Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Deputy-Involved Shooting
DATE/TIME:	8/7/14 at approx. 1605 hours
LOCATION:	1300 block Bottlebrush Place, Oxnard CA 93030
SUSPECT(S):	Rudy Cortez, 33 years old, City of Camarillo resident
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Bob Eckman (805) 385-7760 Bob.Eckman@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On August 7, 2014, at approximately 1605 hours, Deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office were seeking an individual wanted on three felony warrants. Deputies had obtained information that Rudy Cortez, a 33-year old Camarillo resident, was in a house in the 1300 block of Bottlebrush Place in the city of Oxnard.

Deputies spotted Cortez attempting to flee in a vehicle. As the Deputies attempted to contact him, shots were fired. No individuals were struck by the gunfire. Cortez continued to drive westbound on Bottlebrush Place before eventually exiting his vehicle and fleeing on foot. He was taken into custody in the 1500 block of Teal Club Road after a brief foot pursuit.

Upon his arrest, Cortez was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for a medical clearance for a minor injury.

Investigators are still in the preliminary stages of their investigation. Additional information will be released at a later time.

Oxnard Police investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact the Oxnard Police Department with information. 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/7/14, 2030 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Lead Up to Labor Day Brings DUI Crackdown to Ventura County
DATE/TIME:	August 15 through September 1, 2014
LOCATION:	County of Ventura
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant, (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: Labor Day weekend is coming up. For many Americans, that means an extra day off, backyard and beach barbecues, visiting friends and family, and the unofficial end of the summer season. Unfortunately, it also means a sharp increase in drunk-driving-related fatalities. Starting August 15 and continuing through September 1, Ventura County police departments, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol will be aggressively targeting drunk and drugged drivers as part of a nationwide effort to end impaired driving and save lives. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign will pair increased public awareness with high-visibility enforcement, resulting in fewer drunk drivers on Ventura County roads.

The Ventura County Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers throughout the county with plans in place for three DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints, a Multi-Agency DUI Task Force Operation, several local roving DUI Saturation Patrols, a DUI Warrant/Probation Sweep and a DUI Court Sting targeting suspended drivers who were ordered not to drive by a judge. (**See schedule of operations below**)

In 2012, there were 10,322 people killed in drunk-driving crashes in the United States. Over Labor Day weekend that year, 147 lost their lives to a drunk driver, more than a third (38 percent) of all traffic fatalities that weekend.

Out of all the crash fatalities that weekend, one in four were attributed to drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .15 percent or higher – almost twice the legal limit in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Every 51 minutes, someone is killed in a drunk-driving crash. Over the Labor Day weekend, those fatalities increase to one every 34 minutes. Nighttime is especially dangerous; almost half (46 percent) of the fatalities in nighttime crashes over the Labor Day weekend involved a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher, compared to 25 percent in daytime fatal crashes.

Young drivers are overrepresented in drunk-driving crashes, too. Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 killed in motor vehicle crashes during the 2012 Labor Day weekend, almost half (48 percent) had a .08 percent BAC or higher. For drivers under 21, anything above a BAC of .00 is illegal.

This Labor Day weekend don’t let the festivities turn into fatalities. Remember that, aside from the obvious risks of killing yourself or someone else, driving impaired can also lead to serious punitive consequences. A DUI arrest can mean time in jail, loss of your license, and steep financial expenses; the average DUI conviction can cost up to $10,000.

Ventura County Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who reminds everyone; Report Drunk Drivers! – Call 9-1-1.

The Office of Traffic Safety is offering a free mobile app – DDVIPCA.COM – aimed at thanking the sober designated driver with perks and free offers at area bars and restaurants.

Schedule of Operations:

Friday, Aug 15th, DUI/DL Checkpoint 2000-0200 hrs, City of Oxnard
Saturday, Aug 16th, DUI/DL Checkpoint, 2100-0300 hrs, City of Thousand Oaks
DUI/DL Checkpoint, City of Ventura, To Be Determined
Friday, Aug 29th, Multi-Agency DUI Task Force Operation, 2100-0300 hrs, Ventura County

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 18, 2014 / 1245 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, Assault with a deadly weapon
DATE/TIME:	September 11, 2014 @ 2:30 AM
LOCATION:	7-Eleven, 1955 S Patterson Road
VICTIM(S):	Male Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Esquivel, 23-year-old, Port Hueneme Resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective Jaime Miranda
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jaime Miranda 805-385-7665 jaime.miranda@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On September 11, 2014 at about 2:30 AM, officers responded to a call of a robbery at the 7-Eleven located at 1955 S. Patterson Road. When officers arrived they contacted the male employee who was suffering from a severe laceration. Officers determined that a male subject had entered the store and attempted to steal alcohol. The clerk confronted the suspect and during the altercation, the suspect struck the victim with a bottle.

