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
DATE/TIME:	October 31, 2011 at 8:16 p.m.
LOCATION:	300 W. Esplanade Drive
VICTIM(S):	Norman Salazar, 38 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	unknown
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Neail Holland
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Christopher Williams (805) 486-6211 Christopher.Williams@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 10/31/11, at about 8:15 p.m., Oxnard Police officers were dispatched to the 300 Block of Esplanade Drive because of a traffic collision. Upon arrival an officer was flagged down by a witness who identified the involved vehicle leaving the area. The officer caught up to the vehicle and tried to speak with the victim. The victim who was covered in blood was unresponsive to the responding officers. Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and transported the victim to the hospital. The victim had a single laceration to the forearm that was inconsistent with being in a traffic collision.

Anyone with information as to what may have happened to this person is asked to call Sgt. Chris Williams at (805) 486-6211 or remain anonymous and call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.

Prepared on 11/1/11 at 4 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang members arrested for possession of narcotics and a loaded firearm
DATE/TIME:	February 27, 2016 / 6:30pm
LOCATION:	500 block of N. McKinley Ave. Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Gabriel Perez 29 year-old Oxnard resident Gabriel Merino 19 year-old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Tan Lincoln LS
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Tim Kelley (805)385-8289

DETAILS:
On Saturday, February 27, 2016, at approximately 6:30pm, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit and K9 unit observed a Tan Lincoln LS sedan driving in the 500 block of N. McKinley Ave. in the City of Oxnard. The officers observed the vehicle make several traffic violations and conducted a traffic stop. During the traffic stop officers learned that two of the four passengers were on probation. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and determined that one of the passengers, 19-year old Oxnard resident Gabriel Merino, was in possession of a loaded and concealed handgun. Merino was also determined to be an associate of a local criminal street gang. Merino was arrested for possession of a loaded and concealed firearm in a vehicle. A second passenger, 29 year-old Oxnard resident Gabriel Perez, was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription medication not prescribed to him. Perez was arrested for several narcotics violations. Both Merino and Perez were booked into the Ventura county Jail.

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: 2-17-16 / 8:30pm

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Fraud
DATE/TIME:	1/21/11
LOCATION:	Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Names Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Commander Ron Whitney
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Watch Commander 385-7600

DETAILS:

On 1/21/11, a resident of Oxnard received a phone call from an unknown person saying that the resident had just won a large cash prize from Publishers Clearinghouse. The caller began to ask personal questions of the resident. The resident realized that this was probably a scam, and gave no personal information to the caller.

The police department reminds residents of Oxnard and Ventura County that reputable businesses and organizations do not ask for personal information such as social security numbers, driver license numbers, or credit card numbers over the telephone. Anyone who receives telephone calls of this nature should not divulge any personal information, and should always ask for a call back number to confirm the business and/or organization that is calling prior to doing business.

And remember, if a phone call is too good to be true, it probably is.

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Hit and run with injuries while driving under the influence
DATE/TIME:	November 18, 2010/ 7:56 PM
LOCATION:	Bard Road at J Street
VICTIM(S):	5 month old female baby, name not released
SUSPECT(S):	Sherre Savala, 51 years, of Oxnard
INJURIES:	Minor Injuries
PREPARED BY:	Ron Whitney, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Maria Pena, Senior Traffic Investigator 805-385-7750

DETAILS:

On November 18, 2010 at about 1956 hours, officers were dispatched to a collision at Bard and J. When the officers arrived they learned that a 5 month old female baby was being pushed in a stroller by her mother southbound across Bard Road. The mother and baby were in the cross walk. Sherre Savala, 51 years of Oxnard, was driving in a motor vehicle east on Bard Road when she struck the stroller, knocking the stroller to the ground and causing the baby to strike her head. Savala stopped, contacted the mother, returned to her car and fled.

Officers observed Savala fleeing and stopped her. She was arrested for the hit and run. The baby was transported by emergency personnel to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center. It was determined that the baby received minor injuries to her head as a result of the collision.

Officers suspect that Savala was driving while under the influence of narcotics, and she was also arrested for that charge.

