Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Driving into the Sun’s Glare
DATE/TIME:	September 29, 2014
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit

DETAILS:
This time of year, the angle of the sun can be blinding which can be a major hazard and a threat to those on or around our roadways. Driving into the sun can make it much harder to see ahead and is an added risk to drivers. It can be blinding for motorists who are trying to see the road, other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and traffic signals.

In the fall, the rising sun aligns itself perfectly with many east-west roadways according to the National Weather Service and the City of Oxnard is no exception. It is during the first 15 to 45 minutes of sunrise that sun-glare is most hazardous. In the last couple of weeks, the City of Oxnard has experienced two major traffic collisions whereby the sun glare was a major contributing factor.

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit offers the following tips and suggestions when driving directly towards the sun:

Wear sunglasses with polarized lenses, or wear eyeglasses with an anti-reflective coating. Scratched eyeglasses or contact lenses make the glare worse.
Clean your windshield outside and inside. A cracked or dirty windshield can magnify glare.
Heed the speed limit, particularly if you are driving into the sunrise on your way into work or the sunset on your way home.
Slow down and use caution especially while driving through narrow roadways or school zones. The more space you have, the more time you have to react.
Increase your following distance beyond the recommended safe distances to allow three or more seconds between vehicles.
Turn headlights on so oncoming motorists can see you as they are driving toward the sun.
Use your visor as much as possible, but remember that visors can also block your vision.
Consider alternate routes to minimize east/west driving whenever possible. Use north/south streets until you find an east/west road with lots of trees or taller buildings.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest of sixth suspect in 2009 Homicide (photo attached.)
DATE/TIME:	10/12/2014
LOCATION:	2700 block of El Dorado Avenue
SUSPECT(S):	Favian Martinez Barrera, 30 years old, of Oxnard, CA
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Chris Williams, Supervisor, (805) 385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Young, Cold Case Unit (805) 385-7606 mike.young@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On January 17, 2009 at approximately 8 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a fight with shots fired in the 2700 block of El Dorado Ave. Upon the officer’s arrival, they located two stabbing victims who had sustained serious injuries. One of these victims, 28-year-old Oxnard resident Alfredo Vargas underwent emergency surgery and died at approximately 2:30 a.m. the following morning. A third stabbing victim had left the scene of the incident prior to officer’s arrival and was contacted a short time later at Saint John’s Hospital where he was receiving treatment for his injuries.

In June of 2013, the investigation into this murder resulted in criminal indictments against four Lemonwood Chiques gang members, charging each with murder for their involvement in this attack. They were also charged with committing this murder for the benefit of a street gang. These four subjects, Jonathan Gallegos, Alexis Ramirez, Jorge Cervantes and Guillemro Galvan are currently in-custody, awaiting trial.

The investigation into this murder remained active, with detectives assigned to the Cold Case Task Force continuing to pursue the outstanding suspects responsible for this murder. On February 18, 2014, investigators arrested a fifth suspect, Alejandro Jimenez, for his role in this murder. Jimenez is also in-custody, awaiting trial.

On Sunday, October 12, 2014, a sixth suspect, 30-year-old Francisco Martinez Barrera, was arrested for his role in this incident. Barrera was in the custody of the Ventura County Sheriffs Department facing unrelated firearms charges at the time of his arrest. The investigation into Barrera revealed that he fled to Mexico in April of 2013, during the same time investigators were making the initial arrests in this incident. It is believed that this flight was directly related to the arrests being made.

At the end of September of 2014, Barrera was arrested for a warrant associated the unrelated firearms charge as he was attempting to reenter the United States at a border crossing south of San Diego. Barrera has been charged with a violation of California Penal Code Section 187 and for committing the crime for the benefit of a street gang, in violation of California Penal Code Section 186.22(b)(1). As with the other five charged suspects, Barrera is a documented member of the Lemonwood Chiques street gang. He remains in custody with his bail set at $1,500,000.

The success of this investigation is the result of countless hours of investigation and a cooperative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies including the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators believe that additional individuals were involved in this murder and the investigation remains active. Members of the public are asked to contact Detective Mike Young at (805) 385-7606 or mike.young@oxnardpd.org if they have any information about this incident. A previous booking photograph of Barrera has been attached to this press release.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking and Robbery Arrest
DATE/TIME:	October 26, 2014 @ 8:48 P.M.
LOCATION:	411 W. Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Dennis Cervantes, 20-year-old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Lincoln Town Car (recovered)
LOSS:	Victim car was recovered, cell phone taken
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Jon Keller
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 486-6211 Alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On October 26, 2014, at about 8:48 p.m. Oxnard police officers responded to a carjacking in the area of 411 W. Pleasant Valley Road. Officers contacted the victim who had been confronted by a lone suspect armed with a handgun. The suspect took the victim’s Mercedes sedan and cell phone. A possible suspect vehicle, a Lincoln Town Car, was seen leaving the scene also. The victim was not injured during the crime.

