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 seeking independent review of incidents
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, November 8, 2012 1545 hours
PREPARED BY:	Assistant Chief Jason Benites, (805) 385-7624, jason.benites@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Chief Jeri Williams, (805) 385-7624, jeri.williams@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams is seeking the services of an independent reviewing agency to examine two recent fatal incidents that involved the Oxnard Police Department.

The first incident involves the June 23, 2012 death of 26 year-old Oxnard resident Robert Ramirez, who was reported to have been overdosing on methamphetamine. The second incident concerns the October 13, 2012 shooting death of 21 year-old Oxnard resident Alfonso Limon.

On October 25, 2012, Chief Williams contacted the Office of Independent Review (OIR) to begin discussions concerning comprehensive reviews of both incidents. On November 6, 2012, Chief Williams and her executive staff met with representatives from OIR.

OIR is a civilian oversight group that was created by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2001 for the review of police incidents. OIR makes recommendations where appropriate. OIR currently monitors the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and provides legal advice to ensure that allegations of deputy misconduct are thoroughly, effectively, and fairly investigated. As it carries out its responsibilities, OIR maintains contacts with state and federal prosecutors, as well as civil rights groups and community organizations.

Prior to seeking an independent reviewing agency, Chief Williams had previously sent letters to California Attorney General Kamala Harris, extending an assurance of the Oxnard Police Department’s cooperation and access to information related to the cases. A similar letter was also sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in late July.

The independent review process is designed to be a systemic evaluation, looking
at how critical incidents are handled, investigated and reviewed. An independent review of these incidents can also potentially serve as a learning opportunity, providing the Department and its officers with additional tools to address future critical incidents.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: November 8, 2012 1545 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Robbery-knife used

DATE/TIME:

11-10-12, 2122 hours

LOCATION:

Subway, 800 block of North Ventura Road

SUSPECT(S):

Male, early 20’s, 5-8, thin build

LOSS:

Undetermined at time of report

PREPARED BY:

Marty Meyer, Commander

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Marty Meyer, Commander
martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org, (805) 207-7078

DETAILS:

On 11-10-12 hours, at 2122 hours, officers responded to Subway, 800 Block of North Ventura Road, re: a robbery.

Witnesses inside the business advised a male subject, early 20’s, 5-8, thin build, brandished a knife, took the cash register, and fled on foot across the parking lot in a northbound direction. The suspect was wearing black beanie, a blue scarf, black jacket, red flannel shirt, and black gloves.

There were no injuries. The loss in terms of the contents of the cash register is undetermined. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 11-10-12, 2204 hours.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

*ATTENTION*

On November 14, 2012, at about 09:30 p.m., John Lemuz, age 18 years, was riding his bicycle in the area of Janetwood Drive and Dover Street when he was confronted by an unknown male subject(s) in a vehicle. Mr. Lemuz was assaulted and possibly struck by a vehicle. The suspect vehicle was last seen travelling west bound on Janetwood Drive from Dover Street.

Mr. Lemuz is currently at VCMC and is in critical condition.

Investigators have not been able to locate any witnesses and need your help.

The Police Department and the Lemuz’s family are making a plea for the public’s help for anyone with information to call the police at (805) 385-7796 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-222-8477.

Anyone with information about this incident can also call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

You can also visit http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspxto submit a tip via text or email.

You can also contact Detective Steven Funk at 385-7796 or steven.funk@oxnardpd.org

John Lemuz, 18 years of age

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 RECEIVES GRANT FOR SPECIAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND CRASH PREVENTION
DATE/TIME:	December 13, 2012
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant 805-385-7847 randy.latimer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT FOR

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND CRASH PREVENTION

The Oxnard Police Department has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways through special enforcement and public awareness efforts. The grant received by the Oxnard Police Department will aid in the city’s ongoing effort to improve traffic safety and the quality of life. The Oxnard Police Department will use the funding as part of an on-going commitment to keep our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.

“Assuring the safe travels of our citizens is one of the main focus areas of our department,” said Commander Andrew Salinas. “Our officers are dedicated to making our roadways safer through enhanced driver education and enforcement efforts.”

The grant will assist in efforts to deal with traffic safety problems and to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions. While traffic deaths from all causes declined by nearly 39 percent between 2006 and 2010 in California, state and federal officials anticipate that figures will show a slight rise in 2011. DUI deaths remain the largest sector, at nearly 30 percent of traffic fatalities. Recent trends show increases in two new categories – distracted driving and drug-impaired driving.

Activities that the grant will fund include:
·         Specialized DUI and drugged driving training such as Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE).
·         DUI Saturation Patrols
·         Motorcycle safety enforcement
·         Distracted driving enforcement
·         Seat belt and child safety seat enforcement
·         Speed, red light and stop sign enforcement
·         Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders
·         Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets,” identifying worst-of-the-worst DUI offenders
·         Court “sting” operations to cite individuals driving from court after having their driver’s license suspended or revoked for drunk driving
·         Stakeout operations to observe the “worst of the worst” repeat DUI offender probationers with suspended or revoked driver licenses

“Despite the recent increases, California’s roadways are still very much safer than they were before 2006,” said OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy. “The Oxnard Police Department will be keeping the pressure on through enforcement and public awareness so that we can continue saving lives and reach the vision we all share – Toward zero deaths, every 1 counts.”

