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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang Sweep resulting in several arrests
DATE/TIME:	12/29/10
LOCATION:	Various locations throughout the City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Andrew Gonzales, 47 year old Oxnard resident Gerardo Avila, 23 year old Oxnard resident James Ipatzi, 27 year old Oxnard resident Salvador Carrillo, 35 year old Port Hueneme resident Jose Cortes, 25 year old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams (805) 486-6211 christopherwilliams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Mike Marostica (805) 385-7796 or mikemarostica@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 
During the morning hours of 12/29/10, members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, Special Enforcement Unit, and District Policing Teams teamed up with California State Parole and conducted parole searches of “high control gang members” throughout the City of Oxnard. Of the 21 searches that were conducted, five people were arrested and two others will be arrested at a later time. The five people were identified as Andrew Gonzales, Gerardo Avila, James Ipatzi, Salvador Carrillo, and Jose Cortes. Their charges varied from weapon and drug violations, as well as violating their parole terms.

 

In an effort to continue to reduce gang crime in the City of Oxnard, the Oxnard Police Department plans on conducting more of these searches in the upcoming months.

 

  DATE / TIME PREPARED:  12/30/10 1110 hours

 

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Cops for Tots-Oxnard Police Department
DATE/TIME:	Monday, December 20 to Thursday, December 23, 2010
LOCATION:	6 Toy give away sites: Rose Park Neighborhood at Rose Avenue School, 220 S. Driskill St. Oxnard Mobile Home Lodge at 1301 Commercial Avenue La Colonia Neighborhood at Ramona School, 801 Cooper Road Southwinds Neighborhood at Southwinds Police Storefront, 330 W. Clara St. Police Activities League at P.A.L. Gym, 340 S. K Street Pleasant Valley Mobile Home Park at 250 E. Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Commander Eric S. Sonstegard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sr. Officer Luis McArthur (805) 385-8104

DETAILS: 
Police Activities League Co-Director and Oxnard Senior Police Officer Luis McArthur has organized the annual Oxnard Police Department’s Cops for Tots program this year, an event dating back to 1996 where the Police Department partners with community businesses and residents to help less fortunate families to bring a bit of joy to their children during the holiday season with a toy giveaway program. What started as a small toy giveaway program in the Colonia neighborhood, a former Weed and Seed site, has now amassed to six (6) large toy giveaway sites in the low-income, high crime areas of the City.  Volunteers from Future Leaders of America, P.A.L. Soccer, Pacifica High School Mecha, P.A.L. Youth Development Council, Oxnard Boy Scouts and Police Explorers pre-register families and ensure they meet the criteria to receive gifts. The families then return the day of the toy giveaways with the children and ticket in hand for free toys and time with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  This year, over 5,100 children will have received a toy.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Indecent Exposure
DATE/TIME:	12/23/10 1130 hours
LOCATION:	Oxnard State Beach, 1601 S. Harbor Blvd.
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Regan Patno, 45 year-old Ventura Resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Commander Andrew Salinas
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Denise Shadinger 805-385-7662

DETAILS: 
On 12/23/10 at approximately 11:30 am, police officers responded to calls of a male disturbing at the Oxnard State Beach Park.  The subject was identified as 45 year-old Regan Patno of Ventura.  Patno was disrobing and exposing himself to several parents and their small children at the park playground.

 

When the first officer arrived, Patno ran into the crowd of children and parents and grabbed onto one of the children in a possible attempt to use the child as a shield or to protect him from being arrested.  As the officer aggressed on the suspect to take action, he was immediately assisted by the father of the child and several other community members who came to the aid of the child.  The child was forcibly separated from Patno but officers continued to struggle with the suspect who was resisting the officers’ efforts to take control of him.  The officers were able to take control of the suspect and place him in a body wrap device to prevent him from injuring himself.  The suspect suffered minor injuries and was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center prior to being transported to the Ventura County Main Jail.   

