Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	14th Annual Fireworks by the Sea at Channel Islands Harbor
DATE/TIME:	July 4th, 2010 0800 – 2300
LOCATION:	Channel Islands Harbor, City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

On July 4th, the Channel Islands Harbor District will be hosting its 14th annual 4th of July event. The event will begin at 8:00 A.M. with a 10K & 5K Fun Walk along Sunset Lane and Mandalay Beach Road. This will be followed by the July 4th Children’s Parade on Harbor Boulevard. The parade will begin at 10:30 A.M. and take place on south Harbor Boulevard between Cabezone Circle and Albacore Way. Harbor Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic during the parade. Motorists can use Sunset Lane or Ocean Drive as an alternate route.

Activities and entertainment are scheduled throughout the day at the Fisherman’s Wharf and Marina. Marine Emporium Landing will have activities between 10:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M., including live music, face painting, petting zoo, inflatable fun zone and a rock climbing wall. There will also be vendors with booths as well as a farmer’s market. This will be a family oriented event with fun for all. The event will end with a fireworks show that begins at 9:00 P.M.

No alcohol, fireworks, including safe and sane fireworks, or flare ignition will be tolerated. All of the involved law enforcement agencies will be conducting strict enforcement of all related offenses.

This event is expected to draw a large crowd and traffic delays are expected following the fireworks show. The Oxnard Police Department will be handling traffic control to expedite the flow of traffic surrounding the event site. Starting at 7:00 P.M., all intersections on Victoria Avenue and Harbor Boulevard from Fifth St. to the harbor area will be controlled by traffic officers.

In addition, the Oxnard Police Department would also like to notify the public that driving on any beach in the City of Oxnard is strictly prohibited. From July 1st to July 4th, Arnold Road south of Hueneme Road will be closed to all vehicles with the exception of those who have legitimate business in that area or who are traveling to and from work. Parking violations on Arnold Road will also be strictly enforced.

If you live in the area of these roadways or intersections, we apologize for any inconvenience. The roads will be re-opened as soon as possible. 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 and enjoyable 4th of July holiday.

For any questions related to road closures or any of these events on July 4th, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest of Robbery suspect
DATE/TIME:	7/29/11, 1030 hours
LOCATION:	1000 Block of Pinata Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Luis Hernandez age 20, Camarillo Resident (Photo attached)
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Jeff McGreevy (805) 385-3982 JeffreyMcgreevy@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 7/14/11, Oxnard Police Officers received a report of an armed robbery that occurred in the 1000 block of Piñata Street. The victim told police that he had been in a dispute with the suspect over the sale of a car. The suspect, later identified as Luis Hernandez, confronted the victim and demanded money for repairs that he had to make to the vehicle that he had bought earlier in the month. At some point Hernandez removed a handgun from his pocket and threatened the victim while demanding money from the victim. The victim gave Hernandez the money he had requested. Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) identified the suspect and obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 2100 block of E. Daily Drive, in Camarillo.

On 7/29/11 at approximately 10:30 am, Hernandez was arrested without incident in Ventura and a search was conducted at his residence in Camarillo. During an interview with detectives, Hernandez admitted that he threatened the victim and demanded money from him. Luis Hernandez was booked into the Ventura County Jail for Robbery.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Injury Collision
DATE/TIME:	8-9-12/1901 Hours
LOCATION:	Hull Place at “M” Street
VICTIM(S):	Five-year old male-name withheld
LOSS:	Significant, but non-life-threatening injuries
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander/Jack Kujawa, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Alex Rangel, (805) 385-7631

DETAILS:
On 8-9-12, at 1901 hours, officers responded to the intersection of Hull Place and “M” Street re: an injury accident. A vehicle travelling at a slow rate of speed struck a five-year old pedestrian causing significant, but non-life-threatening injuries. The child was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The driver of the involved vehicle was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

An investigation is continuing.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8-9-12/0230 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Winter Holiday AVOID DUI campaign – Monday update *DUI Arrests Up & Zero DUI Fatalities*
DATE/TIME:	December 18, 2012
LOCATION:	Ventura County (AVOID the 14 Task Force)

PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant (randy.latimer@oxnardpd.org) 805-385-7847

DETAILS:DUI Arrests Up & Zero DUI Fatalities

The Winter Holiday Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in several DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County.
From 12:01 AM Friday December 14, 2012 through Midnight Sunday December 16, 2012 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 39 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2011, 33 DUI arrests occurred during the same three (3) day time period.

There were no DUI deaths reported over the first weekend, but there were two fatal collisions in the city of Oxnard. Both collisions occurred on Sunday, December 16^th; one at 1:00 a.m. and the other just after 2:00 a.m. Neither involved drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

Over the course of the next several days of the campaign, a court sting operation will be conducted along with a warrant/probation sweep. Extra DUI patrols are planned for next weekend in the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, and C.S.U.C.I. DUI Checkpoints are also planned in the City of Ventura, Ojai and the CHP will host one in Oxnard.

