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:	April 26, 2015 / 1800-0000 Hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On Sunday, April 26, 2015, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a multiple location DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city limits.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking driver’s for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. Specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

The Oxnard Police Department wants all drivers to think before you drive and if you choose to drink, don’t drive. So far this year, Oxnard Police officers have arrested 67 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs on Sundays and have investigated 19 alcohol and/or drug related crashes on Sundays alone.

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. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to The Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 25, 2015 / 1820 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Motorcycle Safety Operation
DATE/TIME:	May 8, 2015 / 1200-1700 Hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
‘Share the Road’ Campaign Aims to Increase Motorcycle Safety Awareness for All Road Users

On Friday, May 8, 2015, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a motorcycle safety enforcement operation within the city limits. This enforcement effort is to lower deaths and injuries among motorists involved in motorcycle collisions. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes.

As motorcycle fatalities and injuries have increased in California, the law enforcement and the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) have stepped up their efforts to promote safety and education, highlighted by Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May.

Nationwide, motorcyclists made up 14 percent of all vehicle-related fatalities in 2013, up from about 9 percent in 2004. This was despite motorcycle registrations representing only 3 percent of all vehicles in the United States in 2013, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data. The fatality rate per miles traveled for motorcyclists is 16 times that of vehicle occupants.

In 2013, California’s motorcycle collisions resulted in 475 fatalities and 13,143 injured victims. In 2012, 467 people were killed and 12,617 were injured.

During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month – and throughout the year – all road users are reminded to safely “share the road” with motorcyclists, and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe. That message is most important in California, which is home to more than 830,000 registered motorcycles – the most of any state – and more than 1.4 million motorcycle riders.

“Californians increasingly get around by means other than cars and trucks. More are bicycling, walking, taking mass transit and motorcycling,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “That also means that everyone needs to be extra cautious and looking out for everyone else, no matter what their means of transportation is.”

The California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) trains approximately 65,000 motorcyclists every year. As of July 2014, nearly 945,000 motorcycle riders have received training at one of the authorized CMSP training sites since the program began in 1987. For more information or to find a training site near you, go to www.californiamotorcyclist.com.

The Oxnard Police Department offers tips to drivers on how to prevent motorcycle collisions:

Driver’s safety reminders:
-Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator still has all the rights of the road as any other motorist
-Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic
-If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful: motorcycle signals are often non-canceling and could have been forgotten
-Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding
-Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections
-Lane Sharing is not illegal in California
-Always allow more follow distance – three to four seconds – when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
-Never drive distracted or impaired

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by following these steps:
-Wear the proper safety gear at all times, including a DOT-compliant helmet
-Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed
-Excessive speed is the most common rider-related factor in motorcycle related crashes
-Follow at a safe distance – three to four seconds
-Ride within your own limits – don’t be a victim of peer pressure
-Use turn signals at every lane change or turn.
-Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective tape to increase visibility.
-Never ride distracted or impaired
-Ride defensively – assume other drivers don’t see you

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

For more information on motorcycle safety, visitwww.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 7, 2015 / 1830 hours

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 Results
DATE/TIME:	June 26, 2015 8:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Daniel Shrubb, Traffic Unit, (805) 385-7749 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On Friday, June 26, 2015, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Oxnard. The checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Victoria Avenue south of Gonzales Road. The location was chosen to provide increased DUI deterrence and in response to recent alcohol related arrests and/or DUI collisions.

The checkpoint resulted in the following:

·         985 vehicles through
·         878 drivers screened
·         Four DUI investigations
·         Two DUI alcohol arrests
·         Five citations issued to unlicensed drivers
·         Three citations issued to drivers with a suspended/revoked license
·         15 total citations issued
·         Four vehicles towed

The DUI arrests were made at or near the checkpoint held on Victoria Avenue. Both of the drivers arrested were found to have a blood alcohol level of twice the legal limit.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. We also remind people to call 911 if they see an impaired driver. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 06/27/15, 0300 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision (Vehicle/Pedestrian)
DATE/TIME:	June 28, 2015 / 0225 hours
LOCATION:	300 Block South Oxnard Boulevard
PEDESTRIAN:	Unidentified Male
PARTY 2:	Joshua Allred, 21 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE:	Black, 1999 Acura RL
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Traffic Officer Phil Flores (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On June 28, 2015, at about 2:25 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the 300 block of South Oxnard Boulevard in reference to an injury collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Upon arrival, an unconscious male was found lying in the roadway.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Acura, driven by Joshua Allred, was traveling northbound on Oxnard Boulevard from Fourth Street. According to witnesses, the male pedestrian was crossing the roadway midblock, north of Fourth Street. As the pedestrian reached the center median, he suddenly stepped back into the roadway for an unknown reason and was struck by the Acura. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

Driver Allred and two male passengers, ages 19 and 16, were not injured as a result of the collision and were released from the scene. Excessive speed does not appear to be a factor in this collision.

