News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 23rd, 2024 (7:18 p.m.)

SUBJECT: P80 Handgun Recovered from POST Release Offender

SUSPECTS: David Meza, 24-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 200 blk. Cooper Rd., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

On May 23rd, at approximately 7:18 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) contacted David Meza in the 200 blk. of Cooper Rd. Officers had prior knowledge that Meza is on Post Release Offender Supervision, (PROS), for firearm violations, and is a documented Watts criminal street gang member. The Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious (irrespective of priors) or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent committing offense. Prior convictions are not considered.

Officers conducted a search in Meza’s room and located a 9-millimeter, Glock-style, Polymer 80, un-serialized, semi-automatic handgun. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. Meza was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Meza was subsequently charged with firearm and narcotics violations.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit and Violent Crimes Unit are committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 22, 2024

SUBJECT: Oxnard Police & Fire Seize 1,497 Pounds of Fireworks

CONTACT: Jose Silva, Sergeant

(805) 385-7778 | [email protected]

On May 22, 2024, the Oxnard Fire Department received a call from a local shipping/receiving business regarding a large shipment of fireworks that had just been received from an out-of-state facility. The Oxnard Fire Department contacted the Oxnard Police Department to assist in the investigation. Investigators and members of the Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT) responded and discovered that the shipment contained 1,497 pounds of fireworks.

The intended recipient, a 47-year-old male Oxnard resident, was arrested and booked at the Oxnard Police Department Jail.

The Ventura County Bomb Squad assisted Oxnard Fire with transportation and storage of the seized fireworks.

Please remember that ALL fireworks (even those classified as "safe and sane") are illegal in Oxnard, and citations carry a fine up to $1,000. This seizure and arrest were a result of assistance from our community. If you know the location of where fireworks are occurring, please report fireworks activity to our dedicated fireworks hotline, email, or call the Oxnard Police Department’s non-emergency phone number. Please do not dial 911 to report fireworks.

The City of Oxnard respectfully asks all of our residents to celebrate Independence Day safely, and respect the peace and well-being of their neighbors and their pets by refraining from using fireworks.

Fireworks Cell Phone Line: (805) 307-6308

Fireworks Tips Via E-mail: [email protected]

Fireworks Hotline: (805) 394-5884

Oxnard Police Non-Emergency: (805) 385-7740

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NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 18, 2024

SUBJECT: DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Saturation Results

CONTACT: Michael Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Four impaired drivers arrested during DUI checkpoint and saturation.

On May 17, 2024, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department held a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint at Ventura Road and Devonshire Drive, as well as a simultaneous city-wide DUI saturation. The operation resulted in four arrests for impaired driving, and sixteen citations for various traffic violations, including unlicensed driver.

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

Funding for this checkpoint and DUI enforcement patrols was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 22nd, 2024 (7:21 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Three Handguns Recovered During Traffic Stop

SUSPECTS: Albert Patton, 18-year-old Ventura resident

Jason Henderson, 21-year-old Ventura resident

Antoine Henderson, 18-year-old Ventura resident

Treveon Brunson, 23-year-old Ventura resident

LOCATION: Hill St. at G St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On May 22^nd, 2024, at approximately 7:21 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Hill St. and G St. for suspected traffic infractions. Officers made contact with five occupants in the vehicle and immediately smelled a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Officers conducted records checks and learned that one of the occupants, later identified as Jason Henderson, was on probation for firearms violations and for felony assault likely to produce great bodily injury. Officers removed the occupants from the vehicle and conducted a search of the vehicle based on Henderson’s probation terms. Officers located two semi-automatic handguns and one revolver in the vehicle. All of the handguns were unregistered.

Passenger Jason Henderson was arrested for firearms violations. Henderson is a documented criminal street gang member and prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.

Passenger Antoine Henderson was arrested for firearms violations.

Passenger Treveon Brunson was arrested for firearms violations.

The driver, Albert Patton, was arrested for allowing the firearms in the vehicle.

A 15-year-old juvenile passenger was transported to the Oxnard Police Department and released to a guardian.

Please see the updated press releases for the fatal collision at the Cooper Road and Grant Avenue intersection on May 13, 2024. Both the original and updated press releases have been translated into Spanish.

NEWS RELEASE UPDATE

DATE: May 16, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal Hit and Run Collision Involving a Pedestrian

LOCATION: Cooper Road and Grant Avenue

PEDESTRIAN: Ponciano Abarca-Garcia, 40-year-old, resident of Oxnard

VEHICLE: Dark blue, 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra

CONTACT: Oscar Toraya, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the pedestrian as Ponciano Abarca-Garcia, a 40-year-old resident of Oxnard.

The suspect vehicle has been identified as a dark-colored 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra. Investigators believe the vehicle to have moderate damage on the left side of the license plate, above the rear bumper.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Oscar Toraya at (805) 200-5668 or via email at [email protected]. Also, anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600.

If the inquiry is outside the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage using the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more effective way to reach the Investigator. Our watch commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and still can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 16, 2024

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrols

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 | [email protected]

Oxnard Police Department to hold DUI Checkpoint and use extra officers to patrol for suspected impaired drivers

The Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers working patrol on Friday, May 17, 2024, specifically looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In addition, the Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city. The DUI Checkpoint and DUI patrols will be from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

DUI checkpoints and patrols are done in locations with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

In 2021, 1,370 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above). The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take these precautions to avoid a DUI:

● Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation – to get home.

● Walking while impaired is also dangerous. Have someone sober walk you home or stay with you until a sober driver is available to pick you up.

● Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

● Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

A DUI arrest is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 13, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal Hit and Run Collision Involving Pedestrian

LOCATION: Cooper Road and Grant Avenue

PEDESTRIAN: Approximately 35 years old, name withheld pending next of kin notification

VEHICLE: Dark blue, 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra

CONTACT: Oscar Toraya, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

On May 13, 2024, at approximately 5:31 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a pedestrian in the area of Cooper Road and Grant Avenue. Officers located a male unresponsive in the roadway with injuries consistent with being involved in a traffic collision. Emergency Medical Services quickly arrived, however, pronounced the male deceased at the scene. Investigators believe the pedestrian fell while walking in the crosswalk and was hit by an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene after the collision.

The suspect vehicle is a dark-colored 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra. Investigators believe it has moderate damage on the left side of the license plate, above the rear bumper.

Police are currently on scene investigating a collision at Oxnard Boulevard and Rose Avenue. All southbound traffic is blocked on Rose Avenue at Oxnard Boulevard. Southbound traffic on Oxnard Boulevard at Statham is also blocked. Commuters wishing to enter the Pacific Coast Highway or the area should seek an alternate route. Information will be updated when available.

All traffic lanes are now open.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 10, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian

LOCATION: Rose Avenue at Oxnard Boulevard

DRIVER: Jose Garibay, Oxnard Resident

VEHICLE: 2002 Ford F-150

PEDESTRIAN: Josefina Romo, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

On May 10, 2024, at approximately 5:24 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred at the intersection of Rose Avenue and Oxnard Boulevard. The pedestrian, later identified as 67-year-old Oxnard resident Josefina Romo, sustained major injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the vehicle, 58-year-old Oxnard resident Jose Garibay, remained on scene, was uninjured, and cooperated with investigators.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that Jose Garibay was driving southbound Oxnard Boulevard when he struck Josefina Romo, who had been crossing Oxnard Boulevard in the marked crosswalk at Rose Avenue. Investigators did not believe that speed, alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors to the collision. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)200-5668 or via email at [email protected].