Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AVOID DUI CAMPAIGN, DUI ARRESTS UP & NO DUI FATALITIES REPORTED
DATE/TIME:	May 23 through May 26, 2014
LOCATION:	County of Ventura





PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant, (805) 385-7847
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Maria Peña, Senior Officer, (805) 385-7750 maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

The 2014 Memorial Day Weekend Avoid the 14 Ventura County DUI Campaign concluded with the deployment of sobriety checkpoints in the cites of Ventura and Thousand Oaks, 15 special DUI saturation patrols and officers on routine patrol focusing special attention towards impaired drivers, all working to lower deaths/injuries on our local streets and highways. Fortunately, there were no deaths from alcohol-related collisions reported.

From 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 23, through midnight on Monday, May 26, officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies arrested 64 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. During the 2013 Memorial Day weekend, 45 DUI arrests were made. No alcohol-related collision deaths were reported last year during the same time period.

Law enforcement officials will be conducting more Avoid DUI enforcement throughout the county during the Independence Day weekend followed by the 18 day campaign in August ending Labor Day weekend.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to save lives and report impaired drivers. Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1 anytime you encounter that dangerous driver. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 28, 2014 / 2045 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shots Fired From Vehicle – Arrest
DATE/TIME:	11-29-13 / 11:04 P.M.
LOCATION:	Fourth Street @ “A” Street
SUSPECT(S):	Miguel Perez, 38 years old of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, COmmander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, (randy.latimer@oxnardpd.org) (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:
On 11-29-13, at 2304 hours, officers were dispatched to the area of Seventh Street and “A” Street after receiving calls of gunshots heard in the area. Officers working in the area also heard the gunshots. An involved vehicle was described as a white sedan.

Officers located a vehicle matching that description occupied by four subjects. Officers made a traffic stop at the intersection of Fourth Street and “A” Street and located a loaded semi-automatic handgun along with spent shell casings in the vehicle.

The driver, Miguel Perez, 38 years old of Oxnard, was arrested for 246.3 (a) PC (discharging a firearm with gross negligence), and for numerous related weapons violations; all felonies.

An investigation revealed that Perez allegedly fired several rounds into the air while driving through the Downtown area of Oxnard. No one was injured during the incident.

Officers determined that the incident was not gang-motivated.

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 (Train/Vehicle)
DATE/TIME:	June 3, 2014 / 1926 Hours
LOCATION:	Rice Avenue at Fifth Street
VICTIM(S):	Joel Anthony Arias, 20 years, Oxnard Resident Male, 19 years, Oxnard Resident (Name withheld pending next of kin notification)
VEHICLE 1:	Black, 2004 Infiniti G35
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 June 3, 2014, at about 7:26 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS responded to the intersection of Rice Avenue and Fifth Street in reference to an injury collision involving a vehicle and an Amtrak passenger train.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the black, Infiniti G35, driven by Joel Anthony Arias, was traveling southbound on Rice Avenue approaching the intersection of Fifth Street. Witnesses reported that the Infiniti had been traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the collision. The train was traveling eastbound on the railroad tracks. For an unknown reason, the vehicle failed to stop for the downed railroad crossing arms, entered the railroad crossing and collided into the front of the train. As the train approached the intersection, the bells and lights for the railroad crossing arms were activated. The train’s horn was also audible.

Driver Arias and his passenger, a 19 year old male, were pronounced dead at the scene. There were no reported injuries among the 92 passengers and 14 crew members on the Amtrak train. The train consisted of two locomotives and 11 passenger cars.

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 continuing.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	12/14/13 1430 hours
LOCATION:	1500 block of Alturas Street
VICTIM(S):	Juan Carlos Garcia, 26 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
VEHICLE:	Black 1997 Nissan Truck, California license 5P25941 (similar to photo below)
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Martin Perez, (805) 385-7680 Martin.Perez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is attempting to locate the black 1997 Nissan truck (CA license 5P25941) belonging to Juan Carlos Garcia. The vehicle was last parked in the 1500 block of Alturas Street yesterday. Investigators don’t know if the suspect(s) took the vehicle so if you see the vehicle please dial “911.”

Investigators are continuing to investigate and establish a motive however, don’t believe this incident is gang related. Juan Carlos Garcia’s family and investigators are strongly urging that anyone with information contact Detective Martin Perez at (805) 385-7680 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

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 (Vehicle/ Pedestrian)
DATE/TIME:	September 16, 2014 / 1557 hours
LOCATION:	Vineyard Avenue near Edelweiss Street
PARTY 1:	Male, 15 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Red 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
DRIVER 1:	John Kenneth East, 59 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2:	Blue 2003 Ford F-150 pick-up truck
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Nicolas Jasso, 53 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On September 16, 2014, at about 3:57 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the 300 block of west Vineyard Avenue in reference to an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the pedestrian, a 15 year old male, was crossing the northbound across Vineyard Avenue near Edelweiss Street when he was struck by a red Volkswagen Jetta that was traveling eastbound on Vineyard Avenue. The impact caused the pedestrian to be thrown several feet and land in the roadway. According to witnesses, a second vehicle, a blue Ford F-150 pick-up truck, struck the pedestrian while he was lying in the roadway.

