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 cases in Rose Park
DATE/TIME	January and February 2012
LOCATION	Rose Park neighborhood, Oxnard
PREPARED BY	Senior Officer Crystal Walker
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) The Oxnard Police Department has seen three cases of auto theft in which the driver leaves the keys in their car while the car is running and leaves the vehicle unsupervised. These cases occurred between January and February 2012 in the Rose Park neighborhood. These incidents of auto theft are 100 percent preventable. We strongly encourage members of the public never to leave their keys in the car whether the car is running or not. Additionally, Oxnard municipal code section 8-45(A) indicates that you can be cited if an officer encounters your vehicle running, unattended. Aside from being a target of theft, it is not safe to leave a running car unattended. At this point, investigators do not have any suspect information in these cases.

There are steps you can take to help prevent your car from being stolen or broken into. Lock your car and do not leave personal items of value visible. Often thieves walk through parking lots or neighborhoods and choose the cars to break into based upon items that are visible. If you must leave valuable items in your car, lock them in the trunk. In addition, please report any suspicious activity to the Oxnard PD. If you see a person who is not familiar to you walking or driving around your neighborhood, get a good physical description of the person and vehicle and call (805) 385-7740. If you see someone breaking into a home or vehicle, call 911.

Anyone with information about these cases is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call 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.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Sting operation
DATE/TIME	February 23, 2012 at 3 p.m.
LOCATION	1255 Saviers Road, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S)	Fawzi Hamed 4/20/80, Fontana resident Laura Elvira Martinez 1/25/81, Oxnard resident
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) Today the Oxnard Police Department conducted a sting operation at a local shop that buys gold from the public. The operation resulted in two arrests: Fawzi Hamed, 04/20/80 (the owner of the shop) and his employee Laura Elvira Martinez, 01/25/81. Fawzi is a resident of Fontana and Martinez resides in Oxnard. They received misdemeanor citations for operating a business without the proper license. Each was released with a promise to appear in court.

The operation took place at Fredy del Oro located at 1255 Saviers Road at about 3 p.m. today. An undercover OPD officer made a sale of jewelry to Martinez. Once that transaction was complete, detectives entered the business and issued citations to Hamed and Martinez.

The sting operation occurred as a result of complaints from business owners who had knowledge that Hamed was operating the business without a license. Hamed was purchasing newspaper and radio advertisements for his business, which is also prohibited without the proper license.

The California Business and Professions Code requires a second-hand business license for this type of shop. Business owners have to meet certain obligations when they purchase property (jewelry or other types of property) to ensure that members of the public are not selling stolen goods to these shops. Reputable business owners register the items they purchase from the public with local police departments which allows law enforcement agencies to search property databases for any items that may have been reported stolen.

Oxnard PD strongly encourages anyone who has knowledge of an un-licensed business to report that information to us. You can reach the Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call 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.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	487 PC Grand theft by deception
DATE/TIME	February 23, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION	1900 Camino Del Sol
VICTIM(S)	Sixty-three year old female, resident of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S)	Hispanic female about 40 Hispanic male about 39
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Older Red 4-door compact car
LOSS	About $3000
PREPARED BY	Officer Martin Perez martin.perez@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz, Community Affairs Manager (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard police warn residents about a lottery scam in which two people claiming to have a winning ticket swindled about $3,000 from a woman Tuesday.

The woman was in the Rose Park area of Oxnard. She was approached by a Hispanic man and woman in their late 30s or early 40s. They told the woman that they had won the lottery but could not collect the winnings because they were illegal immigrants.

The woman gave them the cash and the suspects left without giving her the lottery ticket. Officers could not find the couple but said such scams are common, adding that con artists will go to great lengths to make lottery tickets appear authentic.

Any person (over the age of 18) can win the lottery regardless of gender, race or country of origin. There is no requirement of citizenship for a person to win or claim their lottery winnings.

If someone approaches you and offers you something that is too good to be true – it is. Never give cash to strangers or participate in cash transactions with people you do not know. If you do become the victim of a scam, please notify police immediately.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call 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.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Residential structure fire
DATE/TIME	March 19, 2012 2:40 a.m.
LOCATION	1500 East First Street, Oxnard
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) On Monday, March 19, 2012 at about 2:40 a.m. Oxnard Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire in the 1500 block of East First Street in Oxnard. Once on scene, first responders were told that an adult male was trapped inside. Firefighters and rescue personnel removed this victim from the residence and he was transported to the hospital. The victim died at the hospital. At this time, it is unknown what caused the fire. It is also unknown what caused the victim’s death.

Additional information from the Oxnard Fire Department will be forthcoming.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Ventura County Special Olympics
DATE/TIME	Thursday, June 7, 2012 beginning at about 9 a.m.
LOCATION	Highway 101 and Ventura Road (pedestrian bridge)
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) On Thursday, June 7, 2012 Oxnard PD will once again participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Ventura County Special Olympics. This is the twentieth year OPD has participated in the event.

