OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempt to Locate a Hit and Run
DATE/TIME:	July 18, 2017/ 5:09am
PREPARED BY:	Melissa Valdez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena (805) 385-7750 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at about 5:09 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of Cooper Road and Roosevelt Avenue regarding a hit and run injury collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle of interest was traveling westbound on Cooper Road towards Roosevelt Avenue. The pedestrian was walking in a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Cooper Road and Roosevelt Avenue when he was struck by the suspect vehicle. The pedestrian later died at the hospital.

Surveillance video captured the vehicle of interest as it fled westbound on Cooper Road after striking the pedestrian. The vehicle of interest is a dark colored 4-door older model sedan, with tinted rear windows. It has a spoiler with a third brake light and oxidation to the roof and truck. The vehicle likely has damage to the left front fender, bumper area and the left front headlight. The occupants were a Hispanic male driver and a passenger (unknown sex).

The Oxnard Police Department is requesting the assistance of the public. If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at (805) 385-7750, email at [email protected] or Officer Jose Diaz at (805) 200-5668, email at [email protected]. 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, email www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 24, 2017/ 11:15 am

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Pursuit Of Stolen Vehicle, Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, July 19, 2017 / 12:35 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2017
LOCATION:	Saviers Road at Hill Street.
VICTIM(S):	Names Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Elisabeth Esquivel, 21 year-old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	Names Withheld
VICTIM VEHICLE:	Gray 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck
PREPARED BY:	Enrique Alvarez, Senior Officer [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Enrique Alvarez [email protected] or (805) 385-7664

DETAILS:

On July 19, 2017, at approximately 12:35 p.m., an Oxnard Police Department patrol sergeant attempted to make a traffic stop of a stolen gray, 2002, Ford, F-150 pickup truck near the intersection of Saviers Road and Hill Street. The vehicle was stolen from the 3400 block of Olds Road during a residential burglary that occurred earlier in the day. The brief pursuit was terminated due to concern for public safety after it entered residential streets traveling at high rates of speed.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. today, members of the Oxnard Auto Theft Task Force observed the stolen vehicle being driven by a female driver in south Oxnard. Detectives were able to contact and arrest the driver in the area of Yucca Street and Saviers Road without incident.

The driver of the stolen vehicle was identified as Elisabeth Esquivel, a 21-year-old Oxnard resident. Esquivel was charged with felony possession of the stolen vehicle and felony possession of stolen property as during a search of the vehicle, stolen property was located within. The stolen property not only linked her to the original burglary on Olds Road but to an additional burglary of a home on the same street. It should be noted that Esquivel has already been arrested and convicted earlier this year for driving a stolen vehicle.

The victim’s vehicle was stolen while it was in the garage with the keys in the vehicle. The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind residents of the following tips to prevent vehicle thefts:

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, and someone can steal your car.
Wheel locks, brake pedal locks and steering wheel locks are also effective.

If anyone has any information regarding stolen vehicles please contact Detective Enrique Alvarez at [email protected] or (805) 385-7664.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 20, 2017 / 1535 hours

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Arrest Homicide Suspect
DATE/TIME:	July 22, 2017 at approximately 11:15 AM
LOCATION:	Intersection of Third Street and “A” Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Albert Salazar, 24-year-old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Jonathan Zambrano, 27-year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Mike Johnson, Sergeant [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Ramirez (805) 385-7760 [email protected]

(OXNARD, Calif) –

Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department have arrested a suspect in the murder of 24-year-old Albert Salazar.

On July 19, 2017, Salazar was shot in the 1300 block of West Guava Street. Shortly after the shooting occurred, Salazar was transported by a private party to the parking lot of the Oxnard Police Department, where responding officers administered first aid until EMS arrived. Salazar was placed in an ambulance and transported to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). Unfortunately, Salazar died at the hospital.

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and the Violent Crimes Unit responded to both scenes to take over the investigation. During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to identify 27-year-old Jonathan Zambrano as the person responsible for Salazar’s death.

From the onset of the investigation, detectives worked diligently and persistently to obtain sufficient evidence against Zambrano to arrest him for the murder of Salazar. Working closely with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Zambrano two days after Salazar was murdered.

