Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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 Results
DATE/TIME:	July 30, 2011 – 1800 to 0300
LOCATION:	Southbound Oxnard Bl. @ Glenwood Dr (1)  Southbound Victoria Av @ Gonzales Rd (2)  Southbound Oxnard Bl. @ Vineyard Av (3)
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant – 805-385-7847

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint followed-up by a DUI saturation patrol on Saturday, July 31, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M. and arrested nine (9) drivers for DUI as a result of the heightened DUI prevention and enforcement effort.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Bl. @ Glenwood Dr. The second and third checkpoints were held simultaneously; one in the southbound lanes of Victoria Av. @ Gonzales Road and the other in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Bl. @ Vineyard Av.

Officers screened 1016 motorists who passed through the checkpoint locations and conducted five (5) DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol. Four (4) drivers who were screened by officers at the checkpoints were arrested for DUI. A female driver who entered the checkpoint was also arrested after she was found to have a suspended driver’s license. Upon further investigation, she was found to be in possession of narcotics and had an outstanding felony warrant. In addition to the four checkpoint DUI arrests, checkpoint officers arrested five (5) additional drivers for DUI as the officers conducted DUI saturation patrols during and after the checkpoints. One of the drivers was arrested after crashing his mini-van into a light pole. This driver had a blood alcohol level of over .18.

Citations were issued to 45 drivers for various drivers’ license violations at the checkpoint. Twenty-seven drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and two (2) drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Thirteen vehicles were towed from the checkpoints.

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct several more 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 Sergeant Randy Latimer at (805) 385-7847 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Sexual assault
DATE/TIME	March 12, 2012 at 5:18 a.m.
LOCATION	1400 block Saviers Road, Oxnard
VICTIM	25-year-old woman
SUSPECT	Hispanic male
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

(Oxnard, CA) At about 5:20 a.m. Oxnard Police received a call regarding a prowler at a residence in the 1400 block of Saviers Road. When officers arrived they found a 25-year-old woman who had been sexually assaulted in her home.
 
According to the victim, a man got into her home through an unlocked, ground-floor window while she was sleeping. She awoke to find him in her bedroom. She described the suspect as a Hispanic male but wasn’t able to see him in the darkness. The victim screamed and he left the house on foot going north on Saviers Road. The suspect was not armed and the victim does not know him. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate him.  
 
There was a 30-minute delay in notifying police and residents are reminded that it is very important for anyone who is the victim of a crime to call police immediately. It is also important to lock all your doors and windows when you leave your residence as well as when you are home.
 
Please report any suspicious activity to the Oxnard PD. If you see a person who is not familiar to you walking or driving around your neighborhood, get a good physical description of the person and/or vehicle and call (805) 385-7740. If you see someone breaking into a home or vehicle, call 911.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or the OPD Family Protection Unit at (805) 385-7620. 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.
 
   
 

###
 

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:	07-29-2011 / 2255 hours
LOCATION:	4600 Block South Rose Av
PEDESTRIAN:	White Male, 21 years old, unknown city of residence (Name Withheld)
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Randy Latimer
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, Traffic Investigator, 385-7750  Officer Ernie Orozco, Traffic Unit, 385-7600

DETAILS:

On July 29, 2011, at approximately 2255 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 4600 block of S. Rose Av. after receiving a call of a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Once on scene, officers and EMS personnel found that a pedestrian, a 21-year old male, residence unknown, had been run over by several vehicles in the northbound lanes of Rose Av. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators are attempting to determine why the pedestrian was in the roadway at the time of the collision. According to witnesses, the pedestrian was laying in the roadway when he was run over by several vehicles. Several motorists stopped after seeing the pedestrian get run over. It is unclear whether or not the pedestrian was struck by another vehicle prior to being discovered by the witnesses who stopped.

If anyone witnessed this collision or has information regarding this collision please contact Senior Officer Maria Pena at 385-7750.

An investigation is ongoing

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Sexual assault
DATE/TIME	August 12, 2001
LOCATION	Rose Avenue and Lindsay Place, Oxnard
VICTIM	Female, 17 years old at the time of the incident
SUSPECT(S)	Martin Hernandez Padilla 7/22/79  Oswaldo Hernandez Pinaloza 3/23/82
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected] Bruce McDowell Deputy Chief Investigator, Ventura County District Attorney (805) 477-1682

 

(Oxnard, CA) Oxnard Police and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announce the arrest of two men in connection with a rape and kidnapping case that occurred in 2001.

