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News release – 6/18/2013

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Shooting Update
DATE/TIME: 6-16-13, 1158 hours
LOCATION: 4500 Block of Syracuse Drive
VICTIM(S): Name Withheld, 39 years old, out of county resident
SUSPECT(S): Eduardo Zarate Farias, 40 year old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):  
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):  
LOSS:  
PREPARED BY: Sergeant Christopher Williams, Major Crimes
805-385-7763, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Detective Ken Tougas, Major Crimes
805-200-5669 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 6/16/13, at 1158 hours, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 4500 Block of Syracuse Drive re: shots fired. Officers arrived and found a male shooting victim. That victim had been shot numerous times and was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. He is listed in stable condition and is expected to survive. Another male was found deceased inside a motorhome, next to the residence.
 
UPDATE:
During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that both subjects were cousins and for unknown reasons, Eduardo Farias shot his cousin multiple times as they were inside a friend’s motorhome. After shooting his cousin, Farias shot and killed himself. Investigators are still attempting to establish a motive. The firearm used in this incident has been recovered.
 
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  6/18/13 / 1500 hours


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 – SUNDAY UPDATE 2
LOCATION: Ventura County
PREPARED BY: Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, [email protected]
Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]
 

DETAILS: 
For Immediate Release                                                                                   August 18, 2013
 
Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, [email protected]
Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]
  
SUMMER/LABOR DAY AVOID DUI CAMPAIGN – SUNDAY UPDATE 2

DUI Arrests are unknown if they are Up or Down & DUI Fatalities Remain the same – No Fatalities

The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments overnight in Ventura County.
 
From 12:01 AM Friday August 16, 2013 through Midnight Saturday August 18, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 24 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  In 2012 it is unknown how many DUI arrests occurred during the same 48 hour time period, the data will be provided on a future press release.  
 
Last year there were no DUI deaths reported.
            (**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)
 
On August 17th, 2013, between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M., Avoid the 14 conducted a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Simi Valley. The checkpoint was conducted in the 2700 block of Tapo Canyon Road. Officers from Simi Valley PD, Moorpark PD, Port Hueneme PD, Ventura PD, Cal. State University of Channel Islands, and Oxnard PD screened 420 motorists who passed through the checkpoint. NO DUI investigations were conducted on any of the driver. Citations were issued to 9 drivers for various Vehicle Code violations. Five drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license, no drivers was cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license, two juveniles were issued citations for having an open (alcoholic) containers in a vehicle, and no vehicles were towed from the checkpoint. 
 
For Sunday night, August18th there are no special operations planned.  All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts. 
 
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.  Avoid programs, named for the number of police agencies in each county, 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.
 
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: AVOID THE 14 WINTER HOLIDAY DUI CAMPAIGN – SUNDAY UPDATE 6
DATE/TIME: 12/22/2013
LOCATION: Ventura County
PREPARED BY: Senior Officer Maria Pena, Oxnard Police
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]

DETAILS:
Winter Holiday AVOID DUI campaign – SUNDAY update 6
DUI Arrests Up & No DUI Fatalities
The Winter Holiday Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments overnight in Ventura County.
 
From 12:01 AM Friday December 13, 2013 through Midnight Saturday December 21, 2013 officers representing Ventura county law enforcement agencies have arrested 108 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  In 2012, 80 DUI arrests occurred during the same nine (9) day time period.
 
Last year and this year there are no DUI deaths reported. 
            (**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)
 
On Saturday night, December 21st 2013, between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M., Avoid the 14 conducted a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Ventura. The checkpoint was conducted in the eastbound lanes of Thompson Boulevard at California Street. Officers from Ventura PD, Moorpark PD, Thousand Oaks PD, Oxnard PD and Camarillo, Port Hueneme, and Ojai PD screened 328 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. 14 DUI investigations were conducted and five (5) of those drivers were arrested for driving while under the influence. Citations were issued to 37 drivers for various Vehicle Code violations. Six (6) drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license, three (3) were issued for driving with a suspended driver’s license, and six (6) vehicles were towed from the checkpoint. 

