Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest of fifth suspect in 2009 Homicide
DATE/TIME:	02/18/2014
LOCATION:	2700 block of El Dorado Avenue
SUSPECT(S):	Alejandro Jimenez, 29 years old, of Oxnard, CA
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Chris Williams, Supervisor, (805) 385-7763 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Young, Cold Case Unit (805) 385-7606 [email protected]

DETAILS: On January 17, 2009 at approximately 8 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a fight with shots fired in the 2700 block of El Dorado Ave. Upon the officer’s arrival, they located two victims who had sustained stab wounds. A third victim showed up at the hospital an hour after the incident with a minor stab wound. The 28 year old homicide victim, later identified as Alfredo Vargas, underwent emergency surgery and died at approximately 2:30 am the following morning.

In July of 2013, the investigation into this murder resulted in criminal indictments against four Lemonwood Chiques gang members, charging each with murder for their involvement in this attack. These four subjects, Jonathan Gallegos, Alexis Ramirez, Jorge Cervantes and Guillermo Galvan are currently in-custody, awaiting trial.

The investigation into this murder has remained active, with investigators assigned to the Cold Case Task Force continuing to pursue the outstanding suspects responsible for this murder. On Tuesday, February 18, 2014, investigators arrested a fifth suspect, Alejandro Jimenez, for his role in this murder. Jimenez, who was in the custody of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department on unrelated charges at the time of his arrest, was charged with Murder, with special allegations that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang and that Jimenez personally discharged a firearm during this crime.

The success of this investigation is the result of countless hours of investigation and a cooperative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies including the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation into the murder of Alfredo Vargas is ongoing, and members of the public are asked to contact Detective Mike Young at (805) 385-7606 or [email protected] if they have any information about this incident. A previous booking photograph of Jimenez has been attached to this press release.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a deadly weapon
DATE/TIME:	04/05/2014, 1906 Hours
LOCATION:	500 Block of S. “G” Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Male, 22 years old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	#1 – Hispanic male, 25, 5-07, 220, grey shirt, dark jeans #2 – Hispanic male, 5-10, 190, light complexion, mustache, dark shirt tan pants
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Tan Chevy Malibu
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Communications 805-385-7740

DETAILS:
On 04/05/2014 at approximately 1906 hours, officers responded to the 500 Block of S. “G” Street after receiving calls of an assault victim. When officers arrived, they found a 22 year old male suffering from stab wounds and a head injury.

An investigation revealed that the victim was walking in the 500 Block of S. “G” Street when he was confronted by the above listed suspects. A confrontation took place and the victim was stabbed and struck in the head with a brick. The suspects fled in a tan Chevy Malibu.

The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600. 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.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	School Lock Down, Ocean View Junior High School
DATE/TIME:	03/12/2014 – 6:30 pm
LOCATION:	5100 block of Cypress Road, City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	Minor, name withheld
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, [email protected]

DETAILS: On 3/12/2014, at about 2:20 pm, Oxnard Police Department officers were dispatched to a call of a student who had made a threat towards other students at Oceanview Junior High.

The threat came in the form of a video recording where the student had a gun and was shown to manipulate the magazine. In this recording, the student threatened to kill two other students and members of his family.

The video recording was emailed to another student, who did the right and responsible thing by informing school administration.

Since the minor making the threats as well as two would-be-victims were all students, the school was placed on lockdown. Officers responded immediately, and school resource officers were able to make contact with the students.

It was determined that the students were all friends and had made the video together. Also, the gun shown, turned out to be an air-soft replica gun. There did not appear to be any other threat.

For students and schools, incidents like this can disrupt the learning environment. For parents, families, and our community, it brings an unnecessary worry.

The Oxnard Police remind parents and all residents of the danger that replica firearms are a hazard to public safety when brandished or used in a threatening manner.
Consequently, as in this case, it can deplete our immediate resources, and cost the city and our Department valuable time and resources, as well as our ability to respond to other incidents in the city.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 12, 2014, 6:30 pm

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspect Arrested in 2006 Homicide
DATE/TIME:	4/9/14 1730 hours
LOCATION:	San Benito Street and Trinity Place
VICTIM(S):	Oscar Gonzalez, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Angel Romero, 26 Years of Age, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, Major Crimes Supervisor, (805) 385-7763, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Young, Major Crimes Unit (805) 385-7606 [email protected]

DETAILS: On March 2, 2006, Oxnard resident Oscar Gonzalez was shot and killed in the area of San Benito Street and Trinity Place in the Lemonwood neighborhood of Oxnard. Gonzalez was shot and killed as he pursued vandals that he had interrupted damaging one of his family’s vehicles. The investigation into the murder revealed that the motivation behind the vandalism was gang related.