On August 12, 2001 a 17-year-old international exchange student from Japan was walking in the area of Rose Avenue and Lindsay Place when she was grabbed by a male suspect. Two men in a car kidnapped her, took her to an unknown location and sexually assaulted her. As part of the investigation, two DNA profiles were collected from the victim. One DNA sample was matched to Martin Hernandez Padilla 7/22/79 and a warrant was issued for Padilla’s arrest. The other sample did not match anyone in any current law enforcement database thus, the identity of the second suspect was not known.
 
On February 7, 2012, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies discovered that they had Padilla in custody in their facility; he was arrested because of the warrant. They notified the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and Padilla was extradited from the Orange County jail to Ventura County.
 
Ventura County District Attorney investigators conducted several interviews which led to another possible suspect. They interviewed Oswaldo Hernandez Pinaloza 3/23/82 and had probable cause to arrest Pinaloza in this case. Both Padilla and Pinaloza are currently being held in the Ventura County jail.
 
The victim in this case returned to Japan in 2001. Investigators are in contact with her in the event she is needed for the prosecution.
 
Investigators believe there may be other victims of sexual assault or attempted kidnapping by these two suspects who have not yet come forward. If you have information in this case, or believe you were a victim please notify the Oxnard PD family protection unit at (805) 385-7620.
 
 

###
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest of Robbery suspect
DATE/TIME:	7/29/11, 1030 hours
LOCATION:	1000 Block of Pinata Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Luis Hernandez age 20, Camarillo Resident (Photo attached)
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Jeff McGreevy (805) 385-3982 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 7/14/11, Oxnard Police Officers received a report of an armed robbery that occurred in the 1000 block of Piñata Street. The victim told police that he had been in a dispute with the suspect over the sale of a car. The suspect, later identified as Luis Hernandez, confronted the victim and demanded money for repairs that he had to make to the vehicle that he had bought earlier in the month. At some point Hernandez removed a handgun from his pocket and threatened the victim while demanding money from the victim. The victim gave Hernandez the money he had requested. Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) identified the suspect and obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 2100 block of E. Daily Drive, in Camarillo.

On 7/29/11 at approximately 10:30 am, Hernandez was arrested without incident in Ventura and a search was conducted at his residence in Camarillo. During an interview with detectives, Hernandez admitted that he threatened the victim and demanded money from him. Luis Hernandez was booked into the Ventura County Jail for Robbery.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Road closure
DATE/TIME	March 7, 2012 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
LOCATION	Rice Avenue and Fifth Street, Oxnard

(Oxnard, CA) On Wednesday, March 7, 2012 the intersection of Rice Avenue and Fifth Street will be closed for a railroad track replacement project. Union Pacific Railroad will do the work and Farwest Paving will handle the redirection of traffic around the project. The shutdown will begin at 6 a.m. and last until about 10 p.m.
 
Motorists will be asked to avoid the area by using alternate routes. Oxnard PD traffic officers will be available in the event there is a significant traffic issue in the area.
 
The plan is to divert traffic eastbound and westbound on Fifth Street from northbound Rice. Southbound Rice Avenue traffic will be diverted to Camino Del Sol, Sturgis Road and Eastman Avenue.  
 
Any questions regarding the repair work should be directed to either Terri Metzler
(714) 630-4856 or John Tovar (714) 231-0145 of Farwest Paving.
 