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
###

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Injury Hit and Run Traffic Collision

DATE/TIME:

2-9-13, 1240 hours

LOCATION:

Del Norte and the 101 Off ramp

VICTIM(S):

3 total, names are not being released

SUSPECT(S):

Oswaldo Hinojosa, 20 years of age

PREPARED BY:

Charles Woodruff, Sergeant

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

David Kelley, Officer 805 386-7600

DETAILS: On 2-9-13, at about 1240 hours, CHP and the Oxnard Police Department began receiving calls of two separate traffic collisions in the area of Del Norte and the 101 Freeway.

Officers arrived on scene and located two vehicles that had collided and were sent over the embankment on the south east corner of the intersection. Officers learned that one of the vehicles, 07 Nissan Frontier Pickup, had been involved in a separate minor side swipe collision on the southbound 101 freeway just before Del Norte. The truck continued onto the off ramp at Del Norte at a high rate of speed. The pickup ran the stop sign and collided with a Honda Accord which was stopped at the intersection. The impact caused both vehicles to go down the embankment.

The driver and one of the passengers from the pickup fled the scene. With the help of witnesses in the area, officers were able to contact both parties. The driver, who was later identified as Oswaldo Hinojosa was found to be over twice the legal blood alcohol limit and arrested for DUI as well as felony hit and run causing injury.

The two passengers in the Honda Accord were transported to a local hospital for their injuries. The passenger in Hinojosa’s vehicle was released.

The Oxnard Police Department is asking if anyone had witnessed the collision or was involved an additional collision prior to this incident, to contact Officer David Kelley.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2-9-13 4PM

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Fatal Traffic Collision

DATE/TIME:

February 12, 2013 / 1551 hours

LOCATION:

Victoria Avenue @ Wooley Road, Oxnard

DRIVER:

Isais Rodriguez-Amaya, 29, Ventura resident

DRIVER:

Dave Granados Medina, 59, Oxnard resident

VICTIM:

Female, 83, Oxnard resident
(Name withheld pending notification of next of kin)

VEHICLE:

Black 2004 Infinity FX35

VEHICLE

Silver 1997 Nissan Altima

PREPARED BY:

Senior Officer Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750
Maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On February 12, 2013, at about 3:51 P.M., officers and EMS responded to a traffic collision involving two vehicles at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Wooley Road. Upon arrival, officers found that a silver Nissan Altima and a black Infinity had collided in the intersection. Officers also found that an 83-year old female passenger in the Nissan was unresponsive. Officer started CPR until EMS arrived on scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Nissan, driven by Dave Granados Medina, was traveling southbound on Victoria Avenue towards Wooley Road. The Infinity, driven by Isais Rodriguez-Amaya, was traveling northbound on Victoria Avenue preparing to make a left turn onto westbound Wooley Road. The Infinity made the left turn in the path of the Nissan causing a head-on collision. The female passenger of the Nissan sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision and was pronounced dead at the Ventura County Medical Center. The Nissan’s driver, Medina, was transported to Ventura County Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. Driver Rodriguez-Amaya was not injured as a result of the collision.

Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision.

It is unclear whether the signal light was red or green when the Infinity made the left turn.
If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at
805-385-7750.

An investigation is ongoing.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 12, 2013, 6:30 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:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, March 7, 2013, 4:45 p.m.
LOCATION:	300 block of S. K St., Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Male employee of Oxnard Union High School District
SUSPECT(S):	Raymond Borjas, 43 years old, transient
PREPARED BY:	Ken Klopman, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Eduardo Miranda, Commander (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On 3/7/13 at about 4:45 p.m., an employee of the Oxnard Union High School District at 309 S. K St. notified the Oxnard Police Department that a subject loitering behind one of the district office buildings had just threatened and attempted to stab a custodian with a screwdriver. Two officers arrived minutes later and as they searched the area, they encountered the suspect, Raymond Borjas, when he jumped out from behind a building brandishing the officers with the screwdriver before fleeing on foot. The officers pursued the suspect from behind the building and onto K St. south of Second St. where the suspect stopped and again turned to confront the officers still brandishing the screwdriver. A slow, walking stand-off ensued with the suspect continuing to back away from the officers while still brandishing the screwdriver and ignoring officers’ commands to drop his weapon.

