OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Scam Arrest
DATE/TIME:	April 20, 2017/1400 hours
LOCATION:	400 block South Oxnard Boulevard
VICTIM(S):	Not disclosed
SUSPECT(S):	Rodriguez, Jose “Frank” Francisco, 57 years old
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	$100,000+
PREPARED BY:	Detective Erica Escalante
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Erica Escalante (805) 385-7661 Erica.Escalante@OxnardPD.org

DETAILS:

Detective Erica Escalante, the Financial Crimes Investigator for the Oxnard Police Department, received information that Jose “Frank” Francisco Rodriguez, 57 years old, of Oxnard, was scamming people out of money by falsely holding himself out as an investment broker. Rodriguez took only cash payments of thousands of dollars from his victims with the promise of purchasing stocks for them and tripling their investments in three years. Detective Escalante found that Rodriguez had an outstanding arrest warrant from the County of Los Angeles in relation to the exact same type of scam theft crimes with many victims in Los Angeles in 2014. Members of the Oxnard Police Department Property Crimes and Neighborhood Policing Team located Rodriguez in the 400 block of South Oxnard Boulevard, where they took him into custody for his outstanding arrest warrant without incident. The bail was set at $180,000, and Rodriguez’ custody will be transferred to Los Angeles County. Anybody with information about Rodriguez’ theft scams is encouraged to contact Detective Escalante at (805) 385-7661 or Erica.Escalante@OxnardPD.org.

The public should be aware that somebody selling stocks or securities should be a licensed broker with the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission and/or hold a certificate from the California Commissioner of Business Oversight. License status can be researched at the California Department of Business Oversight online at http://www.dbo.ca.gov/Resources/default.asp or by calling (866) 275-2677.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 20, 2017/1800 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fumigation Tent Burglaries
DATE/TIME:	03/24/17 – 04/13/17
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 would like to inform the residents of Oxnard that there have been four (4) residential burglaries between March 24, 2017 and April 13, 2017. These particular residential burglaries are set apart by the fact that the burglaries occurred during fumigation of the residences. The burglaries occurred in four different areas of the city and there does not appear to be any connection at this time. The only commonality is that entry was forced.

This information is not being disseminated to alarm the residents of Oxnard but to inform and prepare them if they are considering fumigation of their residence.

Open and unlocked doors and windows have been the primary method and point of entry in almost half of the fumigation burglaries that have occurred in Oxnard in the past – most likely during the ventilation period of the process. In other cases, doors and windows have been pried, smashed or bodily force was used to gain access.

There are a number of steps that residents can take to further protect themselves and their property. Your Oxnard Police Department encourages residents to remove small valuables such as money, jewelry, keys, personal documents, flatscreen televisions and small electronics. Residents are also encouraged to advise neighbors so they can be vigilant and help report suspicious people or activity during planned fumigation dates. Furthermore, residents can ask their fumigation company if they offer the installation of surveillance systems that can notify the fumigation company if entry is made to the residence. Your Oxnard police department does have a limited amount of temporary surveillance systems that they can install, at no charge, to residences that are being fumigated. They are available by appointment only and are subject to availability. To obtain further information, contact the crime prevention unit at 805-385–7668.

Help keep our homes and neighborhoods in 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: 04-23-17/0832

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department installs Community Cameras as part of their efforts to curb continued violence
DATE/TIME:	April 21, 2017
LOCATION:	Sierra Linda Neighborhood Rose Park Neighborhood
PREPARED BY:	Eric S. Sonstegard, Assistant Police Chief eric.sonstegard@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Eric S. Sonstegard, Assistant Police Chief (805) 385-7801

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department recently installed the first of a series of Community Cameras in neighborhoods adversely affected by continued gang violence. These Community Cameras, which are housed in overt boxes with “Oxnard Police Department” and “Protecting Our Community With Exceptional Service” printed on them, are installed in high pedestrian traffic areas in selected neighborhoods. They provide 24-hour a day video surveillance that investigators are able to monitor and record. The first two Community Cameras have been installed in the Rose Park and Sierra Linda neighborhoods.

Sadly, the genesis for this program began out of tragedy. On February 17, 2014, 24-year old Joshua Van was senselessly shot killed as he walked with friends in the 2000 block of Mariposa Avenue. Joshua, a former basketball player at Rio Mesa High School, had just left the Circle-K market in the Sierra Linda neighborhood when he was confronted by gang members and shot.

