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) [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected].

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, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Miguel Lopez, Oxnard Police Community Affairs Manager, [email protected](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, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Dale Mcalpine, Family Protection Unit (805) 385-3921, [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected] (805) 385-7620
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Terry Dobrosky, Family Protection Unit [email protected] (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.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle
DATE/TIME:	12/17/09 at approximately 0015 hours
LOCATION:	Ninth Street and “E” Street
SUSPECT/S:	Hispanic male, late teens to early 20’s, 5’7 to 5’10, average build
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams

DETAILS:

On 12/17/09 at approximately 0015 hours an Oxnard Police Officer observed a vehicle fail to stop for the stop sign at the intersection of Ninth Street and “E” Street. When the officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. The officer pursued the vehicle and during the pursuit it was determined that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Oxnard earlier in the week. The pursuit lasted approximately five minutes and ended when the vehicle collided with another motorist in the area of Devonshire and “C” Street.

The suspect exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The vehicle continued to roll forward and collided with a vehicle that was parked in the driveway in the 1000 block of North “C” Street.

Several officers, with the assistance of the Port Hueneme K-9 Unit, searched for the suspect but were unsuccessful in locating him. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Patrick Dolan at (805) 385-7755.

An investigation is continuing.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Burglary
DATE/TIME:	01/25/2010 11:00 am
LOCATION:	1200 Block of Martin Luther King Dr, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Name With-held
SUSPECT(S):	31 year old Asian Male, Resident of Los Angeles County
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Jim Seitz, Major Crimes Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:

DETAILS:

On 1/25/2010, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of possible prowlers at a residence in the 1200 block of Martin Luther King Dr. Upon the officer’s arrival, they located a subject lying on the side of the residence suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. It was later determined that this subject along with a second unidentified male were attempting to break into the residence when he was shot by the resident.

Investigators were told that the resident was inside of his house when the doorbell rang. The resident did not answer the door. A short time later, the resident heard noises on the side of his house. Upon looking out the window, he noticed two subjects who had entered his rear yard somehow, bypassing a locked gate. The resident immediately called 911 as he did not know the subjects. The resident armed himself with a handgun and waited for the police to arrive.

A few seconds later, the resident heard a side garage door being forced open. As the door opened, a residential alarm was set off and the resident thought the alarm would scare the subjects away. As the resident was waiting in the living room, a second locked door leading from the garage to the interior of the house was forced open and the subjects began to charge at the resident. The resident fired his gun at the subjects who in turn ran from the house. On suspect collapsed at the scene and was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery. He is listed in stable condition. The second subject was last seen running from the area. That subject is described as an Asian male, 20s, 5”8”, 120 lbs.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Traffic Alert – ADDENDUM
DATE/TIME:
LOCATION:
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:

DETAILS:

Members of the media have inquired about the driver’s name. The driver of the SUV was Suisami James Faasua, age 22, of Oxnard. He was wearing his seatbelt and both of the vehicle’s front airbags deployed. He sustained only minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene by Oxnard firefighters and Gold Coast Ambulance paramedics. Alcohol is not a factor and no citations were issued. The collision is still under investigation. The roadway remains closed at this time while Edison crews make repairs.