John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Narcotics Search Warrant
DATE/TIME:	September 23, 2010 / 1100 hours
LOCATION:	2700 block of Geronimo Drive, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Janet Pecatoste (8/28/77), resident of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Greg Hebert
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Greg Hebert, greghebert@oxnardpd.org 385-7636

DETAILS:

On September 23, 2010, the Oxnard Police Department’s Narcotics Unit served a search warrant on Janet Pecatoste at her residence in the 2700 block of Geronimo Drive in the City of Oxnard. The search warrant was the result of a 2 month investigation into Pecatoste for sales of methamphetamines.

Pecatoste was arrested at the residence without incident. A search of the residence revealed a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Pecatoste was booked into Ventura County Jail for possession of a controlled substance for sales and bail was set at $50,000.

Pecatoste was operating a “room and board” facility at the residence with many of the tenants being clients of Behavioral Health Services. Behavioral Health Services was contacted and will follow up with their own investigation into Pecatoste.

An investigation is ongoing.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Child Luring and Enticement
DATE/TIME:	January 31, 2011
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Nine year old female; Fourteen year old female
SUSPECT(S):	Nicholas Ortega, 18 years old
WITNESS(ES):	Parents of the victims
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Erica Escalante
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Erica Escalante (805) 385-7759

DETAILS:

On January 31, 2011, a nine year old female Oxnard resident received unsolicited text messages on her cellular telephone from a person unknown to her. The text messages continued for several hours and the Suspect persuaded the Victim to send him a partially nude photograph of herself via text message. The Victim’s mother discovered the situation when she checked her daughter’s cell phone that night and reported the incident to the Oxnard Police Department. The Oxnard Police Department investigated the crime and detectives were able to identify the Suspect, who was an 18-year old Oxnard resident, Nicholas Ortega. Upon contact with the Suspect, he was found to be in possession of child pornographic images of a fourteen year old female Oxnard resident. The Suspect was arrested for several counts of child enticement and luring and possession of child pornography. The Suspect was booked into Ventura County Sheriff’s Department jail with a bail of $50,000.

Parents are reminded to monitor their children’s computer and cellular telephone usage. Children are reminded not to communicate with strangers online or on cellular telephones. Parents and children may find additional resources at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com or 1-800-843-5678. The investigation is continuing in relation to any other children who may have been persuaded to send the Suspect nude images of themselves with assistance from the local Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force members including investigators from the Oxnard Police Department, FBI, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Contact Oxnard Police Department Detective Erica Escalante at (805) 385-7759.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	8/26/2012, 0224 hours
LOCATION:	“J” Street and Hemlock Street
VICTIM(S):	Unknown adult male
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sgt Christopher Williams, (805) 486-6211 Christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeff Kay, Major Crimes Unit, (805) 385-8174 jeff.kay@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 8/26/12 at approximately 0224 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to a fight with possible shots being fired in the area of Hemlock Street and “J” Street. When officers arrived they located an adult male lying in the street suffering from a gunshot wound. The subject was pronounced dead by emergency responders.
Investigators are attempting to identify the victim and are still investigating several leads and motives at this time. This is the fifth homicide this year in the city.
The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.
Citizens are reminded that anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7650 or Detective Jeff Kay at (805) 385-8174. 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 sitehttp://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/26/2012, 1000 hours, CW

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspect Arrest – Felony Warrant (PC 136 and PC 422)
DATE/TIME:	12/17/13/ approximately 0500 hours
LOCATION:	2500 block Timber Creek Trail
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	Alberto Romero Goeva., 20 year old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On, December 17, 2013, at approximately 0500 hours, Oxnard Police and SWAT arrived at residence in the 2500 block Timber Creek Trail, in the South Bank neighborhood in Oxnard, to serve a warrant for a suspect wanted for multiple felonies, including witness intimidation (PC136) and criminal threats (PC422).