On July 22, 2017, at approximately 11:15 AM, detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit observed Zambrano in a vehicle in the area of Third Street and “A” Street in the City of Oxnard. The detectives, along with officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), made contact with Zambrano and the female driver of the vehicle, where they were both taken into custody without incident. Zambrano was arrested for his outstanding warrant related to Salazar’s murder and the female driver was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Zambrano is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail for murder. Zambrano is currently on CDC parole and is ineligible for bail.

Major Crimes Detectives will continue to investigate the murder of Albert Salazar. If you have information about this homicide, Detective Steven Ramirez can be contacted at (805) 385-7760. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can still provide valuable information to detectives by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

Jonathan Zambrano

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 22, 2017 at 2:30 pm.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide Investigation
DATE/TIME:	July 19, 2017 at approximately 7:35 PM
LOCATION:	1300 block of West Guava Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Albert Salazar, 24 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sharon Giles, Interim Commander [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Ramirez (805) 385-7760 [email protected]

(OXNARD, Calif) –

On July 19, 2017, at approximately 7:35 PM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to a shooting victim inside a vehicle which had been driven to the police department’s parking lot at 251 S. C St., Oxnard. The police officers administered first aid until EMS arrived. The victim was identified as 24 year old Albert Salazar. Salazar was placed in an ambulance and transported to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). Unfortunately, Salazar died at the hospital.

Just minutes prior to Salazar’s arrival at the police station, Oxnard Police Dispatch Center received calls of shots fired west of Durley Park. When officers responded to the area they located a crime scene in the 1300 block of West Guava Street. Officers confirmed that the victim was shot in this area.

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and the Violent Crimes Unit responded to both scenes to take over the investigation. The motive for the murder is unknown, but gang motivation has not been ruled out.

This is Oxnard’s eleventh homicide of the year.

The Oxnard Police Department is requesting the Community’s assistance. The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000.00 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction in homicide cases. If you have information about this homicide, or any of the recent homicides, please contact Sergeant Brett Smith at (805) 486-6211, or Detective Steven Ramirez at (805) 385-7760. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can still provide valuable information to detectives by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 20, 2017 at 9:30 am.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Investigation
DATE/TIME:	7/19/2017 7:35 PM
LOCATION:	Oxnard Police Department 251 S. C St., Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Adult Male
PREPARED BY:	Mike Adair, Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	[email protected] 805-385-7600

DETAILS:

On July 19, 2017, at 7:35 PM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to a shooting victim inside a vehicle which had been driven to the police department’s parking lot at 251 S. C St., Oxnard. Officers began to provide first aid to the victim and emergency medical personnel were requested. EMS arrived a short time later and transported the victim to the Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura.

Investigators responded to the scene and the investigation is continuing.

Anyone with 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 or by visiting their website at www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7/19/17 22:00 hours

/19026-2/

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing At-Risk Adult
DATE/TIME:	7/18/2017 1:30 PM
LOCATION:	4400 Block of Harbor Boulevard
VICTIM(S):	Raymond French, 75 years old
PREPARED BY:	Senior Detective Brandon Ordelheide
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Senior Detective Brandon Ordelheide [email protected] Oxnard Police Department 805-385-3921

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is currently searching for a missing 75 year old at-risk adult male identified as Raymond French. Mr. French was last seen in the 4400 block of Harbor Boulevard, in the city of Oxnard, on July 18^th, 2017, at 1:30 PM. He was driving a 2013 dark blue Chrysler Town & Country van with an Arizona disabled license plate, JMR86.

Mr. French has been diagnosed with a cognitive disorder and is in need of medication. Mr. French is described as a white male, 5’-7”, 195 pounds with gray hair, and brown eyes. Mr. French was last seen wearing a tan baseball hat, grey shirt, red shorts, and a black brace on his left knee.

