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 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Ken Tougas, 805-200-5669 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected] (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

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:	9-13-13 / 1915 hours
LOCATION:	100 Block of North Rose Avenue
VICTIM(S):	18-year old male, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown male suspects
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander [email protected], (805) 207-7078

DETAILS:
At 1915 hours, officers responded to the 100 Block of North Rose Avenue re: a fight involving a large group of subjects. Witnesses said seven to twenty subjects were involved. Officers located an 18-year old male, Oxnard resident, who had been stabbed. His injuries are not life-threatening. The victim did not provide any information as to his assailant(s).

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740. 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9-13-13 / 1955 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Residential Burglary / Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	7/22/13; 1925 hours
LOCATION:	1800 Block Haaz Way, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	Thomas Rivera, 28 years, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Commander Kevin Baysinger
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Marostica [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 7/22/13, at approximately 1925 hours, officers responded to a residence in the 1800 block of Haaz Way reference a suspicious subject looking into the windows of the residence. Responding officers learned that the subject had entered the residence, and also noticed signs of forced entry. These, and additional officers established a perimeter around the residence.

After several announcements and attempts to make contact with anyone inside the residence, officers from the Oxnard Police Department’s SWAT team, along with an Oxnard Police K-9, began to search the residence. The suspect attempted to flee from a bedroom window and was taken into police custody without further incident.

The suspect, Thomas Rivera, was arrested for the burglary. Rivera was out on bail for an unrelated residential burglary.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Mike Marostica at 385-7605 or [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 07/22/13, 2330 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Hit-And-Run Collision
DATE/TIME:	9-14-13 /1654 hours
LOCATION:	5th Street at Del Norte Boulevard
SUSPECT(S):	Male subject, NFD
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander [email protected], (805) 207-7078

DETAILS:

At 1654 hours, officers responded to 5^th Street at Del Norte Boulevard re: an injury collision. Officers found one vehicle had collided near 5^th Street and Del Norte Boulevard. The male driver had fled. V1 came to rest in close proximity of the railroad tracks. Union Pacific was notified and flairs were positioned by officers two miles in either direction of the collision on the tracks.

The Union Pacific Main Line which is used by MetroLink and Amtrak was not available for 40 to 50 minutes. There was damage to the railroad crossing arm but no damage to the tracks.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9-15-13 / 0115 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Wanted Person
DATE/TIME:	August 19, 2013
SUSPECT(S):	Samjoan Robert Marquez, 18 year old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective Cody Collet
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Cody Collet [email protected] 805-486-6228

DETAILS:
Samjoan Robert Marquez, an 18 year old Oxnard resident, is wanted by Oxnard police for two shootings that occurred in the City of Oxnard between the months of March and May of 2013. Marquez has several felony warrants for his arrest for these shootings, and is suspected to be armed and dangerous.

The Oxnard Police Department, along with other Ventura County Law Enforcement Agencies, is attempting to determine the whereabouts of Marquez. If anyone has information about Marquez and his whereabouts, they are encouraged to call Detective Cody Collet at (805) 486-6228. 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.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Multiple Robberies/Suspect arrested
DATE/TIME:	9-17-13, 1545 -1615 hours
LOCATION:	North end Oxnard locations
VICTIM(S):	Three Oxnard residents
SUSPECT(S):	17 year old Oxnard resident



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

DETAILS:

Between the hours of approximately 1545 and 1615, the Oxnard Police Department responded to calls of three separate armed robberies in the north end area of Oxnard, specifically the 500 Block of Carnation, Orchard Park, and Princeton Avenue. In two of the three incidents the victims were robbed of their property. In each instance, the suspects were described as three black males in their teens.

Shortly after the call of the third robbery, officers observed three males matching the descriptions of the suspects. These subjects were ultimately detained. One of the subjects, a 17 year old male, was identified as one of the suspects involved in the robberies. He was booked into the Juvenile Hall for robbery.

The property taken from the two robberies, in addition to an airsoft gun, was located nearby.

The Oxnard Police Department is continuing to investigate the robberies. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the police department at 385-7740. Those persons wishing to remain anonymous should contact the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. You may also contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9/17/13; 2100 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Discharging a firearm/ Possession of a concealed weapon
DATE/TIME:	10/26/13/ 0335 hours
LOCATION:	Eighth Street @ B Street
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Sergio Castro Jr., 19 year old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sr. Officer Jeff Long, (805) 486-6506 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sr. Officer Jeff Long, (805) 486-6506 [email protected]

DETAILS: On October 26, 2013, at approximately 0330 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to the area of Eighth Street and B Street after a person reported a Hispanic male discharging a firearm into the air. Officers arrived on scene and located a subject in the area that matched the description given by witnesses. Officers attempted to make contact with the subject but he fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit, the subject was detained and found to be in possession a loaded firearm. The subject was identified as a 19-year-old Oxnard resident named Sergio Castro Jr. Castro has also been served with the Colonia Chiques Gang Injunction. Castro was subsequently arrested for several weapons violations as well as a violation of the Colonia Chiques Gang Injunction.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Jeff Long at (805) 486-6506. 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: 10/28/13, 1130 Hours