John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault With A Deadly Weapon (stabbing)
DATE/TIME:	July 6th, 2010/1115 hours
LOCATION:	Wal-Mart Parking Lot (2001 N. Rose Ave.)
PREPARED BY:	Detective Charles Buttell
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Roger Garcia 805-385-7688 Rogergarcia@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 7-6-10 at approximately 1130 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a fight involving a knife, in the Wal-Mart Parking Lot located at 2001 N. Rose Avenue. The suspect was seen leaving the scene in a white vehicle. Officers located this vehicle in the area. The suspect was contacted and found to have a stab wound to her forearm. The victim was contacted by investigators at St. John’s Hospital and was found to have several stab wounds to her right arm and several other abrasions.

The suspect Annabel Rivas (51 year old Oxnard resident) was identified as the suspect by the victim and witnesses. Rivas was treated for her injuries and arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. Rivas was booked at Ventura County Jail and her bail is set at $20,000.

Anyone who witnessed the assault take place is asked to contact Detective Roger Garcia at 805-385-7688 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).

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:	September 10th, 2010 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, September 10th, 2010, 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.

From the beginning of 2010, the Oxnard Police Department has arrested over 650 drivers for DUI, an average of 81 each month. Last month, several additional officers were deployed to conduct DUI enforcement throughout the city. The enforcement efforts of these officers resulted in 95 DUI arrests, the most in the past 10 months including November of 2009 when 94 arrests were made.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to inform the public of these facts about drunk driving:

The .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) threshold —• All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have established a threshold making it illegal per se to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

Crossing the threshold —• In spite of these laws, nearly 12,000 people nationwide during 2008 were killed in crashes involving drivers or motorcycle riders with BACs of .08 or higher.

Repeat offenders —• A driver involved in a fatal crash who had a BAC of .08 or higher was 8 times more likely to have a prior conviction for driving impaired than a driver involved in fatal crash who had consumed no alcohol.

Impaired drivers and vehicles —• The percentage of drivers with BACs of .08 or higher involved in fatal crashes was highest for motorcycle riders (29%), compared with drivers of light trucks (23%) and passenger cars (23%).

Impaired drivers and age —• The highest percentage of drivers in fatal crashes who had BACs of .08 or higher was for drivers 21 to 24 years old (34%), followed by drivers 25 to 34 (31%) and 35 to 44 (25%).

High-risk periods —• Alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was 4 times higher at night than during the day (36% versus 9%); and 32 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes on weekends were alcohol-impaired, compared to 15 percent during the week.

A serious crime —• Alcohol-impaired (.08 BAC or higher) crash fatalities accounted for 32 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities during 2008 — or an average of one fatality every 45 minutes.

For additional impaired-driving information and resources, visit the High-Visibility Enforcement Campaign Headquarters at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department will continue extra DUI enforcement in September. Our next sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint is scheduled for next Thursday, September 16th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. We remain committed to our no-tolerance approach to DUI drivers and urge the public to drive sober. These DUI operations are part of our 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.

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:	Armed Robbery to a Business with a Handgun
DATE/TIME:	10/26/2010, 1102 hours
LOCATION:	801 Cooper Rd. (Leon’s Pharmacy)
VICTIM(S):	28 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, early 20’s, 5’-5”, 150 lbs. black short hair, Black “Nike” brand jacket, Blue bandana covering face.
PROPERTY:	Unknown amount of U.S. currency and several bottles of prescription pills.
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven F. Funk (805) 385-7796
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Charles Buttell (805) 385-7765 Cell# 805-797-6106 charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 10/26/2010 at approximately 1102 hours officers were dispatched to 801 Cooper Rd. reference an armed robbery to Leon’s Pharmacy. The pharmacy is located across the street from Ramona Elementary School.

The suspect entered the store and told the clerk he wanted the cash from the register and several pharmaceutical drugs. The suspect displayed a handgun at the clerk while making his demands. After obtaining the cash the suspect fled on foot southbound on Bonita Ave. across Cooper Rd. Officers checked the area for the suspect but were unable to locate him.

An investigation is continuing.

Investigators are requesting that anyone with information regarding this case to call Detective Charles Buttell at (805) 385-7765 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 385-8255.