Also on Saturday night, December 21st 2013, between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M., Avoid the 14 conducted a Multi-Agency DUI Task Force in the City of Thousand Oaks. Officers from Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley PD, Moorpark PD, Camarillo PD, Oxnard PD and Port Hueneme conducted 103 traffic stops. Eight (8) DUI investigations were conducted and seven (7) of those drivers was arrested for driving while under the influence. Citations were issued to 41 drivers for various Vehicle Code violations. Ten (10) drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license, one (1) was issued for driving with a suspended driver’s license, and nine (9) vehicles were towed from the checkpoint. During the Trask Force operation, there were three DUI traffic collisions. No persons were injured at the DUI collisions.

There are no special operations planned until next weekend, all regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts. 
 
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 20 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, 2014.
 


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 Launch New Crime Prevention Seminar Series, Part of Operation Safer and Stronger 
DATE/TIME: February 20, 2014 6:00-7:30pm
LOCATION: City of Oxnard, Activity Room, 300 W. Third Street, Oxnard
PREPARED BY: Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Detective Crystal Walker (805) 385-7668 or [email protected]

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department is proud to announce it is hosting a series of Crime Prevention Seminars available to the public.  This effort is part of our on-going “Operation Safer and Stronger” initiative launched by the Chief at the start of the year, aimed to further engage and inform our larger community on trends and crime prevention efforts citywide.

 
Every other month, a new seminar will be presented on a variety of topics. “This is another great opportunity for our community to get involved and informed on challenges we may be experiencing as a city. I encourage the public to make time to meet neighbors and new friends, and help build a safer and stronger community,” said Jeri Williams, Oxnard Chief of Police.
 
The topics being covered will include:  “What is Suspicious?” Reporting Crimes in our city, Identity theft, child safety, burglary prevention, cyber safety (including bullying), robbery, self-defense (our Oxnard Police RADD program), as well as scams and other crimes targeting the elderly, graffiti/gangs, and others. We are sure that people – young and old – will find information and details helpful and invaluable. “In fact, we encourage parents to bring their age-appropriate children to also get involved and learn from the information being presented,” said Williams.
 
“Too often, residents witness a crime or suspicious activity in the days or moments leading up to a crime – something does not look, sound, or feel right – and never contact us.  For some, they may be a victim of a crime, maybe a robbery, and do not report it.  We need our community to be informed and engaged to help prevent crime,” said Miguel Lopez, Oxnard Police Community Affairs Manager.
 
This new series of seminars is keeping with the Chief of Police’s New Year’s communication, “Working Toward a Safer, Stronger Community.”  Along with the seminars, the Oxnard Police Department has put together some tips to assist everyone who lives, visits, and works in Oxnard to help prevent crime.  These tips will be released on a monthly basis and will address current trends occurring citywide.  The last such public safety announcement was distributed to our press and media contacts on January 29, 2014.
 
Who: Open to the public
What: Operation Safer and Stronger: Crime Prevention Seminar
Where: City of Oxnard, Activity Room, 300 W. Third Street (Convenient parking at the Downtown Parking structure across the street from this meeting room.)
Time: 6:00-7:30pm
Topics: “What is Suspicious?” (Reporting Crime), Auto theft prevention and Scams.
Why: To further engage and inform our larger community on trends and crime prevention efforts, and help build a safer and stronger Oxnard.
 
The next two seminars are also scheduled:
April 17, 2014, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

  • Location TBA – Topic:  TBA

June 19, 2014, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

  • Location TBA – Topic:  TBA

 
“We have had tremendous success from residents who have called to report suspicious activity thus far this new year, and hope to engage and empower more members of our community to do the same,” says Lopez.
 