The suspect moved north on K St. and then east on Second St. until, approximately half a block later; he was contained with the assistance of additional officers who had arrived to assist. After several minutes of attempts to negotiate with the suspect, he continued to refuse to drop the screwdriver and officers were forced to deploy less-lethal force options that then allowed the officers to approach the suspect and take him into custody without further incident. Borjas was medically cleared at a local hospital before being booked into Ventura County Jail for 245(a)(1) PC – Assault With A Deadly Weapon (a felony), 148(a)(1) PC – Resisting Arrest, and 11364.1(a) – Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia. No officers or bystanders were injured during the incident.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/7/13, 7:20 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:	Vehicle Versus Pedestrian Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	March 12, 2013 / 2125 hours
LOCATION:	Channel Island Boulevard east of Paula Street,Oxnard
DRIVER:	Jose Carlos Flores-Zalauz, 22, Oxnard resident
PEDESTRIAN:	Hispanic male, 68, Oxnard resident (name withheld pending notification of next of kin)


VEHICLE:	Black 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 Maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On March 12, 2013, at about 2125 hours, officers and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian near the intersection of Channel Islands Boulevard and Paula Street. Upon arrival, officers found that a black Mitsubishi Lancer had collided with a pedestrian just east of Paula Street. Officers also found the Hispanic male pedestrian unconscious in the roadway.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Mitsubishi, driven by Jose Carlos Flores-Zalauz, was traveling westbound on Channel Islands Boulevard towards Paula Street. The pedestrian was crossing northbound across Channel Islands Boulevard just east of Paula Street. For unknown reasons, the pedestrian walked into the lanes of traffic in front of the Mitsubishi. Driver Flores-Zalauz then struck the pedestrian. The pedestrian was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he died from his injuries. Driver Flores-Zalauz was not injured as a result of the collision.

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol are a factor in the collision.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at
805-385-7750.

The investigation is ongoing.

###

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 13, 2013, 0115 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Multiple Arrests For Gun Possession
DATE/TIME:	3/16/13 to 3/21/13
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Christian Rodriguez (18 years old), Oxnard resident Sergio Zendejas (21 years old), Oxnard resident Alejandro Cabrera (23 years old), Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 486-6211 alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
Within the last week, the Oxnard Police Department arrested three Oxnard residents for weapons violations.

The first arrest took place on 3/16/13, at approximately 2245 hours. Uniformed patrol officers attempted to contact Christian Rodriguez and an acquaintance in the 1300 block of Colonia Road. Rodriguez and the acquaintance fled from officers but were apprehended a short distance away. During the chase, Rodriguez discarded a loaded firearm. Rodriguez was arrested for a weapons violation.

The second arrest occurred on 3/18/13, at approximately 2130 hours. Patrol officers stopped a vehicle in the 100 block of North Rose Avenue. The officers spoke to several occupants in the vehicle. One passenger, Sergio Zendejas, was found to be on probation. He was searched and a loaded handgun was found in his pants pocket. Zendejas was arrested for the gun violation.

The third arrest took place on 3/21/13, at approximately 2000 hours. Uniformed officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation when a passenger, Alejandro Cabrera, suddenly fled from the vehicle. Officers gave chase and quickly apprehended Cabrera. The officers also retrieved a loaded handgun that Cabrera tossed as he was trying to evade capture. Cabrera was arrested for an outstanding warrant and charged with weapons violations.

The Oxnard police department is committed to ensuring a safe community for the citizens of Oxnard.

If you wish to report criminal activity and remain anonymous, you can provide information by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. Or, contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. Visit the web site http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/22/13, 1940 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Kidnappings
DATE/TIME:	March 19, 2013, 5:30 AM & March 23, 2013, 5:50 AM
LOCATION:	J Street @ Oleander Drive J Street @ Redwood Street
VICTIM(S):	Female, 24yrs, Oxnard Resident Female, 26yrs, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic Male, 30s, 5’6”, medium build, dark colored/black hooded sweatshirt and jeans
PREPARED BY:	Detective Jaime Miranda
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jaime Miranda 805-385-7665 jaime.miranda@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is currently investigating two recent possible attempted kidnap incidents. The suspect descriptions in both incidents are similar and both incidents are believed to be related.

The first incident occurred on Tuesday, March 19^th, 2013 at about 5:30 AM. The female victim, a 24 year old Oxnard resident, was walking to her vehicle which was parked in the area of Oleander Drive and J Street when she noticed a Hispanic male, approximately 30 years old, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, with the hood covering his face and blue jeans walking behind her. The female victim got into her vehicle and quickly began to close the door. The male subject grabbed the top of the door to prevent her from closing it, but the female victim was able to close the door, quickly start her car and flee the area. The female victim was not injured.

The second incident occurred on Saturday, March 23^rd, 2013 at about 5:50 AM. The female victim, a 26 year old Oxnard resident, was waiting for her ride near the intersection of Redwood Street and J Street. This area is approximately one block south of where the first incident occurred. As she was waiting she noticed a Hispanic male subject approximately 30 years old, wearing a dark or black hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans carrying a miniature wooden baseball bat walking towards her. The female victim began to walk away, but was grabbed by the male subject. The male subject began pulling the female victim into a nearby alley, but the female victim was able to get away and call for help. The suspect was last seen running south on J Street. The victim in this incident complained of pain to her arm from being grabbed.

If anyone has information about these incidents, or they are a victim of a similar crime that hasn’t been reported to the police, they are encouraged to call Detective Jaime Miranda at (805) 385-7665. 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.