Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	245(a)(1) PC- Assault with Deadly Weapon (Knife) 664/211 PC- Attempted Robbery 422 Terrorist Threats 136.1 PC-Dissuading Victim or Witness
DATE/TIME:	4-3-2011 @ 0555 hours
LOCATION:	Colonia Ave & Hayes Ave
VICTIM(S):	Male, 44 years old, Oxnard (Name Withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	S-1 – Hispanic Male, 18 years, thin build, short hair, clean shaven, wearing a gray or white “T” shirt and black shorts S-2 – Hispanic Male, early 20’s, tall and thin build, wearing a brown “T” shirt and black shorts.
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
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 4-3-2011 at approximately 0555 hours the victim was walking south bound from his residence in the 300 block of North Hayes Ave to the Panderia Lupita so that he could meet a friend to take him to work as a field laborer.

The victim was in the area of Hayes Ave and Colonia Ave when he was approached by two subjects. The first subject pointed a knife at the chest of the victim and demanded money from him while telling him not to move. The victim was able to grab the knife and break off the blade without injuring himself. The second subject struck the victim in his face causing a minor laceration.

The victim was able to run towards his residence where he was again confronted by the suspects who told him not to contact police. The suspects were last seen running north bound on Hayes Ave in the 300 block.

The victim was transported to Saint John’s hospital with minor injuries.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Steven Funk at 805-385-77965 or you may leave a message on 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:	Road Closures for the 28th Annual California Strawberry Festival
DATE/TIME:	May 21st and 22nd 2011, 0800 – 2000 hours
LOCATION:	College Park, Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Brian Woolley Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The City of Oxnard will host the 28th annual California Strawberry Festival this weekend, May 21st and 22nd, at College Park. The festival will open each day at 10:00 A.M. Over the past several years, the festival has experienced crowds totaling 70,000 over the two day event.

In an attempt to accommodate the anticipated attendance at this year’s Strawberry Festival, the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit will have officers and additional traffic control personnel assigned to several intersections surrounding the festival site. There will be some road closures and detours in place to allow for safe and efficient vehicular and pedestrian travel to and from the festival.

The recommended method of transportation to the Strawberry Festival is via the free shuttle bus service. Shuttle buses will be picking up festival goers at the following locations:

1. Camarillo Premium Outlets, 740 E. Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo
2. Channel Islands Harbor, 3400 block South Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
3. Centerpoint Mall, 2655 Saviers Road, Oxnard
4. Oxnard Transportation Center, 201 E. Fourth Street, Oxnard
5. The Palms (Oxnard Outlet Mall), 2000 Outlet Center Drive, Oxnard

The following roadways will be affected by this weekend’s festival:

Rose Avenue
Rose Avenue, between Channel Islands Boulevard and Bard Road, will be closed to all non-festival traffic from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on both festival days. The northbound lanes of Rose Avenue between Gary Drive and Raiders Way will be closed from Friday, May 20th, at 6:00 A.M. to Monday, May 23rd, at 12:00 P.M.

Pleasant Valley Road between Highway 1 and Bard Road
Pleasant Valley Road, between Highway 1 and Bard Road will be affected by heavy traffic from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on both festival days.

Bard Road between Pleasant Valley Road and Rose Avenue
Bard Road, between Pleasant Valley Road and Rose Avenue, will be affected by heavy traffic from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on both festival days.

Gary Drive
Gary Drive, between Boston Way and Rose Avenue, will be closed to all traffic from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on both festival days.

In addition to these road closures, traffic surrounding the festival site will be heavy. Local residents are encouraged to use alternate routes for trips in and out of the city.

For further information regarding road closures, contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at 385-7749. For further information regarding the 2011 California Strawberry Festival go to: www.strawberry-fest.org.