Thus far this year, calls from neighbors and residents about suspicious activity have helped to arrest ten persons who were located in a residence along with narcotics, narcotics paraphernalia, stolen property, and a loaded short barrel shotgun; the apprehension and later a separate arrest of another suspect of burglaries of garages; and, calls of reported street racing which resulted in a driver that was driving on the wrong side of SR-1 (Oxnard Blvd) and was arrested for DUI.
 
“Folks cannot sit back and just watch as things like this happen – the public needs to understand that crime and crime prevention does not start and end with just your Oxnard Police Department, it is a responsibility we all share. If you are a victim of a crime, report it. If you see a suspicious person or any suspicious activity, call us. Our non-emergency line is 385-7740, and translators are available,” Lopez added.
 
We are in the process of spreading these seminars to different areas around the city, in hopes of building community amongst and across neighborhoods in our city. These locations will be announced for the April and June seminars.
 
Space is limited!  To make a reservation, contact Detective Crystal Walker at (805)385-7668 or [email protected]. Please leave your name, best contact, and she will return your messages to confirm Tuesday, February 18.
 
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  02-12-14/1130 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 Investigation – Guns Located in Vehicle
DATE/TIME: 11-8-14 / 0104 hours
LOCATION: 1400 Block of South Oxnard Boulevard
SUSPECT(S): Luis Ochoa, 26 years, Oxnard resident
Melissa Estrella, 30 years, Oxnard resident 
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S): 2002 Pontiac Grand Am
PREPARED BY: Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078
[email protected]

DETAILS:
On 11-8-14, at 0104 hours, officers stopped a vehicle driving erratically. While conducting a DUI investigation officers saw a handgun and shotgun in the vehicle. The driver, Luis Ochoa, was arrested for DUI. One of the vehicle’s passengers, Melissa Estrella,was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm.
 
Increases in firearms-related crimes prompted the Oxnard Police Department to launch the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crime Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons within the city. The objective of this initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.
 
Persons with additional information may call the Oxnard Police Department, (805) 385-7740, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Persons can also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  11-8-14 / 0500 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 Results
DATE/TIME: Friday, March 27, 2015  8:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
LOCATION: City of Oxnard    
PREPARED BY: Thomas Martin, Traffic Unit, (805) 385-7748
[email protected]
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749
[email protected]

DETAILS:On Friday, March 27, 2015, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 1:30 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 Saviers Road south of Bryce Canyon and the second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard south of Wagon Wheel. These locations were chosen to provide increased DUI deterrence and in response to recent alcohol related arrests and/or DUI collisions. 

 
The checkpoints resulted in the following:
 
·         620 vehicles through
·         456 drivers screened
·         Three DUI investigations
·         Two DUI alcohol arrests
·         One criminal arrest (an individual arrested for an outstanding warrant)
·         13 citations issued to unlicensed drivers
·         One citations issued to a driver with a suspended/revoked license
·         20 total citations issued
·         6 vehicles towed
Two of the three DUI investigations occurred at the checkpoint on Saviers Road.  One subject was found to be under the influence of alcohol while the second was not arrested.  The one other DUI arrest took place at the checkpoint on Oxnard Boulevard.   
 
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 [email protected].  
 
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  03/28/15, 0235 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 Results
DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 13, 2015  8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
LOCATION: City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY: Jamie Brown, Traffic Unit, (805) 385-7749
[email protected]
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749
[email protected]

DETAILS:
On Saturday, June 13, 2015, 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 south of Gonzales Road and the second checkpoint was conducted in the westbound lanes of Wooley Road west of ‘A’ Street.  These locations were chosen to provide increased DUI deterrence and in response to recent alcohol related arrests and/or DUI collisions. 
 
The checkpoints resulted in the following:
 
·         845 vehicles through
·         706 drivers screened
·         Eight DUI investigations
·         Five DUI alcohol arrests
·         11 citations issued to unlicensed drivers
·         Two citations issued to drivers with a suspended/revoked license
·         25 total citations issued
·         Seven vehicles towed
All five of the DUI arrests were made at or near the checkpoint held on Wooley Road.  One of the drivers arrested was found to have a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit.  Two other drivers had been driving with a blood alcohol level of three times the legal limit of .08. 
 
