Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Search warrants served at homes of alleged Lemonwood gang members
DATE/TIME:	April 4, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	Various residences in the Lemonwood neighborhood
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, Major Crimes Supervisor, (805) 385-7763, christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Roger Garcia (805) 385-7688, Major Crimes Detective, roger.garcia@oxnardpd.org

(OXNARD, Calif) – On April 2, 2013 and April 4, 2013, members of the Oxnard Police Department’s SWAT Team, Violent Crimes Unit (VCU), and homicide investigators served a multi-location search warrant at three residences in the Lemonwood neighborhood in relation to the 2012 homicide of 19 year old Jose Gonzales.

A firearm, ammunition, and gang paraphernalia were seized during the warrants. No arrests have been made in relation to the murder of Gonzales but the investigation is progressing. The investigation into the murder of Gonzales is ongoing and members of the public are asked to contact Detective Roger Garcia at (805) 385-7688 or 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.aspxto submit a tip via text or email.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

DUI Checkpoint Results

DATE/TIME:

Friday, May 3rd, 2013 6:00 P.M. to Midnight

LOCATION:

Oxnard Blvd south of Glenwood Drive

PREPARED BY:

Derek Miller, Traffic Officer

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Derek Miller, Traffic Officer (derek.miller@oxnardpd.org)
(805) 385-7600

DETAILS:
On May 3rd, 2013, between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and midnight, officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint.

The checkpoint was conducted in honor of Taylor Marie Moss, a 19 year old Ventura County resident who lost her life to an intoxicated driver in 2009. Taylor’s family participated in the pre-checkpoint briefing. Her father, Dean Moss, told Taylor’s story and shared about the moment they received the devastating call about the collision that took his daughter’s life. In reference to the DUI Checkpoint operations, Moss stated, “Because of what you all do, a father will wake up tomorrow morning and still have his daughter alive.”

The checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Blvd south of Glenwood Drive. The Moss family was present to observe and participate in the checkpoint operations. Posters featuring Taylor’s portrait and photographs of the vehicle in which she was killed were viewed by motorists as they drove through the checkpoint.

Officers screened 1042 motorists who passed through the checkpoint and conducted three DUI investigations on drivers who had been drinking alcohol. None of those drivers were found to be over the legal limit. Each vehicle that passed through the checkpoint received a pamphlet containing Taylor’s portrait, her story, and a description of the punishment of the intoxicated driver who killed her.

Citations were issued to nine drivers for various Vehicle Code violations. Seven drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license, two drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license, and four vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations in honor of victims of DUI related collisions. We remind people that all DUI related collisions are preventable and we urge people to make a responsible choice before operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These DUI operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. We also remind people to dial 911 if they see an impaired driver. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Multiple Thefts From Vehicles – Arrest of Post Release Offender
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, 5/18/13 at approximately 0430 hours
LOCATION:	1300 Block of Azalea Street
VICTIM(S):	Numerous victims
SUSPECT(S):	William Warden Carroll (46 Years of Age) City of Santa Paula resident
PREPARED BY:	Eric S. Sonstegard, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Lucy Buttell at (805) 385-7594 lucy.buttell@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 4/24/2013, the Oxnard Police Department distributed a crime alert to notify residents in the Windsor North and Sierra Linda neighborhoods of a notable increase in property crime in their area. Since that time, officers have continued to focus their patrol activity in those neighborhoods in an attempt to address the recent spike in activity.

On 5/18/2013, at approx. 0430 hrs, Officer Jonathan Martin was patrolling the area of Azalea and Mariposa Streets when he observed a subject hiding amongst parked vehicles. Officer Martin made contact with the subject, later identified as Santa Paula resident William Carroll (46 years old), and discovered that he was in possession of a large amount of stolen property including credit cards, electronics, and other personal items. Further investigation revealed that Carroll had stolen the items from various unlocked vehicles in the area. Carroll was later arrested for 666 P.C. Petty Theft w/ Priors, 496 (a) P.C. Possession of Stolen Property, 11550 (a) H&S Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, and 3454 (c) P.C. PRO violation and booked into the Ventura County Jail.

William Carroll was on the Post Release Offender (PRO) program. The PRO Program released non-violent, non-sexual, and non-serious offenders from prison pursuant to Assembly Bill 109.

We continue to implore residents to follow a few small steps to avoid becoming a victim:

Please do not leave any valuable possessions in your vehicles.
Please make sure to lock your vehicles and remove the keys.
Please be certain to secure windows and doors to your homes.

If you see suspicious activity, please report it to the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740, or dial 9-1-1.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT:	Memorial Day Weekend Holiday DUI Crackdown: Avoid the 14 – Ventura County DUI Task Force Working to Reduce Impaired Driving Crashes, Fatalities
DATE/TIME:	May 24-27, 2013
LOCATION:	Ventura County
PREPARED BY:	Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

[Ventura County, CA]— – The Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force is deploying officers this holiday weekend DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols countywide to arrest impaired drivers and to keep the public aware of the dangers of driving while impaired by alcohol and drugs.