In response to a number of gang related homicides in the Lemonwood area, the Oxnard Police Department formed a special task force to investigate these gang homicides. During the investigation, Angel Romero was identified as the suspect in Gonzalez’ murder. On July 2, 2013, a Ventura County Grand Jury indicted Angel Romero for murder. Investigators learned that Romero had fled Oxnard and his whereabouts were unknown.

The investigation was turned over to Oxnard Police Department’s Cold Case Unit. With assistance from the United States Marshall’s office and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Romero was located and arrested without incident in the Sacramento area. Romero will be extradited to Ventura County for prosecution. This investigation is the result of countless hours and a cooperative effort involving multiple local law enforcement agencies.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Road closure
DATE/TIME:	4-13-14 / 1048 hours
LOCATION:	Lantana Street and Gonzales Road
VICTIM(S):	None
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander, (805) 207-7078, [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 4-13-14, at 1048 hours, Oxnard Fire Department and Oxnard Police Department personnel responded to a structure fire in the area of Lantana Street and Gonzales Road.

Due to the fire, Gonzales Road Between Ventura Road and “H” Street, and Lantana Street between Azalea Street and Ivywood Drive, will be closed to thru traffic temporarily.

Date / Time Prepared: 4-13-15 / 1206 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Armed Robbery
DATE/TIME:	5/10/2014 2110 hours
LOCATION:	1450 Doris Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Little Caesars Pizza
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, late 20’s to early 30’s, 5’7″, thin build, wearing a mask, grey sweatshirt, blue jeans
LOSS:	Undisclosed amount of cash
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant David Klug
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett, Violent Crimes Unit (805) 486-6211

DETAILS:

On May 10, 2014 at approximately 2010 hours, an Hispanic male, late 20’s to early 30’s, 5’-07”, thin build, wearing a mask, grey sweatshirt and blue jeans, entered the Little Caesars Pizza business at 1450 Doris Avenue carrying a handgun and demanded money. The employees fled to a safe location within the business, at which time the suspect reached into the cash register and removed an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then fled the business in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information regarding this crime should contact the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. You may also contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 11, 2014, 0315 hrs.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Felony arrests of gang members for violation of parole and probation
DATE/TIME:	5/27/14; 1300
LOCATION:	3000 Block S. “L” Street
VICTIM(S):	State of CA
SUSPECT(S):	Justin Villa, 27 year old Oxnard resident Jaime Duenes, 28 year old Oxnard resident Jesus Melendez, 29 year old Oxnard resident



PREPARED BY:	Bill Crisostomo, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Bill Crisostomo, Sergeant 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On May 27, 2014 at 1300 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit and Violent Crimes Unit conducted a probation search on documented gang member Jaime Duenes, in the 3000 block of South “L” St.

During the search on Duenes officers contacted Justin Villa and Jesus Melendez. Villa and Melendez are also documented gang members and are on parole.

Duenes was arrested for violation of his probation and Melendez was arrested for violation of his parole due to being contacted with other gang members. Villa already had an outstanding felony warrant for violation of parole.

A nearby pre-school was placed into a brief lock-down during this incident.

Duenes is currently in the Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – which was effective October 1, 2011. This program 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 arenot considered.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Oxnard Police Department at 385-7600, or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 27, 2014/1700

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	September 8, 2014 9:25 a.m.
LOCATION:	4600 Block of Cloyne Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	21-year old Oxnard resident; name withheld pending notification of next of kin
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Commander Eric S. Sonstegard, Investigative Services Bureau (805) 385-7801, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Martin Perez, Investigative Services Bureau (805) 385-7680, [email protected]

DETAILS: On September 8, 2014, at approximately 9:25 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 4600 block of Cloyne Street in the City of Oxnard reference a report of a gunshot victim. Upon their arrival, officers located a male subject suffering from at least one gunshot wound. The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The victim was a 21-year old Oxnard resident whose name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The location of the shooting was across the street from Hathaway Elementary School. School Resource Officers with the Oxnard Police Department were amongst the first responders and met with school and district officials to coordinate a lockdown of the campus. There were no indications that any suspects entered the campus or at any time any of the students were in danger. The lockdown was lifted approximately one hour after the shooting was reported. School Resource Officers remained in contact with school officials throughout the day to coordinate a smooth dismissal at the end of the school day as investigators remained on scene for several hours.

