Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle vs. Train – Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	5/24/13; 2047 hours
LOCATION:	Rose Avenue just north of SR-34 (Fifth Street)
VICTIM(S):	Male, 70’s, possible Oxnard Resident (Name withheld pending notification of next of kin)
PARTIES:	Amtrak; Vera Olivia Vega, 43 years, Oxnard resident; Lea Davis, 49 years, Camarillo Resident
VEHICLES:	Black ’07 Dodge Charger, Blue ’03 Ford Expedition, Silver ’07 Toyota Camry


PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, 805-385-7750, [email protected]

DETAILS:
On May 24, 2013, at about 8:47 P.M., officers and EMS responded to an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and an Amtrak train on Rose Avenue just north of SR-34 (Fifth Street). Upon arrival, officers found that a black Dodge Charger had been struck by an Amtrak train and the debris from the collision had damaged a blue Ford Expedition and a silver Toyota Camry. Officers also found a male in the Dodge unconscious.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Dodge, driven by a male in his 70s, was stopped southbound on Rose Avenue on rail road tracks just north of SR-34 (Fifth Street). The Amtrak train was traveling westbound on the railroad tracks towards Rose Avenue. The Ford, driven by Vera Olivia Vega was stopped at a red light in the number one left turn lane from SR-34 (Fifth Street) to northbound Rose Avenue. The Toyota, driven by Lea Davis, was stopped eastbound on SR-34 (Fifth Street) just west of Rose Avenue.

As the Amtrak train approached the railroad crossing at Rose Avenue, the bells and lights for the railroad crossing arms were activated. For unknown reasons, the Dodge remained stopped on the tracks when it was struck by the Amtrak train.

The male driver of the Dodge was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. Driver Vega and Davis were not injured as a result of the collision. There were no reported injuries among the passengers on the Amtrak train.

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were 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: May 25, 2013, 4:00 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:	Vehicle Pursuit
DATE/TIME:	7/8/13 at about 1810 hours
LOCATION:	1300 block of W. Channel Islands
VICTIM(S):	54 year old male, resident of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Fernando Ochoa, 30 year old Oxnard resident

SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Tan Infiniti Q45

PREPARED BY:	Officer Rocky Marquez
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Department 385-7600

DETAILS:
On 7/8/13 at about 1810 hours, members of the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (S.E.U.) attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the area of Channel Islands Blvd. and Ventura Rd. The vehicle failed to yield to officers and a short pursuit ensued.

During the pursuit, the driver of the vehicle, Fernando Ochoa, began driving erratically, eastbound in the 1300 block of W. Channel Islands Boulevard, reaching speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour. Based on the reckless driving pattern of Ochoa, pursuing officers elected to cancel their pursuit of the vehicle.

The vehicle continued to flee, colliding with two vehicles on Channel Island Blvd. before ultimately crashing into a live line utility pole in the west alley of the 2900 block of Saviers Road. S.E.U. Officers apprehended Ochoa after a brief foot pursuit. Ochoa was arrested for numerous narcotics and vehicle related charges including felony evading (2800.2 C.V.C.) and D.U.I. resulting in bodily injury (23153(a) C.V.C.)

One uninvolved motorist suffered a minor injury from the traffic collision; however, they refused medical treatment.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7/8/13, 8:58PM.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT:	Road Closures for the 2013 Salsa Dash
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, July 20, 2013 7:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard, Downtown
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Mike Robison, Traffic Officer
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
The 2013 Oxnard Salsa Festival, the 20th anniversary celebration of everything salsa, presents the Salsa Dash on Saturday, July 20^th. This run/walk is a sightseeing tour through downtown Oxnard on the wide, charming streets of the Henry T. Oxnard National Register Historic District, and across the finish line at the Plaza Park Pagoda. The Salsa Dash will feature a 5K and 10K starting at 8:00 A.M. and a kids fun run starting at 9:30 A.M.

Several streets will be closed during this event to provide added safety for the participants. Oxnard Police Department personnel will also be conducting traffic control at several intersections along the course. The following streets will be closed from 7:30 A.M. to the end of the event at approximately 11:00 A.M.:

1.         4th St. (A St. to G St.)
2.         F St. (4th St. to Devonshire Dr.)
3.         2nd St. (G St. to F St.)
4.         G St. (2nd St. to 4th St.)
5.         C St. (3rd St. to 5th St.)
6.         5th St. (C St. to A St.)

If you live or work in the area of these roadways or intersections, we apologize for any inconvenience. The roads will be re-opened as soon as possible following the event.

For information related to the 2013 Oxnard Salsa Festival or Salsa Dash, please visit www.oxnardsalsafestival.com.

For any questions related to the road closures for this event, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT:	DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint, this Friday
DATE/TIME:	Friday, August 16th, 2013 6:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749, or [email protected]

DETAILS:

Oxnard, CA – The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on Friday, August 16th at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often.

