Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearm Possession Arrest
DATE/TIME:	5/25/13 at 1809 hours
LOCATION:	Kamala Street @ ‘J’ Street

SUSPECT(S):	Jesus Ortiz, 41 years, of Oxnard

SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Red, 2000 Ford Mustang convertible

PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley (805) 385-7600 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

DETAILS:
On 5/25/13, at approximately 6:09 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the area of ‘J’ Street and Kamala Street in reference to a reported road rage incident involving a brandishing of a handgun. The suspect vehicle was described as a red, convertible Ford Mustang.

When responding officers arrived on scene, the Ford Mustang was located as it was traveling northbound on ‘J’ Street with two occupants. The Mustang was stopped after traveling a short distance and the occupants were detained. During a search of the vehicle, a loaded handgun was found under the driver’s seat. The driver, Jesus Ortiz, was arrested for weapons violations including being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was booked into Ventura County Jail. The passenger was released from the scene.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to public safety and encourages the members of the public to call 9-1-1 to report all crimes.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 5/25/13, 2015 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempt Carjacking
DATE/TIME:	06-10-2013/ 0210 Hours
LOCATION:	1135 North G Street
VICTIM(S):	Maribel Ortiz, 34 yrs, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Victor Vaca, 19 yrs, Oxnard Resident/ Isai Reyes, 19 yrs, Oxnard Resident



PREPARED BY:	Officer Edgar Fernandez
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Edgar Fernandez (805) 385-7600 Edgar.fernandez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 06/10/2013, Oxnard Police Department Officers were dispatched to a call of a possible armed robbery which occurred in the west alley of 1135 North G Street. Upon officer arrival, two male suspects matching the description given by the victim and witnesses were seen running into a nearby apartment complex. After a brief search, suspects were located hiding on the roof of the apartment complex at 1043 North G Street. The suspects were taken into custody without incident.

It was determined that both suspects attempted to force entry into the victim’s vehicle. It was believed that one of the suspects was armed with a handgun. The victim, in fear for her safety, fled the location prior to the suspects gaining entry into her vehicle. Both suspects were positively identified by the victim and witnesses.

Anyone with further information of the attempt carjacking please contact Officer Edgar Fernandez with the Oxnard Police Department Field Services Division at (805) 385-7600. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: June 10, 2013, 05:08 a.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Burglary Tools Arrest
DATE/TIME:	07/11/2013 8:07 am
LOCATION:	200 Block of North Juanita Avenue Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	State of California Male Juvenile, 3 years old
SUSPECT(S):	Christian Martinez Hernandez, 24-year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Chevy Tahoe
PREPARED BY:	Detective Lucy Buttell
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Tom Payn 805-385-7600 tom.payn@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 07/11/2013 at 0807 hours, Oxnard Police Officer observed the suspect vehicle in the 200 block of North Juanita Avenue. The vehicle was stopped for traffic violations. The officer contacted the driver, Christian Hernandez, a 24-year old resident of Oxnard.

The officer observed narcotic paraphernalia on the seat next to the suspect as well a 3-year old child that was unrestrained in the back seat. The officer arrested Hernandez and the child was released to the mother. During the arrest, officers located burglary tools used to tamper with vehicles and to commit auto theft.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to remind residents to lock and their vehicles and secure valuables. Report suspicious persons and vehicles to the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740. This also serves as a reminder to properly secure children in child car seats for their safety.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7-11-13 / 1226

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle Pursuit and Collision
DATE/TIME:	08-11-13/1026 hours
LOCATION:	Ninth Street/ “E” Street
VICTIM(S):	Lorenzo Avila, 49 years old of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Jeff Gonzalez, 28 years old of Oxnard
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	White Ford Pick up
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Officer Hugo Garcia
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Commander 805-385-7600

DETAILS:
On August 11, 2013, at approximately 1026 hours, an Oxnard Police Department officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Ford pick-up for a vehicle code violation. The driver, Jess Gonzalez, 28 years old of Oxnard, led officers on a two minute, two-mile pursuit over city streets. Gonzalez committed numerous Vehicle Code violations while being pursued. During the pursuit, Gonzalez failed to negotiate a turn at the intersection of “E” Street and Ninth Street and collided into a black Infiniti that was stopped at the intersection. The vehicle then collided into a residence in the 900 block of South “E” Street. Gonzalez fled from the collision and led officers on a short foot pursuit and was apprehended in the 900 block of South “F” Street.

The driver of the Infinity, Lorenzo Avila, 49 years old of Oxnard, sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center. He was treated and released. Danielle Everett, a passenger in Gonzalez’ vehicle, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center. No one in the residence was injured nor was Gonzalez.