Shortly thereafter, Cynthia Gonzalez, Joshua’s mother, accompanied by Joshua’s father, Carlos Gonzalez, and sister, Ciara Gonzales, began to be regular attendees at Oxnard City Council meetings. Cynthia would make impassioned pleas each week during public comments for the city to install CCTV cameras as a way to deter future violence. Cynthia was diligent with her comments, often citing public surveillance camera programs in other cities that had been successful deterrents to neighborhood violence. Meanwhile, Oxnard Police Investigators ultimately made arrests of two individuals responsible for the murder of Joshua Van. Their investigation was greatly enhanced by surveillance footage captured inside and outside the Circle K Market. This only made the Gonzalez family more resolute in their quest for CCTV cameras.

Tragically, the Gonzalez family would once again be touched by violence in 2016 when 32-year old Christopher Camper was shot and killed less than 1,000 feet from where Joshua was killed. Oxnard Police Investigators arrested the individual responsible for Camper’s murder and were again aided by surveillance footage captured by nearby cameras. Cynthia continued to attend City Council meetings in 2016 and ask for public CCTV cameras.

In the fall of 2016, inspired by the Gonzales family and having seen similar successes in other cities, the Oxnard Police Department decided to partner with the Gonzalez’s and begin a Community Camera program. The Department earmarked asset forfeiture funds to develop the first two prototypes of what are now called Community Cameras. Cynthia, Carlos, and Ciara attended neighborhood council meetings with Oxnard Police Department staff to help tell the story of Joshua and answer any questions about public surveillance cameras.

The Oxnard Police Department plans to install additional Community Cameras in 2017 in a number of selected neighborhoods. Assistant Chief Eric S. Sonstegard- “These cameras are one tool in a multi-faceted plan to address continued gang violence. We understand they won’t prevent everything but we believe the presence of video surveillance cameras can have a positive effect on increasing public safety. Their mere presence can act as a powerful crime deterrent and evidence obtained from video gathered can be invaluable in some police investigations.”

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 4/21/2017 12:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearms Arrest (04/22/2017)
DATE/TIME:	April 22, 2017; 2:40AM
LOCATION:	480 N. Rose Avenue
VICTIM(S):	State of CA
SUSPECT(S):	Joseph Ocampo
PREPARED BY:	Robert Flinn, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Robert Flinn (805) 385-7600 robert.flinn@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On April 22, 2017 at 2:40 A.M, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the Carl’s Jr. located at 480 N. Rose Ave. reference a driver in the drive through line of the restaurant passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle. The driver was identified as Oxnard resident Joseph Ocampo and was found to be under the influence of alcohol.

During a search of the vehicle, a loaded .40 caliber handgun and two spent shell casings were found. Ocampo was arrested for driving while under the influence and possession of the loaded firearm foundin his vehicle.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witnesses to a crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 22, 2017/0930

Joseph Ocampo

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department’s Partnership with the FTC to Report Fraud and Scam Trends
DATE/TIME:	04/19/17
LOCATION:	Oxnard Police Department, 251 South “C” Street, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Detective Crystal Walker
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Erica Escalante, 805-385-7661 or Erica.Escalante@OxnardPD.org

DETAILS:

We are proud to announce that your Oxnard Police Department is now in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through the Consumer Sentinel Network, which is a nationwide law enforcement network for analyzing fraud and scam trends. Upon logging on to the network in early March to search all reports made by persons in the City of Oxnard in 2017, Financial Crimes Detective Erica Escalante found that 722 complaints had been made. While it is unfortunate that the level of scams and fraud are at such high numbers, it was heartening to see that so many people know how to make complaints to the FTC directly.

Most telephone, online and mail scams are committed by persons across state lines and national borders. It is, therefore, essential that all victims of such acts and attempts make reports to the FTC directly at www.ftc.gov so that federal law enforcement agencies and other law enforcement partners of the Consumer Sentinel Network can have access to the important data and investigative leads from your reports. A local police report is not necessary unless requested by your bank or financial institution.

In order to fight the battle against the growing trend of scammers targeting the elderly, Oxnard Police Department will use the Consumer Sentinel Network to file FTC complaints for all elderly (over age 65 years) and dependent adult victims. In addition, as mandated by California law, Oxnard Police Department cross reports to the Ventura County Adult Protective Services, another partner agency in the protection of elders and dependent adults from enduring ongoing victimization. Our own Oxnard Police Department Volunteers in Police Services or VIPS are helping with the project of entering the elder reports into the FTC complaint system.

