Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide Suspect Extradited
DATE/TIME:	November 18, 2012
LOCATION:	Fairfield, Alabama to Ventura County, California
VICTIM(S):	Stacy Knappenberger, 15-years old (1980)
SUSPECT(S):	Thomas Young, 65 years old, Fairfield, Alabama
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant David Villanueva, (805) 385-7763, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det Bob Eckman, Oxnard Police Major Crimes, 385-7760, [email protected]

DETAILS:

On September 6, 2012, Oxnard Police Department detectives and members of the Ventura County Cold Case Task Force arrested Thomas Young, age 65, of Fairfield, Alabama, for the murder of Stacy Knappenberger. Stacy Knappenberger was 15 years old when she was murdered on July 30, 1980, in her Oxnard home. An autopsy at that time determined that Knappenberger had died from blunt force trauma and multiple stab wounds. It is also suspected that a sexual assault occurred.

After his arrest in Alabama, Young declined to voluntarily waive extradition proceedings to Ventura County. The Ventura County DA’s Office applied for a Governor’s Warrant which was approved and sent to the Alabama Governor’s Office. The extradition was approved through the Jefferson County Superior Court, and Young’s extradition was ordered.

Members of the Ventura County Cold Case Task Force proceeded to Alabama and have returned to Ventura County, November 18, 2012, with Young in custody. He has been booked late last night into Ventura County Main Jail with no bail. Young’s first court appearance in Ventura County is scheduled at 9:00 AM, Monday, November 19, 2012, in Division 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

Anyone having information about the case should call Detective Bob Eckman at 385-7760. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call 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. Lastly, you can also call the Oxnard Police Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: November 19, 2012 / 0807 hours, DV

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI Injury Collision
DATE/TIME:	November 26, 2012 / 1053 hours
LOCATION:	Channel Islands Boulevard and Peninsula Road, Oxnard CA
DRIVER-1:	Sydney Irene Bolton, 26, Oxnard resident
DRIVER-2:	Christine Rebecca Torres, 53, Oxnard resident
VEHICLE-1:	Pewter 1999 Honda Accord
VEHICLE-2:	Gray 2009 Honda Civic
PREPARED BY:	Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On November 26, 2012, at about 10:53 a.m., Oxnard PD officers responded to the area of Channel Islands Boulevardand Peninsula Roadafter receiving a call of an injury collision involving two vehicles at the intersection of Channel Islands Boulevard and Peninsula Road. Upon arrival to the scene, officers and EMS personnel found that a pewter Honda Accord and a gray Honda Civic collided in the intersection.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Accord, driven by Sydney Irene Bolton, was traveling westbound on Channel Islands Boulevard towards a red light at Peninsula Road. The Civic was traveling southbound on Peninsula Road at Channel Islands Boulevard. For unknown reasons, the Accord drove into the intersection against a red light and broadsided the Civic. Ms. Torres and her passenger were transported by Gold Coast Ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center with minor injuries. Ms. Torres and her passenger are listed in stable condition.

Driver Bolton was not injured as a result of the collision and was arrested for suspicion of driving while under the influence.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at
805-385-7750. The investigation is ongoing.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: November 26, 2012, 3:00 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 With a Deadly Weapon (Stabbing)
DATE/TIME:	11/30/2012-1807 hours
LOCATION:	900 Block of Ventura Road
VICTIM(S):	Roberto Alejo (53 years), Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Miguel Silva (20 years), Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Officer Mike Thomas, Patrol, (805) 385-7600 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk, Violent Crime Unit, (805) 385-8261 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 11/30/2012, at approximately 1807 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a stabbing victim in the west alley of the 900 Block of South Ventura Road. Officers learned suspect Miguel Silva stabbed victim Roberto Alejo before fleeing the scene on foot. Suspect Silva is still outstanding. Alejo sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.

Anyone having information about this investigation should call Detective Steven Funk at (805) 385-8261.

