News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 19, 2024 (9:24 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Passenger Arrested for Possessing Concealed Handgun

SUSPECTS: Devin Knapp, 29-year-old Gardena resident

LOCATION: A St. at Fifth St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

On January 19th, at approximately 9:24 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of A St. and Fifth St. During the contact officers learned the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. The officers began removing the occupants from the vehicle.

One of the passengers, later identified as Devin Knapp, admitted to being in possession of a concealed handgun. Officers confiscated the handgun and Knapp was taken into custody for firearms violations.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 13, 2024

SUBJECT: Serious Injury Traffic Collision

VEHICLE: 2002 Chevy Avalanche

DRIVER: Hector Lopez, 48-yr-old Oxnard resident

PEDESTRIAN: Thomas Fernandez, 35-yr-old Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Alvaro Pulido, Corporal

(805) 385-7749 (Mon-Th 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

On January 13, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a call for service regarding a traffic collision involving a vehicle striking a pedestrian at Wooley Road and Oxnard Boulevard.

Upon arrival, officers located a pedestrian in the roadway suffering from significant injuries. The pedestrian, later identified as Thomas Fernandez, was quickly transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Hector Lopez, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

Investigators believe the Chevy Avalanche was traveling westbound on Wooley Road when it struck Fernandez. Investigators do not believe speed or impairment are a contributing factor to the collision however the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Corporal Alvaro Pulido at (805) 385-7749 or via email at [email protected]. Also, anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600.

If the inquiry is outside of the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage the use of the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more effective way to reach the Investigator. Our watch commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and still can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 13, 2024

SUBJECT: DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Three impaired drivers arrested during DUI checkpoint.

On January 13, 2024, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on Rose Avenue, north of Patton Court. The operation resulted in three arrests for impaired driving and seventeen citations.

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

Funding for this checkpoint and DUI enforcement patrols was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Officers are on scene of a serious traffic collision at Wooley Rd and Oxnard Blvd. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes and avoid the area.

Officers have cleared the scene, and the roadway is now open.

On Sat, Jan 13, 2024 at 7:03 PM Whitmer, Daniel <[email protected]> wrote:

Officers are on scene of a serious traffic collision at Wooley Rd and Oxnard Blvd. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes and avoid the area.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 13, 2024 (3:07 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Subjects Arrested for Firearms Violations

SUSPECTS: Francisco Suarez, 27-year-old Oxnard resident

Joel Ruiz, 21-year-old Oxnard resident

Shawn Leslie Garcia, 27-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 2600 block of El Dorado Avenue, Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On January 13, at approximately 3:07 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) contacted several subjects in the 2600 block of El Dorado Avenue. During this contact, a loaded firearm was observed in plain view, and within reach, of suspects Shawn Leslie Garcia and Francisco Suarez. This firearm was safely recovered, and Garcia and Suarez were arrested, without incident. While engaging in the contact of additional persons in the group, suspect Joel Ruiz was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun, concealed on his person. Ruiz was also arrested, without incident.

Both firearms were inspected and found to have the serial numbers obliterated. Suarez and Ruiz are both convicted felons, with prior convictions for firearms violations, and are prohibited from possessing firearms.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 12, 2024 (7:51 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Juvenile gang members arrested for possession of

firearms.

SUSPECTS: Male Juvenile, 16-year-old Oxnard resident

Male Juvenile, 16-year-old Oxnard resident

Male Juvenile, 17-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 1300 block Commercial Ave., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On January 12, at approximately 7:51 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) assisted Patrol on a call for service of subjects drinking and disturbing in the mobile home park located in the 1300 block of Commercial Ave.

Patrol and Special Enforcement Officers, contacted approximately twenty subjects in the mobile home park. Upon contact, two subjects immediately discarded firearms and fled from police. The two subjects who were in possession of firearms were apprehended and found to be juvenile gang members. Two additional juveniles were also arrested for obstructing and delaying the investigation.

Officers located the two handguns which were identified as a Ruger-57, 5.7 x 28mm and a Springfield .45 caliber pistol. Both firearms were found to be unregistered.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 10, 2024

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrols

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 | [email protected]

Oxnard Police Department to hold DUI Checkpoint and use extra officers to patrol for suspected impaired drivers

The Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol on Saturday, January 13, 2024, specifically looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In addition, the Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city. The DUI Checkpoint and DUI patrols will be from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

DUI checkpoints and patrols are done in locations with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

In 2021, 1,370 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above). The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take these precautions to avoid a DUI:

● Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation – to get home.

● Walking while impaired is also dangerous. Have someone sober walk you home or stay with you until a sober driver is available to pick you up.

● Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

● Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

A DUI arrest is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Sergeant Mike Gens

Oxnard Police Department Traffic Division

Tuesday – Friday Dayshift

(805)385-7847 | [email protected]

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 10, 2024 (7:21 p.m.)

SUBJECT: 15-Year-Old Arrested for Possessing Concealed P80 Handgun

SUSPECTS: 15-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 800 blk. of Jane Dr., Port Hueneme

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On January 10th, at approximately 7:21 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) were patrolling South Oxnard. As the officers turned on to Jane Dr., they observed a male juvenile clutch his waistband and begin fleeing toward an apartment complex. Based on the officers’ observations, they believed the juvenile was illegally in possession of a firearm.

The officers pursued the juvenile on foot and observed the juvenile discard a semi-automatic handgun. The officers apprehended the juvenile after a brief foot pursuit. Officers examined the firearm that the juvenile discarded and noted that it was a loaded 9-millimeter, Glock-style, Polymer 80, un-serialized, semi-automatic handgun. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. The juvenile was booked at the Oxnard Police Department and subsequently transported to the Juvenile Justice Center.

Bakari Myers, Sergeant

Special Enforcement Unit / SWAT

[email protected]

(805) 797-6202

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 9, 2024

SUBJECT: Illegal Gun Possession Arrest

SUSPECTS: Daniel Collins, 63 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 3400 block of Frankfort Court, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7623 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) [email protected]

During the latter part of 2023, the Oxnard Police Department received several complaints of possible narcotic activity occurring in and around the area of the 3400 block of Frankfort Court.

The Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) assumed control of the investigation and identified Daniel Collins as a possible suspect. Sufficient evidence was gathered allowing detectives to secure a search warrant for Collins’ residence.

On January 9, 2024, the Oxnard Police Department’s S.W.A.T. Team executed the search warrant at Collins’ residence. With the assistance of detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit, several loaded unregistered semi-automatic handguns and a fully automatic pistol were located and seized. In the rear yard of the residence, a previously reported stolen vehicle was located and recovered. Collins was booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention Facility for several gun-related charges. This investigation would not have been possible without the assistance of the public.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit is composed of detectives who have been federally deputized as Task Force Officers by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These Task Force Officers are assigned to the Ventura County Criminal Investigation Division and are in charge of investigating violations of the drug and criminal laws of the United States of America.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses in the city of Oxnard. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.