News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 20, 2023 (10:55 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Passenger in Possession of Firearm with Obliterated Serial Numbers

SUSPECTS: Louie Almanza, 25-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Riverpark Blvd. at Vineyard Ave., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

On September 20, at approximately 10:55 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of Riverpark and Vineyard Ave. As officers approached the vehicle to make contact with the occupants, officers noticed open containers of alcoholic beverages in the vehicle. The occupants were removed from the vehicle and the vehicle was subsequently searched for additional open alcoholic beverages. During the search officers located a loaded 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun hidden under the right front passenger seat. Upon further inspection of the handgun officers noted that the serial number to the handgun had been obliterated, a felony. The right front passenger, identified as Louie Almaza, was arrested for felony firearms violations and booked into Ventura County Jail. The 20-year-old driver was cited for allowing open alcoholic beverages in his vehicle.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. 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 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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 14, 2023

SUBJECT: Child Passenger Safety Week

CONTACT: Alvaro Pulido, Corporal

(805) 385-7749 (Mon-Thu 8AM-6PM) | [email protected]

Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 17-23

The Oxnard Police Department is joining public health departments and other community organizations to raise awareness about the importance of keeping children in the correct car seat for their age and size.

During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Oxnard Police Department wants to remind parents and caregivers to keep kids safe by securing children in the correct child safety seat. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused.

California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Parents are encouraged to keep your child in rear- and forward-facing seats as long as possible. Children 8 and older or who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be wearing a properly fitted safety belt.

To search for car seat programs in your county, visit the Office of Traffic Safety website. You may also contact your local CHP Area Office to schedule a free child safety seat inspection.

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 15, 2023

SUBJECT: Illegal Gun Possession / Narcotic Sales Arrest

SUSPECT: Daniel Ruiz, 35 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: Oxnard Boulevard and Gonzalez Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7620 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) [email protected]

During the month of September 2023, the Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) assisted the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) with an investigation into the alleged narcotic sales committed by Daniel Ruiz, a 35 year-old Oxnard resident.

Ruiz is a documented Oxnard criminal street gang member who is prohibited from owning and/or possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, including a prior conviction of illegally possessing a firearm.

Once DEU assumed control of the investigation, detectives gathered sufficient evidence allowing them to secure a search warrant for Ruiz and his residence. With the assistance of the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), detectives located and detained Ruiz allowing for detectives to execute the search warrant at Ruiz’s residence, located in the 1900 block of Ginger Street in the city of Oxnard.

During the search of the residence, detectives located an unregistered loaded 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, a large quantity of methamphetamine and fentanyl possessed for sales, over 600 “M30” fentanyl pills, and a significant amount of U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from drug sales. Ruiz was booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Pretrial Detention Facility for narcotic sales and gun related charges.

The amount of suspected fentanyl seized allows for the consumption of over 1,200 doses. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, and 50 times more potent than heroin as a painkiller.”

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit is composed of detectives who have been federally deputized as Task Force Officer(s) by the Federal of Bureau of Investigation. These Task Force Officer(s) are assigned to the Ventura County Criminal Investigation Division and are in charge with the duties of investigating violations of the drug and criminal laws of the United States of America.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses in the city of Oxnard. 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: September 14, 2023

SUBJECT: Narcotic Sales Arrest

SUSPECT: Brandon Flores, 41 year-old Ventura Resident

LOCATION: Oxnard Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7620 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) [email protected]

On September 14, 2023, the Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), Violent Crimes Unit (VCU), and the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) conducted directed enforcement into suspected narcotic tracking occurring within the city of Oxnard.

The directed enforcement resulted in the arrest of Brandon Flores, a 41 year-old Ventura resident. When contacted by officers with the SEU, Flores was in possession of a half-pound of suspected methamphetamine and over an ounce of suspected fentanyl both packaged for sales. Flores has numerous felony conviction for narcotic sales. Flores was booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Pretrial Detention Facility for narcotic related charges.

The amount of suspected fentanyl seized from Flores allows for the consumption of over 600 doses. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, and 50 times more potent than heroin as a painkiller.”

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit, Violent Crimes Unit, and the Special Enforcement Unit are comprised of officers and detectives who have been federally deputized as Task Force Officer(s) by the Federal of Bureau of Investigation. These Task Force Officer(s) are assigned to the Ventura County Criminal Investigation Division and are in charge with the duties of investigating violations of the drug and criminal laws of the United States of America.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 13, 2023 (8:49 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Driver and Passenger Arrested for Firearms Violations

SUSPECTS: Abel Mendozacruz, 19-year-old Oxnard resident

Raymond Moreno, 29-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 2000 blk. E Pleasant Valley Rd., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On September 13, at approximately 8:49 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 2000 blk. of E. Pleasant Valley Rd. As officers approached the vehicle to make contact with the driver, a handgun was observed in plain view on the back seat. None of the occupants claimed ownership of the handgun. Officers removed the occupants from the vehicle and confiscated the firearm, a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Mendozacruz, a rear passenger in the vehicle, was arrested for possessing the handgun.

Officers continued to search the vehicle and located a loaded Glock .45 caliber handgun that was concealed in the vehicle. The driver, Raymond Moreno, was arrested for possessing the loaded and concealed Glock handgun. Moreno and Mendozacruz were both arrested for firearms violations and booked into Ventura County Jail.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 9, 2023

SUBJECT: DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Saturation Results

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Six impaired drivers arrested during DUI checkpoint and saturation.

