OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Felon in Possession Firearm Arrest
DATE/TIME:	June 7, 2016 / 11:30 A.M.
LOCATION:	800 block of West Iris Street
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Fabian Ramirez, 30 year old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Officer Jared Battles, (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Jared Battles, (805) 385-7600 Jared.Battles@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On June 7, 2016, Officers conducted a probation search at a home in the 800 block of West Iris Street for Fabian Ramirez. Ramirez is a convicted felon, who is on probation and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. During the search, Ramirez was found to be in possession of narcotics and paraphernalia. During a search of the residence, officers located a loaded .380 caliber firearm. Ramirez was arrested for several firearm and narcotic related offenses.

At the beginning of 2014, the Oxnard Police Department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST), to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons in the city. The objective of the initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention and enforcement.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Update: Fatal Hit and Run Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	January 6, 2016 / 5:30 p.m.
LOCATION:	Wooley Road at Richmond Avenue
DRIVER:	Annette Aragon
PEDESTRIAN:	Angelina Marie Lees
PREPARED BY:	Mike Wood, Traffic Officer (805) 385-7748 mike.wood@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

Update (see original collision information below):

On January 6, 2016, at approximately 5:30 p.m., personnel from the Oxnard Police Department and Oxnard Fire Department responded to a collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian in the area of Wooley Road and Richmond Avenue.

The pedestrian, later identified as 37-year-old Oxnard resident Angelina Marie Lees, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Traffic investigators from the Oxnard Police Department conducted an extensive investigation and ultimately identified and arrested 30-year-old Oxnard resident Annette Aragon for felony hit and run and driving on a suspended license.

The Oxnard Police Department was notified by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office that on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, Annette Aragon pled guilty to one count of felony hit and run (20001(a) CVC) and driving on a suspended license (14601.1(a) CVC).

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Details:

On January 6, 2016, at about 5:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS responded to a hit and run traffic collision involving a vehicle and a female pedestrian. The collision occurred at the intersection of Wooley Road and Richmond Avenue.

Preliminary investigation indicates that an unknown vehicle collided into the pedestrian near the intersection. After the collision, the driver fled in the vehicle in an unknown direction. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs are factors in the collision. The collision is still under investigation.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at 805-385-7749 or via email at jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org. 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 6, 2016 / 2330 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang Member Plead Guilty to Robbery with a Firearm
DATE/TIME:	May 20, 2015
LOCATION:	Vons 450 S. Ventura Rd., Oxnard Ca. 93030
SUSPECT(S):	Steven Rae Leal, 21 year old Santa Paula Resident
PREPARED BY:	Jonathan Ballow, Detective
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jonathan Ballow jonathan.ballow@oxnardpd.org 805-288-3289

DETAILS:
On 05/20/2015, Oxnard police officers responded to Vons located at 450 S. Ventura Rd. reference a robbery. The officers spoke to the victims of the robbery and learned the suspect used a handgun during the commission of the crime. The suspect, described as a light skinned Hispanic male was observed by Vons Loss Prevention Officers (LPO’s) concealing merchandise. After passing all manned cash registers and exiting the store with the concealed merchandise he was contacted by the LPO’s. The suspect then brandished a handgun at the LPO’s and stated “I don’t want to hurt you over some little stuff like this.” In fear for their lives, the LPO’s retreated back into the store and the suspect left the area.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) investigated the robbery. During the investigation, VCU investigators were able to positively identify, Steven Leal as the suspect who committed the crime. Leal was arrested and charged with the robbery and a special enhancement for using a handgun during the commission of the crime.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to inform citizens that what some might consider a simple arrest for shoplifting can easily turn into a more serious charge of felony robbery. Using force or fear to push past or get away from a store employee or security guard is enough to trigger what is known as an “Estes Robbery” no matter how much merchandise you are suspected of shoplifting. In some cases, when a weapon is used there are additional sentencing enhancements.

On 06/21/16, at the Ventura County Superior Court, Steven Leal pled guilty to robbery. Leal agreed to 8 years in prison for his crime.

This is another example of the hard work and dedication by the officers and investigators of the Oxnard Police Department, as well as the collaborative effort from members of the community, crime victims and the District Attorney’s Office.