Any witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Senior Investigator Maria Pena at 805-385-7750.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	DUI / driver’s license checkpoint
DATE/TIME	Saturday, June 30, 2012 – 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.
LOCATION	Oxnard
PREPARED BY	Senior Officer Jamie Brown jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard Police Department Targets Impaired Drivers with DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Oxnard, CA – Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/drivers license checkpoint on Saturday, June 30th at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, court probation and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. “Over the course of the past year, DUI collisions have claimed 1 life and resulted in 185 wrecks injuring 86 of our friends and neighbors in Oxnard,” said Senior Officer Jamie Brown

This DUI/drivers license checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies and officers will be checking drivers for proper licensing. A major component of these checkpoints is the deterrent effect it has on those who might drive drunk or drug-impaired and bring about more awareness, encouraging everyone to designate sober drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent.

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

Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911!

###

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Carjacking – Assault With A Deadly Weapon
DATE/TIME:	3-28-11/0150
LOCATION:	4500 block Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	Anthony Palacio – 30 year old Fillmore Resident Maria Rodriguez – 27 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	S-1 – Hispanic Male, 20-25 years of age, 5’5” tall, 150 pounds S-2 – Hispanic Male, 20-25 years of age, 5’5” tall, 150 pounds
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Charles Buttell (805) 385-7665 or charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Charles Buttell (805) 385-7665 or charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 3-28-11 at approximately 0150 hours, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Channel Islands Boulevard and Saviers Road in regards to a stabbing. Officers arrived and noticed that the victim had been stabbed in the arm as a result of an attempted carjacking.

The victims were sitting in a parked vehicle in the 4500 block of Saviers Road. The victims were approached by the two suspects and suspect one demanded the victim’s vehicle. A struggle ensued and Victim Palacio was stabbed during the altercation. Victim Palacio was able to retain possession of his vehicle during the incident. The suspects then fled on foot.

The victim was transported to Saint John’s where he was treated for his injury. The victim’s wound was not life threatening.
Any witnesses to the incident or anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Charles Buttell at 805-385-7665 or you may leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070. To give an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Home Invasion Robbery
DATE/TIME:	11-07-10 / between 1:00-5:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	400 block of N. Harrison Ave.
VICTIM(S):	33-year old male, Oxnard resident (name withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	3 unknown Hispanic males
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:	Jewelry and stereo equipment, moderate injuries
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven F. Funk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steven F. Funk (805) 385-7796 stevenfunk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 11-7-2010 at approximately 07:55 A.M., Oxnard Police officers contacted the victim of a home invasion robbery in front of his residence in the 400 block of N. Harrison Ave., Oxnard. The male victim said that on 11-7-10 sometime after 1:00 A.M., he was inside of his residence watching television when he heard someone inside of his home. The front door to his residence was unlocked and open.

Three suspects, who the victim confronted in his kitchen, battered the victim causing him to lose consciousness. When the victim regained consciousness at about 5:00 A.M., his apartment had been ransacked and several items of property were missing. The victim contacted a neighbor who then drove him to a relative’s house and, upon returning back to the victim’s residence, the victim and relative contacted the police. The victim sustained moderate injuries to his face, upper body, and legs. He was transported by private vehicle to Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated and later released.

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department canvassed the apartment complex and the surrounding neighborhood for witnesses.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Steven F. Funk at (805) 385-7796, e-mail stevenfunk@oxnardpd.org or you may leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. To give an anonymous tip call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Road Closures for the 28th Annual California Strawberry Festival
DATE/TIME:	May 21st and 22nd 2011, 0800 – 2000 hours
LOCATION:	College Park, Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Brian Woolley Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The City of Oxnard will host the 28th annual California Strawberry Festival this weekend, May 21st and 22nd, at College Park. The festival will open each day at 10:00 A.M. Over the past several years, the festival has experienced crowds totaling 70,000 over the two day event.

In an attempt to accommodate the anticipated attendance at this year’s Strawberry Festival, the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit will have officers and additional traffic control personnel assigned to several intersections surrounding the festival site. There will be some road closures and detours in place to allow for safe and efficient vehicular and pedestrian travel to and from the festival.

The recommended method of transportation to the Strawberry Festival is via the free shuttle bus service. Shuttle buses will be picking up festival goers at the following locations:

Camarillo Premium Outlets, 740 E. Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo
Channel Islands Harbor, 3400 block South Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Centerpoint Mall, 2655 Saviers Road, Oxnard
Oxnard Transportation Center, 201 E. Fourth Street, Oxnard
The Palms (Oxnard Outlet Mall), 2000 Outlet Center Drive, Oxnard

The following roadways will be affected by this weekend’s festival:

Rose Avenue
Rose Avenue, between Channel Islands Boulevard and Bard Road, will be closed to all non-festival traffic from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on both festival days. The northbound lanes of Rose Avenue between Gary Drive and Raiders Way will be closed from Friday, May 20th, at 6:00 A.M. to Monday, May 23rd, at 12:00 P.M.

