Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	3/9/2015 / 0005 Hours
LOCATION:	400 Block of Palm Drive
VICTIM(S):	Daniel Reyes 22 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Denise Shadinger
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:
On 03/09/15 at 0005 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to the Arco gas station at 105 North Oxnard Blvd reference a shooting victim. Upon arrival they contacted the victim Daniel Reyes in the parking lot. Reyes was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center and is listed in stable condition. His injuries are not life threatening. Officers learned the shooting occurred in the 400 block of Palm Drive.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crime Unit are investigating the shooting. The motive for the shooting is unknown.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 03/09/2015, 0330 hours

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:	March 12, 2015 / 1948 hours
LOCATION:	Fifth Street west of Victoria Avenue
PARTY 1:	Estevan Antonio Ruiz, 37 years, Oxnard Resident
PARTY 2:	Philip Francis Ingraham, 55 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1 PASSENGER:	17 year old juvenile, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Yellow, 2001 Honda CBR900RR Motorcycle
VEHICLE 2:	Blue, 1995 Toyota Pickup
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On March 12, 2015, at about 7:48 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the area of Fifth Street west of Victoria Avenue in reference to an injury traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a truck. When they arrived on scene, they located a motorcycle, the driver of the motorcycle, Estevan Antonio Ruiz, and his passenger, a 17-year old juvenile, lying in the roadway.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2001 Honda CBR900RR motorcycle, driven by Estevan Antonio Ruiz, was traveling eastbound on Fifth Street west of Victoria Avenue at a high rate of speed. A 1995 Toyota pickup truck, driven by Philip Francis Ingraham, was also traveling eastbound on Fifth Street. The motorcycle collided with the rear of the pickup truck. Ruiz and his juvenile passenger were both ejected from the motorcycle. Both of them were wearing motorcycle helmets.

Ruiz and his passenger were both transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for injuries sustained as a result of this collision. Ruiz is currently listed in critical condition. His juvenile passenger is listed in stable condition.

It is unknown at this time whether or not alcohol or drugs played a role in this collision.

Update 3/14/15, 10:00 P.M:
The Oxnard Police Department was notified this evening that motorcyclist Estevan Antonio Ruiz has died. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of death. The collision is still being investigated.

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

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	March 24, 2015 / 2103 hours
LOCATION:	Victoria Avenue south of Gonzales Road
VEHICLE 1:	White, 2015 Chrysler 200
DRIVER 1:	Javier Murillo, 56 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2:	Silver, 2008 Nissan Altima
DRIVER 2:	Maria Cortez, 62 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 3:	Silver, 2003 Honda Accord
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On Tuesday, March 25, 2015, at about 9:03 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to Victoria Avenue, south of Gonzales Road, in reference to an injury traffic collision.

When officers arrived at the collision scene, they found that three vehicles were involved and sustained extensive damage. Emergency medical personnel arrived and immediately engaged in rescue efforts as two drivers were still trapped inside the vehicles. Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate Javier Murillo, the driver of a white Chrysler 200 sedan and also used them to free Maria Cortez from the driver’s seat of a silver Nissan Altima. Juan Rodriguez, the driver of the third vehicle, a silver Honda Accord, sustained minor injuries and was later released from the scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Chrysler, for an unknown reason, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Victoria Avenue when it collided head-on with the Nissan Altima. Almost simultaneously, a secondary collision occurred when the Chrysler struck the Honda Accord that was also traveling southbound on Victoria Avenue.

Driver Murillo was transported from the scene to the Ventura County Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery for extensive injuries. He is currently listed in critical condition. Driver Cortez was also transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where she is listed in serious condition. She sustained several injuries including two broken legs. The right front passenger in her vehicle, Manuela Jara-Avila, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center and is in stable condition. She sustained lacerations to her right leg and injuries to her back and neck.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were factors in this collision. The collision is still under investigation.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at 805-385-7750 or via email at maria.pena@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 25, 2015 at 0145 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Call for Community Action

Community Meeting

In response to a recent series of gang-involved violent crimes, Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams held a special meeting on Monday, March 9, 2015 with members of the Chief’s Advisory Board as well as a number of faith-based leaders from throughout the community. The purpose of the meeting was to brief community leaders about a recent string of gang-involved shootings, share the police department’s response to the violence, and facilitate a roundtable discussion focused on how the community can help curb the violence.

