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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Saturation
DATE/TIME:	January 22, 2011 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday, January 22, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight.

The checkpoint was conducted in the westbound lanes of Pleasant Valley Road @ Jefferson Square.

Officers screened 926 motorists who passed through the checkpoint and conducted seven DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol. These investigations led to the arrest of four drivers for DUI. One additional DUI arrest was made by an officer who was on the way to work at the checkpoint.

At the checkpoint, citations were issued to 59 drivers for various drivers’ license violations. Forty-three drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and five drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license. One additional driver was arrested for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. Twenty-six vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

Following the checkpoint, traffic officers patrolled the City of Oxnard searching for impaired drivers until 2:00 A.M. This enforcement resulted in the arrest of two additional drivers for DUI. One of the drivers was 18 years old and found to have a blood alcohol level of .20, over double the legal limit of .08.

The other driver was involved in a crash with a parked vehicle. The force of the collision caused the suspect vehicle to drive over the sidewalk and collide into the block wall that surrounds a residence. The vehicle was traveling so fast that the block wall wasn’t able to stop it before it also collided into the side of the home and caused minor damage. Following the crash, the driver fled the scene on foot but was located by responding officers a short distance away. The driver sustained significant facial injuries and was transported to the hospital. He was later booked into the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of DUI.

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

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

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:	Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, January 22, 2011 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday, January 22nd, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. The checkpoint will be held throughout the City of Oxnard and is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Oxnard Police Department arrested 956 drivers for DUI in 2010 and investigated over 215 alcohol related collisions. So far this year, officers have made 41 DUI arrests in the City of Oxnard. The Oxnard Police Department’s continued efforts in DUI enforcement have resulted in significant reductions in the number of alcohol related collisions and fatal collisions involving alcohol.

Please buckle up, drive sober, and drive safely in 2011.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	1/11/11, 1930 hours
LOCATION:	2600 block Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	24 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown Hispanic Male
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Detective Alex Arnett (805) 486-6297 or email: alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Alex Arnett (805) 486-6297

DETAILS:

On 1/11/11 at approximately 1930 hours, officers were dispatched to a stabbing victim in the 2600 block of Saviers Road. When the officers arrived, they found the victim had been stabbed multiple times in his left forearm. The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. The victim is listed in stable condition.

A witness stated the victim was involved in a fight with another Hispanic male. During the fight the victim was stabbed. It’s unclear what the argument was about and there is no immediate confirmation the incident was gang related.

Investigators are requesting that anyone with information regarding this case to call Detective Alex Arnett at (805) 486-6297 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 385-8255.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department “Bicycle Safety Day”
DATE/TIME:	01/29/11, 1000 – 13000
LOCATION:	Valu+ Warehouse, 2800 Saviers Road, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Ofc. Crystal Walker
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sr. Ofc. Dan Casson, danielcasson@oxnardpd.org or Ofc. Crystal Walker, 805-385-7600 or crystalwalker@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 01/29/11 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department, in partnership with Ventura County Public Health/VCMC and Performance Bicycle, will be hosting a “Bicycle Safety Day”.

Bicycle registration will be available to the public free of cost. A raffle will be held and prizes such as water bottles, pads, helmets and bicycles will be given away. Engraving will be available for application of personal identification numbers. Bicycle safety information will be provided by Ventura County Public Health/VCMC and bike inspections will be completed by Performance Bicycle.

This event is being conducted in response to excessive bicycle thefts and bicycle vs. vehicle collisions. From November 2009, 85 bicycles have been reported stolen (7 per month) totaling $30,793.00. Since 2005, there has been an average of 76 collisions involving bicyclists per year.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Commercial robbery with a handgun
DATE/TIME:	1/8/11 01:23 A.M. hours
LOCATION:	7-11 Store-1955 PATTERSON RD.
VICTIM(S):	7-11 store
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Black Cadillac CTS
LOSS:	Unknown amount of cash.
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven Funk (805) 385-7796 or stevenfunk@oxnrdpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steven Funk (805) 385-7796 or stevenfunk@oxnrdpd.org

DETAILS: 

On 1/8/11 at approximately 0123 hours, Oxnard Police Department officers were dispatched to the 7-11 store located at 1955 Patterson Rd. concerning an armed robbery. The suspect entered the store and produced a handgun that was initially concealed under his sweatshirt. The suspect demanded all of the cash from the clerk. After obtaining the cash the suspect fled the store southbound to Hemlock Street to a waiting black Cadillac CTS. The vehicle was last seen west bound on Hemlock Street.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Steve Funk at 385-7796 or e-mail at stevefunk@oxnardpd.org or call the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070. To give an anonymous tip you can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

