Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Two robberies involving firearms
DATE/TIME:	#1: 3-24-14 / 2100 hours #2: 3-24-14 / 2310 hours
LOCATION:	#1: 1600 Block of Jeanette Drive #2: 300 Block of Campbell Way

SUSPECT(S):	See Below



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

DETAILS:

On 3/24/14, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to two robberies. Both of these robberies involved firearms.

The first incident occurred in the 1600 Block of Jeanette Drive. The victim was robbed of his wallet and other items. The suspects were described as two Hispanic males, both 18-19 years of age. One suspect was wearing a gray sweatshirt and black pants; the second suspect was wearing a black sweatshirt and black pants. Both suspects were in possession of handguns.

The second incident occurred in the 300 Block of Campbell Way. The victim was robbed of his wallet and other items. The suspects were described as two Hispanic males, both 25-30 years of age. One suspect was wearing a gray sweater and blue/white checkered shorts; the second suspect was wearing a gray sweater and blue jeans. Both suspects were in possession of handguns and also struck the victim with their handguns. The victim was not seriously injured.

The investigations are on-going.

Persons with information regarding this crime are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at 385-7740. Persons may also contact the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or e-mail.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/25/14; 0120 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Pedestrian Hit By Vehicle
DATE/TIME:	01-09-15 / 2316 hours
LOCATION:	608 South “A” St, City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	26 years old Santa Barbara resident (name withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Black BMW with paper plates
PREPARED BY:	Detective Cody J Collet
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Scott Coe,[email protected] (805)385-7796

DETAILS:

On 1/9/15, at approximately 2316 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the parking lot of 608 South “A” St reference a subject that was struck by a vehicle. Officers responded to the location and located the victim, 26 year old Santa Barbara resident, who was lying on the ground with a severe head injury. The victim was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition.

Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit along with the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit responded to conduct an investigation. The preliminary investigation found a black BMW 4-door vehicle, with paper plates, entered the parking lot. A passenger of the suspect vehicle exited and confronted the victim and his associates who were standing in the parking lot. The passenger re-entered the suspect vehicle. Several moments later the vehicle re-entered the parking lot and struck the victim with the vehicle. Detectives are still working on obtaining more information about the incident and suspect(s).

If anyone has further information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD 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 email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 01-10-15, 0500 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	3/27/14 at approximately 1341 hours
LOCATION:	San Mateo Place at Farragut Court
VICTIM(S):	Male, 18 year old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown male wearing all dark colored clothing
PREPARED BY:	Alex Arnett, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jaime Miranda, (805) 385-7665 [email protected]

DETAILS: On 3/27/14 at approximately 1340 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to a shooting victim in Lemonwood Park, located near the intersection of San Mateo Place and Farragut Court. When officers arrived, they located an 18 year old Samoan male with multiple gunshot wounds. The male was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Based on victim and witness statements, the victim was walking on San Mateo near the park when an unknown male wearing all dark clothing approached the victim. Words were exchanged and the unknown male took out a handgun and fired at the victim. The victim fled towards the park and the shooting suspect fled the area.

The investigation is continuing.

If anyone witnessed this incident or has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Jaime Miranda at (805) 385-7665. 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: 3/27/14 at 1701 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Injury Hit and Run Traffic Collision (Train/Vehicle)
DATE/TIME:	February 24, 2015 / 05:44 AM
LOCATION:	Fifth Street @ Rice Avenue, Oxnard, CA
DRIVER 1:	Jose Alejandro Sanchez-Ramirez, Birthdate 9/26/1960 (Resident of Yuma, Arizona)
VEHICLE 1:	White 2005 Ford F-450 truck and utility trailer
DRIVER 2:	Valentin Carbajal, 73 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2:	Red, 1998 Toyota Camry
TRAIN:	Metrolink Commuter Train
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at 5:45 AM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department, personnel from the Oxnard Fire Department, and EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Fifth Street and Rice Avenue regarding a traffic collision involving a train and a vehicle.

When emergency responders arrived, they found a truck that was fully engulfed by flames in the field area east of Rice Avenue, adjacent to the railroad tracks immediately north of Fifth Street. A debris field existed from the railroad track area west of Rice Avenue, to the area east of Rice Avenue.