All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts. Multiple DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are all part of this region-wide crackdown during the 19 day Winter Holiday Campaign.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911! Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DUI arrest data collection will continue through New Year’s Weekend, midnight Sunday, January 1, 2013.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Traffic Collision – Vehicle vs. Bicyclist
DATE/TIME:	August 15, 2013 / 0900 hours
LOCATION:	Fifth Street east of Patterson Road
PARTY 1:	White Male, 68 years, Oxnard Resident (name withheld pending notification of next of kin)
PARTY 2:	Catherine Grace Schambra, 53 years, Port Hueneme Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Blue Raleigh Mountain bike
VEHICLE 2:	White 2006 Toyota Camry
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 Maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On August 15, 2013, at about 9:00 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist. Upon arrival, officers found that a white Toyota Camry had struck a bicyclist on Fifth Street just east of Patterson Road.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Toyota, driven by Catherine Grace Schambra, was traveling westbound in the number one lane of Fifth Street towards Patterson Road. The bicyclist was traveling westbound on Fifth Street in the bicycle lane. The bicyclist began changing lanes to get into the left turn lane to go southbound on Patterson directly in front of the Toyota. Unable to avoid a collision, the Toyota broadsided the bicyclist.

The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in critical but stable condition. Driver Schambra was not injured as a result of the collision.

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at 805-385-7750. The investigation is ongoing.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 15, 2013, 1:30 p.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	SUMMER/LABOR DAY AVOID DUI CAMPAIGN – SATURDAY UPDATE 11
DATE:	8/31/13
LOCATION:	Ventura County
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI update of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County are updated.

From 12:01 AM Friday August 16, 2013 through Midnight Friday August 30, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 180 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Last year there were no DUI deaths reported.
(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

For the final three nights of the Labor Day Holiday weekend extra DUI Saturation Patrols will be deployed in the cities of Port Hueneme, Moorpark, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Simi Valley, Cal. State University of Channel Islands, and Oxnard. The California Highway Patrol will also deploy extra DUI Saturation Patrols throughout Ventura County.

All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts. The CHP is deploying all available officers onto freeways and county roads during their Maximum Enforcement Period this weekend. Multiple/DUI Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are set region wide during 18 day Summer/Labor Day Campaign.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DUI arrest data collection will continue through Labor Day midnight Monday, September 2, 2013.

MEDIA NOTE: The checkpoint locations and saturation patrols will be made available for media opportunities or ride-a-longs each night.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Operation Safer and Stronger: Targeted Vehicle Thefts
DATE/TIME:	Year to Date
LOCATION:	Citywide
PREPARED BY:	Detective Crystal Walker
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Crystal Walker (805) 385-7668 or crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: In keeping with the Chief of Police’s message to the community, “Working toward a Safer, Stronger Community,” the Oxnard Police Department has put together tips to assist residents and help improve public safety throughout the City of Oxnard.

“There are small steps that we can all take to avoid becoming victims of crime and improve public safety. These tips will be released on a monthly basis, as we launch our ‘Operation Safer and Stronger’ series that will address current trends occurring citywide,” said Jeri Williams, chief of police.

The Oxnard Police Department is introducing a new Public Awareness and Crime Prevention Series to create a better community for all of us. These monthly crime prevention public service announcements are meant to increase awareness in Oxnard and to inform and empower our community members to minimize the likelihood of them becoming victims of a crime.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to ask the public to remember that crime prevention begins at home and with each individual person in our community. This embraces the idea of empowering our community members and does not solely depend on police for crime prevention. In most cases, people only call the police after an incident has occurred. Community members should not shy away from calling prior to an incident to ask about crime prevention tips or to report any and all suspicious activity. For more information, contact Crime Prevention Detective Crystal Walker at the Oxnard Police Department (805)385-7668 or crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org

In January, we are focusing on preventing stolen vehicles and what to do in the event your vehicle is taken.

In the first two weeks of 2014 (compared to 2013) we have seen an increase in stolen vehicles throughout the City. The vehicles being targeted are ’90 – ‘97 Honda and Toyota sedans. Although this increase may appear alarming, in comparison to cities of comparable size, in California, Oxnard has a lower than average auto theft rate (Federal Bureau of Investigation UCR, 2012.)

Below are tips to assist with preventing vehicle thefts.

DO NOT leave your keys in your car, on or off. If your car is left on to warm up, stay with your car. Your car can easily be taken if you are not there to watch it.
DO NOT leave any valuable items in your car. These items are a temptation for someone to break your window and steal your property.
DO NOT enter if you find your vehicle broken into. Call 911 and wait elsewhere for police arrival. Try not to touch anything as officers can possibly obtain fingerprints or other evidence.
Make note of suspicious persons and vehicles (including license plates). Dispatchers will ask for this critical information to better assist responding officers.
Do not park in dark alleys or areas with low-light. Park in well-lit areas – in a garage, if possible.
Immediately report any suspicious activity! Call our non-emergency line (805) 385-7740 from any phone, of course, in an emergency always dial 9-1-1. Spanish translators are available for Spanish speaking individuals who call to report a crime.