 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Ventura County Law Enforcement Joins State-Wide Crack Down on Cell Phone Use and Texting
DATE/TIME:	Month of April
LOCATION:	County of Ventura
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

In an effort to reduce state-wide collisions resulting from distracted driving habits, the California Office of Traffic Safety has identified the month of April as “Distracted Driving Month.” As part of California’s first Distracted Driving Awareness Month, law enforcement in Ventura County will be holding zero tolerance days for cell phone use and texting. A ticket for violating either the hands free or no texting law costs a minimum of $159, and subsequent tickets cost $279.

Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk, joining speeding and alcohol as leading factors in fatal and serious injury crashes. As a result, law enforcement across the state is increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting. Starting April 4th and throughout the month, local agencies including the Oxnard Police Department, Ventura Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and Santa Paula Police Department will join police departments across the state plus 103 CHP Area Commands conducting zero tolerance enforcements.

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver’s reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.

“We recognize that convincing drivers to refrain from using cell phones or texting while driving isn’t easy,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy. “It’s very difficult to resist the urge to check an incoming text or answer a cell phone call. That’s why we are stepping up enforcement and public awareness efforts. Convincing California drivers to wear seat belts 20 years ago wasn’t easy either, but in 2010 more than 96 percent buckled up and thousands of lives were saved.”

Studies show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in “inattention blindness” which occurs when the brain isn’t seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers’ focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road.

There are simple measures drivers can take to minimize distractions in the vehicle:

• Turn your phone off or put it out of reach before starting the car.
• Alert callers that you are unable to take calls when driving by changing your voicemail message.
• Make it a point not to call or text anyone who may be driving, such as during the commute to and from work or school, especially parents calling teen drivers.
• If you do need to make an important call or respond to a text message, pull over to a safe place to do so.
• If going cold turkey is too much of a stretch and you just can’t turn your phone off, consider using one of the available mobile phone apps that holds calls and incoming texts.

“We just want drivers to use some common sense when they’re behind the wheel and focus on driving,” said Murphy. “Think about the vast majority of calls and texts you send or receive every day. Were any really worth a $159 ticket – or worse, a crash, injury or death? It’s just not worth it.”

For any questions related to traffic enforcement or these types of operations, 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

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle Pursuit
DATE/TIME:	05-09-11 / 1942 hours
LOCATION:	Victoria Ave at Hemlock St to Hemlock St at Ventura Rd
DRIVER:	Kyle Jacob Snow, Male, 22 years, Oxnard
VEHICLE(S):	Black, 2007, Yamaha motorcycle
PREPARED BY:	Officer James Crilly
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Brian Woolley, Traffic Unit, 385-7749

DETAILS:

On May 9, 2011, at approximately 1940 hours, an officer of the Oxnard Police Department was driving in a marked black and white patrol car southbound on Victoria Ave approaching Wooley Rd. He saw a motorcycle travelling southbound on Victoria Ave south of Wooley Rd that was travelling at a high rate of speed and making numerous lane changes without signaling. The motorcyclist stopped at the red light at Hemlock St.

The officer pulled in behind the motorcyclist and initiated a traffic stop for the various vehicle code violations. The motorcyclist turned around and looked at the officer and then immediately fled eastbound on Hemlock St from Victoria Ave with the officer in pursuit. The motorcyclist ran the red light at Hemlock St and Patterson Rd. The motorcyclist then collided with a stopped vehicle at Hemlock St and Ventura Rd. The motorcyclist was identified as Kyle Snow.

Snow was transported by ambulance to VCMC to receive treatment for injuries resulting from the traffic collision. Snow’s blood alcohol content was found to be 0.17%, which is just over twice the legal limit. Snow was cited for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, evading, hit and run, and being an unlicensed driver.

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

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:	Oxnard Police Department Memorial Ceremony
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, May 11th, at 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	Third Street/”C” Street, City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Commander Eric S. Sonstegard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant David Villanueva (805) 385-8300 davidvillanueva@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Wednesday, May 11th, the Oxnard Police Department will honor their seven (7) fallen officers with their 12th annual Oxnard Police Department Memorial Ceremony. Held in conjunction with the National Police Week each May, the ceremony pays tribute to Deputy Constable Andrew McNaughton, Constable William E. Kelley, Officer Albert Gasperetti, Officer Frederick John Clark, Senior Officer John Adair, Officer Jim O’Brien, and Officer James Jensen who all gave their lives in service to their community.

