Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Prostitution/Pimping Investigation
DATE/TIME:	7/21/11, 1500 hours
LOCATION:	100 block of South Hayes Avenue, Oxnard  13200 block of Filmore Street, Pacoima
SUSPECT(S):	Carlos Hernandez, 30 years (Oxnard resident)  Marianna Cervantes, 22 years (Los Angeles resident)  Esperanza Umana, 49 years (Pacoima resident)  Mariana Alvarez-Gallegos, 21 years (Pacoima resident)
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Greg Hebert
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	greg.hebert@oxnardpd.org Office 805-385-7636

DETAILS:

On 7/21/11, at about 1500 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Los Angeles Police Department served two search warrants in the cities of Oxnard and Pacoima. The search warrants were the result of a four month investigation into a prostitution operation.

When officers entered the Hayes Avenue address, Hernandez and Cervantes were located inside. Officers found a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, several thousand dollars and paraphernalia related to prostitution. Hernandez was arrested for 266h (a) PC pimping, 236 PC false imprisonment, 236.1(a) PC human trafficking, 653.23(a) (1) PC supervising prostitution and several other misdemeanor charges. Cervantes was arrested for 647(b) PC prostitution. Hernandez was booked into Ventura County Jail on the above listed charges and an immigration hold with bail set at $100,000. Cervantes was booked into Ventura County Jail for 647 (b) PC and an immigration hold with bail set at $5,000.

When officers entered the Filmore Street address, Umana and Gallegos were located inside. Officers found a small amount of currency and paraphernalia related to prostitution. Umana and Gallegos were booked into Ventura County Jail under an immigration hold.

If you have any information related to these crimes, please contact Officer James Langford of the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7650. The investigation is ongoing.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	487 PC Grand theft by deception
DATE/TIME	February 23, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION	1900 Camino Del Sol
VICTIM(S)	Sixty-three year old female, resident of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S)	Hispanic female about 40 Hispanic male about 39
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Older Red 4-door compact car
LOSS	About $3000
PREPARED BY	Officer Martin Perez martin.perez@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz, Community Affairs Manager (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

 

Oxnard police warn residents about a lottery scam in which two people claiming to have a winning ticket swindled about $3,000 from a woman Tuesday.

The woman was in the Rose Park area of Oxnard. She was approached by a Hispanic man and woman in their late 30s or early 40s. They told the woman that they had won the lottery but could not collect the winnings because they were illegal immigrants.

The woman gave them the cash and the suspects left without giving her the lottery ticket. Officers could not find the couple but said such scams are common, adding that con artists will go to great lengths to make lottery tickets appear authentic.
 
Any person (over the age of 18) can win the lottery regardless of gender, race or country of origin. There is no requirement of citizenship for a person to win or claim their lottery winnings.
 
If someone approaches you and offers you something that is too good to be true – it is. Never give cash to strangers or participate in cash transactions with people you do not know. If you do become the victim of a scam, please notify police immediately.

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 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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Road Closures for the 2011 Salsa Dash
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, July 23, 2011 8:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The 2011 Oxnard Salsa Festival, the 18th anniversary celebration of everything salsa, presents the Salsa Dash on Saturday, July 23rd. This run/walk is a sightseeing tour through downtown Oxnard on the wide, charming streets of the Henry T. Oxnard National Register Historic District, and across the finish line at the Plaza Park Pagoda. The Salsa Dash will feature a 5K and 10K starting at 8:00 A.M. and a kids fun run starting at 9:30 A.M.

Several streets will be closed during this event to provide added safety for the participants. Oxnard Police Department personnel will also be conducting traffic control at several intersections along the course. The following streets will be closed from 7:30 A.M. to the end of the event at approximately 10:30 A.M.:

1. A Street (9th St. to 3rd St.)
2. 4th St. (A St. to G St.)
3. F St. (4th St. to Roderick Ave.)
4. 2nd St. (G St. to F St.)
5. G St. (2nd St. to 4th St.)
6. C St. (3rd St. to 6th St.)
7. 5th St. (C St. to A St.)

If you live or work in the area of these roadways or intersections, we apologize for any inconvenience. The roads will be re-opened as soon as possible following the event.

For information related to the 2011 Oxnard Salsa Festival or Salsa Dash, please visit www.oxnardsalsafestival.com.

