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News release – 10/31/2011

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:  Multiple hit and run suspect arrested after pursuit
DATE/TIME:  10-30-2011 at 4:40 p.m.
LOCATION:  Rose Ave. north of Gonzales Rd.
VICTIM(S):  
SUSPECT(S):  Servando Mendez, 45 years, of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):  
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):  Green Nissan Altima
LOSS:  
PREPARED BY:  Tom Chronister, Commander
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		  Ohad Katzman, Police Officer II
805-385-7600 or ohad.katzman@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:  Oxnard police were dispatched to a call of a hit and run in the area of Rose Ave. and Gonzales Rd.  As officers arrived, they found three separate collision scenes in the area along Rose Ave. north of Gonzales Rd. to the US-101 freeway. Bystanders pointed out the suspect vehicle as it fled northbound on Rose Ave.
 
Officer Ohad Katzman attempted to stop the suspect vehicle but the driver fled over the 101 freeway overpass to Auto Center Drive where Officer Katzman initiated a pursuit of the vehicle by activating red lights and siren. Speeds reached 60 mph as the driver fled eastbound on Auto Center Drive.
 
Suddenly, the suspect vehicle’s hood flew open, blocking the driver’s view out the windshield. Officer Katzman immediately discontinued his pursuit. The driver, Servando Mendez, lost control of his car and collided with a Chevrolet Astrovan near the intersection of Auto Center Drive and Paseo Mercado. At this point—the location of the fourth crash—Mendez’s vehicle was rendered inoperable and he was taken into custody without further incident.
 
Two passengers in the Atrovan sustained minor injuries and did not require ambulance transport or treatment. Mendez was transported to a local hospital for a medical clearance prior to being booked into the Ventura County Jail on the following charges:
 
 

  1. Felony drunk driving
  2. Three counts of misdemeanor hit and run
  3. Felony evading of a police officer with willful disregard for the safety of others

 
Mendez’s blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit. His bail stands at $50,000.
 
  DATE / TIME PREPARED:  10-30-2011 at 9:45 p.m.
 


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT Click It or Ticket to Boost Seat Belt Use – Day and Night 
DATE/TIME Campaign begins May 21, 2012 
LOCATION Oxnard 
CONTACT Sgt. Randy Latimer (805) 385-7631 randy.latimer@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard, California – Motorists who refuse to wear their seat belts – beware. The 2012 start-of-summer Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization kicks off May 21 to help save lives by cracking down on those who don’t buckle up. 
 
The Oxnard Police Department is joining with other state and local law enforcement officers to help save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.  Seat belts are the most effective piece of life saving equipment on your car.
 
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2010 nationally, 61 percent of the 10,647 passenger vehicle occupants who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes overnight were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal crash, compared to 42 percent during the daytime hours.
 
“Too many drivers and passengers on the road at night are not wearing their seat belts, and it all too often ends in tragedy,” said Commander Andrew Salinas.  “Our goal is to save more lives, so the Oxnard Police Department will be out enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.”
 
Seat belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year and  the Oxnard Police Department is helping spread the word. NHTSA statistics show that in 2010 alone, seat belts saved an estimated 12,546 lives nationwide.
 
Yet, too many motorists may need a tough reminder. In 2010, 22,187 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA, and 51 percent of them were NOT wearing seat belts at the time of their fatal crashes.
 
Younger motorists and men are particularly at risk.  Data shows that among teen and young adult passenger vehicle occupants in 2010, ages 18-34, who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, 62 percent were not buckled up at the time of the crash – the highest percentage of any age group.  The number jumps to 66 percent when just men in this age group are included.
 
While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 21 through June 3, motorists should know that officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.  Total costs of a first time ticket are at least $142
 
 

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

Drunk Drivers Can’t Hide Behind Halloween Costumes
Drivers Beware:  Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
 
(Oxnard, CA) As party-going ghosts and goblins celebrate Halloween this October, the Avoid the 14 Ventura County DUI Task Force reminds everyone to keep the party off the road.  In Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Thousand Oaks, and Moorpark, extra DUI saturation patrols will take place with extra officers looking to stop and arrest ‘drunk’ or ‘buzzed’ drivers.  Additionally, every patrol officer and traffic officer on routine patrol countywide will be on alert for the tell-tale signs of impairment.
 