Law Enforcement fatalities have seen a marked increase in the first four months of 2011 as sixty-seven (67) officers have lost their lives across the country compared to fifty-seven (57) at the same time last year.

The public is welcome to attend the ceremony that will be held directly outside the Oxnard Police Department near the intersection of Third and “C” Streets. Those community members wishing to attend are asked to park in the parking garage located at the corner of Third and “B” Streets and arrive before 10:00 a.m.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Carjacking – Assault With A Deadly Weapon
DATE/TIME:	3-28-11/0150
LOCATION:	4500 block Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	Anthony Palacio – 30 year old Fillmore Resident  Maria Rodriguez – 27 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	S-1 – Hispanic Male, 20-25 years of age, 5’5” tall, 150 pounds  S-2 – Hispanic Male, 20-25 years of age, 5’5” tall, 150 pounds
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Charles Buttell (805) 385-7665 or charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Charles Buttell (805) 385-7665 or charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 3-28-11 at approximately 0150 hours, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Channel Islands Boulevard and Saviers Road in regards to a stabbing. Officers arrived and noticed that the victim had been stabbed in the arm as a result of an attempted carjacking.

The victims were sitting in a parked vehicle in the 4500 block of Saviers Road. The victims were approached by the two suspects and suspect one demanded the victim’s vehicle. A struggle ensued and Victim Palacio was stabbed during the altercation. Victim Palacio was able to retain possession of his vehicle during the incident. The suspects then fled on foot.

The victim was transported to Saint John’s where he was treated for his injury. The victim’s wound was not life threatening.
Any witnesses to the incident or anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Charles Buttell at 805-385-7665 or you may leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070. To give an anonymous tip, 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

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery (Handgun)
DATE/TIME:	3-22-2011/ 10:46 A.M.
LOCATION:	3465 Saviers Road-Delia’s Hair Fashion
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, dark complexion, 5’-5”, 185, wearing a black ski mask, sunglasses, black hooded sweatshirt, faded black pants, approximately 29-30 years of age.
WITNESS(ES):	Undetermined amount of coins.
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven Funk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeffery McGreevy  805-385-3982 or jefferymcgreevy@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 3-22-2011 at approximately 10:46 A.M. a subject entered Delia’s Hair Fashion’s located at 3465 Saviers Road. The suspect walked up to the lone hairdresser and demanded cash as he pointed a handgun at her. The victim told the suspect there was no cash in the business and the suspect ended taking a vase with an undetermined amount of U.S. coins inside.

The suspect exited the business and was last seen running on foot west bound towards “A” street. Oxnard Police Department detectives responded and continued the investigation.

If anyone has any information, please contact Detective Jeffery McGreevy of the Oxnard Police Department or call Crime Stoppers at 805-385-8255.

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:	245(a)(1) P.C Assault with a deadly weapon (Knife)
DATE/TIME:	05/03/2011, 2006 Hours
LOCATION:	5200 Block of Perkins Road
VICTIM(S):	34 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Suspect #1- Javier Jesus Lopez 31 year old Oxnard resident  Suspect #2- Apolinar Lopez 27 year old Ventura resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steve Funk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796 or steven.funk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
 
On 05/03/2011 at approximately 2006 hours the victim was in the passenger seat of his vehicle which was parked next to the suspect vehicle. Suspect Apolinar Lopez got into his vehicle and started to argue with the victim. Suspect Apolinar Lopez got out of his vehicle and started to assault the victim. Lopez’s brother identified as Javier Lopez assisted in the assault. During the altercation the victim sustained an approximate two inch stab wound to the right side of his lower stomach.

Suspects Javier Lopez and Apolinar Lopez were arrested at the scene. The victim was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries.