Officers quickly located both vehicles parked together in the area of 1301 Commercial Ave. As officers approached the cars, two possible suspects fled on foot into the mobile home park. An alert resident directed officers to noises heard behind an occupied mobile home. A subsequent search resulted in the arrest of Dennis Cervantes for carjacking and robbery. Several associated persons at the mobile home were arrested for outstanding warrants.

If anyone has further information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective 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 contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Persons can also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10/27/14, 0035 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Three Suspects Arrested for Robbery
DATE/TIME:	October 30, 2014 at approximately 0830 hours
LOCATION:	4900 Block of Terrace Avenue
VICTIM(S):	17-year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Elpidio Ramirez, 18-year old Oxnard resident Two 17-year old Oxnard residents
WITNESS(ES):	Withheld
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Yellow truck
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Alex Arnett, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Scott Coe, (805) 385-7796 scott.coe@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Oxnard police officers and detectives are investigating a street robbery that occurred on October 30th, at approximately 0830 hours. The robbery took place in the 4900 block of Terrace Avenue.

The person who witnessed the robbery called the police and provided a detailed description of the yellow truck. An Oxnard police officer located the yellow truck a short distance away from the crime scene and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. 18-year old Elpidio Ramirez and two 17-year old juveniles were inside. A search of the truck was conducted as part of these subject’s probation terms. Additional contraband was located in the vehicle.

As officers were investigating the robbery case, video evidence was obtained showing the suspects robbing the 17-year old victim. The three suspects in the yellow truck were positively identifed through video evidence. The suspects were arrested and charged with robbery and violating the terms of their probation.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. Persons with further information regarding this incident or similar incidents are encouraged to contact Detective Scott Coe 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 http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or e-mail.

Date / Time Prepared: 10-30-14 / 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:	Attempt Homicide and Several Armed Robberies
DATE/TIME:	August 2014 through November 2014
LOCATION:	Southwinds Neighborhood, Oxnard, CA
PREPARED BY:	Detective Edgar Fernandez
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Edgar Fernandez edgar.fernandez@oxnardpd.org(805)385-7645

DETAILS:
The Oxnard Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance with information leading to the identification and arrest of suspects involved in several recent armed robberies and a shooting that left a victim fighting for his life. All these recent crimes have occurred in the Southwinds Neighborhood of Oxnard.

Between August 2014 and November 2014, there has been an increase in robberies in the neighborhood known as the Southwinds Neighborhood. There have been sixteen (16) reported street robberies and one near fatal shooting in this the small geographic area. This neighborhood is located south of Pleasant Valley Road, north of Hueneme Road, east of J Street and west of Saviers Road.

There have been many vague descriptions of robbery suspects and very little information for detectives to follow-up on. The descriptions in the majority of the robberies have been a lone Hispanic male, 20-27 years old, 5’-7” in height, some facial hair, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark pants.

On October 22, 2014 at 9:45 PM, Oxnard Police officers responded to Charles Street and Campbell Way regarding a shooting victim. The initial investigation indicated that the victim was outside his home talking on his phone when he was approached by two men. The men attempted to rob him by demanding he give them his personal belongings. The victim refused and at some point, two additional suspects approached the victim. One of the suspects produced a handgun and shot the victim. The four suspects fled on foot and the victim ran inside his home to get help. The victim was transported via ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of a life threatening gunshot wound. The victim underwent emergency surgery and is expected to survive.

The Oxnard Police Department encourages residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. Persons with information regarding these incidents are encouraged to call Detective Edgar Fernandez (805) 385-7645. 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 e-mail.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 11/13/2014, 0930 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Update on 2012 Homicide
DATE/TIME:	June 3, 2012, 10:01 p.m.
LOCATION:	3500 block of Samuel Avenue, City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Jorge Rodriguez, 26 years old City of Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams (805) 385-7763 Christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Gordon Currie (805) 200-5682 Gordon.currie@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On June 3, 2012, officers were dispatched to the area of Samuel Avenue and La Canada Avenue in reference to a shooting victim in the alley. The victim was located lying in the east alley of 3530 Samuel Avenue. The victim, identified as 26-year old Jorge Luis Rodriguez, had been shot in the throat. Rodriguez was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment but was pronounced dead a short time later.

During the course of this lengthy investigation, investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit spoke to numerous citizens and analyzed hundreds of pieces of evidence. This summer, investigators submitted the facts of the case to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for consideration.

Earlier today, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office unsealed the findings from a Grand Jury proceeding resulting in the indictments of:

· Daniel Christopher Alvarez (Date of Birth 3/25/93), City of Oxnard resident:

o One Count of 187 P.C. Murder with Special Allegations;

· 190.2 (a)(17) P.C. Felony Murder Enhancement

· 190.2 (a)(22) P.C. Gang Enhancement

o One Count of 664/211PC Attempted Robbery with Special Allegation;

· 12022.5 (3)(b) P.C. Use of a Firearm Enhancement

· Justin Desantiago (Date of Birth 9/4/88), City of Oxnard resident:

o One Count of 32 P.C. Accessory (to Murder) with Special Allegation;