The start of the summer season has arrived, along with many college and high school graduations, but if history repeats… drunk or drugged driving crashes will rise when reckless drivers take to the roadways impaired. Friends and families will gather for celebrations and to start the summer season, often with alcohol this 3-day weekend. Law enforcement is reminding everyone to make plans now for those weekend trips and partying. Make sure to use a ‘Designated Sober Driver’ to prevent arrest or worse, a deadly driving tragedy.

Law enforcement throughout the region, beginning Friday night, will deploy DUI/Drivers License checkpoint(s) in the city of Ventura. The checkpoint(s) will be held in honor of Nick Haverland. Nick Haverland was killed by a drunk driver on May 11, 2011 while bicycling to a final exam at Ventura College. Nick had a profound love and respect for the world around him. He readily shared that passion with anyone that he came in contact with. He was robbed of his dream of finding a cure for cancer in the rainforest—he was scheduled to study ethno-botany at the University of Hawaii three months after his death. His family and friends were robbed of his amazing intellect and spirit. Nick left behind his brother, his parents, and a legion of good friends. The man who killed Nick is now in prison for a long time.

More local DUI Saturation Patrols will be out on Saturday and Sunday nights on the cities of Port Hueneme, Simi Valley, Camarillo, Moorpark, Cal State University Channel Islands, and Oxnard. The California Highway Patrol is deploying all available officers Memorial Day weekend onto freeways and county roads as part of their Maximum Enforcement Period.

Law enforcement region-wide is asking for everyone’s support this holiday weekend and all summer long:

Plan ahead. Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins.
Those hosting celebrations and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours.
Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks to the Designated Sober Driver. For tasty drink recipes, visit the DDrink Mixology Center at www.facebook.com/CaliforniaOTS.
Cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and provide plenty of food.
If you see dangerous driving, Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1!

Funding for the Avoid DUI Task Force is by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Avoid Task Force will deploy checkpoints and DUI patrols next during the Independence Day Holiday and for the summer August/Labor Day DUI Mobilization.

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. Bicyclist – Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	May 28, 2013, 2036 hours
LOCATION:	Pleasant Valley Road west of Terrace Avenue
Party 1:	Male, 68 years, Oxnard resident
Party 2:	Cristian E. Ortiz Gonzalez, 18 years, Oxnard resident
Vehicle 1:	Bicycle
Vehicle 2:	Red 1999 GMC Jimmy
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Jaime Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Scott Aaron, (805) 385-7750, scott.aaron@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On May 28, 2013, at about 8:36 P.M., officers and EMS responded to an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist on Pleasant Valley Road west of Terrace Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found that a bicyclist had been struck by a GMC Jimmy SUV.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the GMC, driven by Cristian E. Ortiz Gonzalez, 18 years, was eastbound on Pleasant Valley Road west of Terrace Avenue. The bicyclist, a 68-year old male, entered Pleasant Valley Road from the south side of the street and was struck by the SUV.

The bicyclist was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he later died as a result of his injuries. Driver Gonzalez was not injured as a result of the collision.

Drugs and/or alcohol are not considered factors in this tragic collision. However, chemical analysis results are pending.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Officer Scott Aaron at 805-385-7750.

The investigation is on-going.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 28, 2013, 12:05 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:	Auto Burglary
DATE/TIME:	6-4-13 /1952 hours
LOCATION:	200 Block of East Channel Islands Boulevard
VICTIM(S):	Male Oxnard resident (name withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	David Hernandez Perez, 32 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander (805) 207-7078, martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 6-4-13, at 1952 hours, officers responded to the 200 Block of East Channel Islands Boulevard re: David Hernandez Perez, 32 years, an Oxnard resident, being detained for auto burglary.

Officers learned a resident in the area had parked and locked his car setting the vehicle alarm. When he heard the alarm sounding he went outside and found Perez in the back seat of the victim’s vehicle. The victim noted that items inside the car had been rummaged through. The victim called 911 and told Perez to not go anywhere.

Officers took Perez into custody. Other suspected stolen property was located nearby. An investigation is continuing.

This is a good example of how effective car alarms can be. Residents are reminded to not contact suspects or suspicious persons, but rather immediately notify the police so officers can respond and investigate.

Date / Time Prepared: 6-5-13, 0050 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide (Update)
DATE/TIME:	05/04/13 0730 hours
LOCATION:	600 block of South “D” Street
VICTIM(S):	Guadalupe Ruelas, 54 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Benitez, 39 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, 805-385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Ken Tougas, 805-200-5669 ken.tougas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 5/4/13 at approximately 0730 hours, officers were dispatched to the 600 block of South “D” Street to check the well-being of a two people in a vehicle. When officers arrived they located a female in her fifties and a male in late thirties. Both subjects had suffered a gunshot wound and were unresponsive. Both subjects were pronounced dead by emergency responders.

