Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	April 29, 2011 / 0438 Hours
LOCATION:	Oxnard Boulevard / Cooper Road
DRIVER-1:	Male, 24 years old of Oxnard (name withheld pending notification of next of kin)
DRIVER-2:	Marvin Serrano, 44 years old of Oxnard
VEHICLE-1:	Red, Honda Motorcycle
VEHICLE-2:	Blue, Cadillac Escalade
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant Randy.latimer@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Scott Aaron, Traffic Officer, 805-385-7600 Scott.aaron@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On April 29, 2011, at about 0438 hours, Oxnard Police Department officers and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision involving an SUV and a motorcycle. Upon arrival they found that a motorcycle, ridden by a male, 24 years old of Oxnard, had rear-ended a sport utility vehicle driven by Marvin Serrano, 44 years old of Oxnard. The motorcycle rider sustained major injuries as a result of the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene. Serrano complained to minor back and neck pain but did not require medical treatment.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the motorcycle was traveling northbound on Oxnard Boulevard in the number one lane at an unknown speed. For unknown reasons, the rider failed to stop behind the SUV that had been stopped northbound on Oxnard Boulevard at Cooper Road for the red signal. The motorcyclist collided into the rear of the SUV. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

Further investigation revealed that the motorcycle rider had been cited for speeding and for driving without a license on the same motorcycle in January of this year.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Officer Scott Aaron at 805-385-7600.

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	Shop With a Cop Event
DATE/TIME	December 15, 2011 8:30 a.m.
LOCATION	Target, 2850 N. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard
PREPARED BY	Sergeant Ken Klopman Youth Services Unit
CONTACT	Sergeant Ken Klopman (805) 432-9916 kenklopman@oxnardpd.org

On Thursday, December 15, 2011 starting at 8:30 a.m. twenty students from twenty Oxnard elementary schools will participate in Shop With A Cop — a Target store-based event that pairs Oxnard police officers with pre-selected youth in the community to purchase holiday gifts for themselves and their families. Each child will be paired with an officer from the Oxnard Police Department to go on a $100 holiday shopping spree. In addition to the shopping spree, there will be sweet treats, a coloring station, face painting, gift wrapping, the Oxnard PD DRAGG car, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus for the participating children. 
 
The Oxnard PD has teamed up with Target for this Shop With A Cop event because we believe that helping local families in need and building relationships with local youth will have a positive impact on community safety. This is the first ever Target Shop With A Cop event to take place in Ventura County. Shop With A Cop is made possible through the generosity of Target, the Oxnard Peace Officers’ Association and other private donors and volunteers.
 
 

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 DATE / TIME PREPARED:  12/14/11 3:45 p.m.
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	5-27-11 at 10:07 PM
LOCATION:	300 Block Cuesta Del Mar
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, unknown further
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Major Crimes Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Young (805) 385-7606 Mike.Young@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On May 27, 2011 at approximately 10:07 PM officers responded to a call of a shooting victim in the 300 block of Cuesta Del Mar. Police units arrived minutes later and found the victim on the sidewalk. The victim was suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body. He was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel.

Witnesses told responding officers that the suspect drove up in a black full sized extra cab pick-up truck; the passenger exited the truck and started arguing with several subjects standing on the sidewalk including the victim. During the argument the suspect pulls out a weapon and shoots the victim. The suspect re-enters the vehicle and leaves the area. The victims name is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.

Investigators have no leads involving this incident, if anyone has information they are asked to contact Det. Mike Young at (805) 385-7606 or remain anonymous and call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-TIPS.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Murder suspect arrested
DATE/TIME	December 16, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION	800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura
VICTIM(S)	Steven Proefrock, 51, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT	Dominic Pinkard, 31, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY	Detective Bakari  Myers (805) 385-7686 bakarimyers@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

On January 3, 2011, Oxnard police officers responded to a call of a family dispute at 300 Lafayette Drive. Officers arrived on scene and located the victim, Steven Proefrock, who was suffering from severe head injuries. Proefrock was taken to Ventura County Medical Center where he was placed on life support. Proefrock was eventually transferred to a long-term care facility in Santa Barbara where he remained until his death in September 2011.
 
The Santa Barbara coroner reviewed Proefrock’s medical records and determined that he died as a result of the injuries he sustained in January. Oxnard PD investigators identified Dominic Pinkard as the suspect who was responsible for Proefrock’s injuries. On December 16 Oxnard investigators arrested Pinkard for Proefrock’s murder. Pinkard was already in custody at the Ventura County jail on unrelated charges. 
 
No additional information related to this investigation will be released at this time as the investigation is continuing.
 
If anyone has any information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Bakari Myers at (805) 385-7686. 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 http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.
 
 
 

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DATE / TIME PREPARED:12/16/11 at 5 p.m.
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	04-27-2011 / 1750
LOCATION:	100 block of South “H” Street
VICTIM(S):	Name Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Richard Duenas, 30 year old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Christopher Williams (805) 486-6211 or christopherwilliams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Mike Johnson (805) 385-7645 or michael.johnson@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 04/27/11 at approximately 1750 hours, Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Douglas Avenue in regards to a shooting victim. When officers arrived they contacted the victim who had sustained a gunshot wound to his torso.

On 4/28/11, investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU), were able to identify the shooting suspect as 30 year old Richard Duenas of Oxnard. Duenas was contacted at his residence and later arrested for assault with a deadly weapon (firearm) and transported to the Ventura County Jail.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Brandishing a weapon 417 PC, false imprisonment 236 PC, barricaded subject
DATE/TIME	December 17, 2011 at 12:10 p.m.
LOCATION	500 block of West Hill Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S)	Octavio Hernandez, 42, Oxnard resident Three juveniles ages 3, 10, and 13
SUSPECT	Leonardo Ramirez, 11/6/1975 Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY	Detective Steven F. Funk (805) 385-7796
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

On December 17, 2011 at about noon, Leonardo Ramirez was outside of the residence located in the 500 block of West Hill Street waiting for Octavio Hernandez to arrive. Ramirez owed Hernandez money from a previous business arrangement. As Hernandez arrived, Ramirez pulled a semi-auto handgun from his waistband and pointed it directly at Hernandez.
 