Gonzalez was arrested for felony evading and felony hit and run. His passenger was not arrested.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08-11-2013/1330 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 of Homicide Suspect
DATE/TIME:	August 15, 2013 2:00 P.M
LOCATION:	251 South “C” Street
VICTIM(S):	Edwin Herrera, 19 years of age
SUSPECT(S):	Carlos Eduardo Hernandez, 21 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, Major Crimes 805-385-7763, christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeff Kay, Major Crimes 805-385-8174, jeff.kay@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On August 15, 2013 at approximately 2:00 P.M, Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit arrested 20 year old Carlos Eduardo Hernandez of Oxnard for the murder of Edwin Herrera. Hernandez was later booked into Ventura County Jail for murder. Hernandez’s bail is set at $4,000,000.

Herrera’s murder occurred in the 2000 block of San Benito Street, on February 29, 2012. Members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit have been actively investigating this murder since the night it happened. Investigators suspect that the crime was gang motivated but don’t believe the victim was a gang member. Oxnard Police are continuing to investigate this crime and additional arrests are likely. Members of the public are asked to call Detective Jeff Kay at 805-385-8174 with any information.

In addition to this arrest, the Oxnard Police Department’s task force, that was formed to address several unsolved homicides in the Lemonwood neighborhood over the last several years, has made arrests on four additional homicide cases.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08/15/13 1600 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 Avoud DUI campaign – Friday update 5
DATE/TIME:	Friday, August 23, 2013
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard and County-wide
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI update of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County are updated.

From 12:01 AM Friday August 16, 2013 through Midnight Thursday August 22, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 71 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is unknown how many DUI arrests occurred during the same seven (7) day time period in 2012.

Last year there were no DUI deaths reported.
(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

For the second weekend of the campaign, Avoid the 14 will deploy several DUI Checkpoints and DUI Saturations Patrol. DUI Saturations Patrols will be deployed during the weekend in the cities of Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, and the campus of California State University of Channel Islands (CSUCI). On Saturday, DUI Checkpoints will be deploying in the cities of Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Camarillo, and by the California Highway Patrol.

The checkpoint being conducted by the city of Camarillo will be held in memory of Kim Hemminger. On July 22, 2012, Kim died as a result of a DUI traffic collision. Kim was a passenger in a vehicle when the alcohol impaired driver lost control and the vehicle rolled over. Kim died from her injuries. The driver, Christopher Blankenship was later convicted of vehicular manslaughter. The Camarillo Police Department wants to take this opportunity to share Kim’s story and her beautiful life, a life that was cut too short because of an impaired driver.

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:	Attempted Murder – Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	8/23/13 at approximately 2240 hours
LOCATION:	100 Block of South McKinley Avenue
VICTIM(S):	16-18 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Alex Arnett, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jaime Miranda at (805) 385-7665 jaime.miranda@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 8/23/13 at approximately10:40 pm, Oxnard police officers responded to the 100 block of South McKinley Avenue reference a fight. When officers arrived they located a victim with numerous stab wounds. EMS quickly arrived and transported the victim to the Ventura County Medical Center. The victim was rushed into surgery and is listed in critical condition. The police have not been able to identify the victim since the victim was not in possession of identification.

According to residents in the area, a possible fight involving unknown persons took place. The reason for the fight or what provoked the incident is still unknown.

The investigation is continuing.

If anyone has information about this incident or knows the identity of the victim, they are encouraged to call Oxnard P.D. 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:8/24/13 0252 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Crime Alert: Fumigation Burglaries
DATE/TIME:	10/9/13 / 4:22pm
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, (805)385-7631 or miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Crystal Walker, (805) 385-7668 or crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department would like to notify residents that the community is experiencing fumigation burglaries. To date, we have seen a total of 26 such burglaries, with 24 coming in the last 6-months—an average of one per week.

Fumigation burglaries have occurred throughout the city, with a higher concentration occurring in the Cal-Gisler, Kamala Durley Park, and Bartolo Square neighborhoods on the south end of Oxnard.

Primary property targeted and removed from these burglaries include: Electronics (TV, computers/laptops/tablets, Gaming systems, and DVD players), jewelry, tools, cash, clothes, purses, and firearms in 3 separate incidents.

Thieves are increasingly targeting tented homes, putting their health and safety at risk especially during the exposure period. Entering any tented home is hazardous, because extermination companies use deadly gases to eradicate termites and other pests from properties.

Open and unlocked doors and windows have been the primary method and point of entry in almost half of the fumigation burglaries in Oxnard—most likely during the ventilation period of the process when homes have to force out air. In other cases, however, doors and windows have been pried, smashed, or used bodily force to gain access.