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 to call 911 if they see an impaired driver.  These DUI enforcement operations are funded by a grant 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 [email protected].  
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  06/14/15, 1700 hours


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Eric Sonstegard
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Request for Public’s Help in the Sarles Homicide
DATE/TIME: July 15, 2015 9:46 p.m.
LOCATION: Lemonwood Park
2000 block of San Mateo Place
VICTIM(S): Robert Paul Sarles, 19-year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S): Unknown
PREPARED BY: Christopher Williams, Sergeant Major Crimes
(805) 385-7763, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Detective Robert Eckman, Investigative Services Bureau
(805) 385-7760, [email protected]

DETAILS:(OXNARD, Calif) – As we pass the one month anniversary of Robert Paul Sarles’ murder, investigators with the Oxnard Police Department are again asking for the public’s help in providing any information related to the senseless murder of 19-year old Oxnard resident, Robert “Bobby” Sarles. On the evening of July 15, 2015, Sarles was walking through Lemonwood Park on his way home when he was shot repeatedly. Investigators have yet to determine a motive for the senseless attack.

 Investigators believe that there are people in the community that have information that can assist investigators in identifying the suspect(s) in this case. Any information you provide may be confidential.  If you wish not to provide details of the murder, providing the suspect’s name(s) only can be extremely helpful.
 
The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect(s) in homicide cases. There are numerous ways to provide information to the Oxnard Police Department:
  

 
 DATE / TIME PREPARED:  August 18, 2015 5:00 p.m.
 
 

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Shooting)
DATE/TIME: January 25, 2009 at 8:40 p.m.
LOCATION: Ventura Road in the area of Date Street
VICTIM/S: 25 year-old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT/S: 2 Hispanic males wearing dark polo shirts
SUSPECT VEHICLE: None seen
PREPARED BY: Sergeant Terry Burr

DETAILS: 

On January 25, 2009 at 8:40 p.m. officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a shooting victim in the area of Hemlock Street and Ventura Road. Upon officers’ arrival they contacted the victim on the frontage road of Ventura Road at Date Street. The victim was suffering from at least gunshot wound. The victim was transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center where he was rushed into surgery in serious condition.

During the investigation officers learned that the victim was walking home from the area of Channel Islands Blvd. and Ventura Road. He was confronted by two suspects. Both suspects remove handguns and discharged several rounds towards the victim. Investigators do not know the motive for the shooting.

Anyone with information about this shooting are asked to call Detective Jeff Long at (805) 486-6506 or the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.

An investigation is continuing.

# # #

DATE: 1-25-2009

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Shooting Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME: 12-22-09 / 9:15 PM
LOCATION: 3300-block Merced Place, Oxnard, CA
VICTIM/S: 20 Year-old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT/S: Ignacio Ixta Jr. 12-20-88
WITNESS/ES: n/a
SUSPECT VEHICLE: n/a
LOSS: n/a
PREPARED BY: Det. Baldwin

DETAILS:

On 12-3-09, at approximately 8:14 PM, officers responded to a call in the 3300-block of Merced Place regarding a shooting victim. During the investigation Ignacio Ixta Jr (DOB 12-20-88) was identified as a person of interest in the shooting. On 12-22-09 Officer from the Oxnard Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and members of the Violent Crimes Unit served a Search Warrant at Ixta’s residence. Numerous items of evidentiary value were located.

At approximately 9:00 PM Ignacio Ixta Jr. came to the Oxnard Police station to speak with investigators. Ixta Jr. was arrested for the shooting. Ixta is currently being held in the Ventura County Jail with a $1,000,000 Bail. Investigators can not release the motive for the shooting at this time.