Pleasant Valley Road between Highway 1 and Bard Road
Pleasant Valley Road, between Highway 1 and Bard Road will be affected by heavy traffic from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on both festival days.

Bard Road between Pleasant Valley Road and Rose Avenue
Bard Road, between Pleasant Valley Road and Rose Avenue, will be affected by heavy traffic from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on both festival days.

Gary Drive
Gary Drive, between Boston Way and Rose Avenue, will be closed to all traffic from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on both festival days.

In addition to these road closures, traffic surrounding the festival site will be heavy. Local residents are encouraged to use alternate routes for trips in and out of the city.

For further information regarding road closures, contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at 385-7749. For further information regarding the 2011 California Strawberry Festival go to: www.strawberry-fest.org.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting
DATE/TIME:	8/5/10 1829 hours
LOCATION:	900 block of South Ventura Road
VICTIM(S):	31 year old Oxnard resident 19 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	(S1) Samuel Garcia 5/9/90 (S2) Raymond Morales 3/29/84 (S3) Hispanic male, early 20’s, 5-8, 160, black hair, goatee, wearing a black shirt with a long sleeve undershirt, and black jeans (S4) Hispanic male, early 20’s, wearing dark clothing
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams

DETAILS:

On 8/5/10 at approximately 1829 hours Oxnard Police were dispatched to the 900 block of South Ventura Road regarding a shooting that had just occurred. When officers arrived they located two victims that had sustained gunshot wounds. One of the victims had sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm and the other victim had sustained two gunshot wounds to his left hand. Both victims were transported to VCMC where they treated for their injuries and later released.

Sergeant Amon, who was enroute to VCMC to check on the condition of the victims, located the suspect vehicle at the intersection of Mills and Main Street in the City of Ventura. Sergeant Amon conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. When the vehicle stopped three of occupants fled from the vehicle. Three of the occupants fled from the vehicle while one occupant stayed in the vehicle. One of the suspects that fled from the vehicle was located and arrested. The two suspects that were arrested were identified as Samuel Garcia (5/9/90) and Raymond Morales (3/29/84). Both suspects were charged with various felony charges.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit are actively looking for the two outstanding suspects. If you have any further information regarding this investigation, please contact Detective Marostica at (805) 486-6228 or you can remain anonymous by contacting Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 385-8255.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Chop Shop Operation & Recovered Stolen Vehicles
DATE/TIME:	3/18/10, 22:45
LOCATION:	400 Blk. E. Olive Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Thomas Cortez, age 47, Oxnard resident Mario Durazo, age 39, Oxnard resident Jose Esquivel, age 47, Oxnard resident Emmanuel Esquivel, age 22, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Det. Patrick Dolan, Auto Theft Investigator, (805) 385-7755
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Patrick Dolan, Auto Theft Investigator, (805) 385-7755

DETAILS:

On 3/18/10 at approximately 2245 hours, Oxnard officers responded to a possible theft of an auto tow dolly from the closed U-Haul rental yard at 3020 Saviers Rd., Oxnard. The suspects fled prior to the arrival of officers. Officers searching the area located the stolen tow dolly in the alley of the 400 block of E. Olive St. as Thomas Cortez and Mario Durazo tried to walk away. Cortez and Durazo were detained by officers and the subsequent investigation determined that a 1995 Nissan pick-up that the suspects had used to steal the tow dolly was also stolen in Oxnard on 3/17/10. Further, a 2002 Ford F-150 pick-up truck that they were attempting to load onto the stolen tow dolly in the alley was stolen in Oxnard on 3/12/10. Cortez was arrested for auto theft, a felony. Durazo was also arrested for auto theft as well for being in possession of a controlled substance (a felony) and being under the influence of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor).

Further investigation revealed that the Ford truck had been stripped of its major components including the engine, transmission, hood, and seats. These missing parts and numerous other car parts were located in and around the residence behind which Cortez and Durazo were detained. Investigators from the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force contacted the residents and determined that there was a chop shop operation in place at the residence. Two of the residents, Jose Esquivel and his son, Emmanuel Esquivel, were arrested for auto theft, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime, and operating a chop shop – all felonies. All four suspects were booked into Ventura County Jail.

An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Patrick Dolan at (805) 385-7755 or Crime Stoppers at (805) 385-8255.