The pedestrian was transported from the scene to the Ventura County Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery for his injuries. He is currently listed in critical condition.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision. The investigation is continuing.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at 805-385-7749.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempt Murder
DATE/TIME:	12/18/13 2020 Hours
LOCATION:	3000 Block Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	Humberto Barajas, 35 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Edgardo Rodriguez, 23 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jess Aragon, (805) 385-7600 jess.aragon@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 12/18/13 at approximately 2020 hours, Oxnard police officers were patrolling the 3000 block of Saviers Road when the officers were flagged down by citizens to report an assault. Officers found the victim, Humberto Barajas, to the rear of the businesses in the 3000 block of Saviers Road. Oxnard fire department and Gold Coast ambulance were dispatched to the scene. The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center in critical condition with severe head injuries. Barajas was listed in stable condition in the intensive care unit.

According to witnesses, the victim was physically assaulted by the suspect identified as 23 year old Oxnard resident Edgardo Rodriguez. The motive for the attack is unknown at this time but police are investigating the incident.

Edgardo Ramirez was contacted by police officers a short distance from the crime scene. He was later arrested for attempted murder and booked into Ventura County Jail.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Oxnard P.D. 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: 12/19/13 at 0023 Hours.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	AVOID the 14 – Ventura County DUI Campaign
DATE/TIME:	December 21, 2013
LOCATION:	Ventura County
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Pena
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: DUI Arrests Up & No DUI Fatalities

The Winter Holiday Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County.

From 12:01 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2013 through midnight, Friday, December 20, 2013, officers representing Ventura County law enforcement agencies have arrested 88 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2012, 59 DUI arrests were made during the same eight (8) day time period.

Last year and this year, there were no DUI deaths reported.
(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

Tonight, a DUI Checkpoint will be conducted in the City of Ventura, a Multi-Agency DUI Task Force will be deploying in the City of Thousand Oaks, and extra DUI saturation patrols will be deployed in the cities of Oxnard, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Port Hueneme, and Moorpark. All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus their efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts.

Multiple DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local roving DUI patrols are all part of this region-wide crackdown during the 20-day Winter Holiday Campaign.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911! Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DUI arrest data collection will continue through New Year’s Weekend, midnight Sunday, January 1, 2014.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Armed robbery with BB gun, beer and cell phone taken
DATE/TIME:	Sunday, October 19, 2014 / 1 a.m.
LOCATION:	3300 block of Merced Place, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Eduardo Montiel, 18 years of age, from Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Luis McArthur, Field Services Bureau luismcarthur@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7746
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Luis McArthur, Field Services Bureau luismcarthur@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7746

DETAILS:

(OXNARD, Calif)On Sunday, October 19, 2014, at about 1 a.m., patrol officers went to Merced Place in south Oxnard regarding a report of an armed robbery. The victim told officers that a solo, Hispanic male subject approached him. The suspect had a gun and stole the victim’s beer and cell phone before running away.

The suspect returned to the area of the robbery while officers were still conducting their investigation. Upon seeing the officers, the suspect ran and the officers chased and caught him a short distance away. He discarded a BB gun as he ran. The BB gun was recovered by officers and looked like a real gun. The suspect was 18 year-old Eduardo Montiel from Oxnard. He was arrested and booked in Ventura County Jail for armed robbery. His bail was set at $50,000.

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: 10/19/14 / 6 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:	Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	February 5, 2014 / 0758 hours
LOCATION:	Ansgar Larsen School, 550 Thomas Avenue
Party 1:	Harold Hutton Jr., 43 years, Oxnard Resident
Party 2:	Male, 2 years, (name withheld)
VEHICLE(S):	Blue, 2004 Mitsubishi Montero, sport utility vehicle
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On February 5, 2014, at about 7:58 A.M., officers and EMS personnel responded to Ansgar Larsen School, located at 550 Thomas Avenue, in reference to an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered that a two year-old child had been struck by a vehicle in the school’s parking lot.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Mitsubishi Montero was traveling through the parking lot of the school when its right side struck the unattended child who was crossing its path.

Medical personnel arrived on scene and rushed the child to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the Mitsubishi, Harold Hutton Jr., was uninjured as a result of the collision.

Speed, alcohol and drugs were not a factor in this collision.

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

The investigation is on-going.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 5, 2014 at 1200 hours

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:	November 2, 2014 at approximately 1735 hours
LOCATION:	First Street and Navarro Street
VICTIM(S):	46-year-old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Male Hispanic, approximately 30 years, 5’7”, 150 wearing a dark colored hat, white t-shirt, grey shorts armed with a knife
PREPARED BY:	Scott Coe, Detective
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Scott Coe (805) 385-7796 scott.coe@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers responded to First Street and Navarro Street regarding a stabbing victim. Officers located evidence of an altercation and received information from witnesses about the stabbing.

A short time later, officers located the victim, a 46-year-old Oxnard resident, in the rear yard of a vacant residence near the scene. The victim had been stabbed on the left forearm. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The suspect was described as a male Hispanic, approximately 30 years, 5’7”, 150 pounds, wearing a dark colored hat, white t-shirt, grey shorts and armed with a knife.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. Persons with further information regarding this incident or similar incidents are encouraged to contact Detective Scott Coe at (805) 385-7796. 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 e-mail.