 

At the time of the incident, there were approximately 20 adults and children who were present and witnessed the event.  Patno was charged with several misdemeanor counts of indecent exposure and a felony count of false imprisonment of a person for purposes of protection from arrest or use as a shield. 

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest for Grand Theft by Embezzlement
DATE/TIME:	12-28-2010 at 1:30 PM
LOCATION:	1000 Block Pacific Avenue, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Edmundo Rosas, 47 years old, of Ventura
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Detective Hannah Estrada
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Hannah Estrada, 805-385-7687

DETAILS: 

Oxnard Police detectives received information that a City of Oxnard employee was using an employee issued gas card for personal use.   After a lengthy investigation, evidence was collected to arrest the suspect, Edmundo Rosas.  

 

The suspect, (Edmundo Rosas, 47 years old, City of Oxnard employee and resident of Ventura) was charged with grand theft by embezzlement.  The estimated loss to the City of Oxnard is over $1,000.  Rosas is being held at the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail.

 

Anyone with any information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective Hannah Estrada at (805) 385-7687.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Officer’s name released in Officer Involved Shooting
DATE/TIME:	12/19/2010 @ 1524 hours – Sunday
LOCATION:	1200 Block Domingo Place, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Officer Dave Lacara
SUSPECT(S):	Bonifasio Victor Tafolla, 7/29/1985, Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Major Crimes Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Sonia Sanchez (385-7663) soniasanchez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 

On Sunday Oxnard Police Officers responded to a call of possible shots fired inside a residence in the 1200 block of Domingo Place, in the Oxnard, which resulted in an officer involved shooting.

 

During the investigation police learned that the suspect had threatened a relative inside the residence with a weapon prior to officers being called. Once the police arrived at the scene, the suspect leaned out of a second floor window with a gun. The suspect subsequently fired one gunshot and Officer Dave Lacara fired his weapon at the suspect. The suspect sustained a minor injury to his hand either prior to or after the shooting.

 

The suspect was arrested and is being held at the Ventura County Jail. The officer is currently on administrative leave as it is normal procedure for such incidents. The investigation is continuing.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	New Year’s Eve DUI Enforcement
DATE/TIME:	Friday, December 31, 2010  1800-0400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS: 

As the City of Oxnard welcomes in the New Year, the Oxnard Police Department wants to remind drivers to drive sober and safely on New Year’s Eve.  During the month of December, the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit has participated in several DUI enforcement operations in the City of Oxnard and throughout Ventura County.  The Oxnard Police Department has arrested 69 DUI drivers from these operations and the efforts of our patrol officers.        

 

The Oxnard Police Traffic Unit will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on New Year’s Eve 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.

 

After midnight, several officers who were working at the checkpoint will begin patrolling the City of Oxnard until 4:00 A.M. searching for impaired drivers.  Over the 2009 New Year’s Eve weekend, the Oxnard Police Department investigated seven alcohol-related collisions and arrested 25 drivers for DUI.  Officers arrested 13 of those drivers on New Year’s Eve and the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.        

      

The Oxnard Police Department has arrested over 950 drivers for DUI so far this year and has also investigated over 195 DUI related collisions from the beginning of 2010.

 

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to improving traffic safety and reducing the number of alcohol-related crashes in the City of Oxnard.

     

We also remind people to call 911 if they see a suspected drunk driver. 

 

How to Report a Drunk Driver

1. Call 911 and tell them you wish to report a suspected drunk driver.  You do not have to give your name.
2. Give a complete description of the vehicle, such as make, model, color and license plate number.
3. Give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road, cross streets and the direction they’re traveling.
4. Describe the manner in which the vehicle is being driven.
5. Do not try to stop the car or detain the driver.  Leave that to a law enforcement officer.

 

Please buckle up, drive sober, and drive safely this holiday season.   

