News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 23, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian

LOCATION: Vineyard Avenue at Stroube Street

DRIVER: Albert Betkouchar, Santa Clarita Resident

VEHICLE: 2014 Honda Accord

BICYCLIST: Unidentified Male, 30-to-40 years old

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

On January 23, 2024, at approximately 7:04 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred at the intersection of Vineyard Avenue and Stroube Street. The pedestrian, an unidentified male in his thirties, sustained major injuries and was transported to a hospital. He was pronounced deceased a short time later. The driver of the vehicle, Albert Betkouchar, remained on scene and was uninjured.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that Betkouchar was driving northbound Vineyard Avenue when he struck the pedestrian, who had been crossing Vineyard Avenue at the intersection of Stroube Street. Investigators did not believe that alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors to the collision. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)200-5668 or via email at [email protected].

All officers have cleared the scene. Thank you for your patience.

On Tue, Jan 23, 2024 at 8:02 PM Baysinger, Kevin <[email protected]> wrote:

Officers are on scene of a traffic collision at Stroube Street and Vineyard Avenue. Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route until the scene is cleared.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 20, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal Train Collision Involving a Pedestrian

LOCATION: Gonzales Road and Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard

PEDESTRIAN: 64-year-old male of Oxnard, CA

CONTACT: Michael Gens, Sergeant

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

On January 19, 2024 at approximately 12:54 p.m., Oxnard Police Officers, Oxnard Fire Department personnel and EMS responded to collision involving a train and pedestrian in the area of Gonzales Road and Oxnard Boulevard. Based on preliminary investigation, it was determined that an Amtrak Train was traveling northbound when it collided with a pedestrian who was on the tracks. The collision occurred north of Gonzales Road, along a stretch of the track that has no designated crossing for pedestrians or vehicles. It is unknown why the pedestrian was on the tracks. The pedestrian succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 19, 2024 (4:11 PM)

SUBJECT: Juvenile (16yrs) Arrested for Firearms Possession

SUSPECTS: Juvenile (16yrs)

LOCATION: 4700 Block of Olds Road

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On January 19, 2024, at approximately 4:11 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Patrol Division were conducting a foot patrol in the 4700 block of Olds Road due to recent gang-related activity in the area and subjects loitering in the alleyways. The officers located a sixteen-year-old male subject loitering in the alleyway. The subject was found in possession of nicotine products and a search was conducted. The juvenile was found to have a loaded semi-automatic 9-millimeter Glock-style Polymer 80 handgun concealed on his person. The juvenile was arrested for various felony firearms-related charges. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are commercially sold as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms.

The Oxnard Police Department 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.

Commander Steve Trickle

Oxnard Police Department

Patrol Watch Commander

805-385-7600

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

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

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.