“There isn’t a Halloween costume clever enough to hide an impaired driver who has made the poor decision to get behind the wheel,” said Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant for the Oxnard Police Department. “Whether you’ve had one too many or way too many it is just not worth the risk. Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”
 
Nighttime is an especially dangerous time to be on the road. But this weekend and Halloween night is one of the deadliest times of the year for impaired drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 48 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 to 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1) in 2009 involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher.
 
“Far too many people spend hours and hours preparing their Halloween costumes and party plans,” said Sergeant Latimer. “But too often impaired drivers never plan ahead for their designated driver and end up making the roads scarier than a horror show.”
 
DUI checkpoints along with regularly scheduled high visibility DUI enforcement serves as a proven deterrent with the goal of removing impaired drivers and creating heightened awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
 
The Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force recommends these simple tips for a safe Halloween celebration:    
 

  • Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin
  • Before drinking, designate a sober, non-drinking driver
  • If you’re impaired, take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation
  • If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to report drunk drivers, call 911
  • And remember, Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.  If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely

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


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:		  

DETAILS:
On February 23, 2012 at about 8 p.m. a male suspect tried to rob two men at gunpoint. The victims were in the IHOP parking lot on North Oxnard Boulevard. The victims did not cooperate with the suspect so he fled on foot toward Lowe's on Gonzales Road. 
The suspect then approached a man driving through the lot and threatened this victim with a gun and demanded the victim's property. The victim gave the suspect cash and the suspect left through the parking lot going north. 
The suspect was described as a 20-year-old Hispanic male. Attached you will find a composite sketch of the suspect. 
Anyone with information about these cases is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Jaime Miranda at (805) 385-7665. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.  


 


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:  Prescription Drug Take Back Day    
DATE/TIME:  Saturday, October 29  9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LOCATION:  Oxnard PD – 251 South C Street
VICTIM(S):  
SUSPECT(S):  
WITNESS(ES):  
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):  
LOSS:  
PREPARED BY:  Commander Andrew Salinas
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		  

DETAILS:
Oxnard, California – On October 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Oxnard Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your medications for disposal to the Oxnard Police Department located at 251 South C Street.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
 
Last April, Americans turned in 376,593 pounds – 188 tons – of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners.  The Oxnard Police Department collected over 1000 pounds during this collection. 
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines – flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash – both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Four days after the first Take-Back event in September 2010, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an “ultimate user” of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them.  The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances.  DEA has begun drafting regulations to implement the Act, a process that can take as long as 24 months.  Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like the Oxnard Police Department and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every few months. 
 


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT "AVOID the 14" DUI Saturation patrol 
DATE/TIME Saturday, May 5, 2012 between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. 
LOCATION City of Oxnard 

(Oxnard, CA) On Saturday, May 5, 2012 between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m., officers from the Ventura County “AVOID the 14” task force teamed up to conduct a DUI saturation patrol in the city of Oxnard. The task force included officers from Oxnard PD, Ventura PD, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Port Hueneme PD, and the California Highway Patrol.
 
Task force officers stopped 198 vehicles, conducted 36 DUI investigations, and arrested
15 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol. One driver was arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana. Officers also issued 55 citations to drivers for various vehicle code violations. Thirty-eight of those drivers did not have valid driver’s licenses.
 
This operation was funded through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) though the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).
 
Please report drunk drivers by calling 911. Drive sober and drive safely!
 
For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org.             
 
 

  
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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 May 7, 2012 at about 1 p.m. 
LOCATION 1861 N. Ventura Road, Oxnard 
SUSPECT Unknown race male, thin build, English speaker, black hooded sweatshirt, black gloves 
CONTACT Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO
(805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

 
(Oxnard, CA) Today at about 1 p.m. a man walked into the 76 Gas Station located at 1861 N. Ventura Road in Oxnard with a gun. He threatened the attendant with the gun and demanded money. Once the attendant handed over cash, the suspect left the business. No one was injured.
 