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Officer’s name released in Officer Involved Shooting
DATE/TIME:	12/19/2010 @ 1524 hours – Sunday
LOCATION:	1200 Block Domingo Place, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Officer Dave Lacara
SUSPECT(S):	Bonifasio Victor Tafolla, 7/29/1985, Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Major Crimes Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Sonia Sanchez (385-7663) soniasanchez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Sunday Oxnard Police Officers responded to a call of possible shots fired inside a residence in the 1200 block of Domingo Place, in the Oxnard, which resulted in an officer involved shooting.

During the investigation police learned that the suspect had threatened a relative inside the residence with a weapon prior to officers being called. Once the police arrived at the scene, the suspect leaned out of a second floor window with a gun. The suspect subsequently fired one gunshot and Officer Dave Lacara fired his weapon at the suspect. The suspect sustained a minor injury to his hand either prior to or after the shooting.

The suspect was arrested and is being held at the Ventura County Jail. The officer is currently on administrative leave as it is normal procedure for such incidents. The investigation is continuing.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	245(a)(1) P.C Assault with a deadly weapon (Knife)
DATE/TIME:	05/03/2011, 2006 Hours
LOCATION:	5200 Block of Perkins Road
VICTIM(S):	34 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Suspect #1- Javier Jesus Lopez 31 year old Oxnard resident Suspect #2- Apolinar Lopez 27 year old Ventura resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steve Funk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796 or steven.funk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 05/03/2011 at approximately 2006 hours the victim was in the passenger seat of his vehicle which was parked next to the suspect vehicle. Suspect Apolinar Lopez got into his vehicle and started to argue with the victim. Suspect Apolinar Lopez got out of his vehicle and started to assault the victim. Lopez’s brother identified as Javier Lopez assisted in the assault. During the altercation the victim sustained an approximate two inch stab wound to the right side of his lower stomach.

Suspects Javier Lopez and Apolinar Lopez were arrested at the scene. The victim was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries.

If you have any additional information regarding this incident, 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).

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 Results
DATE/TIME:	September 1, 2011 6:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Officer (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:
In support of the 2010 Summer/Labor Day Holiday DUI Mobilization crackdown on drinking drivers, the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted two simultaneous sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints on Thursday September 1, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M.

The checkpoints were conducted in the southbound lanes of Rose Ave @ Tiesa Drive and in the southbound lanes of Saviers Rd @ Bryce Canyon Ave. At 10:00 P.M., one of the checkpoints was moved to the southbound lanes of Oxnard Blvd @ Citrus Grove Ln.

Officers screened 1,887 motorists who passed through the checkpoints and conducted 2 DUI investigations. There was one DUI arrest made as the driver was found to have alcohol above the legal limit of .08.

Citations were issued to 48 drivers for various drivers’ license violations at the checkpoints. 30 drivers were issued citations for driving without valid driver’s licenses and two drivers were cited for driving with on suspended or revoked driver’s licenses. Ten vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct several more DUI enforcement operations this year. These DUI operations are set up 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. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants 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 Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at Jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 2, 2011 / 0030 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department’s response to recent violence
DATE/TIME:	February 25, 2014
LOCATION:	Citywide
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Oxnard Police Community Affairs Manager, miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Miguel Lopez, Oxnard Police Community Affairs Manager, miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org(805) 385-7631

DETAILS: In response to several recent violent crimes over the past week, the Oxnard Police Department is responding with a multi-faceted operational and community strategy to assist with the on-going investigations and to strengthen our community partnerships.

Effective immediately, we will have additional officers dedicated to community patrol across the city and will be deploying the Mobile Command Post to continue community outreach in the neighborhoods affected by the recent violence. The Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) will be providing enhanced uniformed gang enforcement and the Traffic Unit will be supporting regular patrol efforts.

In the past few days, investigators have served search warrants and will continue to canvass the affected neighborhoods in an attempt to gather information to help determine motive and suspects in the latest incidents. As always, support from the community will be critical. The Oxnard Police Department needs the community to continue to assist by reporting any and all suspicious activities – if anything does not sound, look, or feel right, please call the non-emergency number at (805) 385-7740 or 9-1-1. Translators are available.