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 the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest of a gang member in possession of a firearm
DATE/TIME:	8/25/16; 1745 hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard

SUSPECT(S):	Brandon Guerra, 32 year old Oxnard resident

SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	White 06 Acura TL

PREPARED BY:	Kevin Baysinger, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Kevin.baysinger@oxnardpd.org 385-7746

DETAILS:

On 8/25/16 at about 1745 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the 600 Block of E. Iris Street regarding a subject placing a handgun into a vehicle, described as a white Acura. Officers checked the area but did not locate the vehicle.

A short time later, officers located the vehicle in the area of Ventura Road and Hill Street. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but were unable to catch up to it. Officers pursued the vehicle to the 1500 Block of North “C” Street, where the suspect vehicle collided with another vehicle. There were no injuries as a result of this collision.

The suspect fled the scene of the collision to the 1200 Block of Camelot Way. A perimeter was set and officers conducted a yard to yard search of the area. With the assistance of an Oxnard PD K-9, the suspect was located hiding in a room in the detached garage of a residence. He was taken into custody without further incident. A loaded handgun with ammunition was located in the vehicle driven by the suspect.

Brandon Guerra, a documented member of an Oxnard criminal street gang, was arrested for a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, evading police officers, and hit and run driving.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Oxnard Police Department at 385-7740. 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 Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/25/16; 2105 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspect Assaults Officer and Barricades Himself in a Residence
DATE/TIME:	9-14-16/1037 hours
LOCATION:	1100 Block of Lucero Street Oxnard, Ca
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Frank Valentine-25 year-old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Jeff McGreevy, Neighborhood Policing Team Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	jeffrey.mcgreevy@oxnardpd.org, (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:On September 14, 2016 about 10:37 a.m., North District Oxnard Police Officers who are assigned to The Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT), were conducting a directed patrol in the East Village neighborhood. The officers were in the neighborhood because of recent burglary incidents and conducting extra patrols in the area to try and locate or identify persons that may not belong in the neighborhood or who were behaving suspiciously. They observed two persons riding bicycles in the neighborhood that had committed a traffic violation and wanted to speak with them.

Officers attempted to contact 25 year-old Oxnard resident Frank Valentine and his female companion. The officers pulled up alongside asked them to stop their bikes because they wanted to talk to them. The female cooperated and stopped immediately but Valentine immediately sped away on the bicycle and started to evade the police officers. The officers were able to drive ahead of him in their police unit and tried to block his path to make contact with him. They ordered him to stop but intentionally drove his bicycle into the door of one of the police officers as they attempted to exit the vehicle to speak to him. The suspect abandoned his bicycle and started to run away in the 900 block of Lucero Street. The second officer in the police unit attempted to physically detain Valentine and he ran into the officer and violently pushed the officer away from him which resulted in a foot chase northbound on Lucero Street. When Valentine ran away officers discovered a fixed blade knife had fallen on the ground, presumably it fell out of Valentine’s pocket as he was running.

The police officers pursued Valentine on foot and he ran into a backyard in the 1100 block of Lucero Street and disappeared. The officers quickly established a perimeter around that house and it was determined through records checks that Frank Valentine had prior contacts at this home and had an active felony arrest warrant. Valentine matched the description of the man that had assaulted one of our police officers and had run into the backyard. The officers conducted a records check and we’re able to get a photograph of Valentine and he was positively identified as the person who was riding the bicycle, assaulted one of the police officers, had possessed a concealed fixed blade knife and had actively resisted.

Numerous Oxnard Police Officers arrived in the East Village neighborhood and established a perimeter around this house. It was determined that the suspect had a prior arrest for a firearms violation so members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) and Police K-9 Unit were summoned to the scene to assist with the apprehension of the suspect. Telephone contact was made with uninvolved residents inside the house and they voluntarily evacuated the house. One of the residents told the police that Valentine had run inside the house and was hiding in a bedroom on the second floor of the home.

Numerous announcements were made to Valentine ordering him to surrender and come downstairs and submit to arrest. The suspect refused to cooperate with the police instructions and continued to conceal himself in the home.

Members of the SEU eventually entered the residence and searched the ground floor of the home. After securing the ground floor of the home they continued making verbal announcements ordering the suspect to comply and surrender. Telephone contact was eventually made with Valentine and one of his family members convinced him to surrender. Valentine told officers that he was ready to surrender and he eventually came down and was taken into custody without further incident.