The Situation

During the meeting, attendees were briefed about eleven (11) shootings involving thirteen (13) victims that occurred in Oxnard between January 14th and March 9th. Three (3) of these shootings were homicides. It is believed that all of the below-listed incidents involved Oxnard gang members as suspects. In at least four cases, persons who are not believed to have been involved with gangs were shot. In two cases, persons not believed to be involved in gangs were killed (noted below with an asterisk*).

January 14, 2015: 5100 block Perkins Road – Victim, Jose Escobar (24 years old)*
January 21, 2015: 200 block Balsam Street – Victim Luis Amaro (41 years old)
January 31, 2015: 1300 block Freidrich Lane – Victim Joseph Tamayo (28 years old)
February 15, 2015: 4600 block Cloyne Street – Victim Carlos Medina (21 years old)
February 24, 2015: 5300 block South J Street – Victim Benjamin Dixon (21 years old)
February 28, 2015: 700 block Berkshire – Victim Hector Galeas (23 years old) and Bibiana Chavez (39 years old)
February 28, 2015: 100 block Eliza Court – Victims Albert Mendoza (22 years old) and Michael Andrade (22 years old)*
March 1, 2015: 5400 block South J Street – Victim Miguel Lopez (21 years old)
March 4, 2015: 5300 block South J Street – Victim Edgar Avitia (26 years old)
March 5, 2015: 1200 block South G Street – Victim Daniel Franco (32 years old)
March 9, 2015: 400 block Palm Drive – Victim Daniel Reyes (22 years old)

Oxnard Police Department’s Response

The Oxnard Police Department has reallocated a variety of resources aimed at stopping the cycle of violence as well as providing an increased uniformed presence to reassure neighborhood residents. The Field Services Bureau has increased bicycle patrols in the impacted neighborhoods and enhanced the staffing levels of the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) with the intent of targeting the most dangerous gang members believed to be responsible for the violence. The Investigative Services Bureau has shifted the responsibilities of several investigators with the express purpose of working with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office to identify and arrest the suspects in the above-listed incidents.

Oxnard Police Officers have made twenty-four (24) firearms-related arrests since the beginning of the aforementioned cycle of violence after making one-hundred and six (106) in 2014. The Oxnard Police Department seized two-hundred and forty (240) firearms in 2014 and we will continue to focus on prohibited persons in possession of firearms through the efforts of the Firearms Strike Team (F.A.S.T.).

It is encouraging to note that the City of Oxnard has not experienced a gang-related shooting since the community meeting was convened on March 9th.

Community Members Demand That Violence Must Cease

“A strong community needs a strong police department, and a strong police department needs the support of our community. We cannot do this alone,” Chief Jeri Williams said to the assembled group of community, business, and faith-based leaders on March 9th.

The community leaders in attendance were passionate about developing ways to be more proactive in the community. Suggested courses of action ranged from peace marches to peace cruising to prayer vigils. Several community members offered strong words for those involved in the violence and those affected in our neighborhoods:

“Violence within our community should never be tolerated. Our community needs to demonstrate its intolerance equally against all perpetrators. We all share in the responsibility of ensuring a safe Oxnard,” –Harry Cortez, Longtime Oxnard resident and community leader

“It’s not okay that my children are not safe to play at the neighborhood park, or go for a bike ride before or after dinner because its dark and dangerous outside. It’s not okay that I don’t feel safe in the surrounding areas where I live. It’s not okay to live in FEAR. Now is the time that we as a community can do something about it… Imagine feeling safe in Oxnard? It can definitely happen. We just need to care enough to change it and no longer accept it,” –Theresa Quijano