The suspect is an unknown race male with light skin who spoke English. He was wearing a bandana over his face, a black hooded sweatshirt with the hood up and black gloves. He was described as having a thin build. He left on foot in an unknown direction.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD 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. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.
 

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

NEWS RELEASE
 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    CONTACT:  Mónica Muñoz
October 25, 2011                                                                                           monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org
                                                                                                                        (805) 385-7631
 

(Oxnard, CA) UPDATE 1:04 p.m.Victoria Avenue is still closed to traffic between Wooley Road and Channel Islands Boulevard. We will open the traffic lanes as soon as possible but we do not have an estimated time at this point.
 
The only additional information we are releasing at this time is that there were five Ventura County deputies involved in the shooting and four Oxnard Police officers involved. Because of the ongoing investigation we are not releasing any additional details on the incident.
 
UPDATE 9:20 a.m. – Victoria Avenue will remain closed between Wooley Road and Channel Islands Boulevard because of the pursuit and officer-involved shooting. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes until further notice.
  
The female who was the original victim of domestic violence (the incident that started this chain of events) was not seriously injured. She was not transported to a hospital.
Last night just after the final shooting incident happened, there were two women who were handcuffed and removed from the crime scene on Victoria Ave. The two women are family members of the suspect who were interfering with the officers and for that reason were handcuffed and taken away from the crime scene. They were not arrested.
 
The suspect has been transferred to a hospital in the Santa Barbara area. We do not have information on his condition and his name will not be released at this point. The suspect could face the following charges: 273.5 PC (domestic violence); felony failure to yield; and attempted homicide.
 
[Original news release] At about 8 p.m. on October 24, 2011 Oxnard PD received a call regarding a domestic violence incident taking place in the 200 block of Roderick Avenue. Oxnard officers arrived on scene, but the suspect fled prior to their arrival.  A firearm had been mentioned, and officers believed the suspect was armed.  Officers were able to determine that a crime had occurred.
 
At about 9 p.m., Ventura County Sheriff’s (VCSO) deputies were involved in a pursuit with the suspect in his vehicle on Highway 33.  It was reported that the suspect had fired at the deputies as he drove. The suspect then traveled onto Highway 101 and headed south. When he reached Seaward and Highway 101, the suspect fired at the deputies, who returned fire. The suspect got back onto Highway 101 and exited in Oxnard at Vineyard Avenue. He returned to the Roderick Avenue residence and fired shots at that location. No one was injured from this action.
 
The suspect eventually made his way (with Oxnard PD and VCSO deputies in pursuit) to the Marina Village area in Port Hueneme. The suspect continued north on Victoria Avenue where he again exchanged gunfire; this time with VCSO deputies and Oxnard PD officers. The suspect was struck by gunfire, and was transported to a local hospital.
 
The name of the suspect and his condition is not being released at this time. The name of the victim will not be released as she is a domestic violence victim and her identity is protected by law.
 
Neither Oxnard officers nor VCSO deputies sustained injuries. Two people who were not involved in the incident received minor injuries from flying glass. One of those individuals was taken to the hospital for treatment.
 
Oxnard PD is the lead agency on this incident. VCSO deputies, detectives and officers from Port Hueneme Police are assisting.
 
At the time of this release, Victoria Avenue is closed from Wooley Road to Channel Islands Boulevard.  It is anticipated that it will remain closed until further notice.
 
 

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT Stabbing 
DATE/TIME May 2, 2012 at 4:45 p.m. 
LOCATION 1101 Ventura Boulevard, Oxnard 
VICTIM 17-year-old male 
SUSPECT(S) Several Hispanic males, no further details  
CONTACT Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO
(805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

 

(Oxnard, CA) On May 2, 2012, at about 4:45 p.m., Oxnard PD officers were dispatched to the Royal Duke mobile home park located at 1101 E. Ventura Boulevard in Oxnard regarding a gunshot victim. A crime scene was located and officers determined that a 17-year-old male was stabbed and subsequently transported Saint John’s Medical Center. Because of the severity of the victim’s injuries, he was transported to Ventura County Medical Center.
 
The victim is currently at Ventura County Medical Center and is in stable condition.  
 
Detectives are investigating this incident but at this time a motive is not known.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Jose Velazquez at (805) 385-3982. 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.
 
  
 

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