John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Possible hand grenade discovered at Oxnard Costco parking lot
DATE/TIME:	2-17-20, 10:07 AM
LOCATION:	Costco, 2001 E. Ventura Bl., Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	None
SUSPECT(S):	None
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	None
PREPARED BY:	Officer David Landsverk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	David Keith, PIO

DETAILS:

On 2-17-10, at approximately 10:07 AM, the Oxnard Police Department received a 911 call regarding a possible hand grenade that was discovered in the bed of a construction truck at the Oxnard Costco. Oxnard Police and Fire responded to Costco and upon initial examination of the device, determined that the immediate area surrounding Costco was to be evacuated and cordoned off which included the street Paseo Mercado. The Ventura County Sheriff’s bomb squad responded and recovered the device that which appeared to be a hand grenade. The device’s state will be determined by the bomb squad at another location.

The device was discovered at another location within Ventura County and was inadvertently brought to Oxnard. There appears to no nexus between terrorists groups and the device.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	187 pc / Homicide
DATE/TIME:	03-14-2010 / 0115 hours
LOCATION:	100 block S. “K” St
VICTIM(S):	David Cameron Gonzalez, 32 years, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Several Hispanic males, no further
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Mike Young. Mikeyoung@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 

A 32 year old Oxnard resident was killed early Sunday morning after being stabbed by an unknown suspect and two other victims were hospitalized. David Cameron Gonzalez, 32 years and two friends drove to the area of the 100 block of S. “K” St in search of a party that was being held in the area. After they parked their car, the three victims began walking to look for the party, when they were attacked by several possible gang members. Gonzales and the two other victims were stabbed multiple times. Gonzalez died as a result of his injuries prior to being transported to the hospital. The other two victims’ were transported to a local hospital and are listed in serious condition.

It is unclear as to why the victims were attacked. None of the three victims are gang involved. Investigators are asking anyone with information relating to the attack to contact Detective Mike Young at 385-7606 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

INCIDENT:	Child Endangerment Possession of a stolen firearm Possession of a loaded firearm
DATE/TIME:	03/18/10, 0156 Hrs
LOCATION:	5300 Block of South J Street
VICTIM(S):	3-year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Jorge Ortiz, 24-year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective Paul Knapp
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Roger Garcia 805-385-7688

DETAILS: 

On 3/18/2010 at about 0156 hrs, officers responded to a call of a shooting victim at St. John’s Hospital. Jorge Ortiz initially stated that he was shot by an unknown suspect as he was getting into his vehicle in the alley in the 5300 block of South J Street. It became apparent from his gunshot wound to his left leg that the injury was self-inflicted.

Ortiz admitted to officers that he was going to his residence in the 5300 block of South J Street. He was armed with a handgun in his pocket and carrying his 3-year old child. He placed his child into the front seat of his vehicle and as he was sitting down in the vehicle, the gun discharged and the bullet struck Ortiz in the left leg.

Prior to going to the hospital, Ortiz discarded the weapon in a nearby trashcan. The weapon was later recovered by officers and found to have been reported stolen.

Ortiz was treated and released at St. John’s Regional Medical Center and subsequently arrested for 3 felony charges of child endangerment, possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm. He was booked into Ventura County Jail with bail set at $500,000.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Felony Vandalism Arrest
DATE/TIME:	09/23/10 1530 hours
LOCATION:	Camarillo Police Department
VICTIM(S):	City of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Noe Jose Melendez, 19 year old Oxnard Residence
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams (805) 486-6211 or email: christopherwilliams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Dan Whitmer (805) 385-7547

DETAILS:

Graffiti Investigators, from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, conducted a two month investigation regarding an increase in graffiti vandalism by a particular graffiti vandal. During the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as Noe Melendez (6/23/91). On 9/23/10 at approximately 1330 hours, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department contacted our investigators and informed them that they had arrested Melendez for additional graffiti vandalism charges.

Oxnard Police Department Graffiti Investigators responded to the Camarillo Police Department and interviewed Melendez. Based on Melendez’ statements to investigators he was arrested for fifteen counts of felony graffiti vandalism and forty seven counts of misdemeanor graffiti vandalism committed in the City of Oxnard. Melendez was booked into the Ventura County Jail.

The City of Oxnard spends over a million dollars a year to clean up graffiti in the city. We encourage the community to continue to report graffiti vandalism, by calling the police.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	11-28-2010 1544 Hours
LOCATION:	1300 block of Edgewood Way Oxnard Ca.
VICTIM(S):	Henry Garcia, 31 year old Los Angeles resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk 385-7796 stevefunk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 11-28-10, at approximately 1544 hours, Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center in regards to a stabbing victim that had just arrived. The victim, Henry Garcia, was stabbed multiple times to his upper body. Garcia was transported to Ventura County Medical Center, where he is listed in serious but stable condition.

