Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Prescription Drug Take Back Day
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, October 29  9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LOCATION:	Oxnard PD – 251 South C Street
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Commander Andrew Salinas
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:

DETAILS:
Oxnard, California – On October 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Oxnard Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your medications for disposal to the Oxnard Police Department located at 251 South C Street.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
 
Last April, Americans turned in 376,593 pounds – 188 tons – of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners.  The Oxnard Police Department collected over 1000 pounds during this collection. 
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Four days after the first Take-Back event in September 2010, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an “ultimate user” of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them.  The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances.  DEA has begun drafting regulations to implement the Act, a process that can take as long as 24 months.  Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like the Oxnard Police Department and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every few months. 
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWSS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Recently released gang member arrested for possession of loaded firearm
DATE/TIME:	November 3, 2011 at 3:15 p.m.
LOCATION:	Alexander Street and MacArthur Place
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	Antonio Medina, 19
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Chris Inglehart
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Mónica Muñoz, Community Affairs Manager [email protected]

DETAILS:
On November 3, 2011 at about 3:15 p.m. officers with the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit arrested Oxnard gang member Antonio Medina
(DOB 2/5/92). Medina was seen throwing a handgun over a fence and into a yard as officers approached. The officers determined that the gun was loaded. In California, it is illegal for a felon to possess a handgun.
 
Medina had been released from Ventura County Jail hours earlier after being transferred there from California State Prison for a gun related conviction.
 
Medina was booked on several felony violations. Because Medina is on parole, he is not eligible for bail.
 
 
 

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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:	Results of DUI, driver’s license checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	Friday, November 18 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
LOCATION:	Location #1 Pleasant Valley Rd @ Longfellow Way Location   #2 Oxnard Boulevard @ Vineyard Avenue
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Randy Latimer, 805-385-7847
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:

DETAILS:
The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, November 18, 2011, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.    
 
The first checkpoint was conducted in the westbound lanes of Pleasant Valley Road at Longfellow Way.  The second checkpoint was held in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard (SR-1), south of Vineyard Avenue (SR-232).
 
Officers screened 1,279 motorists who passed through the checkpoint locations and conducted five DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol.  Three drivers were found to have been driving under the influence of alcohol and were arrested. One driver was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
 
Citations were issued to 48 drivers for various drivers’ license violations at the checkpoint.  Forty-four drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and four drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Thirteen drivers were cited for other violations, including one who was cited for driving with open bottles of alcohol in her vehicle. Twenty-one vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.
 
The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related collisions on our roadways. 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) through the National Highway Transportation 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].
 

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:	November 24, 2011  /  4:22 p.m.
LOCATION:	1300 block of West Olive Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Anthony Martinez, 6, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Jesus Calderon Ruvalcaba, 50, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Pewter 2006 GMC Sierra pick-up truck
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Maria Peña, Traffic Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:

DETAILS:
On November 24, 2011, at about 4:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 1300 block of West Olive Street regarding a collision involving a bicycle and a pick-up truck. When officers and EMS personnel arrived, they found an injured 6-year-old boy.
 
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services personnel.
 
The preliminary investigation indicates that the boy on the bike was traveling eastbound on the south sidewalk of Olive Street toward M Street. The pick-up truck was also traveling eastbound on Olive Street toward M Street. For unknown reasons, the boy rode into the street and was hit by the pick-up truck. The collision knocked the boy from his bicycle; he was then run over by the truck. The driver was not cited because the preliminary investigation revealed that the child violated the driver’s right of way.
 
Alcohol or drug impairment is not suspected in this collision. If anyone has information about this collision please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at (805) 385-7750.
 
 

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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:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	November 26, 2011 between 6:15 and 10 p.m.
LOCATION:	Fifth Street between Victoria Avenue and Harbor Blvd, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	unknown
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. David Villanueva (805) 385-7763
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Mónica Muñoz, Oxnard PD Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

DETAILS:
 

At about 10 p.m. on November 27, 2011, Oxnard PD officers responded to a report of a deceased man. The officers located the victim who had sustained an injury to his side.  At the time of this release, it is unknown what caused the wound. The victim was pronounced dead by emergency medical services personnel. The victim is a 52-year-old man whose name is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification by the Ventura County Coroner’s Office. 
 
Oxnard Police are investigating this case. If anyone has information they are asked to contact Detective Roger Garcia at (805) 385-7688. To remain anonymous, please call the Oxnard PD 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	Attempted homicide (firearm)
DATE/TIME	December 30, 2011 at 2:50 p.m.
LOCATION	Ninth Street and Hobson Way
VICTIM	Male, 29, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT	unknown
PREPARED BY	Sergeant Christopher Williams
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz, Oxnard PD Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

DETAILS
 

On 12/30/11 at about 2:50 p.m., Oxnard Police officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Fifth Street regarding a shooting victim. When they arrived they located a 29-year-old male victim who had been shot. The victim was transported to VCMC where he is in serious condition.
 