UPDATE:

During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that Ruelas and Benitez were in a dating relationship and for unknown reasons, Benitez shot and killed Ruelas as she sat in her vehicle, which was parked a few houses away from where Benitez lived. After shooting Ruelas, Benitez shot and killed himself.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 06/06/13, 1500 Hours

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, Child Endangering
DATE/TIME:	6-12-13 / 6-20-13
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Miguel Bejar
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Black 1996 Cadillac Plate# 6TIE257
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Officer T. Johnson
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Cody Collet (805) 486-6228 Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-TIPS

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is requesting information in locating the listed subject.

On June 12, 2013, at about 1405 hours, Oxnard Police Officers attempted to perform a traffic stop on a 1996 Black Cadillac (Lic # 6TIE257) in the 2400 Block of Tulare Place. The driver was identified as Juan Miguel Bejar, a 29 year old Hispanic male 5’-8” / 200 lbs. Bejar failed to yield during the traffic stop, and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, Bejar ran several traffic lights and stop signs. He also drove into opposing lanes of traffic. Due to Bejar’s dangerous driving the pursuit was cancelled.

On June 20, 2013, Officers located Bejar again driving in a black Cadillac near the 1200 Block of South K St. He immediately began to flee in the vehicle and was driving erratically; running stops signs and weaving in traffic. A pursuit was not initiated because officers saw small children in his vehicle.

Bejar currently has outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants for violations of parole and probation. Bejar has resisted arrest in the past. He has prior contacts in the City of Moorpark.

Bejar is currently listed on the Crime Stoppers website.

If anyone has information on Bejar’s whereabouts, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS http://venturacountycrimestoppers.org or Detective Cody Collet (805) 486-6228.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 6-20-13 / 1750

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Injury Collision
DATE/TIME:	8-31-13 / 1518 hours
LOCATION:	Rose Avenue at Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):	Troy Lantaya, 26 years, Oxnard Richard Lappine, 66 years, Oxnard Caleb Lundy, 26 years, Port Hueneme
WITNESS(ES):	Eric Rivas, 20 years, Miramar, California
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander, (805) 207-7078 martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 8-31-13, at 1518 hours, officers responded to Rose Avenue at Pleasant Valley Road re: an injury collision. Officers found that three vehicles were involved.

The preliminary investigation suggests that a vehicle driven by Troy Lantaya, 26 years, Oxnard, was westbound on Pleasant Valley Road at Rose Avenue and entered the intersection on a red traffic light. Another vehicle, driven by Richard Lappine, 66 years, Oxnard, was southbound on Rose Avenue and had entered the intersection as the traffic signal it was facing cycled to green. The two vehicles collided. The vehicle driven by Lantaya was forced across the median into eastbound Pleasant Valley Road traffic where it struck a vehicle driven by Caleb Lundy, 26 years, Port Hueneme. Lundy’s vehicle had been eastbound on Pleasant Valley Road preparing to turn northbound on Rose Avenue.

Lantaya’s vehicle caught fire beginning in the engine compartment. Lundy and a witness, Eric Rivas, USMC (off-duty), 20 years, Miramar, California, rushed to the vehicle and removed Lantaya from danger. Once on scene, Oxnard Fire Department personnel extinguished the fire.

Lantaya was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated for moderate injuries.

Officers are investigating to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved. The investigation is continuing.

Caleb Lundy and Eric Rivas are to be commended for their actions.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8-31-13, 2300 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Tire Iron)
DATE/TIME:	7-20-13, 2230 hours
LOCATION:	Oxnard Boulevard at 7th Street
VICTIM(S):	Ruben Perez Hernandez, 48-years
SUSPECT(S):	Suspect #1: Male, 27 years, 6-2, 210, medium build, wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans Suspect #2: Male, 5-5, thin build
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Possible white Mercedes Benz and a dark GMC Yukon
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven Funk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steven Funk steven.funk@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7796

DETAILS:

On 7-20-2013, at approximately 2230 hours, Oxnard police officers came upon the victim Hernandez at the south west corner of Oxnard Boulevard and Seventh Street. Hernandez was lying face down and had been assaulted by two subjects one of whom had a tire iron. Witnesses to the incident advised police that Hernandez was struck several times in the face with a tire iron by the two suspects.

One suspect was observed getting into a white Mercedes which was last seen travelling west bound on Seventh Street towards “A” Street. The second suspect possibly entered a dark colored GMC Yukon which fled north bound in the west alley of Oxnard Blvd.

Victim Hernandez was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.

Persons with information regarding this assault should contact the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.

You may also contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers, (805) 222-8477, http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7-21-13/0250 hours