For any questions related to the road closures for this event, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Suspicious package
DATE/TIME	February 27, 2012 at 9:20 a.m.
LOCATION	621 Richmond Avenue, Oxnard
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) Today at about 9:20 a.m. Oxnard PD and Oxnard Fire responded to 621 Richmond Avenue regarding a suspicious package. The staff at Community Action of Ventura County received a package they believed to be suspicious based upon the contents.
 
Staff at the facility evacuated until the bomb squad from Ventura County Sheriff arrived. No other businesses were evacuated. A portion of Richmond Avenue was closed for a period of time.
 
VCSO bomb squad identified the contents of the package as discarded ammunition. It is not known why the package ended up at the Community Action of Ventura County office; no threats had been received. At this point in the investigation, it appears the package was inadvertently taken from the Ventura shelter and transported to the C.A.V.C. office. The bomb squad took possession of the ammunition for appropriate disposal and the scene was cleared by all fire and law enforcement personnel at 11:20 a.m. No one was injured. Richmond Avenue was re-opened to normal traffic.
 
  
 

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Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	Friday, July 16, 2011 @ 1:37 A.M.
LOCATION:	Pleasant Valley Road at Rose Avenue
PEDESTRIAN:	Hispanic male, approximately 60 years of age
DRIVERS:	Unknown
VEHICLE(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña Traffic Collision Investigator

DETAILS:

On Friday July 16, 2011 at about 1:37 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a possible injury collision at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Rose Avenue involving a pedestrian. When police arrived they found an injured male laying face down along the north curb of Pleasant Valley Road just west of Rose Avenue. The Oxnard Fire Department had responded to the scene and rendered aid to the pedestrian.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the pedestrian may have been crossing northbound across Pleasant Valley Road at Rose Avenue. Based on the pedestrian injuries, it is believed that he was struck by a vehicle that was traveling westbound on Pleasant Valley Road. The vehicle and its driver fled the scene of the collision without rendering aid to the pedestrian.

The pedestrian was transported to Ventura County Medical Center and is currently listed in critical condition.

At this time, the pedestrian has not been identified. The pedestrian is a Hispanic male, approximately 60 years, with salt and pepper hair. He also has a beard and mustache and a tattoo on his left hand.

The Oxnard Police Department is requesting the assistance of the public. If you witnessed the collision or have any information regarding the identity of the pedestrian or of this collision please contact the Traffic Investigator, Senior Officer Maria Peña at 805-385-7750.

It is undetermined if alcohol was a factor in the collision. An investigation is continuing.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Burglary cases to homes tented for fumigation
DATE/TIME	Nine cases since January 25, 2012
LOCATION	Various neighborhoods in Oxnard
PREPARED BY	Detective Nathan Martin (805) 385-7755
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) The Oxnard Police Department is investigating nine cases of residential burglary that have occurred to homes which are tented for the purposes of fumigation. These cases began on January 25, 2012. The most recent case occurred on February 25 on South “K” Street. In that case, 23-year-old Javier Romo was arrested however, detectives believe Romo is not the only individual committing these burglaries.
 
The suspect(s) are cutting a hole in the fumigation tent and removing personal property from inside the homes. The burglaries have occurred in the following neighborhoods: Hobson Park West, Marina West, Via Marina, Channel Islands, Bartolo Square North, Cabrillo. Detectives believe the burglaries are happening during evening hours.
 
Oxnard PD reminds residents to report suspicious individuals who are loitering or wandering around neighborhoods. Residents are also reminded to record vital information about their valuables, such as serial numbers and model numbers. Taking photographs of your personal property is another way of maintaining a record for your insurance company.
 
If you are going to have your home tented for fumigation, please ask the company to fax the information to the Oxnard PD so that officers can increase patrol in the area.
 
Anyone with information about these cases is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or the property crimes bureau at (805) 385-7605. You may also contact Detective Nathan Martin at (805) 385-7755. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call 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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	8th Annual Strawberry Fields 5K and Triathlon
DATE/TIME:	July 16th, 2011 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.  July 17th, 2011 7:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	Oxnard State Beach Park
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The 8th annual Strawberry Fields 5K and Triathlon will be taking place this weekend at Oxnard State Beach Park. The event begins on Saturday, July 16th, with a 5K run that starts at 9:00 A.M. On Sunday, July 17th, the triathlon will start at 7:00 A.M. and is expected to have close to 900 participants.