The Oxnard Police Department encourages community members to consider being responsible partners for public safety, peace, and security. “The Oxnard Police Department has a long history and tradition of community engagement. We recognize and appreciate the importance of enhanced community engagement,” says Jeri Williams, Oxnard Chief of Police.

Investigators encourage anyone who wishes to remain anonymous with any information about recent incidents to call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Community members can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

As a reminder, the City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.

Moreover, Oxnard Police will continue the “Operation Safer and Stronger” initiative, aimed to inform, engage, and empower community members as partners in public safety. Last week, Oxnard Police launched our “Operation Safer and Stronger: Crime Prevention Seminar Series” with a large group of concerned and committed residents. Crime trends and tips under this umbrella initiative will continue to be released monthly in hopes of sharing information that can prove to be invaluable, including this month’s focus on burglary prevention.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Parental Abduction–Public’s Help Wanted
DATE/TIME:	3/21/15 8:30 P.M.
LOCATION:	Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	Tyler Melgoza, 7 years old
SUSPECT(S):	Jessica Melgoza, 35 years old
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Believed to be driving a blue, 1998 Volkswagen Jetta with black doors. The license plates to the vehicle were recently reported stolen which means the vehicle has either false license plates or no plates at all.
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Sharon Giles, Family Protection Unit (805) 385-7620, Sharon.Giles@Oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Dale Mcalpine, Family Protection Unit (805) 385-3921, Dale.McAlpine@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On March 21, 2015 at 8:30 P.M., the father of 7 year old Tyler Melgoza came to the Oxnard police department to report that the child’s mother, Jessica Melgoza, failed to return Tyler after his court ordered overnight visitation. Jessica Melgoza was required to return Tyler to his father at 7:30 P.M. on March 21, 2015.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit along with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Child Abduction and Recovery Unit are currently investigating the whereabouts of Jessica Melgoza and her son Tyler Melgoza. Investigators believe that Jessica Melgoza has fled to Mexico with son Tyler. Jessica is believed to be driving a blue, 1998 Volkswagen Jetta with black doors. The license plates to the vehicle were recently reported stolen which means the vehicle has either false license plates or no plates at all.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jessica and her son Tyler and request that if anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police at (805) 385-3921. 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:3/24/15 9:00 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:	DUI / Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	September 27, 2015 / 1800-0000 Hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On Sunday, September 27, 2015, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will conduct a multiple location DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint at undisclosed locations within the city limits.

During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment and check drivers for proper licensing while delaying motorists only momentarily. Specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

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 Drivers – Call 9-1-1.’

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 26, 2015 / 2355 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Lewd Acts with a Child Under 14 years of Age; Child Annoying
DATE/TIME:	December 14, 2015, 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	Curren Elementary School
VICTIM(S):	13 year old female, Oxnard resident (Victim One) 13 year old female, Oxnard resident (Victim Two)
SUSPECT(S):	William Esau Matau, 23 years old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Sharon Giles, Family Protection Unit Sharon.Giles@Oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7620
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Terry Dobrosky, Family Protection Unit Terry.Dobrosky@Oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7609

DETAILS: (OXNARD, Calif) – On December 14, 2015, Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit initiated an investigation after receiving information that a 13 year old female disclosed that she was inappropriately touched by a subject that coached her volleyball team at Curren Elementary School in Oxnard. The subject was identified as William Esau Matau, 23 years old. William Matau is employed by the City of Oxnard Recreational and Community Services Department as an athletic coach for the afterschool program. The Oxnard Elementary School District contracts with the City of Oxnard to provide afterschool programs at various schools throughout the city. Matau coached 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade females in volleyball, basketball and soccer at Curren Elementary School in Oxnard.

During the investigation, detectives learned of a second 13 year old female victim who was having inappropriate conversations with Matau by text messaging and video messaging. At this point in the investigation, it does not appear that any of these incidents occurred on school property or during the afterschool program.

William Matau was arrested for Penal Code Section 288(a): Lewd Act with a child under the age of 14; and Penal Code 647.6(a): Child Annoying. Matau is currently being held at the Ventura County Main Jail where his bail has been set at 60,000.00.

Detectives are still investigating this case. If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Detective Terry Dobrosky at (805) 385-7609. 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: December 15, 2015 4:00 p.m.