In addition to the no cost tips above, there are additional steps that can be done, to deter vehicle theft. Community members can also install a vehicle tracking and location system that can be activated after the vehicle is reported stolen, and is a valuable tool in locating a stolen vehicle. Some systems have a GPS that can pinpoint near exact location while others identify an area.

Community members can also install anti-theft devices that can be attached to the steering wheel/column or brake pedal and make it difficult to drive away (Oxnard Police Department has a limited number of steering wheel locks available, free of charge, to owners of the above mentioned vehicles. (To obtain a steer wheel lock, contact Detective Crystal Walker). Also found useful, owners can install power cut-off switches that disconnect the battery and provide a major hurdle for car thieves. Two other options that directly relate to recovery are contacting a company that will etch your VIN on your windows in case of theft or spraying microdots carrying the VIN all over the vehicle. These “dots” (also known as microdots) can be etched with your VIN number and can be useful should your VIN plates be removed.

The police department encourages anyone with information about any criminal incident to call 911 or (805) 385-7740 from any phone. Spanish translators are available for Spanish speaking persons who call to report a crime. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email. In the event that you do return and find your vehicle broken into, call 911 and wait for police arrival. Try not to touch anything as officers can possibly obtain fingerprints or other evidence.

“We have had tremendous success with the heightened public awareness and report of suspicious activity, and this is helping us prevent crime. This month, calls from neighbors and community members have helped our officers make significant arrest of individuals responsible for home burglaries as well as others for illegal activity in our community. Together, let’s continue to build on our efforts to create a Safer and Stronger Community,” said Williams.

The Oxnard Police Department hopes that the heightened awareness brought about by this series provides a measure of ease to the community.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 01-29-14

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide (Update)
DATE/TIME:	March 19, 2014, 1000 hours
LOCATION:	100 block of South C Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Alexander Ysidro Flores Ramirez, 66 years old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Christopher Williams (805) 385-7763 Christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Currie (805) 200-5682 gordon.currie@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On January 26, 2014 at approximately 5:31PM, the Oxnard Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center received a call of a fight in the 100 block of South C Street, Oxnard. Oxnard Police Officers and emergency medical personnel were dispatched. When officers arrived, they located the unconscious victim, identified as Alexander Ysidro Flores Ramirez. Ramirez was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment.

Ramirez had been hospitalized since the fight. On March 5, 2014 Ramirez’s condition deteriorated and he passed away. Investigators have been following up on several leads and are still attempting to determine the true sequence of events that occurred on January 26, 2014. Detectives are currently seeking the public’s help in locating 26 year old Danielle Everett and 42 year old Forrest Hollins for questioning in this case.

If anyone sees either of these two subjects, or has any information about this case please contact Detective Currie at (805) 200-5682. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspxto submit a tip via text or email.

EVERETT HOLLINS
Danielle Everett Forrest Hollins

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, this Friday
DATE/TIME:	April 11, 2014 / 7:00 p.m.to 2:00 a.m.
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, April 11, 2014 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 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. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

Drivers who are under 21 years of age are reminded that even a minimal amount of alcohol in their system is illegal. A driver under 21 years of age, with a blood alcohol level of 0.01% or more, is considered under the influence and is subject to arrest, fines and loss of their driving privileges for one year or longer.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind all drivers to plan ahead and if they plan on drinking, designate a sober driver. This simple plan could save a life.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

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: April 9, 2014 / 0730 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide (twelve years ago)
DATE/TIME:	October 10, 2002 11:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	1900 block North “H” Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Steven Anthony Lemos, Sr., 24 years, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Black male, twenties, between 5’6” and 5’8” tall and about 190 lbs. He was wearing a black baseball cap, a black fitted sweater and black jeans
PREPARED BY:	Detective Robert Eckman, Major Crimes, (805) 385-7760, bob.eckman@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Robert Eckman, Major Crimes, (805) 385-7760, bob.eckman@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department is looking for the public’s help in solving this crime. Victim families learn to live on after a loss but their grief never goes away. Loved ones left behind look desperately for the answer of “why” with a hope of at least some closure.

October 10, 2014 will mark the twelfth anniversary of the unsolved murder of Steven Anthony Lemos, Sr. The shooting happened on October 10, 2002 at about 11 p.m. in the 1900 block of North “H” Street in Oxnard. Lemos was shot several times inside his residence and died later during surgery. Lemos’ wife and their one year old son were with him when he was shot but were not hurt during the incident. Lemos died just two days before his 25^th birthday.

The only information available about the suspect at that time was as follows: Black male, approximate age in his twenties, between 5’6” and 5’8” tall and about 190 lbs. He was wearing a black baseball cap, a black fitted sweater and black jeans and that he may have been in the company of a female at the time of the murder.

Anonymous tips and messages have been received that lead police to believe that the suspect is known and that suspect’s friend/s or family member/s may also know the circumstances behind this homicide.

The city of Oxnard offers a $10,000 Reward for information pertaining to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this homicide. In addition, Former Governor Davis had authorized an additional $50,000 reward, and this award is still available under Governor Jerry Brown.

Anyone with information about this unsolved murder is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Robert Eckman at (805) 385-7760. 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: 10/08/14 / 0800