The suspect was also injured in the altercation and fled the scene on foot. Officers were able to locate a blood trail that led them into a nearby neighborhood in Port Hueneme. With the assistance of Port Hueneme Police Department, officers were able to identify the suspect as Jose Esquivel. Officers contacted him at his residence and arrested him without incident.

Persons with information about this incident 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: 9-11-14, 1627 hours

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
DATE/TIME:	September 22, 2014 / 7:13 a.m.
LOCATION:	3200 Block of West Hemlock Street
VEHICLE 1:	Pewter 2000 Chevrolet Blazer
DRIVER 1:	Chanel Monique Drake, 23 years, Oxnard Resident
PARTY 2:	Larry Caro Sr., 46 years, Piru Resident
VEHICLE 2:	White 2007 International Tow Truck
VEHICLE 3:	Black 2005 Jeep Liberty
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On September 22, 2014, at approx. 7:13 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to the 3200 block of west Hemlock Street in reference to an injury traffic collision.

A preliminary investigation indicated that a tow truck was stopped on Hemlock Street with a black Jeep Liberty on top of the flat bed. The tow truck operator, Larry Caro Sr., was standing to the rear of the tow truck when it was struck by a pewter 2000 Chevrolet Chevy Blazer driven by Chanel Monique Drake. The impact caused Caro to be thrown under the tow truck.

Caro was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura where he underwent emergency surgery for his injuries and is listed in critical condition. Drake was transported to St. Johns Regional Medical Center in Oxnard where she was treated for minor injuries and released.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 22, 2014 at 1540 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Possession for sales of a controlled substance Possession for sales of dangerous drugs
DATE/TIME:	9-25-14 0900 hours
LOCATION:	100 block Princeton Avenue
SUSPECT(S):	Rene Ray Cervantez, 33 year old male, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Charles Woodruff
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Robert Valenzuela 805-385-7637 Robert.Valenzuela@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 9-25-14, at about 0900 hours, detectives from the West County Narcotics Task Force concluded an investigation into suspect Rene Ray Cervantez from the City of Oxnard. Investigators had received information that Cervantez was involved in the sales of controlled substances and dangerous drugs.

Detectives served a search warrant at Cervantez’ home address in the 100 block of Princeton Avenue. During the search, they located over two ounces of methamphetamine, one ounce of heroin, a little under an ounce of cocaine and a large sum of money.

Cervantez was booked for possession of a controlled substance and dangerous drugs for sales. He was later booked at Ventura County Jail with bail set at $50,000.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9-25-14 1217 hours

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
DATE/TIME:	October 2, 2014 / 0700 hours
LOCATION:	Pleasant Valley Road @ Cypress Road
VEHICLE 1:	Black, 2013 Kia Rio
DRIVER 1:	William Albert Baladez, 42 years, Ventura Resident
PARTY 1:	8 year old male, name withheld
PARTY 2:	9 year old male, name withheld
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Traffic Officer Tom Martin (805) 385-7749 tom.martin@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On October 2, 2014, at approximately 7:00 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Cypress Road in reference to an injury traffic collision.

A preliminary investigation indicates that a black Kia Rio, driven by William Baladez, was traveling eastbound on Pleasant Valley Road approaching the intersection of Cypress Road when two male juveniles, one eight years old and one nine years old, were walking southbound in the crosswalk on the west side of the intersection. For an unknown reason, the vehicle did not stop before colliding with the juveniles.

Both juveniles were transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where their injuries were assessed by medical staff. The nine year old was treated for minor injuries and released. The eight year old sustained significant head trauma and is listed in critical condition. Driver Baladez was uninjured.