Oxnard SWAT was the first to respond to the scene for this operation, to secure the immediate area and establish a perimeter. Oxnard Police had reason to believe that the subject was on the property at this residence.

After property and immediate areas was secure by SWAT, investigators and detectives were able to enter and begin a thorough search of the residence. Detectives began searching residence pursuant to search warrant and heard suspect inside of an exterior wall. Oxnard Fire who was stationed remotely on standby was called to assist with structure and free suspect who was trapped between structural walls of the residence. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

Nearby school was not put on lockdown, and School Resource Officer (SRO) and Incident Commander were in direct communication with principal during this time.

Contrary to comments we have seen on social media, there were no shots fired or exchanged during this operation.

The reported shots were a tool (not a firearm) law enforcement use, which were louder and appeared to travel because of the cold morning crisp air.

Upon his arrest, the suspect was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance, before being transported to Ventura County Jail where he was booked.

Oxnard Police and Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident or any of our on-going investigations to contact Oxnard Police if you have any information that may help us solve and close these cases. 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: 12/17/13, 1120 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	Friday, January 24, 2014 8:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On January 24, 2014, between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 2:00 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted two DUI/Driver’s license checkpoints in the City of Oxnard. The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Rose Avenue near Wooley Road. The second was held in the southbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard at Wooley Road.

Officers screened 508 motorists who passed through the checkpoints and conducted four DUI investigations on drivers who had been drinking alcohol and/or using drugs while driving. All four drivers were arrested for violations of misdemeanor DUI.

Citations were issued to 20 drivers for various vehicle code violations. One driver was issued a citation for driving with a suspended driver’s license while 11 drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license. Four vehicles were towed from the checkpoints.

Through strategic efforts involving enforcement, engineering and educational programs, the Oxnard Police Department has made significant progress with reducing the number of collisions in the City of Oxnard. In 2008, there were 2,593 collisions in the city. Last year experienced a 41 percent reduction with 1,519 collisions. In 2013, over 500 drivers were also arrested for DUI in Oxnard.

Each year, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) uses collision data gathered from cities throughout California and ranks them according to their population size. The City of Oxnard is among 55 cities placed in a group where the population is between 100,001 to 250,000. Collision statistics gathered by OTS include total fatalities and injuries, alcohol involved by age, motorcycles, pedestrians by age and bicyclists. Over the past several years, the City of Oxnard consistently ranked among the top five of the “worst” on this list. Our dedicated efforts towards collision reduction have resulted in a 2011 OTS ranking of 17 on the same list.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These operations are 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. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 1/25/14, 0400 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	December 19, 2014 / 2000-0300 Hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
As the holiday season is upon us, the Oxnard Police Department wants to remind everyone to drive safe and drive sober. Tomorrow night, December 19^th, the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a multiple location DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint within the city limits from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. Specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

On average, nearly one third (31%) of all crash fatalities in America involves drunk driving. Nationally, the latest data shows 10,322 people were killed by an impaired driver in 2012 with 830 killed in December alone. More than half (53%) of the drunk drivers in these fatal crashes had at least one previous DUI conviction on their record. In California, 802 people were killed and nearly 24,000 serious injuries were caused in 2012 because someone failed to designate a sober driver.

In 2012, 3,829 drivers in Ventura County were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs and/or a combination of alcohol and drugs. Tragically, 14 people were killed that year in the county as a result of driving under the influence. While this number has dropped from prior years, it is still too many lives lost.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: December 18, 2014 / 1900 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard PD Returns to TV on MTV’s “Busted”
DATE/TIME:	Weeknights at 6:00 p.m. PT on MTV Check local listings for additional airing times and channels
PREPARED BY:	Commander Tom Chronister

DETAILS:

“Busted,” MTV’s newest reality show which examines the impact of illegal activity on young adults, features officers in action from around the country including the Oxnard Police Department. A new episode airs tonight at 6:00 p.m. on cable network MTV, featuring Oxnard P.D. Officer Matt Crenshaw.