 

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:	Murder Suspects Arrested
DATE/TIME:	December 21st 2010 / 1330 hours
LOCATION:	Ventura County Main Jail
VICTIM(S):	Uriel Loya Bucio, an Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Miguel Pena, 27 year-old, Oxnard resident Gerardo Mariscal, 30 year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective Adam Wittkins, Major Crimes / Homicide Unit
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Adam Wittkins (805) 385-7649 Adam.Wittkins@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On December 1st 2008 at approximately 2040 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a shooting victim in the 800 block of S. Oxnard Blvd. Upon their arrival, they found a victim who had been shot. Uriel Loya Bucio died as a result of the shooting.

Detectives learned that Mr. Bucio worked at a car dealership in the 800 block of S. Oxnard Blvd. Mr. Bucio was leaving the business with his young son when they were confronted by the suspect Miguel Pena. Pena ordered Mr. Bucio and his son to the ground at gunpoint. The suspect demanded personal property from the victim and the victim complied with the suspect’s demands. The suspect subsequently shot the victim and ran from the area. Mr. Bucio’s son was not harmed.

The investigation has progressed to the point that two suspects have been identified as being responsible for the robbery and murder of Uriel Bucio. These two suspects were currently in-custody on an unrelated robbery charge at the Ventura County Main Jail. On December 21st 2010, Miguel Pena of Oxnard and Gerardo Mariscal of Oxnard were arrested for the special circumstance robbery and murder of Uriel Bucio. Miguel Pena shot Mr. Bucio during the robbery while Gerardo Mariscal assisted in the planning of the robbery. Both suspects are being held without bail at the Ventura County Main Jail.

Booking photographs are below.

Miguel Pena

Gerardo Mariscal

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	12/19/10 2304 hours
LOCATION:	600 Block of East Poplar Street
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Dora Riley, 46 year old Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams christopherwilliams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796

DETAILS:

On 12/19/10 at approximately 2304hours, officers were dispatched to a stabbing victim at 632 E. Poplar, a board and care home. When they arrived they located the victim, who had suffered three stab wounds to her back and one stab wound to her neck. The victim was conscious and able to speak. She told officers that she was lying in bed when another resident, Dora Riley, came into the victim’s room and they started talking. During the conversation, Riley became upset and started to stab the victim with a knife.

The victim was transported to VCMC, where she was immediately taken into surgery. She is listed in serious but stable condition.

Riley was taken into custody at the scene and the weapon was recovered. The motive for the stabbing is still unknown at this time.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Officer Involved Shooting Update
DATE/TIME:	12/19/2010 @ 1524 hours – Sunday
LOCATION:	1200 Block Domingo Place, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Officer’s Name Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Bonifasio Victor Tafolla, 7/29/1985, Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Major Crimes Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Sonia Sanchez (385-7663) soniasanchez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Oxnard Police Officers responded to a call of possible shots fired inside a residence in the 1200 Block Domingo Place, Oxnard. Responding Officers encountered family members of Bonifasio Victor Tafolla outside the home. Bonifasio was inside the home with a firearm. He fired the weapon and was confronted by Officers who were standing outside the home. Shots were fired.

Bonifasio exited the home from a second floor window and was taken into custody by Officers without further incident. It appears that Bonifasio had sustained an injury to one of his hands from the shooting. The suspect was arrested and booked for assault with a deadly weapon and exhibiting a firearm in a threatening manner in the presence of a police officer. Investigators recovered several weapons from the residence.

The officer will be placed on administrative leave which is normal for such incidents.

An investigation is continuing.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

Oxnard Police is currently investigating a shooting that took place at approximately 5:20 a.m. in the area of Cedar St./G St. Preliminary information indicates that a 35-year old male was shot by unknown suspects with an undetermined firearm. As officers were responding to the scene, they learned that the victim was being transported in a private vehicle (BMW) to St. John’s Regional Medical Center, when the driver, a 32-year old female, became involved in an injury traffic collision with a Ford Focus at Fifth St./Rose Ave. The 50-year old male driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). The shooting victim was also transported to VCMC and his condition is not known at this time. No further information is available at this time. A press release will be issued later by investigators once the investigation has further progressed.