Officers and their family members, Special Olympics athletes and members of the community will participate in the Oxnard leg which encompasses 12.5 miles. The torch route in Oxnard is as follows:

At about 9 a.m. –
Receive the torch from Ventura PD at Highway 101 and Ventura Road (pedestrian bridge)
South on Ventura Road to Vineyard Avenue
East on Vineyard Avenue to “H” Street
South on “H” Street to Gonzales Road
East on Gonzales Road to “C” Street
South on “C” Street to Wooley Road
West on Wooley Road to Ventura Road
South on Ventura Road to Channel Islands Boulevard **pass torch to Port Hueneme PD**
(at this point OPD runners will continue until torch passes to CHP)
Continue south on Ventura Road to Hueneme Road
East on Hueneme Road to Saviers Road
North on Saviers Road to Channel Islands Boulevard
East on Channel Islands Boulevard to Highway 1 **pass torch to CHP**

The Special Olympics Torch Run has three legs in Southern California. The Northern leg begins in San Luis Obispo as selected law enforcement representatives and Special Olympics athletes carry the torch on its journey to the Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach, where all three torches meet to light the giant cauldron at the opening ceremonies signifying the official start to the Special Olympics Summer Games. The other two legs begin in the Inland Empire and the U.S. Mexico border.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Sexual assault
DATE/TIME	June 30, 2012 at about 4 a.m.
LOCATION	1300 block of Commercial Avenue, Oxnard
VICTIM	Female resident
SUSPECT	Jose Silva Puga 12/23/76
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) On June 30, 2012 at about 4 a.m., the Oxnard PD received a 911 call from a female who told police that she was sexually assaulted by a man inside of her residence in the 1300 block of Commercial Avenue.

The woman told officers that the man entered her home through an unlocked front door and went into her bedroom where he proceeded to sexually assault her. A struggle took place and the suspect fled on foot. When officers arrived and made contact with the victim she was able to give a description of the suspect. Patrol officers located a man that matched the suspect’s description. Jose Silva Puga, 12/23/76, was positively identified by the victim and arrested for 220 PC – assault with intent to commit rape and 459 PC – burglary.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Erica Escalante at (805) 385-7759. 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.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Aumento de accidentes involucrando personas en bicicleta
DATE/TIME	July 23, 2012
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) En los últimos meses ha habido un aumento en el número de accidentes involucrando a personas en bicicleta en la Ciudad de Oxnard. Entre de enero y junio del año 2011 hubo un total de 25 accidentes de personas en bicicleta. Este año, entre esos mismos meses, hubo 49 accidentes de bicicleta.

Como consecuencia de este aumento, los oficiales de patrullaje y tránsito del Departamento de Policía de Oxnard están llevando a cabo esfuerzo enfocado hacia el cumplimiento de las leyes para ciclistas, incluyendo educar al público sobre la seguridad del uso de bicicletas y las decisiones apropiadas al transitar en bicicleta sobre las calles de la ciudad.

Los factores principales en este tipo de accidentes son el ir en dirección contraria y el no respetar los semáforos y los señalamientos de alto. Los oficiales de la policía están haciendo cumplir este tipo de violaciones y también al incumplimiento del uso apropiado de equipo de seguridad tales como; los menores de 18 años deben llevar puesto un caso cuando andan en bicicleta y que toda bicicleta debe estar equipada con frenos. Se recomienda que toda persona que ande en bicicleta lleve casco.

Las personas en bicicleta, al igual que los que conducen auto, deben seguir las mismas reglas viales al andar en nuestras calles y carreteras. A continuación hay algunos reglamentos y consejos para andar seguro en bicicleta:

Viaje en la misma dirección que los coches y pare en todos los señalamientos de alto y respete los semáforos.
La Ordenanza de la Ciudad de Oxnard 7-132(d) prohíbe a las personas mayores de 12 años andar en bicicleta en las aceras.
Asegúrese de tener contacto visual con la persona del auto antes de cruzar por enfrente del coche.
Use ropa de colores claros para que los conductores lo puedan ver de noche.
Se requiere lleve lámpara de luz blanca en la parte posterior de la bicicleta y un reflector de luz en la parte trasera cuando pasea de noche. Se recomienda ampliamente que lleve una luz roja en la parte trasera.
Manténgase alerta y enfocado…no tenga auriculares en ambos oídos cuando ande en bicicleta.
Tenga mucha precaución al doblar las calles entre el tráfico.
Guarde distancia entre los autos estacionados para evitar un portazo repentino.