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers will also check drivers for proper licensing and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

In 2010, over 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 791 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver. “Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 6 lives and resulted in 646 injury crashes harming 387 of our friends and neighbors,” said Senior Officer Jamie Brown.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to continue to work together to bring an end to these tragedies. If you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

MEDIA NOTES: To schedule an interview regarding the Oxnard Traffic Safety Operations, please contact Jamie Brown at 805-385-7749 or at [email protected]

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery to a Business
DATE/TIME:	10/06/13 – 1028 hours
LOCATION:	3650 Saviers Road (Union 76 Gas)
VICTIM(S):	Union 76 Gas
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic, malet, 5-09, thin build, black hat, black “hoodie” and blue jeans and a red bandana
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Bicycle
LOSS:	U.S. Currency
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Commander [email protected], (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:
At 1028 hours, officers responded to Texaco Gas located at 3650 Saviers Road after receiving a call of a robbery to the business. Officers learned a Hispanic male, approximately 5-09, thin build, wearing a black hat, black “hoodie,” blue jeans and a red bandana, robbed the business with a handgun.

An employee said that the suspect walked into the business and pulled out a handgun. He demanded money and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured during the incident.

The suspect was last seen riding a bicycle northbound from the area.

Anyone with information regarding this crime should contact the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. You may also contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Felony DUI Arrest and Felony Child Endangerment
DATE/TIME:	11-9-13 / 2234 hours
LOCATION:	Saviers Road at Hueneme Road
VICTIM(S):	32-year old female, 6-year old male, and 2-year old female
SUSPECT(S):	Fidel Aguilar Zaragoza, 28-year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander (805) 207-7078, [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 11-9-13, at 2234 hours, officers responded to Saviers Road just north of Hueneme Road regarding a vehicle collision. Officers found a single vehicle had rolled over. It was occupied by a male driver, later identified as Fidel Aguilar Zaragoza, 28-year old Oxnard resident, Zaragoza’s 32-year old wife, and the couple’s children, a six-year old male and two-year old female, were also passengers in the vehicle.

Officers learned the vehicle lost control as it turned onto Saviers Road from Hueneme Road. Officers saw that Zaragoza had objective symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol and a DUI investigation was conducted. Zaragoza was subsequently found to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested. He was also found to be unlicensed.

Zaragoza’s six-year old son sustained a minor complaint of pain to the right ankle.

Zaragoza was ultimately booked into the Ventura County Main Jail and charged with felony drunk driving, felony child endangerment, and being an unlicensed driver.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 11-9-13, 2355 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Wanted Person ARREST UPDATE
DATE/TIME:	11/13/2013 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	Samjoan Robert Marquez
PREPARED BY:	Detective Cody Collet
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Cody Collet [email protected] 805-486-6228

DETAILS: Samjoan Robert Marquez is wanted for several shooting incidents that occurred in the City of Oxnard during the months of March, April, and May. Marquez has several felony warrants for his arrest for these shootings, and is suspected to be armed and dangerous. The Oxnard Police Department, along with other Ventura County Law Enforcement Agencies, is attempting to determine the whereabouts of Marquez. If anyone has information about this suspect, they are encouraged to call Detective Cody Collet at (805) 486-6228. 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.

**UPDATE**
On 11/13/13 at approximately 1300 hours, Marquez was apprehended in the City of Ventura for his outstanding warrants for the above listed shootings. Marquez was arrested without incident and booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Graffiti Vandalism Arrest
DATE/TIME:	11/21/2013 at approximately 0820 hours
LOCATION:	600 block E. Gonzales Road
VICTIM(S):	City of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Male juvenile, 17 years old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective John Brisslinger
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective John Brisslinger [email protected] (805)385-7600

DETAILS: On 11/21/13 at 0700 hours, Investigators from the Oxnard police department’s Violent Crimes Unit served a search warrant and arrested a 17 year old male juvenile on 114 counts of graffiti vandalism. Investigators obtained information the previous week that linked the juvenile to his tagged moniker. The graffiti vandalism committed by the juvenile vandal cost the City of Oxnard an estimated $16,000.00 to clean.

If anyone has information about this incident or incidents involving other graffiti vandals, you are encouraged to call Detective John Brisslinger 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: 11/21/2013, 1440 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Possession of loaded firearm in a vehicle
DATE/TIME:	11-22-13 / 1800 hours
LOCATION:	400 Block of South Oxnard Blvd.
SUSPECT(S):	Uriel Barrera (18 years), Roberto Silva (22 years), and Maria Hernandez (23 years) – Oxnard residents
PREPARED BY:	Bill Crisostomo, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Bill Crisostomo, Sergeant, (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On November 22, 2013 at approximately 1800 hours, members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit were working enhanced gang enforcement in the La Colonia Neighborhood due to recent incidents.

Officers conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of South Oxnard Blvd and a documented Colonia gang member was contacted in the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle a loaded semi-auto handgun was recovered.

Barrera and Maria Hernandez were arrested for various weapon violations.

Roberto Silva was arrested for violation of the Colonia gang injunction.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: November 22, 2013/1945

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	11-24-13 / 2240 hours
LOCATION:	300 Block of E. Juniper
VICTIM(S):	42 year old male, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown



PREPARED BY:	Kevin Baysinger, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police and Fire Communications Center 805-385-7740

DETAILS:

At 2240 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 300 Block of East Juniper Street regarding a stabbing victim. Once on scene, officers located the victim, a 42 year old male, who had suffered multiple stab wounds. The subject was transported to VCMC where he underwent surgery for his wounds. He is expected to survive.

Officers canvassed the area but were unable to learn anything about the suspect or where the stabbing may have occurred.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740. 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 11-25-13 / 0120 hours