Oxnard Police Department is also a member of the Ventura County Financial Abuse Specialist Team (VC FAST) with many other local organizations in the fight to protect elders and dependent adults from continued abuse and victimization. FAST is “a partnership of public and private multidisciplinary professionals who volunteer their time to facilitate comprehensive services to elder and dependent adult victims of financial abuse” and is a program of Senior Concerns.

Below are some helpful links:

To report a scam to the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1

VC Adult Protective Services: http://www.ventura.org/human-services-agency/adult-protective-services

Senior Concerns: www.seniorconcerns.org

Oxnard Police Department VIPS: https://www.oxnardpd.org/community-affairs/get-involved-stay-aware/volunteers-in-police-services/

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 04-19-17/1652

INCIDENT:	Narcotic Paraphernalia and Gun Arrest
DATE/TIME:	4/16/17 at 9:29 pm
LOCATION:	2101 North Rose Avenue
SUSPECT(S):	Moises Cervantes, 20 years of age, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	White Chevrolet Blazer
PREPARED BY:	Officer Ramiro Holguin

DETAILS: On 4/16/17 at 9:29 pm, Oxnard Police Officers were in the Vons parking lot at 2101 N. Rose Avenue checking for possible auto burglary suspects. This was in response to recent auto burglaries in the area. Officers contacted Moises Cervantes in a Chevy Blazer. A records check showed Cervantes was on probation for burglary. A probation search of his vehicle was conducted with the assistance of a K9 unit. The K9 alerted on a compartment inside the vehicle and officers located a methamphetamine pipe, forty .25 caliber rounds, and a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun. The handgun was loaded and its serial numbers had been removed. Cervantes was booked for possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, possession of a firearm with altered serial numbers and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. 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 Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 or visit the website: http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.apx

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 04/17/2017 @ 1:30 P.M.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting – One victim with non-life-threatening injuries
DATE/TIME:	April 16, 2017 at 6:34 pm
LOCATION:	1700 block Elsinore Avenue, Oxnard, CA
VICTIM:	28-year-old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT:	Hispanic Male, 30s
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Chris Inglehart
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Cody Collet, 805-486-6228

DETAILS:

On April 16, 2017 at 6:34 pm Oxnard Police Department officers responded to the 1700 block of Elsinore Avenue to investigate reports of a shooting. Officers located one victim with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his arm. The 28-year-old male victim was transported to Ventura County Medical Center in stable condition.

Witnesses described the suspect as a Hispanic male in his 30s last seen fleeing in a vehicle, possibly a gold Chevrolet Cavalier.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Cody Collet with the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	UPDATE: Megumi has been located and reunited with her family. Thanks for your assistance! Missing Dependent Adult
DATE/TIME:	4/16/17 6:04 p.m.
LOCATION:	3800 block S. J Street
VICTIM(S):	Megumi Donaldson, 81 years old
PREPARED BY:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda eduardo.miranda@oxnardpd.org Oxnard Police Department 805-385-7740

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is currently searching for a missing 81 year old dependent adult who walked away from her home and has dementia. Megumi was described as an Asian female, 4’-10”, 95 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. Megumi was last seen wearing a maroon shirt with designs on it and black pants.

Currently the Oxnard Police Department is conducting an area search for Megumi.

Anyone who has seen Megumi or knows her possible whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740 or dial 911.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 4/16/17 7:25 p.m.

INCIDENT:

Juvenile gang member arrested with handgun

DATE/TIME:

April 14, 2017; 10:45PM

LOCATION:

Justin Way and Berkshire Place

VICTIM(S):

State of CA

SUSPECT(S):

15 year old male juvenile

PREPARED BY:

Bill Crisostomo, Sergeant

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Bill Crisostomo (805) 385-7644

Bill.crisostomo@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On April 14, 2017 Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) were conducting directed gang enforcement throughout the city due to recent rise in gang related violence.

At approximately 2245 hours SEU officers contacted a juvenile gang member hiding behind a parked car in the area of Berkshire Place and Justin Way. The juvenile was in possession of a loaded semi-automatic handgun. He was arrested without incident and charged with several firearm related violations.

The juvenile was lodged into juvenile hall.