“This is not a new problem in our society and certainly not in Oxnard but only if the community comes together and stands up with ONE VOICE will we be able to stop this domestic war that uses as a battleground our very own cities, counties and states right here in our good old USA!” –Pablo Ortiz

“We the faith-based community along with the citizens of our city are tired of hearing about all the violence that has been going on these last few weeks!! It’s time to take our streets back!! We need to be out there in the front lines showing our concern for our youth!!! It’s times for action! We can make a difference one life at a time!!” –Pastor Lou Trinidad

The City of Oxnard’s Youth Safety Coordinator, Ken Klopman, was also in attendance at the meeting and will work with the group to determine what type of events/marches will be held in the future. A Community Peace March has tentatively been scheduled for the month of May as an opportunity for anyone interested to participate and show those responsible for the violence that it will not be tolerated in our community. The exact date will be announced in the coming days. If you wish to help by participating in or helping to organize neighborhood forums or events to address youth violence, please contact Ken Klopman at the Office of Youth Safety at (805) 385-7471 or ken.klopman@ci.oxnard.ca.us.

What The Public Can Do

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to thoroughly investigating all of the incidents to bring justice for the victims of these senseless crimes. We encourage our community to always remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity. As neighbors, we are the first to recognize activity that does not look or sound right. The public can report any suspicious activity by calling (805) 385-7740 from any phone, or 911. Spanish translators are available, and callers can remain anonymous.

Persons with additional information about any of the incidents listed above are encouraged to call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or contact the Ventura County Crimestoppers at (800) 222-8477. Persons can also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx to leave an anonymous tip.

The City of Oxnard offers up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 4/1/2015 at 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:	Firearms Arrest
DATE/TIME:	5-23-15 / 0213 hours
LOCATION:	2800 Block of South Rose Ave.
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Jorge Coria, 40 Year Old Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Jeff McGreevy, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett, Violent Crimes Unit, 385-7600

DETAILS:

On 5-23-15 about 0213 hours, Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to a business in the 2800 block of S. Rose Avenue regarding a suspicious subject. The officers located the subject and identified him as Jorge Coria. While the officers were interviewing Coria he suddenly stood up and ran away. The officers pursued him on foot as he ran across Oxnard Blvd. They observed him remove a handgun from his waistband and discard it. Coria fell as he was running and was taken into custody without further incident. The officers inspected the firearm and found it was a loaded .38 caliber revolver. Coria was booked into the Ventura County Jail for numerous Felony firearms violations and resisting arrest.

Jorge Coria 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 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 commitment offense, prior convictions are not considered.

In an effort to address the increase in firearms-related crimes, the Oxnard Police Department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crime Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons within the city. The objective of this initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.

Persons with additional information may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Persons can also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 5-23-15 / 0730 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Court Operation Leads to Seven Arrests for Suspended Driver’s Licenses
DATE/TIME:	June 15, 2015 / 0800 – 1200 hours
LOCATION:	Ventura County Courthouse, 800 S. Victoria Avenue City of Ventura
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On Monday, June 15, 2015, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a special enforcement operation targeting drivers who appeared in court for cases involving imposed driver’s license suspensions. Each of the individuals appearing in court was informed or reminded by a judge that their driving privilege was suspended.

During the operation, seven individuals left the court room, drove away from the courthouse and were stopped by officers. Officers arrested all seven drivers for violations of driving with a suspended driver’s license. Four of the drivers had DUI related driving suspensions, two had failure to appear in court suspensions and one driver’s privilege was suspended from a previous arrest for the possession of a large quantity of marijuana. The seven vehicles were towed from the scene of the stop and potentially face a 30-day impound.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct operations like these to help make our community and roadways safer.