The collision is still under investigation.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Traffic Officer Phil Flores at (805) 385-7749 or via email at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: June 28, 2015 / 0645 hours

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 in possession of a firearm Parole Violation
DATE/TIME:	July 8, 2015 @ 1:40PM
LOCATION:	Mariposa Street @ Bluebell Street

SUSPECT(S):	Vaughnell Washington, 19 years, Oxnard resident Jose Meza, 24 years, Oxnard resident



PREPARED BY:	Officer Moses Martinez
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Tim Kelley (805) 385-8289

DETAILS:

On July 8, 2015, at about 1:40 pm members of the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit / Gang Unit, contacted three males in the area of Mariposa Street @ Bluebell Street. During the contact Vaughnell Washington was found to be in possession of a concealed and loaded .25 cal pistol. Washington is a documented Westside Gangster Crip. Washington was arrested for several firearm violations. Also with Washington, was Jose Meza, a documented Westside Gangster Crip. Meza is currently on CDC parole for 459 PC (Burglary). Meza was arrested for being in violation of his parole. The 16 year old juvenile was not arrested and released.

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.

This is the fourth firearm arrest for the Special Enforcement Unit in the last five days.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 8, 2015 / 3:00 PM

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Bank Robbery
DATE/TIME:	July 23, 2015 at approximately 2 P.M.
LOCATION:	Bank of the West, 371 West Esplanade Drive, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Bank of the West
SUSPECT(S):	Jimmy Lopez, 34 year old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	Witheld
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	Witheld
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jonathan Ballow (805) 288-3289 [email protected]

DETAILS: On 7/23/15 at approximately 1400 hours, Oxnard police officers responded to a robbery that just occurred to the Bank of the West, located at 371 West Esplanade Drive. While officers were responding to the scene, information was obtained from witnesses that the suspect had fled the business with an undisclosed amount of money. There were no weapons used and nobody was injured during the commission of the crime.

Officers and detectives quickly arrived on scene and searched the area for the robbery suspect. Bank employees were able to provide a detailed description of the robbery suspect. Patrol officers that were checking nearby businesses in the 300 block of Esplanade Drive located a person that matched the physical description of the robbery suspect. That person was later identified as 34 year old Oxnard resident Jimmy Lopez. Lopez was positively identified by bank employees as the suspect. Patrol officers also located evidence related to the robbery including a significant amount of currency. Lopez was arrested for robbery.

If anyone witnessed the robbery or has information about this robbery, they are encouraged to call Detective Jonathan Ballow at (805) 288-3289. 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 email.

Jimmy Lopez

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7/23/15 1700 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Eric Sonstegard
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Operation Safer and Stronger – Firearms Strike Team (FAST)
DATE/TIME:	January – June 2015
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Andrew Salinas, Investigations Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Andrew Salinas [email protected]

DETAILS: : In January of 2014, 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 in the city. The objective of the initiative and FAST was to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.

So far this year, Oxnard police officers have made seventy-nine (79) firearms related arrests. There was also an additional fifty-seven (57) firearms that were seized as evidence or turned into the police department. Comparably, during the same time period in 2014, Oxnard police officers made fifty five (55) gun arrests.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to devote considerable resources to combat firearms violence. During the month of June 2015, the Oxnard Police Department seized sixteen (16) firearms through directed patrols, and calls for service resulting in the arrest of 15 individuals.