· 186.22 P.C. Gang Enhancement

This afternoon, Alvarez was served the indictment while in custody at the Ventura County Jail on a different matter and is not eligible for bail. Desantiago was also served his indictment at the Ventura County Jail while in custody on a different matter and his bail was set at $120,000.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to thank the many concerned members of the public who came forward with information. These indictments would not have been possible without the considerable contributions made by the men and women of the Oxnard Police Department, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, the Ventura County Crime Laboratory, and other Law Enforcement agencies. If anyone has any further information about this case, please contact Major Crimes Investigator Gordon Currie at (805) 200-5682.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 12/10/14 1700 hrs.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang Member Convicted of Shooting Store Clerk During Robbery
DATE/TIME:	December 9, 2014
LOCATION:	2195 East Channel Islands Boulevard, City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	Daniel Espinoza, 18-year old City of Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Alex Arnett, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 486-6211 alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On November 5, 2012, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Oxnard Police Officers responded to Doc’s Liquor Store, located at 2195 East Channel Islands Boulevard, reference a gunshot victim. Officers learned that the gunshot victim was an employee of the liquor store, and that he was shot during the commission of a robbery to the business. The victim was transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) with a life-threatening gunshot wound to his upper chest. It was through the extraordinary live saving efforts of emergency room doctors, surgeons and nurses that the victim was able to survive this devastating injury.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) responded to the scene and immediately started investigating the case. Physical evidence was collected at the crime scene, along with video surveillance of the shooting and robbery. The physical evidence and video surveillance helped investigators identify the robbery suspect that shot the store employee. The suspect was identified as Daniel Espinoza, a documented member of the Colonia Chiques criminal street gang.

VCU Investigators and officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU/SWAT) served a search warrant at Espinoza’s residence, and arrested Espinoza for robbery and attempted murder.

A jury trial to determine Espinoza’s guilt or innocence began last week. During the weeklong trial, the jury heard testimony from the victim, witnesses, and a gang expert. The jury also reviewed physical evidence including the surveillance video of the robbery and shooting.

On December 9, 2014, the jury deliberated for approximately 2 ½ hours and returned with a guilty verdict on all charges. The charges consisted of robbery, attempt homicide, and an allegation that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

Espinoza was a juvenile when he committed the crime. He is currently an adult and is awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled for early in February 2015. Espinoza is facing a minimum sentence of 40 years to life in prison.

This is another example of the hard work and dedication of the officers and investigators of the Oxnard Police Department, and a collaborative effort between community members and the District Attorney’s Office.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member arrested with a firearm
DATE/TIME:	February 8, 2015 – 9 p.m.
LOCATION:	100 block Bernarda Ct. Oxnard, Ca
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Juvenile Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Tim Kelley
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Tim Kelley (805)385-8290

DETAILS:On Sunday, February 8, 2015, at approximately 9pm, officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit contacted a juvenile suspect in the 100 block of Bernarda Ct. The juvenile suspect is an Oxnard resident and a documented gang member. The suspect has previously been served with the Colonia civil gang injunction and is currently on juvenile probation. When officers initially contacted the suspect, the suspect removed a sawed-off shotgun that was concealed in his pants and discarded the weapon in the front yard of a nearby residence. The shotgun was recovered and found to be loaded. The juvenile was taken into custody for several weapons violations, violation of the civil gang injunction and, violation of probation.

The Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang and firearms violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the City. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witness to a crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2/8/15 10:30pm

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Train Collision/Derailment – City of Oxnard Road Closures Update
DATE/TIME:	2/24/15, 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	Fifth Street at Rice Avenue, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Commander Andrew Salinas
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Andrew Salinas, Investigations Commander (805) 797-5669, andrewsalinas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Persons Prohibited From Possessing Firearms Arrested for Weapons Violations
DATE/TIME:	2/26/15 1200 hours
LOCATION:	Motel in the City of Ventura
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Enrique Castellanos, 22 year old Oxnard Resident David Varela, 28 year old Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Cody Collet (805) 486-6228 cody.collet@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: Investigators assigned to the Oxnard Police Department’s Firearms Task Force(FAST) concluded an investigation today on a person who was identified as being prohibited from owning or possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction. The prohibited person, 22 year old Enrique Castellanos, was located at a motel in Ventura. The investigation was a joint operation, which involved investigators from the Ventura Police Department and Oxnard Police Officers assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

At approximately noon today, Oxnard SWAT officers served a search warrant at a motel room in the City of Ventura, which was occupied by Castellanos. Castellanos was found in the room along with a loaded firearm, firearm parts, and approximately 400 rounds of ammunition. Castellanos was arrested for weapons violations, which included felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition. Also inside the motel room was 28 year old David Varela. Varela was found to be in possession of a concealed firearm when officers contacted him. Varela, himself a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, was arrested for weapons violations. Both Castellanos and Varela are documented Oxnard gang members.

In an effort to address recent increases in firearms-related crimes, the Oxnard Police Department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crimes Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons within the city. The objective is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention and enforcement.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or you can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477. You can also provide information by going to the Ventura County Crimes Stoppers website, which is www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.