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: April 14, 2017/2320

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Death of recent shooting victim/Recent violence in Oxnard
DATE/TIME:	April 8, 2017
LOCATION:	King Street/Wooley Road
VICTIM:	Angel Ortiz Ramirez, 32-Year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Eric S. Sonstegard, Assistant Police Chief eric.sonstegard@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Alex Arnett, Major Crimes Sergeant alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

A 32 year old Oxnard resident, who was gunned down in the 1000 block of King Street, has died.

The shooting occurred on April 8, 2017, just before 10:00 pm. The Oxnard Police Department responded to the scene after receiving numerous 911 calls of a shooting victim. Oxnard police officers arrived and located the victim, later identified as Angel Ortiz Ramirez, lying in the street. Ramirez was quickly transported to the Ventura County Medical Center by ambulance. Despite lifesaving efforts by the medical staff, Ramirez succumbed to his injury.

Angel Ramirez leaves behind four young children. He was also involved in the community as a little league baseball coach and a youth basketball coach. Investigators are still trying to determine why Ramirez was targeted and why he was killed. Major Crimes Investigators are investigating the shooting as a homicide. If anyone has information or knowledge on the murder of Angel Ortiz Ramirez, please contact Detective Steven Ramirez at (805) 385-7760.

This is Oxnard’s sixth homicide of the year and continues a rash of violent activity that has occurred within the city the last thirty (30) days.

On March 13th, 44-year old Raul Mandujano was shot and killed in the 100 block of Dolores Court.
On March 27th, 17-year old Luis Rodriguez was shot and killed while he rode his skateboard in the 400 block of N. Bonita Avenue.
On April 12th, 22-year old Andres Rocha was shot and killed while riding his bicycle in the area of Featherstone Street and San Gorgonio Avenue.

Investigators noted that all four (4) of the recent homicides have occurred in the late evening hours after 9:00 p.m. and a majority of them appear to have been gang-related.

While the Oxnard Police Department has continued to investigate these recent homicides, the City of Oxnard continues to experience an uptick in violent crime in several neighborhoods. The Department has been focusing efforts on four neighborhoods in particular: Southwinds, La Colonia, Lemonwood, and Hull/Isleton. While overall Part One crime in Oxnard was down 12.9% through the first quarter of 2017, violent crime increased 3.4% during that time period. These violent crime increases included several robberies and aggravated assaults. One particularly disturbing trend has been a rash of carjackings that occurred in which the suspects were juveniles. Arrests have been made by investigators in these cases, including separate incidents involving 12-year old female and 13-year old male suspects.

Oxnard Police Chief Scott Whitney stated: “We are committed to having extra resources in each of our affected neighborhoods. We have experienced spikes in violent crime in the past and we address them through a combination of increased enforcement and community assistance. When those involved are of such young age, it’s incumbent on all our community partners to come together to find solutions to the violence.”

In response to the recent events, the Oxnard Police Department has deployed extra resources citywide, with emphasis placed upon the affected neighborhoods in an attempt to deter any future violence. Motorcycle officers, bicycle officers, and Neighborhood Policing Team officers are all being deployed this weekend to address specific areas. The Department’s Special Enforcement Unit works seven (7) days a week and continues to focus their efforts in the evening hours to address gang-related issues. Resources from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol have also been assisting, and will be visible in Oxnard this Easter weekend.

Just as importantly, the Oxnard Police Department needs the help and assistance of their community partners to assist in breaking this cycle of violence. The Department has a series of community engagement efforts planned over the next week:

Neighborhood officers will be walking through selected neighborhoods and handing out flyers to residents, requesting their assistance with the recent violence. The Department has developed a new violent crimes hotline where any information related to recent incidents can be called or texted in to (805) 394-8370. Information can also be emailed to investigators at confidential@oxnardpd.org.
The Department will be holding community outreach events at the following locations:
- Wednesday, April 19th, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Camino Del Sol Park
- Thursday, April 20th, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Hobson Park

Residents are invited to stop by to talk with Oxnard P.D. personnel and learn about community resources available for youth, parents, and families. Additional information will be made available about these events early next week.

Oxnard Police Department personnel will be on local Spanish radio stations on Monday to provide awareness and prevention tips for local parents.

The Oxnard Police Department needs and greatly appreciates the public’s assistance in solving the above cases, and encourages the public to continue to report suspicious activity; it is often the public’s actions that have been of great help in addressing crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 4/14/2017 2:00 p.m.