The investigation is continuing.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	01/09/2011 / 1720 hours
LOCATION:	Rice Avenue at Camino Del Sol
DRIVER:	Stephanie Pinkard, 46 years old of Studio City
DRIVER:	22 year old female of Oxnard (Name withheld pending family notification)
PASSENGER:	20 year old female of Santa Paula (Name withheld pending family notification)
VEHICLE(S):	Black, Lincoln Town Car
VEHICLE(S):	Black, 2004, Yamaha Motorcycle
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Randy Latimer
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Traffic Unit, 385-7750

DETAILS:

On January 9, 2011, at approximately 1720 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the intersection of Rice Avenue and Camino Del Sol after receiving a call of an injury traffic collision involving a car and a motorcycle. Once on scene, officers found that a motorcycle, ridden by a female driver, 22 years old of Oxnard, and her female passenger, 20 years of Santa Paula, had collided with a Lincoln Town Car, driven by Stephanie Pinkard, 46 years old of Studio City. The driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where she was immediately rushed to surgery and is listed in critical condition. The Town Car was carrying two passengers at the time of the collision. Both were uninjured.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the motorcycle was traveling northbound on Rice Avenue approaching the intersection on a green signal when the Town Car made a left turn from southbound Rice to eastbound Camino Del Sol in its path. The motorcycle was unable to stop and collided into the side of the Town Car.

The signal at this intersection is referred to as “protected permissive left turn signal”. The “protected/permissive phase” means that after the green arrow terminates, it is followed by a yellow arrow to indicate the exclusive left turn movement (“protected”) has ended. However, motorists will see a solid green ball indication without a red arrow so they can still make a left turn when safe to do so (“permissive”), as long as they yield to on-coming traffic.

It appears that the signal was in the “permissive phase” for left turning vehicles when the collision occurred.

It has not been determined whether or not alcohol or speed was a factor in this collision.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at 385-7749.

An investigation is ongoing.

Update to fatal collision:
DETAILS:

On January 9, 2011, at approximately 2330 hours, the Ventura County Medical Center contacted the Oxnard Police Department to make a notification that the motorcycle’s female passenger died during surgery. Her name is still being withheld pending family notification.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	1/6/11 2139 hours
LOCATION:	1200 block of West Kamala
VICTIM(S):	Names Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Jonathan Zambrano, 20 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 Alex Arnett (805) 486-6297 or alexarnett@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 1/6/11 at approximately 2139 hours, an Oxnard Police Officer was flagged down by a subject who had suffered three stab wounds, in the area of Channel Islands Blvd. and “M” Street. The stabbing victim directed officers to the area that he was stabbed, which was in the 1200 block of West Kamala Street. While officers were checking the area they located an addition stabbing victim inside a residence in the same area.

According to witnesses, the victims were riding their skateboards in the 1200 block of West Kamala when they were approached by two subjects. One subject grabbed the victim and the other subject stabbed the victim three times. The victim pulled out a knife in self defense and stabbed the suspect multiple times. One suspect was identified as Jonathan Zambrano (1/24/90). Zambrano was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon.

Both victims were transported to Ventura County Medical Center where they are listed in stable condition.

If you have any information regarding this incident, you are encouraged to contact Detective Alex Arnett at 486-6297 or email him at alexarnett@oxnardpd.org.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Power Outage
DATE/TIME:	01/06/11; 1100
LOCATION:	Five Points Intersection in the City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Mike Van Atta
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. M. Van Atta (805) 385-7600 or mikevanatta@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

A power outage in the area of Five Points has resulted in the traffic signals at the Five Points intersection to go dark. In an effort to assist motorists, the City of Oxnard Streets Department has installed temporary stop signs at the intersection. The intersection is expected to be affected for 6 to 20 hours until power can restored. Significant delays can be expected; and alternate routes are advisable.

The public is reminded that the California Vehicle Code requires the driver of any vehicle approaching an intersection which has official traffic control signals that are inoperative, to stop at the intersection, and then proceed with caution when it is safe to do so.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Non-injury traffic collision
DATE/TIME:	1/6/11, 0650 hours
LOCATION:	Wooley Road & Mercantile
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Kevin Baysinger
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. Kevin Baysinger, 805-385-7600

DETAILS:

On the above date/time, a trailer hauling construction equipment collided with an electrical power pole, damaging the power pole. Crews are currently on scene repairing the power pole. Wooley Road is closed between Commercial and Richmond. Power to the area is expected to be interrupted at some point during the repair process. It is expected that these repairs will last until the afternoon.