This problem is not unique to the City of Oxnard. Earlier this year, Ventura Police also warned residents about residential burglaries at homes that are tented for fumigation. Similarly, cities throughout Los Angeles County have experienced similar crimes in the last 18-months.

There are a number of steps that residents can take to further protect themselves and their property. The Oxnard Police Department encourages residents to remove small valuables such as money, jewelry, keys, personal documents, flat screen televisions and small electronics. Residents are also encouraged to advise neighbors so they can be vigilant and help report suspicious people or activity during planned fumigation dates. Furthermore, residents can ask fumigators about installing alarms and sensors at jobs, such sensors can alert fumigators’ cellphones if anyone enters a tented building.

The Police Department has taken actions to reduce the number of these types of burglaries. We also ask that you assist by taking a proactive approach to deter such criminal activity. We can all take small steps to help our neighbors and one another avoid becoming a victim.

Help keep our homes and neighborhoods in Oxnard crime-free and safe. We remind residents to be extra aware and vigilant. If you see suspicious activity, please report it to the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740, or dial 911. Anonymous information and tips can also be made with the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805)385-8255.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Auto Theft / Arrest of Post Release Offender (PRO)
DATE/TIME:	10/18/2013 at 2033 hours
LOCATION:	3600 Samuel Avenue, Oxnard, CA
SUSPECT(S):	Osvaldo Juarez, 34-year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Chris Inglehart
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. Chris Inglehart chris.inglehart@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 10/18/2013, at 2033, hours Oxnard Police Department officers responded to 3600 Samuel Avenue, Oxnard, California, after a witness observed a friend’s stolen vehicle driven in the area. With the witness’ assistance, officers located the vehicle and arrested the driver, Osvaldo Juarez, for auto theft. Juarez was booked at Ventura County Jail for 10851 CVC (auto theft) and two outstanding felony warrants.

Juarez is a Post Release Offender (PRO). The Post Release Offender program releases non-violent, non-sexual, non-serious criminals from State Prison pursuant to Assembly Bill 109.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10/18/2013 @ 2350 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 Code Compliance and City Corps cleanup Halaco site
DATE/TIME:	October 21, 2013
LOCATION:	6200 Perkins Road, Oxnard, CA 93033
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, (805) 385-7631, miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Rob Silverstein, Code Compliance Manager, (805) 385-8263, rob.silverstein@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
(OXNARD, Calif)– Oxnard Police Code Compliance and City Corps members came together last week for an abatement cleanup of the Halaco site, in the process, showing the general public what a small group of dedicated people can do when they come together.

“This really is a labor of love. We cannot simply walk up and start cleaning up on a project like this. The process can be long and arduous, but we received an Abatement Warrant from the Superior Court, and started our cleanup efforts on Monday. By the weekend, our work at the site was complete,” said Oxnard Code Compliance Manager Rob Silverstein,

The old-Halaco Engineering Company was added to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund National Priorities List in 2007. The former Halaco Engineering Co. metals recycling facility off Perkins Road operated from 1965 to 2004, when the company shut down after filing for bankruptcy protection.

During its 40-years of operation, Halaco produced a large quantity of waste (i.e., slag) containing residual metals from the smelting process. From about 1965 to 1970, Halaco discharged waste into unlined settling ponds in or adjacent to the Oxnard Industrial Drain. From about 1970 to 2002, Halaco deposited wastes into unlined earthen settling ponds east of the smelter. More than 700,000 cubic yards of waste and radioactive material still remain on-site.

“The before and after are drastic,” says Miguel Lopez, Oxnard Police Community Affairs Manager. “Keeping up with their standard of hard-work and attention to every detail, Code Compliance and City Corps came in and got the abatement job done—cleaning up overgrown brush and providing overdue graffiti-removal safely. The team’s attitude, commitment, and hard-work needs to be recognized and commended,” Lopez added.

In 2006, after Halaco ceased its operations, the bankruptcy was converted to a Chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcy. Members of the Haack family retain ownership of the 11-acre smelter area, but in 2006, Alpha and Omega Development LLC purchased the 26-acre waste management area. The future use of the property remains uncertain.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to thank Code Compliance Manager Rob Silverstein, Officers Johanna Garcia and Christina Galindo; as well as, Efren Gorre, Maria Chavez, and the City Corps team who provided invaluable support. “We hope visitors to Ormond Beach are able to enjoy the beach and natural wetlands a little bit more, after our best efforts at a temporary cleanup,” said Silverstein.

[Note: small sample of before/after pictures attached. Additional photos will be uploaded to our Oxnard Police Facebook Page.]

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco1.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco2.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco3.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco4.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco5.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco6.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco7.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco8.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco10.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa1.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa2.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa4.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa6.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa8.jpg

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https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa16.jpg

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https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa200.jpg