Alcohol, drugs and excessive speed were not factors in this collision. The investigation is continuing.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Traffic Officer Tom Martin 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:	Serious Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	October 9, 2014 / 5:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	Victoria Avenue @ Monaco Drive
DRIVER 1:	Lucille Nancy Edgar, 84 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Blue 2011 GMC Terrain (Sport Utility Vehicle)
DRIVER 2:	Nash Dingman, 22 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2:	Red 2009 Honda CBR 600 (Motorcycle)
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant, (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Traffic Officer Tom Martin (805) 385-7749 thomas.martin@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On October 9, 2014, at approximately 5:00 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Monaco Drive in reference to an injury traffic collision involving a motorcyclist.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the GMC Terrain, driven by Lucille Edgar, was traveling southbound on Victoria Avenue and pulled into the left turn pocket at Monaco Drive in preparation to turn into a private shopping center. The motorcycle, driven by Nash Dingman, was traveling northbound on Victoria Avenue from Channel Islands Boulevard towards Monaco Drive. For an unknown reason, the GMC turned directly into the path of the motorcycle. The motorcycle collided with the front end of the GMC causing Dingman to be ejected from it. Both vehicles sustained major damage.

Dingman, who was wearing a motorcycle helmet, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in serious condition. He sustained significant internal injuries, a broken left leg and a broken left arm. Driver Lucille Edgar was transported to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center where she was treated for minor injuries.

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 Traffic Officer Tom Martin 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:	Two men arrested for breaking into cars
DATE/TIME:	Monday, October 27, 2014 at 4 a.m.
LOCATION:	2300 block of Mono Street and 2300 block of Isabella Street, north Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Isaiah Gomez, 20 years of age from Oxnard Elias Medina, 23 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) Two men are facing charges in connection with breaking into several cars in the Rio Lindo Neighborhood of north Oxnard and for suspicion of being under the influence of methamphetamine. The vehicle break-ins occurred early Monday morning at about 4 a.m. Neighbors heard noises outside and saw the two men walking up to cars and checking the handles to see of the doors were left unlocked. The men were then seen going into some of the cars and digging through them.

The men fled when police arrived but were later found hiding nearby in a front yard behind a wall and some bushes. Police officers recovered two backpacks near the two men that contained stolen items taken from the parked cars. The men broke into at least ten cars that were parked on Mono Street and on Isabella Street. There are still several items that were recovered from the break-ins that have not been claimed. Police are asking for anyone who believes these items may belong to them to give the Property Crimes Unit at call at (805) 385-7605.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone witnessed these break-ins please call the Oxnard Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit at (805) 385-7605. 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:Oct 27, 2014 at 9 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:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	Friday, November 14, 2014 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On Friday, November 14, 2014, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.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 southbound lanes of Saviers Road at Bard Road. The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Victoria Avenue just south of Wooley 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 statistics:

·         559 Total vehicles
·         534 Drivers screened
·         5    DUI investigation
·         3     DUI alcohol arrests
·         1     DUI drugs arrest
·         0     Criminal arrests
·         7    Citations issued to unlicensed drivers
·         1     Citation issued to a driver with a suspended/revoked license
·         18   Total citations issued
·         3     Vehicles towed

All four of the DUI arrests occurred at the checkpoint held on Victoria Avenue. One of the arrested DUI drivers was an unlicensed 18 year-old male who was under the sole influence of marijuana. Another DUI driver was a 26 year-old female found to have a blood alcohol level that was over twice the legal limit of .08. This was her second DUI arrest in seven years. Her only male passenger in the car was discovered to be currently on DUI probation following two prior DUI arrests and had a suspended driver’s license.

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 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 11/15/14, 0330 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
DATE/TIME:	December 29, 2014, 3:25 p.m.
LOCATION:	Gonzales Road and Lantana Street, Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	Edgar Reyes, 18 years old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Neail Holland
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett, 805-486-6211

DETAILS:

On December 29, 2014, at about 3:25 p.m., two groups of males approached each other on the sidewalk of Lantana Street, north of Gonzales Road. As they went to pass each other, one subject bumped another. Both groups started to act hostile toward each other and started to fight. A suspect withdrew a knife and stabbed the victim, Edgar Reyes, in the throat. As police were responding, both groups dispersed. The surrounding neighborhood was searched but the suspect was not located. Reyes was treated by emergency medical personnel and transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he is in stable condition.

If anyone has any additional information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Sergeant Alex Arnett at (805) 486-6211. 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: 12/29/14 at 5:30 p.m.