Officers were able to locate the crime scene in the 1300 block of Edgewood Way and contacted several neighbors; however, no one was able to provide any information regarding the motive or a suspect description.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Steve Funk at 385-7796 or email at stevefunk@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:	Reward for information on murder
DATE/TIME:	March 8, 2006 9:00 PM
LOCATION:	3400 Block Jackson Street
VICTIM(S):	Carlos Prado
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):	Unknown
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Major Crimes / Homicide Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Jeff Kay (805) 385-8174 or at JeffKay@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

During the evening hours of March 8th, 2006 Carlos Prado was seen by friends leaving on his bike in the area of Channel Islands and “J” St. Minutes later after some type of confrontation Carlos was chased to the 3400 block of Jackson St. The suspect(s) then shot the victim and fled the area.

We are coming up on the 5 year anniversary for this incident. By all accounts from family members Carlos had no ties to any gangs, he has lived in Oxnard for years. Investigators have no idea what the motive was for this senseless shooting. The city is offering a $10,000.00 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for this act.

Please contact Det. Jeff Kay at (805) 385-8174 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

Reward flyer

Jeri Williams 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:	Saturday, February 26, 2011 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday, February 26nd, 2011, 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.

So far this year, officers have made 130 DUI arrests in the City of Oxnard. In comparison to 2008, the Oxnard Police Department’s continued efforts in DUI enforcement have resulted in a 50% reduction in the number of alcohol related fatal collisions and an 8% reduction in injury collisions involving an impaired driver.

How to Report a Drunk Driver

1. Call 911 and tell them you wish to report a suspected drunk driver. **You do not have to give your name.
2. Give a complete description of the vehicle, such as make, model, color and license plate number.
3. Give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road, cross streets and the direction they’re traveling.
4. Describe the manner in which the vehicle is being driven.
5. Do not try to stop the car or detain the driver. Leave that to a law enforcement officer.

Please buckle up, drive sober, and drive safely in 2011.

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.

 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Bank Robbery (Update)
DATE/TIME:	3-14-11/1310
LOCATION:	1700 E. Gonzales Rd. Oxnard, Ca.
VICTIM(S):	Wells Fargo Bank
SUSPECT(S):	White male, blue “LA” baseball cap, blue or black hooded sweat jacket, blue jeans, mustache and sunglasses approximately 45-50 years of age.
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Charles Buttell (805) 385-7665 or charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steven Funk (805) 385-7796 or steven.funk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 

On 3-12-11 at approximately 10:15 am, officers responded to a bank robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 1700 E. Gonzales Road in Oxnard. Below is a photograph of the suspect. Investigators are seeking the public’s help in identify the suspect. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Steve Funk at (805) 385-7796 or Special Agent Patrick Conley of the FBI at (310) 629-9553. You may also leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI Saturation Patrol and Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	Sunday, March 20, 2011 1400-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator  (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Sunday, March 20, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. 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 addition to the checkpoint, several officers will be conducting a DUI saturation patrol before and during the checkpoint. Checkpoints are just one strategy used by the Oxnard Police Department to promote the public awareness of DUI enforcement and education. Saturation patrols are used as an aggressive approach to locate and arrest impaired drivers.

According to our statistics, there has been an increase in DUI related collisions occurring on Sundays. In 2010, the Oxnard Police Department investigated 56 DUI collisions on Sundays. So far in 2011, there have been 13 DUI related collisions on Sundays in the City of Oxnard. Five of those crashes alone occurred on Super Bowl Sunday. Two additional DUI collisions occurred this past Sunday with one of the impaired drivers colliding into a marked police car.

Oxnard Police Department DUI arrests by day of week, January 2010 to the present:

Sunday – 294
Monday – 98
Tuesday – 62
Wednesday – 74
Thursday – 85
Friday – 204
Saturday – 327

So far this year, Oxnard Police officers have arrested 179 drivers for DUI.

Please buckle up, drive sober, and drive safely in 2011.

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.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	211 P.C – Robbery (Handgun)
DATE/TIME:	06/07/2011, 0330 Hours
LOCATION:	Du-par’s Restaurant, 2420 North Vineyard Ave.
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Suspect- White male , approximately 35 years of age, 5’-7” 140 lbs. Blue eyes, Gray and black hooded sweatshirt with green shirt underneath, blue jeans and dirty white shoes, carrying a black colored handgun.
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None.
LOSS:	Undetermined amount of cash.
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796 or steven.funk@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796 or steven.funk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
 
On 06/07/2011 at approximately 0330 hours a white male subject entered the Du-par’s Restaurant and pointed a black handgun at the female employee who was standing next to the cash register. The subject demanded cash and the then fled the restaurant on foot in an unknown direction with the currency. There were no injuries during this incident and no witnesses have been identified. The Oxnard Police department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying this suspect as this Du-par’s restaurant was also robbed approximately 10 days earlier by a similar subject.

There have been a total of five robberies that have occurred to north end area Oxnard restaurants in the last three months. There were no injuries in any of the robberies to date.

We are asking patrons of restaurants in the north end of Oxnard to call the police immediately if they see suspicious subjects or vehicles loitering at restaurants especially in the areas of Vineyard Avenue and Esplanade Drive.

If you have any additional information regarding this incident or any other robberies in the north end of Oxnard, please contact Detective Steven Funk or you may also leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).