News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: October 14, 2023, 12:30 PM.

SUBJECT: Missing Juvenile

LOCATION: 700 block Douglas Street, Oxnard

MISSING PERSON: Christopher Losoya, 16-year-old Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Greg Harasymowycz, Commander (Wednesday-Saturday 6 AM – 4 PM)

The Oxnard Police Department is asking the community to help find a missing juvenile. Christopher Losoya is a 16-year-old male, 5'06, 105 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. Christopher was last seen leaving his residence on foot in Oxnard today at 12:10 PM. He wore a grey sleeveless T-shirt and red basketball shorts (with a white stripe).

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the public's help finding Christopher. If you happen to have any information about the whereabouts of Christopher, we ask that you contact the Oxnard Police Department dispatch immediately at 805-385-7740.

Greg Harasymowycz

Commander – Patrol

Oxnard Police Department

251 South C Street, Oxnard, CA, 93030

(805) 385-7600 Work Phone

www.oxnardpd.org

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: October 4, 2023

SUBJECT: 2024 Grant Kick-Off

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Oxnard Police Department Awarded Grant from the Office of Traffic Safety for Traffic Enforcement Program to Increase Safety on Roads

Oxnard, Calif. – The Oxnard Police Department was awarded a $533,000.00 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The grant will support our ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on our roads.

Oxnard Police Chief Jason Benites stated, “Improving traffic safety in our city continues to be a priority for our department. We must continue the work to keep Oxnard’s drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians safe on our roadways. This grant award will help us increase our efforts, using education and enforcement, to help make our streets safer for our community. We will especially focus on critical factors such as distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding violations.”

The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including:

· DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.

· High-visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.

· Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

· Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.

· Community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding and bicycle and pedestrian safety.

· Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.

· Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

The grant program will run through September 2024.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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NEWS RELEASE

DATE: October 11, 2023 | 0137 hours

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECTS: Christian Rodriguez, 28 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 100 block N. Juanita Ave, Oxnard

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 (Fri-Sun 6PM-630AM) | [email protected]

On the above date and time, an Oxnard Police officer attempted to contact a subject in the 100 block of N. Juanita Ave. Upon contact, the subject later identified as 28-year-old resident Christian Rodriguez fled through a nearby park which is adjacent to a local school, and discarded a firearm. The subject was ultimately apprehended. The firearm was found to be a loaded 9mm Ruger pistol. Rodriguez was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm which also included possession of a firearm near a school.

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: October 5, 2019, at 9:25 P.M.

SUBJECT: Police Seek Information on Homicide Case

LOCATION: 3000 block of Merced Place, Oxnard, CA

VICTIM: Richard Madera, 32-year-old, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Adam Aguilar, Detective

(805) 385-7680 | [email protected]

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit are seeking information from the community to help solve the murder of 32-year-old Richard Madera.

Mr. Madera was shot and killed on October 5, 2019, and today marks the four-year anniversary of that incident. Mr. Madera was standing in the front yard of a residence in the 3000 block of Merced Place when he was shot multiple times. Despite the lifesaving efforts given by Emergency Medical Services, Mr. Madera succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Mr. Madera left behind a loving family, including three small children.

Detectives are encouraging anyone who was present at the scene and may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Adam Aguilar (805) 385-7680. The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City.

Information can be reported online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and click on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous and still provide valuable information by calling Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

Sergeant Jess Aragon

Oxnard Police Department

Major Crimes

Office (805)385-7632 (Mon – Thurs 7 AM – 5 PM)

Cell (805)207-9097

[email protected]

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME: October 6, 2023 / 11:00PM

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECT: 17 year old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 4700 block of Olds Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

[email protected]

(805) 385-7746 (Th-Sat 4PM-4AM)

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers contacted the occupants of a parked vehicle in the 4700 block of Olds Road. During the contact, officers learned that the right front passenger, a 17 year old male, was in possession of a shotgun. All of the occupants, including two juvenile females, were removed from the vehicle. Officers retrieved the shotgun from the male juvenile and arrested him for firearms violations.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: October 3, 2023

SUBJECT: National Walk and Roll to School Day

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

National Walk and Roll to School Day is Oct. 4^th

The Oxnard Police Department encourages parents and students to join their classmates and walk, bike, or roll to class Oct. 4.