These operations are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

For questions related to traffic safety and enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at 805-385-7749 or via email at jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: June 15, 2015 at 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:	Gang member in possession of a handgun
DATE/TIME:	July 16, 2015/1700
LOCATION:	4th Street and “B” Street
VICTIM(S):	State of CA
SUSPECT(S):	Daniel Ruiz
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	None
PREPARED BY:	Bill Crisostomo, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Bill Crisostomo, Sergeant (805)385-7644 bill.crisostomo@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On July 16, 2015 at approximately 1700, officers from the Special Enforcement Unit were conducting gang enforcement in the downtown area of the city. SEU officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of 4^th Street and “B” Street. During the traffic stop Daniel Ruiz, a documented gang member, was contacted and found to be in possession of a loaded semi-automatic handgun.

Ruiz was arrested on several firearm related charges including being a felon in possession of a firearm. Ruiz was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.

The Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witnesses to a crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 16, 2015/1745

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Adult – UPDATE
DATE/TIME:	9-10-15 / 1800 hours
LOCATION:	400 Block of Douglas Avenue, Oxnard
MISSING PERSON:	Jose De Jesus Lopez Aceves, 64 years, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Greg Harasymowycz, Senior Police Officer Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander, martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org, (805) 207-7078

DETAILS:

UPDATE: Mr. Aceves returned home unharmed. The Police Department would like to thank residents and media for their attention to this matter.

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Jose De Jesus Lopez Aceves, 64-year old Oxnard resident, who was reported missing from the 400 block of Douglas Avenue, Oxnard. Aceves is 5’8”, 225 pounds, with black/grey hair and brown eyes. Aceves was last seen in the 400 block of Douglas Avenue, on 9-9-15, at approximately 10:30 PM. Aceves was wearing a yellow polo shirt, grey pants and brown shoes.

If located, please call the Oxnard Police Department dispatch center at: 805-385-7740, or 9-1-1.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9-10-15 / 1830 hours

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:	September 27, 2015 at 5:34 pm
LOCATION:	Channel Islands Blvd. west of C Street
VICTIM(S):	Single male driver
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Chris Inglehart
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. Chris Inglehart, 805-385-7684

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is currently on-scene of a fatal traffic collision on Channel Islands Blvd. west of C Street. The collision involved a solo motorcyclist who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Channel Islands Blvd. is closed between C and J Streets so motorists should use alternate routes.

If anyone witnessed the collision, they are encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9/27/15 at 6:20 pm

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Driver Involved in Fatal Traffic Collision Arrested
DATE/TIME:	Date of collision: July 17, 2015 / 1545 hours
LOCATION:	Saviers Road @ Wolff Street
DRIVER 1:	Andres Ceja, 32 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Blue motorcycle
PASSENGER (MOTORCYCLE):	Desiree Mendez, 24 years, Oxnard Resident (deceased)
DRIVER 2:	Raul Trevino, 20 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2:	Black, Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Traffic Officer Mike Wood (805) 385-7750 mike.wood@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
Update:

On Friday, October 23, 2015, at about 1630 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department arrested Driver Andres Ceja following an extensive investigation of the collision that killed 24 year old Desiree Mendez on July 17, 2015. Ceja was booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, driving while under the influence of drugs and driving with a suspended driver’s license. His bail is set at $250,000.

Original news release:

On Friday, July 17, 2015, at about 3:45 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Saviers Road and Wolff Street in reference to an injury traffic collision involving two vehicles, one being a small motorcycle.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the motorcycle, driven by Andres Ceja and with a female passenger, was traveling northbound on Saviers Road. The Chevrolet truck was traveling southbound on Saviers Road approaching the intersection of Wolff Street. For an unknown reason, the motorcycle turned left at Wolff Street and into the direct path of the truck causing a broadside collision. The impact caused Driver Ceja and his female passenger to be ejected from the motorcycle. Both of them were transported from the scene to the Ventura County Medical Center with critical injuries. The female was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Driver Ceja is currently listed in stable condition. Driver Trevino was uninjured.

Driver Ceja and his female passenger were not wearing motorcycle helmets at the time of the collision.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs are factors in the collision. The collision is still under investigation.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Traffic Officer Mike Wood at 805-385-7750 or via email at mike.wood@oxnardpd.org.