Oxnard Fire Department personnel were able to determine that the vehicle did not have any occupants inside of it.

A derailed Metrolink commuter train was also in the area east of Rice Avenue, adjacent to the railroad tracks. Three of the passenger cars had been turned onto their sides.

Emergency responders treated several injured train passengers at the scene and transported twenty-eight of them to local hospitals. Twenty-three passengers were not injured and released from the scene.

Preliminary investigation determined that the eastbound Metrolink commuter train, consisting of a locomotive pushing four passenger cars, collided with a utility truck and trailer that had been on the tracks near the intersection. The impact between the train and the truck caused all train cars and the locomotive to derail. The truck’s trailer that came to rest on the north side of the intersection caught fire and remained engulfed in flames until extinguished by firefighters. The truck had become dislodged from the trailer and came to rest east of the intersection.

Valentin Carbajal, who had been traveling northbound on Rice Avenue in a Toyota Camry, stopped in the intersection just as the collision occurred. Numerous pieces of debris struck his vehicle resulting in his driver’s window being shattered. Carbajal was uninjured.

Preliminary investigation at the scene indicated that the Ford truck, driven by Jose Alejandro Sanchez-Ramirez, was traveling southbound on Rice Avenue, and made a right turn onto the railroad tracks that run parallel to Fifth Street and cross the traffic lanes of Rice Avenue north of the intersection. Sanchez-Ramirez drove the truck for several yards on the tracks before it became stuck. He walked away from the truck as the train approached it. The train collided with the truck and trailer causing it to be pushed southbound along the tracks towards the intersection. Debris from the impact was thrown several hundred feet along the tracks and across the intersection.

Driver Sanchez-Ramirez left the scene of the collision and after walking southbound on Rice Avenue for over a mile and a half before he was spotted and contacted by an Oxnard Police Officer. The officer determined Sanchez-Ramirez’ involvement in the collision and he was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for precautionary measures.

As a result of information developed during the course of the investigation, Sanchez-Ramirez (pictured at right) was arrested for a violation of section 20001 of the California Vehicle Code. This felony section prohibits an involved party from leaving the scene of an injury-related collision. This section is commonly referred to “hit and run, with injury.” He was booked into the Ventura County Jail, where his bail is set at $150,000.

The collision is still under investigation by several allied agencies. It is anticipated that the investigation will have an impact upon traffic conditions in the immediate area, and may take another twenty-four or more hours to clear. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting a separate investigation.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at 805-385-7750 or via email at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 24, 2015 at 2230 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Body of missing suicidal adult located
DATE/TIME:	Body of missing suicidal adult located
LOCATION:	Body of missing suicidal adult located
VICTIM(S):	Body of missing suicidal adult located
PREPARED BY:	Chris Inglehart, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Communications, 805-385-7740

DETAILS:
On 03/28/2014 at approximately 9:56 am, the Oxnard Police Department received a call of a missing adult female who made suicidal statements earlier in the morning. The female was identified as Rosita Villegas. At approximately 10:30 am, Oxnard Police Department officers located Villegas’s vehicle in the parking lot of Port Hueneme Beach Park.

Port Hueneme Police Department officers responded to the scene and used one of their canines to track Ms. Villegas. The canine led officers from Ms. Villegas’s vehicle and onto the pier. The following agencies then responded and assisted with the search of the surrounding beach and ocean: US Coast Guard (Los Angeles and Oxnard stations), Ventura County Fire Department, and Oxnard Fire Department.

At approximately 2:00 pm, the US Coast Guard helicopter spotted Ms. Villegas’s body in the ocean approximately ½ mile west of the pier. Ms. Villegas was pronounced dead a short time later by paramedics. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and Medical Examiner responded and took over the investigation due to the location being in their jurisdiction.

At this point, no foul play is suspected but the investigation is on-going. If anyone has information regarding this incident, you are encouraged to contact the Ventura County Sheriffs Department.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Warrant Arrest – Post Release Offender
DATE/TIME:	4-7-15 / 1024 Hours
LOCATION:	1300 Block of East Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Manuel Edwards, 24 years, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078, [email protected]

DETAILS:
On 4-7-15, at 1024 hours, officers attempted to serve a felony warrant for Manuel Edwards, 24 years, Oxnard resident, in the 1300 Block of East Pleasant Valley Road. Edwards is a Post Release Offender (PRO). Edwards hid in his residence, a mobile home. Additional officers were deployed, announcements were made, and a search conducted. Edwards surrendered to officers without further incident. Edwards was arrested for the felony warrant and additionally charged with 148 PC (resisting or delaying a police officer).