On June 2, 2015, officers from the Special Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by documented gang members that were served with the gang injunction. One of the gang members, identified as 23 year old Alejandro Ramuco, was searched pursuant to his probation terms. During the search, the officers located a loaded .357 revolver concealed in his waistband. Ramuco, a POST Release Offender, was arrested for the firearms possession and a violation of the gang injunction.
On June 3, 2015, officers from the Special Enforcement Unit contacted 26 year old Casio Medina carrying a backpack. Medina is a documented gang member and was on probation. The officers searched Medina and his backpack. The officers found a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun concealed in the backpack. Medina was arrested for the firearms violation.
On June 11, 2015, patrol officers conducted a foot patrol on the 1100 block of Saviers Road. The officers contacted two persons that were on probation. One of the persons, 44 year old William Macias, was found to be on probation. During a search of his property, the officers found items indicative or narcotics sales and a .22 caliber handgun. Macias is a convicted felon and was prohibited from owning or possessing firearms. Macias was arrested for drugs and weapons violations.
On June 14, 2015, patrol officers responded to a service call of a male in a vehicle brandishing a firearm in the 3000 block of Saviers Road. The officers located the vehicle and contacted the driver of the vehicle, identified as 35 year old Samuel Perez. Perez was arrested for a misdemeanor warrant and his vehicle was searched. The officers found a loaded .22 caliber revolver and methamphetamine in the vehicle. Perez was charged with possession of illegal drugs and weapons violations.

Since the inception of the Firearms Strike Team (FAST), fourteen (14) operations have been conducted targeting over forty (40) persons that are prohibited from owning or possessing firearms due to a criminal conviction or their mental health status. Violent Crimes Investigators seized a total of ten (10) firearms during those operations. Investigators assigned to FAST will continue to target prohibited persons with an emphasis on reducing violent crimes involving firearms 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, or to learn more about the educational component Firearms Strike Team (FAST), 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.

Date Prepared: July 27, 2015

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI and Weapons Arrest
DATE/TIME:	7-30-15 / 1900 Hours
LOCATION:	3700 Block of Olds Road
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Francisco Alcazar, 23-year old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Not released
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander, [email protected], (805) 207-7078

DETAILS:

At approximately 1900 hours, an Oxnard Police Department patrol officer conducted a vehicle stop in the 3700 Block of Olds Road after observing California Vehicle Code violations. Francisco Alcazar, 23-year old Oxnard resident, was found to be under the influence of alcohol and drugs. A loaded shotgun was found inside the vehicle. Upon further examination, the officer saw the serial numbers had been filed down.

Alcazar was arrested for DUI (drugs and alcohol, misdemeanor), 23900 PC (possession of a weapon with missing or altered serial number, felony), and 25850(a) PC (loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, misdemeanor). He was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.

Persons with additional information may call the Oxnard Police and Fire Communications Center at (805) 385-7740, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. They can also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

Date Prepared: 7-30-15, 0100 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	August 11, 2015, 2351 hours
LOCATION:	3500 Block of Samuel Avenue
VICTIM(S):	35 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Kevin Baysinger, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett, 805-486-6211

DETAILS:

On August 11, 2015, at about 2351 hours, Officers overheard shots fired in the area of the 3500 Block of Saviers Road. Officers responded to the area and located a shooting victim, a 35 year old Oxnard resident, in the 3500 Block of Samuel Avenue. The victim’s injuries were not life-threatening; the victim was transported to a local hospital for his injuries.

Officers were unable to obtain any information regarding the suspect or suspects. If anyone has any additional information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Sgt. Alex Arnett at 805-486-6211. 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 email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/12/15; 0115 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Weapons Arrest
DATE/TIME:	8-15-15 / 1648 hours
LOCATION:	Casa San Carlos Lane at Manzanita Drive
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	16-year old Oxnard resident 19-year old Oxnard resident, name withheld
WITNESS(ES):	Withheld
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander, (805) 207-7078, [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 8-15-15, at 1834 hours, officers responded to Casa San Carlos Lane at Manzanita Drive re: a report of gang members disturbing with one subject in possession of a handgun.

As officers approached, they observed four subjects. The subjects attempted to flee. Three were detained. A loaded handgun was found near a sixteen-year old documented gang member. The juvenile was arrested and booked into Juvenile Hall for the following felony charges: 25850(a)(3) PC, gang member in possession of firearm, 25850(a)(2) PC possession of a stolen firearm, 29900(a)(1) PC, person with prior conviction of possession of firearm in possession of a firearm, 25850(a) PC possession of loaded firearm, and 186.22 (a) PC crime committed with other known gang members.

A 19-year old adult, a documented gang member and Oxnard resident, was also arrested and charged with a violation of probation.

An investigation is continuing.

Persons with additional information may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. They can also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

Date Prepared: 8-15-15, 2000 hours