Siga estos enlaces de la Internet (en inglés) para ver información acerca de la seguridad del uso de bicicletas de la Administración de Seguridad Nacional de Tránsito de Carreteras y de la Oficina de California de Seguridad de Tránsito http://www.ots.ca.gov/pdf/BicyclePedSafetyBrochure.pdf
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Bicycles

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Collision
DATE/TIME:	August 6, 2012 / 1138 hours
LOCATION:	Camino Del Sol and McKinley Avenue
Driver – 1:	Male, 16, Oxnard resident (name withheld)
Vehicle – 1:	Teal 1992 Honda Civic
PREPARED BY:	Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 Maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On August 6, 2012, at about 11:38 a.m., Oxnard PD officers responded to Camino Del Sol east of Garfield Avenue after receiving a call of an injury traffic collision. Once on scene, officers and EMS personnel found a Honda Civic had collided into a tree in the center divider. The occupants of the Honda, a 16 year old male (name withheld), a 14 year old male (name withheld) and a 14 year old female (name withheld), were trapped in the vehicle and injured. All three occupants were transported to Ventura County Medical Center with moderate to serious injuries.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Honda Civic and another vehicle were traveling westbound on Camino Del Sol towards McKinley Avenue at a high rate of speed. As the vehicles approached McKinley Avenue, the Honda swerved to avoid a collision with a mini-van and lost control. The Honda then collided head on with the tree in the center divider. The occupants of the Honda were extricated from the car by EMS.

Both of the male occupants are listed in stable condition. The female occupant is listed in serious but stable condition.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 6, 2012, 4:56 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:	Sting Operation
DATE/TIME:	September 13, 2012
LOCATION:	Centerpoint Mall, 2600 block Saviers Road
SUSPECT(S):	Francisco Lopez, 53 years old Gonzalo Fernandez-Alvarez, 47 years old
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Mike Gregson
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Mike Gregson, (805) 385-7632, mikegregson@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 9/13/12, the Oxnard Police Department conducted a sting operation at local shops that buy gold from the public. The operation resulted in two arrests: Francisco Lopez, 53 years old (Lopez Fine Jewelry and Perfumes) and Gonzalo Fernandez-Alvarez, 47 years old (Fernandez Jewelry). Both subjects reside in Oxnard. Lopez received a misdemeanor citation for operating a business without the proper license. Fernandez received a misdemeanor citation for failing to properly report the transaction. Both of the businesses are located inside of The Centerpoint Mall, 2600 block of Saviers Road in Oxnard.

The California Business and Professions Code requires a Second-Hand Dealers License for these types of shops. Business owners have to meet certain obligations when they purchase property (jewelry or other types of property) to ensure that they are not purchasing stolen goods. Reputable business owners report the items they purchase from the public to local police departments which allows law enforcement agencies to search property databases for stolen property.

Oxnard PD strongly encourages anyone who has knowledge of an un-licensed business to report that information to us. You can reach the Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call 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 14, 2012 at 1200 hours.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Officer Involved Shooting – Update
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, 10/13/12 at 10:12 pm
LOCATION:	100 block North Garfield Avenue, Oxnard
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:

At approximately 10:00 PM on Saturday 10/13/2012, Oxnard police officers attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle in the Colonia neighborhood. The driver of the vehicle initially failed to stop for the officers. The driver eventually stopped the vehicle in the area of Second Street and Grant Avenue. The vehicle was occupied by three male subjects, and they refused to comply with the officers’ instructions. For approximately 10 minutes, the officers tried to gain compliance from them. During that time, officers relayed information that one subject was talking on a cell phone and another was simulating a weapon with his hands.

As this was occurring, officers were advised by dispatch that the Oxnard Police Department had received a call from a nearby resident that the vehicle’s occupants had possibly brandished a handgun. As the officers coordinated their response and continued to try and gain the subjects’ compliance, the driver suddenly drove away from the scene and attempted to evade the officers. After a short pursuit, the driver stopped his vehicle in the 100 block of North Garfield Avenue.

When the vehicle stopped, two of the three occupants exited the vehicle and ran from the officers. The officers chased the subjects on foot and were fired upon.

Nine Oxnard police officers fired their weapons during this incident. One suspect, Jose Zepeda, sustained fatal gunshot wounds. A second suspect, Justin Villa, sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound, and was arrested. The third suspect, Rafael Hernandez, remained in the vehicle and was arrested.

During this rapidly developing foot pursuit, which included officers being fired upon, some of the officers believed that Alfonso Limon was one of the suspects. As a result, some of the officers fired their weapons at him.

It was determined that Limon was not involved in the incident. Officers moved Limon, who was in close proximity to Zepeda, to another location where officers and emergency medical service personnel rendered aid. Unfortunately, Limon’s injuries were fatal.

Two handguns belonging to the suspects were recovered at the scene.

The involved officers are currently on administrative leave, which is standard procedure following critical incidents.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is conducting the investigation, along with assistance from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the Oxnard Police Department. The Oxnard Police Department will also conduct an administrative investigation.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10/18/2012, 1600 hours