The City of Oxnard continues to address issues associated with the Post Release Offender (PRO) Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 (the “2011 Public Safety Realignment”), which was effective October 1, 2011. This program mandated that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious, or non-sex offenses serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison.

Date Prepared: 4-7-15, 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:	Robbery
DATE/TIME:	05/11/2014 9:15 p.m.
LOCATION:	Panda Express, 1671 East Channel Islands Boulevard, Oxnard, CA 93030
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, late 20’s to early 30’s, 5’-8”-5’11”, wearing a blue zip up hooded jacket, gloves, and in possession of a handgun
LOSS:	Undisclosed amount of money
PREPARED BY:	Eduardo M. Miranda, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda, (805) 385-7600, [email protected]

DETAILS:
On 05/11/2014 at approximately 9:44 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a report of a robbery at the Panda Express. Officers contacted the clerk who confirmed the suspect entered the business with a handgun and demanded money. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and left the business.

The suspect was described Hispanic male, late 20’s to early 30’s, 5’-8”-5’-11”, wearing a blue zip up hooded jacket, and gloves.

Persons with information regarding this crime are encouraged to contact the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or e-mail.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 05/11/2014 10:21 p.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery with a knife
DATE/TIME:	5-17-14,1220 hours
LOCATION:	Redwood Street at J Street
SUSPECT(S):	Two juveniles, names withheld
PREPARED BY:	Officer Jose Diaz
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Communications

DETAILS:
At approximately 1220 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the area of Redwood Street and J Street regarding a robbery with a knife. Witnesses told police the location where the suspects ran after the robbery. With the assistance provided by the witness, officers were able to locate both suspects in a nearby residence. They were arrested for the charge of robbery and the stolen property was recovered.

This is a good example of the citizens of Oxnard and the Oxnard Police Department working together to reduce violent crime in our city.

Persons with information regarding the robbery should contact the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. Persons may also contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, or visit the web site
http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 5-17-14, 1723 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 (One Year Anniversary)
DATE/TIME:	04/24/14 1404 hours
LOCATION:	5300 block of Cypress Road
VICTIM(S):	8 year old Oxnard Ruben Alfaro
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Gordon Currie, (805) 200-5682 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On April 27, 2015, it will have been one year since 78 year old Ruben Alfaro was senselessly murdered in the 5300 block of Cypress Road. Mr. Alfaro is believed to have been an unintentional victim of a gang related shooting. Investigators have conducted multiple canvasses, examined evidence, and contacted numerous witnesses in this ongoing investigation. Detectives have now released a sketch of the suspect and are appealing to the public for their help in bringing Mr. Alfaro’s killer to justice.

If you have any additional information about this incident, please contact Detective Gordon Currie at (805) 200-5682. 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. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 04/24/15, 1300 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	April 26, 2015 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Thomas Martin, Traffic Officer (805) 385-7749 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On Sunday, April 26, 2015, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted two DUI/Driver’s license checkpoints in the City of Oxnard. The first checkpoint was conducted in the westbound lanes of Pleasant Valley Road west of Terrace Avenue. The second checkpoint was conducted in the northbound lanes of Saviers Road north of Bard Road. These locations were chosen to provide increased DUI deterrence and in response to recent alcohol related arrests and/or DUI collisions.

The checkpoints resulted in the following:

·         855 vehicles through
·         529 drivers screened
·         Two DUI investigations
·         One DUI alcohol arrest
·         One criminal arrest (an individual arrested for an outstanding warrant)
·         19 citations issued to unlicensed drivers
·         Four citations issued to drivers with a suspended/revoked license
·         33 total citations issued
·         Six vehicles towed
The one DUI arrest tonight occurred at the checkpoint on Pleasant Valley Road. The arrested driver, a 49 year old male, had driven his vehicle over the raised concrete center median in an attempt to avoid the checkpoint. This driver had a commercial driver’s license and during the investigation, he was found to have a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. 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 [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 04/27/15, 0015 hours