Investigators are still attempting to establish a motive for the crime and are encouraging anyone that witnessed the incident or has any information to contact Det. Woodruff at
(805) 385-7547 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.aspx to submit a tip via text or email. 
 
 
 

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 DATE / TIME PREPARED:  12/31/11 12:22 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	Homicide (firearm)
DATE/TIME	January 2, 2012 at 4:50 p.m. – victim dies from his injuries December 30, 2011 at 2:50 p.m. – shooting occurs
LOCATION	Ninth Street and Hobson Way
VICTIM	Male, 29, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT	unknown
PREPARED BY	Sergeant David Villanueva
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz, Oxnard PD Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

UPDATE
On January 2, 2012, at 2:40 p.m. the victim was taken off life support and he died at about 4:50 p.m.
 
Text of original news release –
On 12/30/11 at about 2:50 p.m., Oxnard Police officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Fifth Street regarding a shooting victim. When they arrived they located a 29-year-old male victim who had been shot. The victim was transported to VCMC where he is in serious condition.
 
Investigators are still attempting to establish a motive for the crime and are encouraging anyone that witnessed the incident or has any information to contact Det. Chuck Woodruff at (805) 385-7547 or Det. Roger Garcia (805) 385-7649. 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. 
 
 
 

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 DATE / TIME PREPARED:  12/31/11 12:22 a.m. / Updated on 1/2/12 at 5:26 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	Assault on a Police Officer
DATE/TIME	January 2, 2012 at 7:43 p.m.
LOCATION	Ventura Road at Ninth Street
VICTIM	Officer’s name withheld (male)
SUSPECT	Juan Martinez, 3/6/1965, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE	Black Nissan Altima
PREPARED BY	Sergeant Brian Woolley
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

On January 2, 2012, at about 7:43 p.m., Oxnard police officers were on scene of a traffic collision that occurred at the intersection of Ventura Road and Ninth Street.  As the officers were controlling traffic, a black Nissan Altima, driven by Juan Martinez, entered the scene traveling westbound on Ninth Street. One of the officers attempted to stop the Nissan but Martinez disobeyed the orders given by the officer. Martinez made a right turn onto Ventura Road and came to a stop as the officer approached the car. When the officer contacted Martinez, he suspected that Martinez was driving while under the influence of alcohol. As the officer’s contact with Martinez continued, Martinez suddenly sped away causing injury to the officer’s foot. 
 
Responding officers located the Nissan as it fled the scene and Martinez was subsequently taken into custody.  At the time of this incident, there was an unrestrained five year old child seated in the back seat of the car.
 
The injured officer was transported to St. John’s Hospital and treated for minor injuries.        
 
Martinez was booked into Ventura County Jail on charges of assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, child endangerment and driving under the influence of alcohol. 
 
The investigation is continuing.           
 

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  DATE / TIME PREPARED:  January 2, 2011 at 11 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	Sobriety & driver’s license checkpoint
DATE/TIME	February 16, 2012
CONTACT	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749

 

(Oxnard, CA) The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will conduct a sobriety/driver’s license checkpoint on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at two undisclosed locations in the city of Oxnard. The approximate hours of operation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m.
The checkpoint locations will be selected based upon DUI collision data, DUI arrests, and Place of Last Drink (POLD) survey data. Motorists will be greeted and given an informational brochure about impaired driving.
Checkpoints reduce the number of drinking drivers on the road and do not necessarily produce dramatic increases in arrests. The major value of checkpoints is their educational and preventative influence on the motoring public. The Oxnard Police Department conducts sobriety/driver’s license checkpoints to ensure the public’s safety and to reduce the number of alcohol-impaired drivers on the roadways in our community, as well as insuring drivers have a valid driver’s license.
Drivers found to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested and their vehicles will be towed.  Drivers found to be driving on a suspended or revoked license will also be arrested and their vehicles will be subject to a 30-day impound.
In accordance to Assembly Bill 353 which went into effect on January 1, 2012, drivers, whose only offense is driving without a license (never been licensed or expired), will have the opportunity to call for a licensed driver to pick their vehicle up from the checkpoint as opposed to having it towed. The registered owners will have until the end of the checkpoint to pick their vehicle up. If the registered owner cannot respond by the end of the checkpoint, the vehicle will be towed. Vehicles towed from an unlicensed driver (never been licensed or expired) will be eligible for release without being subject to a 30-day impound. This new law only applies to vehicles that have entered the checkpoint. Vehicles stopped outside of a checkpoint are subject to all sanctions permitted by law and the policy of the Oxnard Police Department.
Members of the media are welcome to view the checkpoint and take photographs. Further information on the sobriety checkpoint may be obtained by contacting Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749.
In addition to the checkpoint, OPD conducts DUI saturation patrols on a regular basis. Officers conducting a saturation patrol stop people who are suspected of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
 
 

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