This is the sixth homicide that has occurred in the city of Oxnard in 2014. The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.

Investigators from the Major Crimes Unit are continuing their investigation into this tragic incident. We are deeply concerned about the proximity to an elementary school and we want to encourage neighborhood residents or anyone that was in the area that may have information about this incident to call Detective Martin Perez at (805) 385-7680. 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: September 8, 2014, 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:	Arrest for Cultivating Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Obtaining Utility Services without Paying, Maintaining Place for Selling or Using Controlled Substance
DATE/TIME:	January 8, 2015, 7:00 PM
LOCATION:	1600 Block Pine Street, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Chad Fergeson 43 years old Erin Kelly 33 years old
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Charles Woodruff 805 385 7636 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Robert Valenzuela 805 308-7637 [email protected]

DETAILS:: Information on the cultivation of Marijuana in the area of the 1600 block of Pine Street lead to the arrests of Chad Fergeson and Erin Kelly for Cultivating and possession for sales of Marijuana.

Narcotic investigators from the West County Street Team received information that a group had a possible Marijuana grow in a business in the 1600 block of Pine Street in the City of Oxnard. Some of the information received by investigators complained of a strong odor of Marijuana coming from this business.

Investigators served a search warrant on the location and located a large indoor Marijuana grow operation. Investigators seized over 2,000 Marijuana plants as well as locating evidence consistent with sales of Marijuana from this location. Investigators also found evidence that the power had been bypassed which allowed the operation to run without paying for the power utilities. Investigators advised that the potential value from this type of grow would have been over several million dollars.

Investigators contacted Chad Fergeson and Erin Kelly at the location who were attempting to hide at the location from officers. They were later arrested for Cultivating and Possessing Marijuana for Sale. Both suspects were transported and booked at the Ventura County Main Jail.

The West County Street Team is made up of Sheriff’s Office, Santa Paula Police Department, and the Oxnard Police Department narcotics detectives working cooperatively in the investigation of narcotics offenses occurring in the western portion of Ventura County.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 9, 2015, 3:00PM

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Arrest
DATE/TIME:	February 2, 2015 / 4:45 PM
LOCATION:	Ventura Road and Wagon Wheel Road
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Alonzo Juventino Hernandez, 27 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Denise Shadinger, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Charles Buttell Phone: (805) 385-7600 Email: [email protected]

DETAILS:

On February 2, 2015, at 4:45 PM, an Oxnard Police Officer observed a 2015 Toyota Camry matching the description of a vehicle stolen on January 28, 2015 from the 5800 block of Edison Road. The vehicle was driven by Alonzo Juventino Hernandez, a 27 year old Oxnard resident. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle at Ventura and Wagon Wheel Roads, but Hernandez fled the vehicle on foot. The officer chased Hernandez on foot into the river bottom under the 101 freeway. A citizen bystander, who observed the incident, assisted the officer in the foot pursuit.

Hernandez ran for a short distance in the river bottom before he entered a body of water approximately ten feet deep and tried to swim away from the officer. The citizen, a Navy Lieutenant from the CBC Base at Port Hueneme, jumped into the water in an attempt to catch Hernandez. Hernandez was subdued by the citizen when he came back onto land and tried to flee on foot. The citizen detained Hernandez until the officer could place him under arrest.

Hernandez was arrested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting or delaying a peace officer’s duties, and fleeing the scene of an accident, as Hernandez left the stolen vehicle in drive when he fled on foot. The vehicle collided with an unoccupied, parked vehicle causing minor damage.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Senior Officer Buttell of the Oxnard Police Department Auto Theft Task Force at (805) 385-7600.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 8, 2015/1715