The series originally debuted in August. Thus far, three Oxnard officers – Michael Velasquez, Robert Valenzuela and Matt Crenshaw – have appeared. New Busted episodes profiling the work of Oxnard police officers are scheduled for September 9, 11, 15 and 17 and will feature Officers Joe Floriano, Jaime Miranda and others.

Production crews rode with Oxnard officers for several weeks over the spring and summer months; they plan on returning for more ride-alongs this month as additional episodes of Busted go into production.

Busted is not Oxnard PD’s first foray into reality TV. Many episodes of trueTV’s (formerly CourtTV) “Speeders,” continue to air regularly on the cable network.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	February 12th, 2010 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Division conducted two Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints on February 12th, 2010, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Vineyard Avenue @ Forest Park Boulevard.

The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard @ Fifth Street.

Officers screened 859 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted five DUI investigations that lead to the arrest of two drivers for DUI. Both of these drivers were under the age of 21.

Three additional drivers were arrested for possession of marijuana and one additional driver was cited for possession of an opened container of alcohol.

44 drivers were issued citations for various drivers’ license violations. 29 vehicles were towed and the owners of those vehicles will face a minimum tow fee of $494.00. 25 drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and 3 drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year including two additional DUI checkpoints this month. These DUI operations are 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.

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

INCIDENT:	Homicide Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	03-24-2010 / 0630 Hours
LOCATION:	700 Block Mobil Ave, Camarillo
VICTIM(S):	Michael Wade
SUSPECT(S):	Brian Starks, 35 years, Ventura County resident
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jimseitz@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Brian Starks, a 35 year old resident of Ventura County was arrested for murder early this morning in connection with the November 9, 2009 homicide of Michael Wade. Ventura County Sheriff’s Department S.W.A.T. along with S.W.A.T. officers from the Oxnard Police Department served simultaneous search warrants in Camarillo and Oxnard this morning. The warrant service was in response obtaining an arrest warrant for Starks yesterday afternoon. Starks was found at a relative’s house located in the 700 block of Mobil Ave in Camarillo. He was taken into custody without incident.

Starks is suspected of shooting Michael Wade, 49 years old during a botched robbery attempt last November. That homicide took place in the 1400 Block of S. “E” St. in the City of Oxnard. Starks is being held on murder charges.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Cinco de Mayo DUI saturation patrols
DATE/TIME:	Friday, April 30th, 1900-0200 Saturday, May 1st, 1700-0300 Sunday, May 2nd, 1800-0200 Wednesday May 5th, 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

Cinco de Mayo has become a traditional time for many to celebrate California’s rich cultural history. But it is also a night out with expected dangers when someone chooses to drink alcohol and drive. The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will have several officers patrolling the streets of Oxnard searching for DUI drivers this weekend starting Friday night, April 30th at 7:00 P.M. There will be ten officers conducting DUI enforcement Friday night until 2:00 A.M. The following night, May 1st, additional officers will be deployed to conduct DUI enforcement.

On Sunday, May 2nd, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M., deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the Ventura Police Department and Santa Paula Police Department will join forces with the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit during an allied agency DUI saturation deployment. At least 16 officers will be patrolling the City of Oxnard with the specific goal of stopping impaired drivers. These officers and deputies will be stopping vehicles and checking for the signs of intoxication, conducting field sobriety tests and arresting those who are intoxicated.

On Wednesday May 5th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight, additional Oxnard Police officers will be deployed to conduct DUI enforcement in the City of Oxnard.

DUI related crashes have dropped in California thanks to increased sobriety checkpoints and special DUI enforcement campaigns. However, the number one killer on our highways remains impaired driving, with 1,029 dead in 2008 and another 28,457 injured in alcohol involved collisions.

The Oxnard Police Department encourages you to celebrate responsibly by designating a sober driver and to call 911 if you see an impaired driver.

All of these DUI operations are an effort to reduce the amount of alcohol related crashes and to make our community and roadways safer. They are also funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

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.