 

###
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	July 28, 2011 / 0730 hours
LOCATION:	Gonzales Road and Gallatin place
DRIVER-1:	Maria Hernandez, 36 years old of Oxnard
DRIVER-2:	Adrian Valdivia, 31 years old of Oxnard
DRIVER-3:	Justin Sigala, 28 years old of Oxnard
VEHICLE-1:	Ford Explorer
VEHICLE-2:	Acura Legend
VEHICLE-3:	Nissan Altima
PREPARED BY:	Gregory Utter, Patrol [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Gregory Utter, Patrol [email protected]

DETAILS:

On July 28, 2011, at approximately 0730 hours, officers and EMS personnel responded to the area of Gonzales road and Gallatin Way after receiving a call of a vehicle collision involving multiple vehicles. Upon arrival, Officers found a Ford Explorer had rolled over and a Nissan Altima and Acura Legend had also been involved.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the initial impact happened eastbound on Gonzales road at Patterson road. Two vehicles remained stuck together for a short distance before the Ford Explorer broke free. The Ford Explorer continued and then collided with a block retaining wall at Gonzales road and Gallatin, eventually coming to rest on its side on the center median. Three people were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Alcohol was not a factor in the collision.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Officer Greg Utter 805-835-7600

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	Stabbing
DATE/TIME	March 3, 2012 at 4:17 p.m.
LOCATION	Azalea Street and N. Ventura Road, Oxnard
VICTIM	Hispanic male, 21, Oxnard resident
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

On March 3, 2012 at about 4 p.m. Oxnard PD responded to a report of a stabbing in the 2000 block of North Ventura Road. Officers located a 21-year-old man who was suffering from a stab wound. Witnesses told the officers that the stabbing happened near the intersection of Azalea Street and Ventura Road.
 
The victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment. His injuries were not life-threatening.
 
If anyone has any information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740. 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.
 
 

###
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Prostitution/Pimping Investigation
DATE/TIME:	7/21/11, 1500 hours
LOCATION:	100 block of South Hayes Avenue, Oxnard  13200 block of Filmore Street, Pacoima
SUSPECT(S):	Carlos Hernandez, 30 years (Oxnard resident)  Marianna Cervantes, 22 years (Los Angeles resident)  Esperanza Umana, 49 years (Pacoima resident)  Mariana Alvarez-Gallegos, 21 years (Pacoima resident)
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Greg Hebert
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	[email protected] Office 805-385-7636

DETAILS:

On 7/21/11, at about 1500 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Los Angeles Police Department served two search warrants in the cities of Oxnard and Pacoima. The search warrants were the result of a four month investigation into a prostitution operation.

When officers entered the Hayes Avenue address, Hernandez and Cervantes were located inside. Officers found a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, several thousand dollars and paraphernalia related to prostitution. Hernandez was arrested for 266h (a) PC pimping, 236 PC false imprisonment, 236.1(a) PC human trafficking, 653.23(a) (1) PC supervising prostitution and several other misdemeanor charges. Cervantes was arrested for 647(b) PC prostitution. Hernandez was booked into Ventura County Jail on the above listed charges and an immigration hold with bail set at $100,000. Cervantes was booked into Ventura County Jail for 647 (b) PC and an immigration hold with bail set at $5,000.

When officers entered the Filmore Street address, Umana and Gallegos were located inside. Officers found a small amount of currency and paraphernalia related to prostitution. Umana and Gallegos were booked into Ventura County Jail under an immigration hold.

If you have any information related to these crimes, please contact Officer James Langford of the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7650. The investigation is ongoing.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	487 PC Grand theft by deception
DATE/TIME	February 23, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION	1900 Camino Del Sol
VICTIM(S)	Sixty-three year old female, resident of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S)	Hispanic female about 40 Hispanic male about 39
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Older Red 4-door compact car
LOSS	About $3000
PREPARED BY	Officer Martin Perez [email protected]
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz, Community Affairs Manager (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

 

Oxnard police warn residents about a lottery scam in which two people claiming to have a winning ticket swindled about $3,000 from a woman Tuesday.

The woman was in the Rose Park area of Oxnard. She was approached by a Hispanic man and woman in their late 30s or early 40s. They told the woman that they had won the lottery but could not collect the winnings because they were illegal immigrants.

The woman gave them the cash and the suspects left without giving her the lottery ticket. Officers could not find the couple but said such scams are common, adding that con artists will go to great lengths to make lottery tickets appear authentic.
 
Any person (over the age of 18) can win the lottery regardless of gender, race or country of origin. There is no requirement of citizenship for a person to win or claim their lottery winnings.
 
If someone approaches you and offers you something that is too good to be true – it is. Never give cash to strangers or participate in cash transactions with people you do not know. If you do become the victim of a scam, please notify police immediately.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call 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.
 

###