Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:
DATE/TIME:
LOCATION:
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, [email protected] Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]

DETAILS:
Summer/Labor DAY AVOID DUI campaign – SUnDAY update 12
The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI update of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County are updated.

From 12:01 AM Friday August 16, 2013 through Midnight Saturday August 31, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 197 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

There were no DUI deaths overnight, but there was a major injury collision the occurred in the City of Oxnard.

On August 31, 2013, at about 10:29 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a collision involving two vehicles near the intersection of Rose Avenue and Cesar Chavez Drive. Upon arrival, officers found that the two vehicles involved were a white Ford Expedition and a silver 2004 BMW 325ci.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Ford Expedition, driven by Joel Tapia, a 25 year-old resident of Oxnard, was traveling northbound on Rose Avenue towards Cesar Chavez Drive. The BMW, driven by Leonardo Medina, a 23 year-old Oxnard resident, was traveling southbound on Rose Avenue towards Cesar Chavez Drive. As the Ford passed the intersection of Cesar Chavez drive, it failed to negotiate a bend in the roadway. The Ford struck the center median and several trees. The impact into a tree caused Driver Tapia to be ejected from the Ford and land in the roadway near the Ford. Debris from the Ford struck the BMW causing moderate damage. Witnesses stated that the Ford was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the collision. Driver Medina was uninjured during the collision. Driver Tapia sustained serious injuries as result of the collision and was transported to a local hospital where he listed in critical condition. Alcohol is suspected to be involved in this collision.

For the final hours of the Labor Day Holiday weekend, extra DUI Saturation Patrols will be deployed in the cities of Ventura, Simi Valley, Port Hueneme, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Oxnard. All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts. The CHP is deploying all available officers onto freeways and county roads during their Maximum Enforcement Period until midnight Monday. Multiple/DUI Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are set region wide during 18 day Summer/Labor Day Campaign.

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 Labor Day midnight Monday, September 2, 2013.

MEDIA NOTE: The checkpoint locations and saturation patrols will be made available for media opportunities or ride-a-longs each night.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Person
DATE/TIME:	10-26-2013 / 0645 hours
LOCATION:	Shell gas station, 1901 North Rose Avenue
MISSING PERSON:	Farhoud Asgarifateh, 23 years, Encino resident
PREPARED BY:	Officer Jonathan Martin
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Jonathan Martin, (805) 385-7600, [email protected]

DETAILS:

A family member of Farhoud Asgarifateh, 23 years, arrived at the Oxnard Police Station to report him missing. Asgarifateh was last seen by family members on the night of October 24, 2013. Asgarifateh was later seen at the Shell gas station at the intersection of North Rose Avenue and Gonzales Road early in the morning on October 26, 2013. Family members indicated that Asgarifateh suffers from Schizophrenia and Asperger syndrome.

Officers are searching for Asgarifateh and are asking for the public’s help in locating him.

Asgarifateh was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and blue jean pants, carrying a gray backpack. Asgarifateh has a full beard.

Persons with information regarding Asgarifateh’s whereabouts should call the Oxnard Public Safety Communications Center at (805) 385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10-26-2013 / 1000 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 (with a baseball bat)
DATE/TIME:	11/16/13 at 0356 hours
LOCATION:	2201 E. Channel Islands Blvd.
VICTIM(S):	7-11 Convenience Store
SUSPECT(S):	Male, mid-twenties
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:	Undisclosed amount of currency
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Daniel Shrubb
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Steven Funk, Senior Officer (805) 385-779 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On 11-16-13, at 0356 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 7-11 located at 2201 E. Channel Islands Boulevard reference a robbery that had just occurred. The suspect concealed his face with a red bandana, brandished a purple or blue baseball bat, and demanded money from the cashier. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of currency and fled on foot through the parking lot toward the 2700 block of El Dorado Avenue. This incident marks the 3^rd occurrence of this type within the last four (4) days.

The suspect is described as a male, possibly mid-twenties, 5’-7”, medium build, wearing a dark colored baseball hat, black jacket, and tan pants.