Frank Valentine is a PROS offender and was on supervised release as a result of an illegal firearm possession conviction. He had an active felony arrest warrant for violating his probation. Valentine was taken to a local medical facility for a booking medical clearance because an electronic control device was used during the initial foot pursuit. After being examined by a doctor he was booked into the Ventura County Jail for the arrest warrant and the fresh felony charge of assaulting a police officer, felony possession of a dirk or dagger, misdemeanor vandalism and felony resisting arrest. One police officer was injured during the initial confrontation with Valentine and was taken to a local hospital for a precautionary examination. The officer was later released and is expected to have a full recovery.

The Post Release Offender program was created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment. This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent commitment offense, prior convictions are not considered.

The Oxnard Police Department Neighborhood Policing Team focuses on crime and quality of life issues at the neighborhood level with a focus on Community Policing and Problem Solving. The Oxnard Police Department will continue to monitor this area and work closely with the East Village community and neighborhood council.

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 Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9/15/16, 0630 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Stabbing)
DATE/TIME:	September 21, 2016 @ 2215 hours
LOCATION:	4100 block of South “G” Street
VICTIM(S):	Robles, Raul Espinoza (49 years) Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Krystal Rodriguez (27 years), Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant D. Klug
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant D. Klug (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On Wednesday September the 21, 2016 at approximately 2215 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the 4100 block of South “G” Street. Upon arrival officers contacted the victim, Raul Espinoza Robles who informed them that he had been involved in an argument with his girlfriend, Krystal Rodriguez. Robles reported that the suspect stabbed him one time in his left leg. Robles was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery and assault with a deadly weapon.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 22, 2016 @ 0020 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Stabbing)
DATE/TIME:	September 21, 2016 @ 2215 hours
LOCATION:	4100 block of South “G” Street
VICTIM(S):	Robles, Raul Espinoza (49 years) Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Krystal Rodriguez (27 years), Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant D. Klug (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant D. Klug (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On Wednesday September the 21, 2016 at approximately 2215 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the 4100 block of South “G” Street. Upon arrival officers contacted the victim, Raul Espinoza Robles who informed them that he had been involved in an argument with his girlfriend, Krystal Rodriguez. Robles reported that the suspect stabbed him one time in his left leg. Robles was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery and assault with a deadly weapon.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 22, 2016 @ 0020 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest Made in 2005 Homicide Case
DATE/TIME:	November 13, 2005; 1855 Hours
LOCATION:	900 Block of Richmond Avenue, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Joaquin Castaneda (48 years old), Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Isaac Sinsun (31 years old), Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763 alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeff Kay (805) 385-8174 jeff.kay@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

(OXNARD, Calif) – On March 16, 2016, investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit arrested 31 year old Isaac Sinsun for the 2005 murder of Joaquin Castaneda.

On November 13, 2005, at approximately 1855 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a gunshot victim in the 900 block of Richmond Avenue. Officers arrived on scene at approximately 1901 hours and found the victim, Joaquin Castaneda, lying on the asphalt roadway suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. It was later determined that Castaneda had been shot in the face.

Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Investigators, and forensic scientists from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Crime Laboratory, began an exhaustive investigation of the scene. Due to their diligent efforts, several critical pieces of evidence were located and recovered. The investigation at the scene revealed that Castaneda had likely been killed during a robbery.

The circumstances of Castaneda’s murder were very similar to a series of robberies that had been taking place in the City of Oxnard that same week. Oxnard Police Department Robbery Investigators teamed up with Major Crimes Investigators to work towards solving the cases in order to apprehend the individual(s) responsible for these crimes. Information about these cases and their possible relationship was disseminated to all patrol officers in the city.

While on routine patrol, two patrol officers noticed a parked vehicle that matched the description of a suspect vehicle from the robbery series. These officers notified investigators, who responded to the scene.

The investigators contacted several individuals associated with this vehicle. One of these individuals was Isaac Sinsun. Investigators focused on these individuals as possible suspects in the robbery series and the Castaneda murder. Detectives secured several search warrants for their residences and other locations associated with them. Additional evidence was collected at these locations.