If you wish to remain anonymous you may call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contacus.aspx to submit a tip via text or e-mail. Lastly, you can also call the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.

Date/Time Prepared: November 30, 2012/1928 hours, MT

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Ventura County AVOID the 14 DUI Task Force Arrest Five in DUI Task Force Operation Overnight in Ventura
DATE/TIME:	December 29, 2012 /9 pm to 3 am
LOCATION:	City of Ventura
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, AVOID the 14 Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant, Oxnard Police Department 805-385-7847 [email protected]

DETAILS:

Ventura County AVOID the 14 DUI Task Force Arrest Five in DUI Task Force Operation Overnight in Ventura

Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over

Ventura, CA – The Winter Holiday Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County.

On December 29, 2012, from 9 pm to 3 am, officers from the Ventura County AVOID the 14 DUI Task Force conducted a DUI Saturation Patrol in the city of Ventura. Officers from Camarillo, Moorpark, Port Hueneme, Ojai, Oxnard, and CSUCI police departments, along with deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office participated in this operation.

As a result, task force members arrested five motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs with blood alcohol levels ranging between .17 and .13. One of the drivers was under 21 years old. Officers also conducted field sobriety tests on 32 drivers who were suspected of driving while impaired. In addition to the specific DUI investigations, officers made 89 traffic stops, issued 36 citations (five to drivers who were unlicensed), and towed one vehicle.

These types of operations will continue through New Year’s Eve.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911! Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DUI arrest data collection will continue through New Year’s Weekend, midnight Sunday, January 1, 2013.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Juvenile
DATE/TIME:	2/9/13 1:28 a.m.
LOCATION:	2100 Block Posada Drive
MISSING CHILD:	John Carlo Marquez, 11 years
PREPARED BY:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On 2/9/13 at 0128 hours, the Oxnard Police Department was notified regarding a critical missing; John Carlo Marquez. He was last seen on February 8, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. in the 2100 block of Posada Drive in Oxnard.

John is a Hispanic male, 5 feet tall, weighs 100 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. John was last seen wearing a white buttoned shirt and black athletic shorts.

Oxnard PD officers are checking possible known locations where John has been in the past.

Anyone with information regarding the missing juvenile is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department (805) 385-7600

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2/9/13 0440 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Man with gun runs inside residence
DATE/TIME:	2-13-13 / 1706 hours
LOCATION:	700 Block of Fresca Drive
VICTIM(S):	Name(s) withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Martin Rojo, 19 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Martin Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Martin Meyer, (805) 207-7078, [email protected]

DETAILS:

At 1706 hours, officers were dispatched to the 700 Block of Fresca Drive re: a subject reportedly having run inside the residence and in possession of a gun. The persons reporting this were the residents of the home on Fresca Drive.

Officers had residents come out of the home and then went to search for the subject allegedly in possession of a gun. Martin Rojas, 19 years, an Oxnard resident, was found inside. A handgun was located in the garage of the residence. Officers found the handgun was unloaded. Officers also learned that the handgun was placed in the garage by Rojas.

Rojas did not threaten the residents. There were no injuries.

It was not established why Rojas ran into the residence and hid the handgun.

Rosas was charged with possession of a concealed firearm, 25400(a)(2) PC.

Anyone with information regarding this incident may call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2-24-13 / 2130 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT:	Oxnard Police Department Collecting Unwanted Prescription Drugs, this Saturday
DATE/TIME:	April 27, 2013 9:00am-2:00pm
LOCATION:	Oxnard Police Department 251 S. C Street Oxnard, CA 93030
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, (805) 385-7631, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. Humberto Jimenez, (805) 385-7600, [email protected] and, Nicole Crisostomo, (805)385-7780, [email protected]

DETAILS: (OXNARD, Calif)– On April 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Oxnard Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its sixth opportunity in three years 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 at 251 South C Street, Oxnard, CA 93030. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last September, Americans turned in 244 tons of prescription drugs at over 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners. In its five previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in over 2 million pounds—over a thousand tons—of pills.