If anyone has information about this incident(s), 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.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Teacher arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault on a child
DATE/TIME:	November 27, 2013, 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	Alameda County, California
VICTIM(S):	Minor
SUSPECT(S):	Jason Christopher Griego, 38
PREPARED BY:	Sr. Detective Luis McArthur, Investigative Services Bureau (805) 385-7662, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Sergeant Sharon Giles, Investigative Services Bureau (805) 385-7620, [email protected]

DETAILS:

(OXNARD, Calif), On Friday, October 11, 2013, detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit provided assistance to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) with an investigation into Jason Christopher Griego, 38 years of age from Port Hueneme. The detectives had previously received information about Griego indicating that he was possibly involved in lewd acts with minors.

Oxnard Police detectives, NCIS special agents, and investigators with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office spent hundreds of hours looking into the allegations. Oxnard detectives authored a search warrant for his person, his vehicle and his classroom. Griego worked as a 7th and 8th grade math teacher at St. Anthony’s School in Oxnard.

The investigation found sufficient evidence that assisted the Denton Police Department in Texas to obtain an arrest warrant for Griego for two counts of aggravated sexual assault on a child. The crimes occurred in Texas between 2008 and 2011. Griego was arrested on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 in the City of Alameda, located in northern California.

Oxnard detectives have not yet identified any victims in Ventura County. The investigation is on-going.

Griego is currently being held in Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County and has no bail. He is in the extradition process back to Texas. Anyone with any further information or questions may contact Detective Sergeant Sharon Giles from the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7620.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: November 27, 2013, 9:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision (Vehicle vs. Pedestrian)
DATE/TIME:	12-9-13 / 1812 hours
LOCATION:	“C” Street at Magnolia Avenue
PARTY 1:	Juan Rivas, 81 Years, Oxnard Resident
PARTY 2:	Nicolas Montanez, 30 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Blue, 1996 Dodge Caravan
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, (805) 385-7750, [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 12-19-13, at about 1812 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the intersection of “C” Street at Magnolia Avenue in reference to an injury traffic collision involving a blue Dodge Caravan and a pedestrian.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Dodge van driven by Nicolas Montanez was traveling southbound on “C” Street from Magnolia Avenue. Prior to the collision, pedestrian Juan Rivas, was seen standing at the curb on the west side of the roadway mid-block between Magnolia Avenue and First Street. For an unknown reason, Rivas entered the roadway and walked into the path of the southbound Dodge van where Rivas was struck. Rivas was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he later died.

Driver Montanez and three passengers in the Dodge van were uninjured as a result of the collision.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision. In addition, excessive speed does not appear to be a factor.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Pena at (805) 385-7750. The investigation is on-going.

Date / Time Prepared: 12-19-13, 2100 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Person – Update
DATE/TIME:	12-19-13 / 1806 hours
LOCATION:	600 Block of Rosalinda Drive
MISSING PERSON:	Nicholas Penaloza, 19 years, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander [email protected], (805) 207-7078

DETAILS:

Officers are continuing their search for missing person, Nicholas Penaloza.

Family members would like the public to know that Nicholas is autistic and are concerned that at this late hour on this cold night, that he has not been located.

Date / Time Prepared: 12-19-13 / 2300 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release December 20, 2013

Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, [email protected]
Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, [email protected]

Winter Holiday AVOID DUI campaign – FRIDAY update 4

DUI Arrests Up & NO DUI Fatalities

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 during the past several days in Ventura County.

From 12:01 AM Friday, December 13, 2013 through Midnight Thursday, December 19, 2013, officers representing Ventura county law enforcement agencies have arrested 71 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2012, 51 DUI arrests occurred during the same seven (7) day time period.

Last year, there were no DUI deaths reported. There were no DUI deaths overnight, but there was a fatal traffic collision in the City of Oxnard.