Ramirez ran into the residence in the 500 block of West Hill Street where he held three juvenile children (unrelated to him) inside of a bedroom. Ramirez was still in possession of the handgun and held the children for about an hour prior to releasing them to the patrol officers who were outside.
 
Oxnard patrol officers, SWAT officers with the armored police vehicle, and hostage negotiators were sent to the location as suspect Ramirez barricaded himself inside of the bedroom. There were many attempts to contact Ramirez but all met with negative results.
 
SWAT officers eventually deployed several diversionary devices into the residence and at about 4 p.m. Ramirez walked to the front door and gave himself up and was taken into custody without incident.
 
None of the hostages were injured including Ramirez.
 
The weapon Ramirez used in the incident was eventually recovered inside of the residence.
 
The investigation is ongoing.If anyone has any information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Steve Funk at (805) 385-7796. 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:  12/17/2011, 7 p.m.
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	211 PC – Robbery (To business)
DATE/TIME:	04-17-11 / 2007 hrs
LOCATION:	Papa John’s Pizza – 2300 Block of Vineyard Ave
VICTIM(S):	Female employee, 25 years old, Oxnard (Name Withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	S-1, Hispanic male 30’s, 5’10 160 lbs, thick black mustache wearing a dark colored trench coat & dark hat.
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	Approximately $40.00 – 60.00
PREPARED BY:	Officer Mike Wood (805) 385-7600 or Mikewood@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Mike Wood (805) 385-7600 or Mikewood@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 04-17-11, at 2007 hours, officers responded to a robbery of the business in the 2300 block of N. Vineyard Ave. Witnesses told officers a person walked into the business, displayed a handgun & demanded money from the register. The suspect was handed an unknown amount of cash, possibly $40 to $60. The suspect was in possession of a small black handgun.

The suspect took the money & fled the business in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information is encouraged to the Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070. To give an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

An investigation is ongoing.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Armed Robbery
DATE/TIME:	06-16-2011 at 2059 hours
LOCATION:	1400 block of West Doris Avenue, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Little Caesar’s Pizza
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, black hair, black sweatshirt, armed with a black colored handgun.
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown
LOSS:	Undisclosed property
PREPARED BY:	Tom Chronister, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Watch Commander (805) 385-7746

DETAILS:

At about 9 p.m. on Thursday night, Oxnard police received a call of an armed robbery to the business in the 1400 W. Doris Ave. Witnesses told officers the suspect entered the business, displayed a black colored handgun, demanded property and fled on foot. Officers checked the area with negative results. There were no injuries reported.

Anyone with information on this crime—or any other criminal activity—is encouraged to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS or text your tips to “CRIMES” (274637). Anonymous tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

An investigation is continuing.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	04-27-2011 / 1750
LOCATION:	100 block of South “H” Street
VICTIM(S):	Name Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Christopher Williams (805) 486-6211 or christopherwilliams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Mike Johnson (805) 385-7645 or michael.johnson@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 04/27/11 at approximately 1750 hours, Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of Douglas Avenue in regards to a shooting victim. When officers arrived they contacted the victim who had sustained a gunshot wound to his torso.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined the shooting had occurred in the 100 block of South “H” Street.

The victim was transported to VCMC for treatment and is listed in stable condition. An investigation is continuing.

Any witnesses are encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-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:	Serious-Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	May 27, 2011 / 2030 Hours
LOCATION:	Maulhardt Dr / Latigo Av
DRIVER-1:	Torrey Austin, 23 years old of Oxnard
DRIVER-2:	Anthon Chevalier, 33 years old of Oxnard
DRIVER-3:	Andrew Hernandez, 35 years old of Oxnard
VEHICLE-1:	Red, Ford Mustang
PASSENGER VEHICLE-1:	John Lobb, 23 years old of Oxnard
VEHICLE-2:	White, Nissan Maurano
PASSENGERS VEHICLE-2:	Silvia Hernandez, 36 years old of Oxnard  Two Males 13 and 15 of Oxnard  Female 6 years of Oxnard
VEHICLE-3:	White, Nissan Maurano
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Scott Aaron, Traffic Officer, 805-385-7600 Scott.aaron@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On May 27, 2011, at about 2030 hours, officers responded to a call of a vehicle collision at the intersection of Maulhardt Dr. and Latigo Av. A Nissan SUV occupied by five family members was struck by a Ford Mustang that failed to stop for a stop sign at a high rate of speed.

Traffic investigators were told that the red Mustang had been racing another vehicle, a white vehicle, seconds prior to the collision and that the white vehicle had fled prior to the arrival of emergency personnel.

Traffic officers subsequently contacted Anthon Chevalier, 33 years old of Oxnard. Mr. Chevalier was later arrested for suspicion of DUI, hit and run driving, and suspicion of participating in a street race. A search warrant was served at Chevalier’s residence on the morning of May 28, 2011, and the vehicle believed to be involved in the incident was located and impounded for further investigation.
Torrey Austin, The driver of the red Mustang, remains in the hospital recovering from injuries he sustained in the collision. Charges are pending.

The medical status on the Hernandez family members have each improved. The father, Andrew Hernandez, remains in ICU at VCMC under observation and is stable. The 6-year old family is expected to be transferred back to VCMC for further treatment.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Officer Scott Aaron at 805-385-7600.

An investigation is continuing.