DETAILS: 

“AVOID THE 14” DUI ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN IN FULL SWING LEADING UP TO THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND

18-day crackdown started Friday, Aug. 21

The DUI enforcement calendar is full for the next few weeks in Ventura County as “Avoid the 14” sets out after drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.

All 14 departments cooperating under the Avoid the 14 banner will send officers to a Saturday, August 29, DUI task force operation on Highway 101 corridor. One team will cover from the Los Angeles County line to the Conejo Grade; the second will patrol from the grade to the Santa Barbara County line. The officers will aggressively seek out DUI drivers and arrest them. Approximately 20 officers will participate in this DUI enforcement operation.

Two, multi-agency, DUI checkpoints are scheduled during the Labor Day mobilization; one on Friday, August 28, in Oxnard, and another checkpoint in Camarillo on Friday, September 4.

Nine in-city DUI patrols are set for the weekend of August 22, and another nine for the Labor Day weekend.

The crackdown is part of a summer mobilization that covers “Avoid” campaigns in 40 other counties in the state and police departments throughout the United States. The theme is “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” The California Office of Traffic Safety funds “Avoid the 14” with money from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the organization that sponsors the mobilization.

In addition to the DUI saturations and DUI checkpoints, “Avoid” agencies will run DUI warrant operations. During these operations, officers and deputies will serve outstanding warrants on individuals who have failed to comply with the terms of their DUI probation or who have failed to appear in court for their DUI-related offense. Police advise people who know they have a warrant to visit their local police headquarters and clear the warrant up to avoid having officers knock on their doors or show up at their workplaces.

In addition to the enforcement efforts over the Labor Day holiday, the Oxnard Police Department will continue its DUI-reduction efforts by hosting additional sobriety/drivers license checkpoints. These checkpoints will take place on Thursday, September 17, and on Friday, September 25th. They will be held at multiple locations within the city of Oxnard and are funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

DATE: August 25, 2009

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 2-16-10 at 5:46 PM, officers responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the 300 block of Cooper Rd. Upon officer’s arrival they located the victim; he was suffering from a severe stab wound. The victim was transported to St John’s Regional Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. The victim is listed in critical condition.

Witnesses told investigators that the victim and suspect had an argument and during the dispute the victim was stabbed. The victim walked into a nearby business where they contacted the police. The investigators do not know the motive of the assault at this time.

If anyone has information about the assault they are encouraged to contact Det. Charles Buttell at (805) 385-7669 or remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS. The investigation is continuing.

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 3-4-10 at 6:00 P.M. officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a carjacking in the 1300 block of North “C” Street. The suspect assaulted the victim with a hammer and fled the area in the victim’s vehicle.

The victim was transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center by ambulance for treatment of minor injuries sustained in the assault.

A teletype concerning the stolen vehicle was immediately distributed to all law enforcement agencies. At about 8:00 P.M. Oxnard police was notified by the California Highway Patrol that the victim vehicle was located on US-101 just north of Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County. The car was involved in a traffic collision.

On 3-4-10 officers from the California Highway Patrol arrested a subject in relation to the traffic collision. That subject was identified as Jose Nunez (20 years) who is an Oxnard resident. He was booked into jail in Santa Maria.

On 3-5-10 investigators from the Oxnard Police Department drove to Santa Maria for further investigation. The investigation led to Nunez being released from custody on the charges in Santa Maria and arrested on charges of carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon. Nunez was transported and booked into Ventura County Jail.

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 04/06/10, at approximately 0152 hours, a silent hold up alarm call was received from Chevron Gas Station, 2251 N. Oxnard Blvd. It was confirmed that a robbery had just occurred. Information regarding the suspect’s description and direction of travel was broadcasted to the responding police units.

Within minutes, Patrol Officers Anthony McCowan and Moses Martinez, working a two man unit, observed an individual matching the description walking on Citrus Grove Lane, near Blackberry Circle. Officers detained the individual, who was subsequently identified as the suspect, and arrested for armed robbery. The weapon used and currency taken were recovered. An investigation is continuing.

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

As the California Office of Traffic Safety has named 2010, “The Year of the Checkpoint,” the Oxnard Police Department will conduct another multi-location sobriety and drivers license checkpoint Friday night, April 16th, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. The checkpoint will be held throughout the City of Oxnard and is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In 2009, the Oxnard Police Department made over 950 DUI arrests and investigated over 240 DUI related crashes in the City of Oxnard. Of those 240 collisions, five of them involved a fatality where one of the drivers was driving under the influence of alcohol. 80 of them were injury collisions where over 120 people suffered injuries as a result of a DUI driver. In addition, the Oxnard Police Department investigated a total of 2,195 collisions in 2009. Of those crashes, 621 of them involved a driver who was unlicensed or driving with a suspended drivers license.

So far this year, the Oxnard Police Department has arrested over 275 DUI drivers.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to improving traffic safety and will continue to conduct these checkpoints and DUI enforcement operations in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer.

