Arson Investigation and Arrest – News Release

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:            May 26, 2023 / 11:40 AM  

SUBJECT:     Arson Investigation

LOCATION:   5600 Block of Cypress Rd, Oxnard

VICTIM:         Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT:     Manuel Maez, 51-year-old Oxnard resident

CONTACT:     Detective David Garza (805) 385-7668

  Monday to Thursday, 7 AM – 5 PM (Work Days/Hours)

  [email protected] (After Hours)

 

On the above date/time, Oxnard Police Officers and Oxnard Fire Personnel responded to the 5600 block of Cypress Road, referencing an arson to a residence in progress. Oxnard Fire personnel quickly extinguished the fire, which had caused moderate damage to the inside of the residence. Officers contacted the suspect, Manuel Maez, who had sustained minor burn injuries from the fire. Arson investigators responded and determined that Maez had intentionally lit clothing and mattresses on fire, which spread to the floor and wall of the residence. Maez was transported to Saint John’s Hospital for treatment and arrested for arson-related charges. 

 

There were no other injuries reported. 

 

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600 or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website:  www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can stay anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email. Booking photographs for adult felony arrests are available on the department website:  www.oxnardpd.org under crime & safety and booking/call logs.  

Please be advised that traffic has been closed for eastbound and westbound traffic on Fifth Street between Buena Vista Avenue and Pacific Avenue, due to a traffic collision impacting both directions of travel. This may also impact traffic at the intersection of Rose Avenue and Fifth Street. Please consider using alternate routes this afternoon.

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:            May 22, 2023

SUBJECT:   Narcotic Sales Arrest

SUSPECTS: Roman Hernandez, 41 year-old Oxnard Resident   

LOCATION:  300 block of Percy Street, Oxnard

CONTACT:   Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

                      (805) 385-7623 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) [email protected]

 

Beginning in May 2023, the Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) began an investigation into Roman Hernandez. Hernandez was believed to be involved in the sale of narcotics. The investigation allowed DEU detectives to develop enough evidence to secure a search warrant.

 

On May 22^nd, 2023, DEU detectives along with patrol officers, executed a search warrant at the residence of Hernandez. The search of the residence led to the seizure of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl packaged for sales. In total, Hernandez possessed over 400 individual doses of methamphetamine and over 500 doses of fentanyl.   

 

Hernandez is a registered sex offender and has a prior felony conviction for narcotic sales while in the possession of a firearm. Hernandez was charged with narcotic sales violations and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.

   

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website:  www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.”  You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477.  You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

  NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:         May 15, 2022

SUBJECT:  Click it or Ticket Campaign

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal  

         (805) 385-7749 (Mon-Thu 7pm-5pm) | [email protected]

 

 

“Click It or Ticket” Campaign Reminds Californians
to Always Wear Their Seat Belt

Seat Belt Safety Campaign Runs Through Memorial Day

 

The Oxnard Police Department reminds everyone taking a trip to visit friends or family over the Memorial Day Weekend to always buckle up and keep children in child safety seats.

 

This year’s Click It or Ticket campaign is from May 22-June 4. During this time, the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol actively looking for drivers and passengers who are not wearing a seat belt. This includes vehicles where children are not secured in child safety seats.

 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 12,000 people killed in crashes throughout the country in 2021 were not wearing seat belts. In California, 756 people killed in crashes in 2020 were not wearing seat belts, or nearly 20 percent of all traffic deaths statewide.

 

California law requires a child to be secured in a safety or booster seat until they are at least 8 years old or at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall. Children under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing seat unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. 

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           May 13, 2023

SUBJECT:    DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results

CONTACT:   Jose Diaz, Sergeant

                        (805) 385-7847 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

 

Three impaired drivers arrested during DUI checkpoint.

 

On May 13, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department and California Highway Patrol – Ventura Office, held a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint at Pleasant Valley Road, west of C Street. The operation resulted in three arrests for impaired driving and thirty-seven citations.

 

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

 

Funding for this checkpoint and DUI enforcement patrols was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           May 12, 2023

SUBJECT:    Three Oxnard Store Clerks Cited for Selling Alcohol to Minors

LOCATION:  Oxnard, California

CONTACT:   Corporal Steven Ramirez II, F.A.C.T. Compliance Officer 

(805) 385-3920 (Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm) | [email protected]

 

Three Store Clerks in the City of Oxnard Cited for Selling Alcohol to Minors

 

The Oxnard Police Department with assistance from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has cited three store clerks in the City of Oxnard for selling alcohol to minors on May 12, 2023. The actions were the result of a minor decoy operation in which minors, under the direct supervision of police officers, attempted to purchase alcohol from 12 retail licensees in the City of Oxnard.   

 

Those who sold alcohol to the minor face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.

 

Compliance checks are being conducted statewide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunk driving fatalities than the general adult population. The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing the availability of alcohol to minors.

 

Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped in some cities as low as 10 percent or even below.  

 

In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the use of underage decoys is a valid tool of law enforcement to ensure that licensees are complying with the law.  

 

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) through the department’s Grant Assistance Program. ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:         May 12, 2023

SUBJECT:  DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrols

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal  

         (805) 385-7749 (Mon-Thurs 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

 

 

Oxnard Police Department to hold DUI Checkpoint and use extra officers to patrol for suspected impaired drivers

 

The Oxnard Police Department and California Highway Patrol – Ventura Office will have additional officers on patrol on Friday, May 12, 2023, specifically looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.  In addition, the Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city. The DUI Checkpoint and DUI patrols will be from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

 

DUI checkpoints and patrols are done in locations with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

 

In 2018, 1,069 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above).  The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

 

If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take these precautions to avoid a DUI:

●      Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation – to get home.

●      Walking while impaired is also dangerous. Have someone sober walk you home or stay with you until a sober driver is available to pick you up.

●      Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

●      Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

 

A DUI arrest is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.

 

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.