On December 19, 2013, at about 6:12 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to intersection of C Street and Magnolia Avenue reference an injury traffic collision involving a blue Dodge Caravan and a pedestrian.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Dodge van, driven by Nicolas Montanez, was traveling southbound on C Street from Magnolia Avenue. Prior to the collision, Pedestrian Juan Rivas was standing at the west curb of C Street just south of Magnolia Avenue. For an unknown reason, Pedestrian Rivas entered the roadway and walked into the path of the Dodge and was struck. Pedestrian Rivas was transported from the scene to the Ventura County Medical Center where he later died as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Driver Montanez and the three passengers in the Dodge van were uninjured during the collision.

Diver Montanez was evaluated and showed no signs or driving while impaired. In addition, excessive speed does not appear to be a factor.

(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

For the second weekend of the campaign a DUI Checkpoint will be conducted in the City of Ventura, extra local DUI Saturation Patrols will be deployed in the cities of Moorpark, Camarillo, Port Hueneme, and Simi Valley. A Multi-Agency DUI Task Force is deploying in the City of Thousand Oaks.

All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts. Multiple DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are all part of this region-wide crackdown during the 20 day Winter Holiday Campaign.

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, 2014.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Armed Robbery

DATE/TIME:

12/28/2013 at approximately 2044 hours

LOCATION:

Sixth Street and “E” Street

VICTIM(S):

2- 16 year old juvenile males

SUSPECT(S):

Angel Herrera, 20 years, Oxnard resident
Diego Espinosa, 18 years, Oxnard resident
17 year old juvenile, Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Detective Steven Funk

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Detective Steven Funk
(805) 385-7796 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 12-28-2013 at approximately 2044 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to the area of Sixth Street and “E” Street, reference a robbery. The two juvenile victims advised officers that they had just been robbed by two subjects who fled in a vehicle.

The described vehicle was observed in the area by an officer and the officer attempted to stop it. The vehicle failed to yield and a short vehicle pursuit took place. The vehicle collided into a tree in the area of Third Street and “E” Street.

The three suspects fled from the vehicle and were all taken into custody a short distance away. The driver of the vehicle a Diego Espinosa sustained minor injuries from being involved in the collision with the tree.

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: 12-29-2013/0205 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Juvenile Possession of a Loaded Firearm Arrest
DATE/TIME:	January 10, 2014 @ 2133 hours
LOCATION:	North Alley of the 1900 block of San Gorgonio
SUSPECT(S):	16 year old juvenile, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 1/10/14, at approximately 2133 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit attempted to make contact with a 16 year old juvenile in the North Alley of the 1900 block of San Gorgonio who was loitering with three other subjects. As officers approached the group, the juvenile fled on foot and discarded a loaded .22 Caliber revolver near the apartment building. The juvenile was detained after a short foot pursuit. He was subsequently arrested for several weapons violations and booked into Ventura County Juvenile Hall.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:

1/11/14 /0714 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest in connection with 12/13/2013 homicide
DATE/TIME:	1/22/14 1500 hours
LOCATION:	Ventura County Jail
VICTIM(S):	Juan Carlos Garcia, 26 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Alberto Govea, 20 year old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Martin Perez, (805) 385-7680 [email protected]

DETAILS: Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department made an arrest today in the murder of Juan Carlos Garcia. This violent murder occurred on the morning of December 13, 2013 in the 1500 block of Alturas Street in Oxnard. Garcia was at his residence when the suspect, Alberto Govea, came to Garcia’s house. Shortly after Govea left the scene police and emergency medical personnel were called regarding a stabbing victim.

After a lengthy investigation, Major Crimes detectives were able to piece together evidence which led to today’s arrest. The suspect in the murder was identified as Alberto Govea, a 20 year old resident of Oxnard. Govea had been in custody at the Ventura County Jail since December on charges of criminal threats unrelated to the murder. Both Govea and Garcia knew each other however; detectives are continuing to investigate the motive for the crime. Detectives also believe Govea acted alone during the homicide. No further details will be released at this time because this is still an active investigation.

The police department encourages anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Martin Perez at (805) 385-7680. Those wishing to remain anonymous you can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, or visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 1/22/14, 1700 hours