Personnel from the Oxnard Police Department will be handling traffic control along the run and bicycle courses during both of these events. The priority right of way will be given to the runners and bicyclists as these events are highly competitive.

Runners during both events will be running along Mandalay Beach Road, Sunset Lane and Ocean Drive. During the triathlon, the bicycle riders will be traveling on Harbor Boulevard, Gonzales Road, Fifth Street, Victoria Avenue and Channel Islands Boulevard. Traffic control personnel will be positioned at all of the intersections along the run and bike courses during both events.

During the triathlon on Sunday, the northbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard will be closed at Costa De Oro at approximately 6:30 A.M. and are expected to reopen at approximately 10:30 A.M. or as soon as possible. Fifth Street between Harbor Boulevard and Victoria Avenue will also be closed for vehicular traffic. These closures will provide added safety for the bicyclists and reduce the amount of traffic congestion surrounding Oxnard State Beach Park. The southbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard will remain open during the triathlon but drivers shall expect long delays near Oxnard State Beach Park as the bicyclists will be entering and exiting the park. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes including Victoria Avenue and Wooley Road to avoid these road closures and delays.

If you live in the area of these events, we apologize for any inconvenience.

For any questions related to these events or road closures, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Pedestrian Safety Enforcement Operation (Crosswalk Safety)
DATE/TIME	Thursday, February 23, 2012,  10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
LOCATION	Oxnard
PREPARED BY	Senior Officer David Walker
CONTACT	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7750

On February 23, 2012, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard PD conducted a pedestrian safety enforcement operation. The operation was aimed at motorists who failed to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians walking within marked crosswalks as required by law.
 
The operation was conducted at the following intersections:  Bard Road at Justin Way, Fifth Street at E Street, Saviers Road at Hill Street, and Wooley Road at E Street. 
 
During the operation, a total of 42 vehicles were stopped. Citations were issued to 31 drivers for pedestrian right-of-way violations. An additional 11 citations were issued for various traffic related infractions. One vehicle was towed during the operation. 
 
The Oxnard PD will continue to conduct pedestrian safety enforcement operations of this type throughout the year. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of vehicle versus pedestrian crashes and to make our roadways and community safer.  We also remind people that motorists are required by law to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians walking within crosswalks. 
 
For any questions related to 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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DATE / TIME PREPARED:  02/23/12, 2000 hours
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Commercial Robbery with a knife
DATE/TIME:	7/11/2011 @ 1319 hours
LOCATION:	Thrifty Gas Station 1501 W. Gonzales Road, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, approximately 35 years of age, 5’-7”, 185 lbs, short black hair, wearing a white long sleeved shirt, holding a small pocket knife
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	None
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven Funk 805-385-7796 or stevenfunk@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steven Funk 805-385-7796 or stevenfunk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 7-11-2011 @ approximately 1319 hours officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a robbery that had just occurred at the Thrifty Gas Station located at 1501 W. Gonzales Road. The suspect entered the gas station and pulled out a knife demanding the cashier open the cash register. The cashier was unable to open the register as an area power outage had just occurred. The suspect was last seen walking away from the gas station, north bound towards Azalea Street.

The cashier was not injured during the robbery. Officers checked the area for the suspect but were unable to locate him.

If you have any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Steven Funk or you may also leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can 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

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Arrest of residential burglary suspect
DATE/TIME	February 25, 2012 at 5:17 a.m.
LOCATION	2000 South “K” Street, Oxnard
SUSPECT	Javier Romo, 23, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY	Sgt. Steven Ramirez II Steven.Ramirez@Oxnardpd.org
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

On Saturday, February 25, 2012 at about 5:17 a.m., Oxnard PD received information from a concerned citizen that a suspicious subject was trying to gain entry into a tented residence in the 2000 block of South “K” Street. This particular residence was tented for fumigation purposes.
 
Oxnard police officers responded and located Javier Romo, 23, in the backyard of the residence. During the investigation it was discovered that the tent had been cut to allow access into the residence. Romo was in possession of burglary tools and narcotics paraphernalia and was subsequently arrested. 
 
The specific details provided by the caller assisted police in making this arrest. This is a good reminder for any concerned citizen to call 9-1-1 to report suspicious activity.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Luis Mancha at (805) 385-7664. 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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DATE / TIME PREPARED:  02/25/12 at 12:33 p.m.