On September 8, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on Rose Avenue, south of Tiesa Lane. The operation resulted in six arrests for impaired driving, two arrests for driving on a suspended license for DUI, and twenty-four citations.

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

Funding for this checkpoint and DUI enforcement patrols was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 11, 2023

SUBJECT: Man arrested for gunfire and arson inside apartment

SUSPECTS: Joseph Grijalva, 47-year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 3700 block of Ketch Avenue

CONTACT: Luis Mc Arthur, Commander

(805) 207-4762 (Sun-Wed 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.) [email protected]

On Monday, September 11, 2023, at about 8:40 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 3700 block of Ketch Avenue after firefighters reported hearing gunfire from an upstairs apartment after answering a structure fire call inside the same unit.

Police evacuated the apartment complex, and a perimeter was formed. Neighboring residents were advised to stay inside. The man, who lived alone, Joseph Grijalva, surrendered to police after an hour-long standoff. No one was injured.

It was believed that Grijalva, who lived on the top floor of the apartment complex, had set a trashcan inside the unit on fire and shot rounds into the ceiling.

Grijalva was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs, negligent discharge of a firearm, and arson. He was booked into Ventura County Jail.

Investigators served a search warrant at the unit and seized several weapons and ammunition, including a 12-gauge shotgun, two 25-caliber pistols, and a semi-automatic rifle with a suppressor.

Police will seek a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) that allows law enforcement to work with courts to temporarily remove guns and prevent the purchase of new firearms by individuals who pose a significant risk of harm to themselves or others. GVRO offers families of loved ones, household members, and law enforcement a judicial pathway for temporarily removing firearms and prohibiting future gun purchases for the duration of the order.

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: September 8, 2023

SUBJECT: Narcotic Sales Arrest

SUSPECTS: Gilberto Camacho, 43 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 2000 block of Santa Lucia Avenue, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7620 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) [email protected]

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) completed an investigation of alleged narcotic sales committed by Gilberto Camacho, a 43 year-old resident residing in the Rose Park neighborhood of Oxnard. DEU detectives obtained sufficient evidence to secure a search warrant at Camacho’s residence, located in the 2000 block of Santa Lucia Avenue.

On September 8^th, 2023, DEU detectives, with the assistance of patrol officers and the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), executed the search warrant at Camacho’s residence. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine, along with evidence of narcotic sales and U.S. currency.

The amount of suspected fentanyl seized allows for the consumption of over 1,000 doses. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, and 50 times more potent than heroin as a painkiller.”

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit is comprised of detectives who have been federally deputized as Task Force Officer(s) by the Federal of Bureau of Investigation. These Task Force Officer(s) are assigned to the Ventura County Criminal Investigation Division and are in charge with the duties of investigating violations of the drug and criminal laws of the United States of America.

Gilberto Camacho.JPG

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 8, 2023 (4:21 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Passenger Tosses P80 Handgun During Police Pursuit

SUSPECTS: Eduardo Arreola, 47-year-old Oxnard resident

Marisela Suarez, 30-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Vineyard Ave. at Kentia St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On September 8, at approximately 4:21 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at the intersection of Vineyard Ave. and Kentia St. Officers contacted the driver who was identified as Eduardo Arreola. As officers contacted Arreola regarding the traffic violations, Arreola sped away from the officers and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit traveled through the Sierra Linda and Fremont North neighborhoods. During the pursuit three passengers fled from the vehicle. One of the passengers, identified as Marisela Suarez, was apprehended on Ventura Rd. north of Gonzales Rd.

Suspect Arreola continued to attempt to evade officers until his vehicle became disabled on Kelp Ln. north of Wooley Rd. Arreola was taken into custody at the conclusion of the pursuit without incident, and charged with felony evading. The Oxnard Police Dispatch Center received a call from a resident that observed one of the passengers discard a handgun from the vehicle during the pursuit. Officers interviewed the resident and also recovered video that showed the handgun being tossed from Arreola’s vehicle.

Marisela Suarez was identified as the suspect that discarded the handgun from the vehicle. Upon further inspection of the firearm, officers determined it was a loaded 9-millimeter, Glock-style, Polymer 80, un-serialized, semi-automatic handgun. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. This Polymer 80 handgun was modified with a threaded pistol barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, or silencer and fit the definition of “assault weapon”, an additional felony. Suarez was searched incident to her arrest and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Arreola was charged with reckless evading and Suarez was charged with firearm and narcotics violations. Arreola and Suarez were booked into Ventura County Jail.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 7, 2023

SUBJECT: Narcotic Sales Arrest

SUSPECTS: Matthew Marquez, 19 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 500 block of West Vineyard Avenue

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

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

The Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) concluded an investigation into the sales of narcotics committed by Matthew Marquez, a 19 year-old Oxnard resident. On September 7^th, 2023, DEU detectives gathered enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for Marquez’s residence. With the assistance of patrol officers, DEU detectives located over 1400 Alprazolam “Xanax” pills at the residence. Marquez was charged with possession for sale of a controlled substance and booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Pretrial Detention Facility.

Matthew Marquez.jpg