News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 11, 2023

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 Friday, December 15, 2023 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 2018, 1,069 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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 10, 2023

SUBJECT: Police Seek Information on Attempted Murder Case

LOCATION: 2701 Riverpark Boulevard, Oxnard

VICTIM: 15-Year-Old Male, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Detective Steve Eckman | (805) 384-4771 | [email protected]

On July 28, 2023, at approximately 8:50 PM, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a shooting victim on the first floor of the parking structure at The Collection in Riverpark. Officers and EMS personnel arrived on scene and located a 15-year-old male suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to his lower leg. The subject was immediately transported to a local hospital where he was listed in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation. Detectives are encouraging anyone who was present at the scene and may have heard or seen anything to please contact Detective Steve Eckman at 805-384-4771 or by email at [email protected].

Information can be reported online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and click on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous and still provide valuable information by calling Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

Paul Carganilla
Community Affairs Manager, Oxnard Police Department

(805)385-7631 | (805)342-8292 | www.oxnardpd.org

[email protected] | 251 South "C" Street

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NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 9, 2023

SUBJECT: Santa to the Sea Half Marathon

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Motorists to expect delays for the 2023 Santa to the Sea Half Marathon

The 16^th annual Santa to the Sea Half Marathon is scheduled for this Sunday morning, December 10^th. The race begins at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Santa on Ventura Boulevard and travels through the City of Oxnard where it concludes at the Marine Emporium Landing located at 3600 South Harbor Boulevard.

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department will be handling traffic control along the race course, and motorists should expect significant delays at several intersections throughout the city. These intersections include:

· Rice Avenue at Sturgis Road

· Rose Avenue at Camino Del Sol

· Fifth Street at Hobson Way

· Ventura Road at Ninth Street

· Wooley Road at Patterson Road

· Victoria Avenue at Wooley Road

· Harbor Boulevard at Wooley Road.

Motorists wishing to travel northbound and southbound in the city are encouraged to use Oxnard Boulevard as it will not be affected by the race. Rice Avenue and Rose Avenue are expected to be re-opened by 9:30 a.m. All other roadways are expected to be re-opened by 10:30 a.m.

For any questions related to the race or the traffic plan for this event, please contact Sergeant Mike Gens at (805)385-7847 or via email at [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 7, 2023

SUBJECT: 16-year-old Juvenile shot, dies from injuries

LOCATION: 200 Block W Clara Street, Oxnard

VICTIM: 16-Year-Old Male Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Sergeant Jess Aragon

(805) 385-7632 | [email protected]

On December 7, 2023 at approximately 8:00 AM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to the 200 block of W Clara St regarding a report of a shooting victim. The caller advised he was transporting the victim to a local hospital. Officers located the caller and the shooting victim, a 16-year-old male, in the area of Oxnard Blvd and Date St. The 16-year-old male was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers and EMS personnel provided emergency medical treatment to the subject and he was transported to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

Officers located evidence of the shooting in the 200 block of W Clara St.

The Oxnard Police Department was later contacted by the Ventura County Medical Center advising the juvenile had succumbed to his injuries.

The incident appears to be gang related.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Meagan Tobey at 805-385-7755 or by email at [email protected]. The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City.

Date / Time: 12/8/23 / 11:50 A.M.

Sergeant Jess Aragon

Oxnard Police Department

Major Crimes

Office (805)385-7632 (Mon – Thurs 7 AM – 5 PM)

Cell (805)207-9097

[email protected]

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 8, 2023

SUBJECT: Winter DUI Enforcement Mobilization

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Make This a Holiday Season to Remember:

Celebrate Responsibly with a “Go Safely” Game Plan

National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Enforcement Begins Dec. 13

The holiday season can be a dangerous time for people on the roads. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired driving crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Oxnard Police Department wants to remind the public of the dangers of impaired driving and celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.

From December 13 through New Year’s Day, the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol 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 on Friday, December 15, 2023, at an undisclosed location within the city. The checkpoint will be from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk.

The Oxnard Police Department encourages everyone to stay in for the night or have a “go safely” game plan by scheduling a ride or designating a sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol.

Impaired driving is not just alcohol. Marijuana, prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may also impair. Do your research and understand how certain drugs may affect your driving ability.

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

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 8, 2023 (11:00 a.m.)

SUBJECT: Documented Gang Member Arrested for Firearms Violations

SUSPECTS: Carlos Hernandez, 41-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 600 Block W Pleasant Valley Rd, Oxnard

CONTACT: Ricardo Vega, Detective

(805) 385-8291 | [email protected]

In November 2023, the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) began an investigation into Carlos Rene Hernandez illegally possessing firearms. Mr. Hernandez is a documented member of a criminal street gang and is prohibited from possessing firearms. The investigation led Detectives to develop enough evidence to obtain a search warrant.

On December 8, 2023, members from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Mr. Hernandez in south Oxnard. During a search of the vehicle pursuant to the search warrant, detectives located a loaded and unregistered 9mm handgun. A search warrant was later served at Mr. Hernandez’s residence where an unserialized AR-15-style rifle was found. Detectives also located multiple rounds of ammunition, gun parts, narcotics, and US currency.

