DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Division conducted two Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints on November 21, 2009 from 6:00 P.M. to midnight.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the westbound lanes of Channel Islands Boulevard from M Street.

The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard at Citrus Grove Lane.

Officers screened 1025 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted five DUI investigations that led to the arrest of one driver for DUI. 33 drivers were issued citations for various drivers’ license violations. 33 vehicles were towed and the owners of the vehicles will face a minimum tow fee of $494.00.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue conducting DUI enforcement and Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints 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. The checkpoints are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

By: Senior Police Officer Brian Woolley
Oxnard Police Department Traffic Coordinator
(385-7749)

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

A 16 year old male, resident of Camarillo was shot and killed while attending a party in Oxnard Saturday Morning. On 1-30-2010 at approximately 12:25 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a shooting victim in the 700 block of Rialto St. Upon the officer’s arrival, they located the victim inside of a residence who suffered a fatal gunshot wound.

While officers were on scene, they learned that two additional victims were hit by gunfire. The victims included an 18 year old female from Oxnard and a 22 male, also an Oxnard resident. Both subjects were transported to a local hospital and are expected to survive.

Investigators determined that the victims were attending a party at a residence located on Rialto St. The three victims were inside of the house standing in front of the entry way when several gunshots were fired through the door hitting the victims. Several people attending the party ran out of the back of the house to get away from the gunfire. The suspect has not been identified and it is not clear as to why the house was targeted. The name of the deceased victim is being with-held pending notification of next of kin. Investigators are asking anyone with information related to the shooting to contact Detective Jeff Kay at 385-8174 or leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 982-7070.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 2-21-10 Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to the Wagon Wheel Bowling Alley 2801 Wagon Wheel Road regarding a man with a gun under his clothing. Patrol Officers detained 2 men who fit the description given by the reporting party. While searching the men for weapons, Officer Joseph Bentley located a loaded assault pistol with a high capacity magazine in Juan Avalos’ waistband. Avalos was arrested and he later posted bail.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into gang association between Juan Avalos and Armando Gonzalez to an Oxnard criminal street gang. Detectives obtained a search warrant for both men’s homes and served the warrants on Wednesday afternoon. During the investigation Detectives learned that Avalos was living at another nearby home and obtained a search warrant for that home was well. Three residences on Surrey Circle were searched and items of gang paraphernalia, membership, and association were located.

Juan Avalos was booked into the Ventura County Jail for possession of a loaded assault pistol, possession of a loaded unregistered handgun, carrying a concealed firearm in public, and a gang allegation.

This is an ongoing investigation.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On March 28, 2010, at approximately 1334 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to 4901 S. “F” Street after receiving a call of a child that had been struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found that two children, a 3-year old male and an 11-year old male, had been struck by a vehicle driven by Estella Cruz. Both victims were transported to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center where the 3-year old succumbed to his injuries. The 11-year old was treated for a broken arm and was later released.

An investigation revealed that the driver of the van, Ms. Cruz, was pulling the vehicle onto the lawn to wash it. While driving onto the lawn, she inadvertently pressed the gas pedal causing the vehicle to lunge forward striking both children who were standing in the yard.

Alcohol was not a factor in the collision, however, the driver was found to be unlicensed.

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:

On 5-24-2010 at approximately 0507 hours, two officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a call of an “audible alarm from a business” that is located in the 3400 block of W. 5th St. When the officers arrived they noticed a broken front window to the business. One of the officers moved to the rear of the building while the second officer covered the front. The officer who went to the rear of the building reported that he heard movement coming from inside of the business. Around this time, the second officer reported seeing a subject inside the front side of the business.

A door at the rear of the business suddenly opened and the suspect was confronted by the officer. The officer, who had drawn his weapon, ordered the suspect out of the business and to raise his arms. The suspect refused to comply with the officer’s commands, and went back into the business, closing the door behind him. The suspect opened the door several more times, continuing to refuse to comply with the officer’s orders to show his hands to the officer. It appears that once the suspect realized that the officer was by himself in this location, the suspect charged directly at the officer in an aggressive manner, rather than flee in a direction that would have better allowed him an opportunity to escape. Weighing the circumstances and fearing for his life, the officer shot the suspect. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No weapon was found in the suspect’s possession.

The officer, who was not injured, was placed paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 8-25-10, at approximately 2200 hours, Oxnard Police Officers responded to Saint John’s Hospital Regional Medical Center reference contacting the victim of an assault. Officers discovered the victim was walking in the alley way of the 500-block of West Channel Islands Boulevard when he was approached by several unknown Hispanic males. The suspects yelled out gang slogans and then stabbed the victim multiple times. The suspects fled the area on foot while the victim was being transported to Saint John’s Hospital by a friend. Victim is currently in stable condition.

The victim’s name is being withheld due to possible gang retaliation.

Anyone who witnessed the assault take place is asked to contact Detective Alex Arnett at 805-486-6297 or you may leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070. To give an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

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:

The Oxnard Police Department conducted two multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints this weekend. The first one was held on Friday from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. The second one was held on Sunday night from 6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

The checkpoints were held in the following locations:

1. S/B Rose Avenue @ Emerson Avenue
2. S/B Rose Avenue @ First Street

Officers screened 1,833 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted four DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol and two drivers were arrested for DUI. One of the drivers had a blood alcohol level of .16 while the other had a level of .20. A third driver was arrested for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant while another driver was arrested for possession of over three ounces of marijuana.

Eighty-two drivers were issued citations for various driver’s license violations. Forty-eight drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and four drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Twenty-one vehicles were towed from the checkpoints.

The Oxnard Police Department has conducted 22 sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints since the October of 2009. All of these checkpoints combined resulted in 35 drivers arrested for DUI, 486 unlicensed drivers were issued citations, and 54 additional drivers were found to be driving with a suspended driver’s license.

All of these DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA).

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.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On Saturday, 12-4-10, the Downtown Oxnard Merchant’s Association will be hosting its annual Downtown Holiday Parade. The event will begin at 10:00 am and conclude at 12:00 pm. This will be followed by the 2010 Tamale Festival to be held in Plaza Park.

These events are expected to draw large crowds and traffic delays should be expected. The Oxnard Police Department will be handling traffic control to expedite the flow of traffic surrounding the event site. Starting at 9:00 am, all intersections on ‘C’ St from Second Street to Fifth Street, and ‘A’ St. from Fifth Street to Wooley Rd. will be closed to through traffic.

There will be “NO PARKING” signs posted on and around the parade route. The recommended parking area for persons attending the parade and other downtown events is the downtown parking structure located at Third Street @ ‘B’ Street.

These traffic flow modifications are taking place to assist in relieving the traffic congestion from this event in a timely and orderly fashion, with caution for pedestrians.

Please have a safe holiday season and enjoy watching the parade.

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