If anyone has seen Mr. French, or knows his possible whereabouts, please contact Oxnard Police Department Detective Brandon Ordelheide at 805-385-3921.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Armed Robbery Suspects Arrested
DATE/TIME:	July 18, 2017, 5:15 PM
LOCATION:	1941 N. Rose Avenue, Dairy Queen
SUSPECT(S):	Casey Alvarado, 37 years, Ventura Resident.
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant [email protected] (805) 486-6211
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Ricardo Vega, 385-7782 or[email protected]

DETAILS: On June 21, 2017, at 10:20 PM, Oxnard Police officers responded to a robbery at 1941 N. Rose Avenue. Officers learned the female suspect entered the business and asked the employee if she could purchase an ice cream cone. The suspect then lifted her shirt and brandished a black firearm, then demanded cash in large bills be placed in a paper bag. The employee fearing for her life complied with the demands. The suspect left the business with an undisclosed amount of U. S. currency.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) continued to investigate the robbery after the initial police response. During the course of their investigation, investigators learned the identity of the female suspect, Casey Alvarado. On July 18, 2017, VCU located and arrested Alvarado in the city of Ventura. Investigators recovered the firearm used in the robbery among other evidentiary items. Alvarado was charged with 2^nddegree and subsequently booked into the Ventura County 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.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Armed Robbery Suspects Arrested
DATE/TIME:	July 18, 2017, 5:15PM
LOCATION:	1941 N. Rose Avenue, Dairy Queen
SUSPECT(S):	Casey Alvarado, 37 years, Ventura Resident.
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant [email protected] (805) 486-6211
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Ricardo Vega, 385-7782 or [email protected]

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) continued to investigate the robbery after the initial police response. During the course of their investigation, investigators learned the identity of the female suspect, Casey Alvarado. On July 18, 2017, VCU located and arrested Alvarado in the city of Ventura. Investigators recovered the firearm used in the robbery among other evidentiary items. Alvarado was charged with 2^nd degree robbery and subsequently booked into the Ventura County Jail.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Hit and Run Traffic Collision involving a Pedestrian
DATE/TIME:	July 18, 2017 / 5:09 a.m.
LOCATION:	Cooper Road at Roosevelt Avenue, Oxnard
DRIVER/VEHICLE:	Fled the Scene of the Collision
PEDESTRIAN:	Salvador Luna, 74-year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 ricardo.vazquez@oxnardpdorg
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jose Diaz, Traffic Officer (805) 200-5668 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On July 18, 2017, at approximately 5:09 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a collision which occurred at the intersection of Cooper Road and Roosevelt Avenue. Initial responding officers discovered that a 74-year-old Hispanic male pedestrian, identified as Salvador Luna of Oxnard, had been struck by a vehicle and sustained serious injuries. EMS personnel rendered aid and transported Luna to the Ventura County Medical Center; however, Luna died as a result of his injuries.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that a driver of a vehicle collided with Luna as he attempted to walk across the intersection. After the collision, the driver failed to remain at the scene and fled the area in the vehicle.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs are involved. The collision is still under investigation. Anyone who has information about this collision is urged to contact Officer Jose Diaz at (805) 200-5668 or via email at [email protected].

(Road closure at Cooper Road and Roosevelt Avenue)

(Traffic investigators conducting the investigation)

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Deceased Body Found in Water Channel

DATE/TIME:

July 18, 2017, at 1:00 P.M.

LOCATION:

2500 block of Monaco Drive, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

95-year old Caucasian male, Ventura resident (name withheld pending notification of family)

PREPARED BY:

Alex Arnett, Sergeant (805) 385-7663

[email protected]

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Alex Arnett, Sergeant (805) 385-7663

[email protected]

DETAILS: (Oxnard, Calif) – On July 18, 2017, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Oxnard Harbor Patrol received a telephone call from a citizen boating in the water channel in the 2500 block of Monaco Drive. The citizen reported that he had located an unresponsive person floating in the water. Harbor Patrol responded to the scene and located the person floating in the water. The person was removed from the water and Harbor Patrol contacted the Oxnard Police Department’s Emergency Communication Center. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was dispatched to the scene. Unfortunately, the person was declared deceased.

Oxnard police officers, major crimes detectives and a representative from the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene. The deceased person was determined to be a 95-year old Caucasian male resident from the city of Ventura.

Detectives and the Medical Examiner’s Office are in the preliminary stages of the investigation. The cause of death is unknown at this time. An autopsy will be performed at a later date to determine the cause of death.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 18, 2017, at 4 p.m.