes.

News riders are urged to get basic training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com or 1-877 RIDE 411 (1-877-743-3411).

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: share in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.”

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 3, 2017 / 5:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Violent Crimes Unit arrests two subjects for carjacking, kidnapping and street terrorism
DATE/TIME:	5/2/2017; 2:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	Oxnard CA
VICTIMS:	26 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT:	Joseph Salas, 18 year old Oxnard resident Pedro Juarez, 19 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective Scott Coe
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jon Ballow Jonathan.Ballow@oxnardpd.org (805) 288-3289

DETAILS:

On 4/3/2017, at 2116 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to 133 West Pleasant Valley Road in Oxnard reference a carjacking that occurred earlier. Officers contacted the victim, who stated he was seated in his vehicle in the 500 block of Cuesta Del Mar Drive when he was approached by four subjects. The victim described the suspects as four Hispanic males in their twenties. The victim stated one of the suspects was armed with a sawed off shotgun.

The suspects entered the victim’s vehicle and forced him to drive to the area of Pleasant Valley Road and Saviers Road where they assaulted and threatened him with the shotgun. The victim was able to flee from the vehicle and the suspects stole the victim’s vehicle.

On 4/14/2017, the victim’s vehicle was located unoccupied in the City of Ventura.

On 4/19/17, officers from the Oxnard Police Department Neighborhood Policing Team located a chrome and wooden sawed off shotgun hidden in the bushes in front of 527 Cuesta Del Mar Drive. This shotgun matched the description of the firearm used during this violent crime.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) were able to identify two of the four suspects as 18 year old Joseph Salas and 19 year old Pedro Juarez, both Oxnard residents.

On 5/2/2017, VCU investigators arrested Salas at the Ventura County Jail where he was being held on an unrelated charge of carjacking. A short time later officers from the Oxnard Police Department Neighborhood Policing Team located and arrested Juarez in the 500 block of Cuesta Del Mar Drive.

Both Salas and Juarez were booked into the Ventura County Jail for carjacking, kidnapping and street terrorism. Salas and Juarez are both documented members of an Oxnard criminal street gang.

VCU investigators are continuing their investigation to identify the other two suspects.

If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Detective Jon Ballow at (805) 288-3289. 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: May 02, 2017 / 1640 hours

Joseph Salas Pedro Juarez

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation
DATE/TIME:	May 2, 2017 / 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Traffic Enforcement Operation Plan for Oxnard

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation on May 2, 2017. The goal of this operation is to help reduce the number of collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists by enforcing the traffic violations that often result in these collisions.

For the past three years the Oxnard Police Department has identified several locations throughout the City where there has been an unusually high number of collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists.

Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike that often lead to life changing injuries. Special attention will be directed towards drivers who are speeding, making illegal turns, failing to stop for signs and signals, failing to yield to pedestrians in cross walks, and any other dangerous violations.

Citations will also be issued to pedestrians who are observed crossing streets illegally or failing to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bicyclists will also receive citations when they fail to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motorists. The Oxnard Police Department urges all bicyclists to always wear a helmet. Bicyclist under the age of 18 are required to do so by law. Pedestrians should cross streets only in marked crosswalks or at corners.

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are on the rise in California as more people use these non-motorized means of transportation. Locally, the Oxnard Police Department has investigated 14 fatal and 506 injury collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists during the past 3 years. In 2013, California witnessed 701 pedestrians and 141 bicyclists killed, accounting for more than 28 percent of all traffic fatalities.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 1, 2017 / 2:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Oxnard Police and FBI Arrest Homicide Suspects

DATE:

April 28, 2017

LOCATION:

Farmington, New Mexico and Oxnard, California

VICTIM(S):

Giovanni Vega, 25 year old Oxnard resident

SUSPECT(S):

Christopher Arevalo, 24 year old Oxnard resident

Joseph Minister, 23 year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Major Crimes Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763

alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Major Crimes Detective Steven Ramirez II (805) 385-7760

steven.ramirez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested two suspects that authorities say were involved in the murder of 25 year old Oxnard resident Giovanni Vega.

On December 8, 2016, Vega was found shot to death in the 200 block of West Vineyard Avenue. Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit and Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to investigate the murder. During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to identify two suspects. Detectives say that 24 year old Christopher Arevalo and 23 year old Joseph Minister were involved in Vega’s death. Detectives believe the motive for the killing was gang related.

Major Crimes Detectives diligently and persistently investigated the homicide case, and worked very closely with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. The detectives were able to obtain sufficient evidence against Arevalo and Minister in order to arrest them for the murder of Giovanni Vega. During the investigation, detectives learned that Arevalo fled California shortly after the murder and was possibly hiding out in New Mexico.

Major Crimes Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Arevalo and requested assistance from the FBI. The Ventura County FBI Office joined in the search for Arevalo. Additional FBI Agents and other investigative resources stationed in New Mexico participated in the search for Arevalo.

On April 28, 2017, at approximately 7 a.m., FBI Agents spotted Arevalo at a residence in Farmington, New Mexico. The FBI’s SWAT Team served a federal search warrant at the residence and took Arevalo into custody without incident. The FBI and their agents were instrumental in the search and arrest of Arevalo. Arevalo is in the process of being extradited back to Ventura County. He is currently being held at the San Juan County Adult Detention Facility in New Mexico.

On April 28, 2017, at approximately 6 p.m., Oxnard Police Officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) contacted and arrested Joseph Minister at his residence. Minister is currently in custody at Ventura County Jail for murder. His bail is set at $2,000,000.00.

Major Crimes Detectives will continue to investigate the murder of Giovani Vega. Anyone with information regarding the murder of Giovanni Vega is asked to call Major Crimes Detective Steven Ramirez at (805) 385-7760. You can also provide information anonymously by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 1, 2017 at 9 a.m.

Arevalo being taken into custody

Booking photo of Arevalo (courtesy of SJCADC)

Booking photo of Minister (OPD)