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

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI Saturation Patrol and Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	Sunday, March 20, 2011 1400-2400
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 Sunday, March 20, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. 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. In addition to the checkpoint, several officers will be conducting a DUI saturation patrol before and during the checkpoint. Checkpoints are just one strategy used by the Oxnard Police Department to promote the public awareness of DUI enforcement and education. Saturation patrols are used as an aggressive approach to locate and arrest impaired drivers.

According to our statistics, there has been an increase in DUI related collisions occurring on Sundays. In 2010, the Oxnard Police Department investigated 56 DUI collisions on Sundays. So far in 2011, there have been 13 DUI related collisions on Sundays in the City of Oxnard. Five of those crashes alone occurred on Super Bowl Sunday. Two additional DUI collisions occurred this past Sunday with one of the impaired drivers colliding into a marked police car.

Oxnard Police Department DUI arrests by day of week, January 2010 to the present:

Sunday – 294
Monday – 98
Tuesday – 62
Wednesday – 74
Thursday – 85
Friday – 204
Saturday – 327

So far this year, Oxnard Police officers have arrested 179 drivers for DUI.

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.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Railroad Crossing Enforcement Operation
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, March 16, 2011 1600-1900
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator  (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

On March 16, 2011, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit joined forces with special agents from the Union Pacific Police Department and deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department during an aggressive enforcement operation targeting railroad crossing violations. The operation also targeted violations of pedestrians trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property between intersections.

During the operation, officers observed over 60 violations. Officers issued citations to 64 drivers who violated various railroad crossing violations. Of those violations, 25 vehicles were observed stopping on the tracks, most for significant amounts of time. Several additional vehicles were observed driving over the railroad tracks, under the descending railroad arms, while trains were approaching. Fifteen of the drivers cited did not have a valid driver’s license. Three pedestrians were arrested for trespassing on railroad property.

In 2009, California was ranked #2 in the United States for highway-rail grade crossing collisions, with a total of 121 collisions. Out of the collisions, 91 were fatalities, 61 were trespass-related collisions with fatalities and 42 were trespass-related collisions with injuries. The Oxnard Police Department investigated two railroad crossing collisions in 2010. Fortunately, there were no deaths as a result of those collisions. On average across the United States, a collision between a train and a vehicle or pedestrian occurs every two hours.

The public is reminded that trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property, or any railroad property, is a misdemeanor offense. It is also life-threatening endeavor considering the speed and size of any train. Anyone found trespassing on railroad property is subject to arrest. In addition, it is illegal for any pedestrian, bicyclist or vehicle to travel around or under a railroad arm once the red warning lights and alarm are activated and the gate arm is closed or closing.

Listed below is some general rail safety information:

• Freight trains do not travel on a predictable schedule; schedules for passenger trains change. Always expect a train at every highway-rail intersection.
• Train tracks are private property, no matter which railroad owns them. Trains have the right of way 100% of the time — over ambulances, fire engines, cars, police and pedestrians.
• If there are rails on the railroad ties, assume that the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks "rusty."
• A typical locomotive weighs approximately 400,000 pounds or 200 tons. When 100 railcars are added to the locomotive, the train can weigh approximately 6,000 tons. The weight ratio of an automobile to a train is proportional to a soda can and an automobile.
• A train may extend three feet or more outside the steel rail, which makes the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the rails themselves.
• Trains cannot stop quickly. It is a simple law of physics: the huge weight and size of the train and the speed of the train dictate how quickly it can stop under ideal conditions. A 100-car freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour will need more than a mile to stop — that’s approximately 18 football fields — once the train is set into emergency braking.
• Trains can move in either direction at any time. Trains are sometimes pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled. This is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
• Modern trains are quieter than ever, with no telltale "clackety-clack." Also, an approaching train will always be closer and moving faster than you think.
• Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
• Never walk down a train track; it’s illegal and it’s dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
• Remember: Rail and recreation do not mix!

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct these types of operations to educate the public about railroad safety. More information about railroad safety and Operation Lifesaver can be found at www.caol.us or www.oli.org.
For any questions related to traffic enforcement or these types of operations, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.