In Oxnard, the Police Department has participated since the program’s inception, and has collected over 3,000 pounds of pills in the last two years.

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 event, 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 is drafting regulations to implement the Act. 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.

##

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 24, 2013, 3:00 PM

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 – Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	5/10/13 at approximately 2200 hours
LOCATION:	2100 Block of Mariposa Street
VICTIM(S):	21 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown Hispanic male in his 20’s wearing dark colored clothing
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Alex Arnett, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Cody Collet at (805) 486-6228 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On 5/10/13 at approximately 2200 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Mariposa Street reference an assault with a deadly weapon.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a 21 year old Oxnard resident was involved in a verbal altercation with an unknown Hispanic male in his 20’s wearing dark colored clothing. During the argument, the victim was stabbed multiple times. The victim was transported to Saint John’s Hospital by some friends in a private vehicle. The victim’s injuries are not life threatening.

The investigation is continuing.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Oxnard P.D. 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: 5/11/13 0046 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT:	Oxnard Police Department Memorial Ceremony
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, May 15, 2013 / 10:30-11:00am
LOCATION:	251 South “C” Street, Oxnard CA
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, (805)385-7631 or [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marc Amon, (805) 385-8300, [email protected]

DETAILS:

Oxnard Police to mark National Law Enforcement Memorial Week

On Wednesday, May 15, 2013, The City of Oxnard and the Oxnard Police Department welcome you to the 14^th annual Police Memorial Ceremony starting promptly at 10:30 a.m. The 30-minute ceremony will occur in front of the Public Safety Building, at Third and C Streets, Downtown Oxnard.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week, which honors those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

In Oxnard, the City and Police Department pay tribute to honor our own fallen—our seven Oxnard Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since our city’s founding. The ceremony will include a 21-gun salute, the rider-less horse, and a final song by the Oxnard High School Choir.

Our fallen Officers are:

Deputy Constable Andrew M. McNaughton
Constable William E. Kelley
Officer Albert Gasperetti
Officer Frederick J. Clark
Senior Officer John Adair
Officer James E. O’Brien
Officer James R. Jensen, Jr.

For further information, contact Sergeant Marc Amon, at (805) 385-8300, or [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:	Assault, PRO Arrest
DATE/TIME:	6-4-13 / 1600 hours
LOCATION:	Ventura County Probation Agency Office, 1400 Vanguard Way
VICTIM(S):	Five probation officers, names withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Nicomedes Jose Watts, 26 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander (805) 207-7078, [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 6-4-13, post-release offender or PRO, Nicomedes Jose Watts, 26 years, Oxnard resident, went to the Ventura County Probation Agency Office at 1400 Vanguard Way to meet with a probation officer. The PRO Program releases non-violent and non-serious offenders from prison pursuant to Assembly Bill 109.

Watts was recently involved in a domestic violence-related incident where he was named as a suspect re: a vandalism. Probation officers were going to arrest Watts on a ten-day violation of probation charge 3454(c) PC, or flash violation. This charge and arrest tends to stop the PRO from committing other offenses and promotes adherence to post-release terms.

Five probation officers were waiting for Watts as he entered the office. Watts saw the probation officers and immediately bolted away running into one of the officers. A struggle ensued with the other four probation officers joining in an effort to arrest Watts. Watts was arrested.

All five probation officers sustained injuries and were treated at a local hospital. Two of the probation officers sustained moderate injury. Watts sustained very minor injury.

Oxnard police officers took custody of Watts booking him into the Ventura County Main Jail on charged of Vandalism (594 PC), Probation Revocation (3455(a) PC), and Obstructing or Resisting Executive Officers (69 PC). 69 PC is a felony. 3455(a) PC can result in up to 180 days in the VenturaCounty Jail.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 6-5-13 / 2200 hours