Mr. Hernandez was charged with gun and narcotic sales-related charges. He was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes 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 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 click on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also 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/TIME: December 8, 2023 / 7:50PM

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECT: 13-year-old male juvenile

LOCATION: Dodge Road and Maulhardt Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

[email protected]

(805) 385-7746 (Th-Sat 4PM-4AM)

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers contacted the occupants of a parked vehicle at the above location. Two persons fled from the vehicle but were quickly apprehended. One individual, a 13-year-old male juvenile, admitted to having a firearm in his possession. Officers retrieved a loaded handgun from the juvenile, and he was arrested for possession of a firearm. He was medically cleared before being transported to the Ventura County Juvenile Facilities Complex.

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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 7, 2023

SUBJECT: Shooting Victim

LOCATION: 200 Block W Clara Street, Oxnard

VICTIM: 16-Year-Old Male Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Detective Meagan Tobey

(805) 385-7755 (Tues-Fri 7 AM – 5 PM)

[email protected]

Officers located evidence of the shooting in the 200 block of W Clara St.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME: December 7, 2023 / 3:25PM

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECT: 14-year-old male juvenile

LOCATION: Sturgis Road and Rice Avenue, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

[email protected]

(805) 385-7746 (Th-Sat 4PM-4AM)

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers responded to the above area regarding a traffic collision. Once on scene, officers learned that one subject who was in one of the involved vehicles fled the scene, and was possibly in possession of a firearm. Bystanders directed officers to this subject, who was detained by an uninvolved person. Additionally, bystanders directed officers to the location where this subject discarded an object; officers located a loaded revolver. This subject, a 14-year-old male juvenile, was arrested for possession of a firearm. He was medically cleared before being transported to the Ventura County Juvenile Facilities Complex.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: December 5, 2023, 8:30 a.m.

SUBJECT: 2023 Oxnard Police Department Pink Patch Campaign

LOCATION: Oxnard, California

CONTACT: Paul Carganilla, Community Affairs Manager

(805) 385-7631 | [email protected]

For the sixth consecutive year, the Oxnard Police Department joined other law enforcement agencies across the country in October's “Pink Patch” campaign to raise funds and spread awareness for the battle against breast cancer. This year, Oxnard P.D. partnered with the Oxnard Police Community Foundation, Oxnard Peace Officers’ Association, Starbucks, Stacy Miller Public Affairs, Inc., Boyd & Associates, Ventura County Credit Union, and other local organizations to raise funds and awareness for this cause. Community “pop-up” fundraisers were hosted at the Oxnard Police station, Oxnard Starbucks locations, Anytime Fitness, and the Downtown Oxnard Farmers Market. These efforts raised a total of $9,235.00 for the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity that provides support to breast cancer patients and survivors across Ventura County.

Over the course of the Oxnard Police Department’s six-year participation in the Pink Patch campaign, the department has raised over $82,000.00 for breast cancer treatment, awareness, survivor resources, and research. According to Oxnard Chief of Police Jason Benites, these efforts stem from the department’s fundamental goal of making a positive impact in our community. Benites stated, "We recognize that the impact of this campaign reaches far beyond the monetary donations. The collective efforts of our staff members and the generous contributions from sponsors and our community do not simply raise funds to support local breast cancer survivors, but they demonstrate a spirit of solidarity that goes beyond the badge. We are proud of the way our community continues to support the Pink Patch campaign here in the City of Oxnard."

Boyd & Associates, a leader in security services, served as a leading sponsor of this year’s campaign. "Participating in this event is more than a sponsorship; it's a part of our core belief in giving back to the community that we are so deeply rooted in," said Dan Boyd, CEO of Boyd & Associates. "We recognize the importance of awareness and support in the fight against breast cancer, which affects countless individuals and families not just in Oxnard, but around the world. We stand in solidarity with breast cancer survivors, warriors, and their families. This event is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of our community."

Another campaign sponsor, Ventura County Credit Union, remarked on the importance of the campaign. "At VCCU, we believe in the power of community and collective action. Our organization is proud to stand alongside the Oxnard Police Department and its partners in supporting the annual Pink Patch fundraising campaign, which aims to make a meaningful impact in the fight against breast cancer,” said Linda Rossi, president and CEO of Ventura County Credit Union. “This cause is especially dear to our hearts, as it aligns with our commitment to promoting health and well-being within the communities we serve."

T-shirts for the campaign were generously created by local screen printers Napalm Inc. The unique pink patch police vehicle wrap was created by Vogue Sign Company.

Oxnard P.D. Community Affairs Manager Paul Carganilla added, “We are grateful for every organization and individual in our community who continues to embrace this cause. Thank you for joining us in making a difference through the Pink Patch Campaign and supporting the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation.”

Additional information regarding the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation and their services can be found on their website, www.ribbonsventura.org.

2023 Oxnard Police Department Pink Patch Campai…

Paul Carganilla
Community Affairs Manager, Oxnard Police Department

(805)385-7631 | (805)342-8292 | www.oxnardpd.org

[email protected] | 251 South "C" Street

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