“Walk and Roll to School Day” is celebrated annually to highlight the benefits of exercise and practice pedestrian and road safety with other students, families, and caregivers.

The Oxnard Police Departmentoffers tips for students who walk, bike, or roll to school:

· Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk or ride as far from cars as possible, facing traffic.

· Use crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets with fewer lanes and lower speed limits.

· Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street.

· Watch for cars entering/leaving driveways or parking spaces.

· Always wear a helmet when riding or rolling.

· Be aware of your surroundings. Keep earbud or headphone volume low enough so you can still hear around you.

Drivers should be extra careful and anticipate more foot and bike traffic the morning of Oct. 4, as well as be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing the street. Drivers should always watch their speed and slow down in school zones.

Schools are encouraged to register at walkbiketoschool.org as a way of tracking participation and showing support for active, healthy, and safe transportation.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 29, 2023

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECTS: Carlos Velasquez, 19 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 4800 block of Olds Road

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7623 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) [email protected]

The Oxnard Police Department Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT) were patrolling the area of the 4800 block of Olds Road when they observed Carlos Velasquez, a 19 year-old Oxnard resident discard a firearm into the front yard of an apartment complex.

A records check of the firearm revealed the firearm was previously reported stolen. Velasquez was arrested for gun related charges and booked in to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Pretrial Detention Facility.

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

Carlos Velasquez.JPG

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 28, 2023, at 12:00 P.M.

SUBJECT: Suspect Arrested for Murder

LOCATION: 700 block of Cooper Road, Oxnard

VICTIM: Oscar Rodriguez, 44-year-old Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT: Omar Romo, 34-year-old Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Jess Aragon, Sergeant

(805) 385-7632

Monday – Thursday 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

| [email protected]

On July 12, 2023, at 1:14 A.M., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the call of a shooting victim in the north alley of the 700 block of Cooper Road. When officers arrived, they located a 44-year-old male, later identified as Oscar Rodriguez, suffering from several gunshot wounds. Officers began life-saving measures. Emergency medical personnel quickly arrived and transported Rodriguez to the Ventura County Medical Center.

Unfortunately, despite life-saving measures at the hospital, Rodriguez succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

After an eleven week-long investigation, investigators were able to obtain sufficient evidence that identified Omar Romo as the person responsible for the murder of Oscar Rodriguez. This was through the hard work of investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Investigation Services Bureau and officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit.

On September 28, 2023, at about 12:00 P.M., investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit arrested Omar Romo for the murder of Oscar Rodriguez. At the time of the arrest, Romo was in custody at the Ventura County Main Jail on unrelated charges. He is being held on a two-million-dollar bail for the charge of murder.

Investigators are still seeking any further information regarding this incident and are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Meagan Tobey at (805) 385-7755. Also, anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department's website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE/ TIME: 9/28/23, 12:00 P.M.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME: September 23, 2023 / 10:30PM

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECT: Manuel Lopez, 43 year old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 400 block of S. Ventura Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

[email protected]

(805) 385-7746 (Th-Sat 4PM-4AM)

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers contacted Lopez regarding an argument. During their contact with Lopez, officers learned he was in possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia. Lopez was also in possession of a backpack. During a search of the backpack, officers located a disassembled .223 caliber rifle, as well as a loaded magazine. Lopez, a convicted felon, was arrested for numerous firearms and drug violations.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME: September 21, 2023 / 11:15PM

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECT: Irma Garcia, 38 year old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: San Gorgonio Avenue & Featherstone Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

[email protected]

(805) 385-7746 (Th-Sat 4PM-4AM)

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers responded to the location regarding an illegally parked vehicle. Officers attempted to make contact with the lone occupant, Garcia, and in doing so observed a box of ammunition inside the vehicle. Garcia was escorted from the vehicle and officers learned that she was in possession of a loaded .38 caliber revolver. Garcia was arrested for multiple firearms violations.