Many of the recovered items of evidence were sent to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Crime Laboratory for examination and analysis. Additional items of evidence were sent to the California Department of Justice Crime Laboratory. These forensic scientists conducted examinations in the areas of DNA, trace evidence, fingerprints, ballistics, blood spatter, shoeprints, tire impressions, and handwriting comparisons. Through the years, detectives and the forensic scientists continued to work together to utilize all advances in forensic technology and testing to further the information gathered from the seized evidence.

Over the past ten years, Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Investigators pursued all leads in this case, which lead to the discovery of additional evidence. In addition to the forensic examinations of the evidence, detectives conducted numerous interviews, employed undercover surveillance, and utilized digital forensics to investigate this murder. Oxnard Police Department Investigators worked cohesively with deputies and detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and with investigators from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, many times over the years on this investigation.

The teamwork, perseverance, determination, and unwavering drive for justice, ultimately culminated in the Ventura County District Attorney filing the charge of murder against Isaac Sinsun for the homicide of Joaquin Castaneda.

This case is continuing to evolve. Additional arrests in this case are expected.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Jeff Kay at (805) 385-8174. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/18/16 at 0800 Hours

Isaac Sinsun

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	March 30, 2016 / 10:56 AM
LOCATION:	1521 Morris St.
VICTIM(S):	37 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant Bertt.smith@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Robert Valenzuela, Detective robert.valenzuela@oxnardpd.org 805-385-8287

DETAILS:

On March 30, 2016 at approximately 10:56 AM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to 1521 Morris St. regarding several calls reporting shots fired. Officers located a 37 year old Oxnard resident suffering from a gunshot wound in the area.

The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was listed in critical but stable condition.

Investigators are still working to determine a motive for the shooting.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative.If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7547. 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: 3-30-16 / 9:15 PM

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang Member Arrested for Shooting at Oxnard Police Officer
DATE/TIME:	March 31, 2016 at Approximately 3:48 p.m.
LOCATION:	2300 Block of El Dorado Avenue, City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Oxnard Police Officer, Six Year Veteran
SUSPECT(S):	Erick Rene Garcia, 27 year old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763 alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Ken Tougas (805) 200-5669 ken.tougas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department has released the name of the person arrested for shooting at an Oxnard police officer on March 31, 2016. The suspect, 27-year old Erick Rene Garcia, was arrested after he fled into an open apartment after being pursued by police.

On March 31, 2016, at approximately 3:48 p.m., Oxnard police officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of El Dorado Avenue after a 911 call was received of a suspicious subject waiving a gun in the air. An Oxnard police officer arrived on scene and located a subject, later identified as Erick Rene Garcia, which matched the description of the person seen with the gun. The police officer attempted to contact Garcia, and Garcia ran from the officer. The officer ran after Garcia and followed him into the carports of an apartment building.

As the officer was searching for Garcia in the carports, Garcia pulled out a gun and pointed it at the officer. The officer drew his service weapon and fired one shot at Garcia, missing him. Garcia then fired at the officer and the officer was struck in the upper body by debris and possibly bullet fragments. Garcia fled on foot while other Oxnard police officers were responding to the scene.

During the search for Garcia, the Oxnard Police Department received information from residents that live in the area that Garcia had entered an open residence in the 2700 block of El Dorado Avenue. The Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) responded to the scene and eventually rescued several children that were in that residence. After several announcements were given to exit the residence, Garcia surrendered to SEU officers. A search warrant was obtained, and investigators searched the residence where Garcia was hiding. A loaded handgun was located and seized as evidence.

Garcia, a documented Oxnard gang member, was arrested for attempted murder of a police officer and booked into Ventura County Jail.

If anyone has further information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Ken Tougas at (805) 200-5669 or via email at ken.tougas@oxnardpd.org. If a witness wishes to remain anonymous, they may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. They can also visit this site www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

The Oxnard Police Department has been focused on extensive public engagement and community outreach, encouraging residents to be partners in public safety with our Oxnard Neighbors United Project (ON UP) Initiative. This is an excellent example or residents who not only reported a suspicious suspect with a gun, but other residents who then also provided critical information leading to this arrest. Residents are reminded and encouraged to report any and all suspicious activity to police, and can do so anonymously, with translators available 24 hours per day.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 4/1/16 at 4:30pm

Erick Rene Garcia