We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. Please buckle up, driver sober, and drive safely!

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On Monday July 5, 2010 at about 5:17 PM, Officer’s Phil Flores and Roque Rivera of the Oxnard Police Department were working a two-person patrol unit. They observed a silver 2006 Nissan Maxima commit a traffic violation in the area of Wooley Road and A Street. Officer’s Flores and Rivera attempted a traffic enforcement stop on the Nissan. The Nissan, later found to be driven by Ricky Allen Ritter, failed to yield to the police officers and a pursuit ensued through several streets in Oxnard.

While officers were still in pursuit of the Nissan, Ritter drove westbound on Hemlock Street towards a red light at Patterson Road. At the intersection of Hemlock Street and Patterson Road; the Nissan failed to stop for the red light and broadsided a white 2010 Dodge Caravan driven by Edgar Vargara.

After the collision, Suspect Ritter fled the scene and was arrested without incident in a nearby apartment complex. Suspect Ritter was not injured as a result of the collision.

Mr. Vargara was transported to St. John’s Hospital for further treatment. Mr. Vargara injuries include an abrasion to the right abdomen, bleeding from his mouth, complaint of pain to his head and abdomen.

Suspect Ritter was subsequently arrested for felony evading, felony hit and run, felony grand theft auto, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, possession of burglary tools, and, possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Oxnard Police Department is requesting the assistance of the public. If you witnessed the collision or have any information regarding this collision please contact the Traffic Investigator, Senior Officer Maria Peña at 805-385-7750.

An investigation is continuing.

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR THE OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED NUMEROUS CALLS FOR SERVICE INVOLVING THE THEFT OF MONEY FROM COIN OPERATED LAUNDRY MACHINES. THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTED CASES WERE RECEIVED FROM APARTMENT COMPLEX’S THAT OFFER LAUNDRY ROOM FACILITIES.

THE MAJORITY OF THE THEFT’S OCCURRED AT NIGHT AND LITTLE TO NO EVIDENCE HAS BEEN RECOVERED FROM THESE THEFTS. INVESTIGATORS HAVE SEVERAL POSSIBLE SUSPECT LEADS, BUT ARE STILL SEEKING THE PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE TO IDENTIFY ALL THOSE INVOLVED.

INVESTIGATORS FROM THE OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE REQUESTING THAT THE OWNERS OR THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR COIN OPERATED LAUNDRY MACHINES TAKE EXTRA MEASURES TO BETTER SECURE THEIR FACILITIES. INVESTIGATORS SUGGEST THAT MONEY FROM THE MACHINES BE REMOVED DAILY, LAUNDRY ROOMS SHOULD BE LOCKED AND ACCESS BE PROVIDED TO TENANTS ONLY, SET UP SURVEILLANCE CAMERA’S AND TO CONSIDER INSTALLING NEW TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS CASHLESS SYSTEMS THAT USE WHAT IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A PREPAID CARD.

INVESTIGATORS ARE SEEKING INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC THAT MAY LEAD TO THE ARREST OF THE PERSON OR PERSON’S INVOLVED IN THE THEFTS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS URGED TO CALL THE OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT PROPERTY CRIMES BUREAU AT 385-7605 OR DETECTIVE LUIS MANCHA AT 385-7664.

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 7-13-10 at around 8:00 PM Officers responded to a stabbing victim at Sierra Park located at Lantana and Indigo. Upon officers arrival they found the victim had been transported by private vehicle to the hospital. Officers responded to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center where the victim was being treated for a single stab wound to the back. The victim is listed in serious but stable condition.

He told investigators that he was in the park when a fight ensued, during the fight he was stabbed for no apparent reason. He stated the suspect fled the area on foot prior to officers arriving. The victims name is being withheld because the investigators feel the incident is gang related. The victim had ties to an Oxnard gang prior to the assault. If anyone has information about this incident you are asked to contact Det. Mike Marostica at (805) 486-6228 or email him at mikemarostica@oxnardpd.org. You can remain anonymous by contacting Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 8/1/10 at approximately 1250 hours Oxnard Police were dispatched to the 400 block of N. McKinley regarding a robbery that had just occurred. When officers arrived they contacted the victim who stated that he was walking in the 400 block of North McKinley when he was approached by two subjects. The two subjects pointed semi-automatic handguns at the victim and demanded his property. After taking the victim’s property both subjects fled the area on foot.

During the course of the investigation one of the subjects, identified as Yosimar Silva (dob: 5/1/86), was identified. Silva was arrested at his residence and charged with armed robbery. Members of the Violent Crimes Unit served a search warrant at Silva’s residence and recovered numerous items of evidentiary value.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit are actively looking for the outstanding suspect. If you have any further information regarding this investigation, please contact Detective Funk at (805) 385-7796 or you can remain anonymous by leaving a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805)982-7070.