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.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Warrant Service
DATE/TIME:	12-13-10, 3:32 PM
LOCATION:	3300 block of Clinton Street
VICTIM(S):	None
SUSPECT(S):	Adair Dzul, 11-25-85, of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant 805-385-7600

DETAILS:

On 12/13/2010, at approximately 3:30 PM, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department were serving an arrest warrant at a home in the 3300 block of Clinton Street, Oxnard. Adair Dzul, the wanted subject, fled from the residence toward an alley behind the home. An Officer was standing in the alley when he observed Dzul open the rear gate in an attempt to escape. When Dzul saw the officer, he fled back into the residence leaving the rear gate open. As the officer attempted to follow Dzul, but not yet making entry into the rear yard of the residence, he was confronted by two pit-bull dogs. The officer was still in the alley when the dogs quickly advanced at him in a very aggressive manner. The officer retreated, but the dogs continued to charge at him. The officer removed his service weapon and fired two rounds, striking each dog once in an attempt to stop their aggressive attack. One of the dogs was deceased at the scene. The other dog was taken by Oxnard Animal Safety Officers for medical treatment. Dzul surrendered to officers and was booked into the Ventura County Jail for the arrest warrant.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	12-16-2010 0513 Hours
LOCATION:	1300 to 1400 block of South G Street, Oxnard CA.
VICTIM(S):	Fidencio Hernandez 35yrs, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):	Adrian Mendoza 33yrs, Oxnard Resident Dawn Magallanes 32yrs, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Alex Arnett 486-6297 alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 12-16-10, at approximately 0500 hours, Oxnard Police Officers responded to Fifth Street and Rose Avenue for a traffic collision. While investigating the incident, the officers learned that the above listed subjects were victims of a shooting which occurred in the 1300 to 1400 block of South G Street. The vehicle, which was being driven by Magallanes, was transporting victim Hernandez to the hospital when she became involved in the traffic collision. The other passenger, Adrian Mendoza, suffered minor injuries as a result of the collision, as was the 50-year old male driver of the other vehicle. Magallanes was subsequently arrested and charged with felony driving under the influence of alcohol resulting in injury. Hernandez was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition with a gunshot wound to his face. The injury is not life threatening.

Investigators are still trying to determine if the shooting was gang related.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked 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:	Santa to the Sea Half Marathon
DATE/TIME:	Sunday, December 12th, 2010 0800-1200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Third Annual Santa to the Sea Half Marathon is scheduled for this Sunday morning, December 12th. The race starts at 8:00 A.M. in front of Santa on Ventura Boulevard and travels through the City of Oxnard where it ends at the finish line next to Marine Emporium Landing located at 3600 South Harbor Boulevard. Over 1,300 runners will be participating in this year’s race.

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department will be handling the traffic control along the race course and motorists should expect significant delays at several intersections in the city. These intersections include Rice Avenue at Sturgis Road, Rose Avenue at Camino Del Sol, Fifth Street at Hobson Way, Ventura Road at Ninth Street, Wooley Road at Patterson Road, Victoria Avenue at Wooley Road, and Harbor Boulevard at Wooley Road. Motorists wishing to travel northbound and southbound in the city are encouraged to use Oxnard Boulevard as it will not be affected by the race. All of the roadways are expected to be re-opened by 12:00 P.M.

For any questions related to the race or traffic flow during the race, 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:	Sexual Battery
DATE/TIME:	12/8/2010 0813 Hours
LOCATION:	Roosevelt Avenue and Colonia Road
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld per 293 PC 25 year old female Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Rios, Martin Hernandez (DOB 8-28-90) 20 year-old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Detective Denise Shadinger
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Denise Shadinger: 385-7662 deniseshadinger@oxnardpd.org Detective Rachel Burr: 385-7609 (Spanish Speaking) rachelburr@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 12/8/2010, at 0813 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the call of a sexual battery in the area of Roosevelt Avenue and Colonia Road. The victim and several witnesses chased the suspect in the neighborhood, but lost him before the police arrived. A perimeter was established and the area was searched. Officers located the suspect’s clothing and a cellular phone.

After follow-up investigation the suspect was identified as Martin Hernandez Rios, an Oxnard resident. Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department made contact with Rios’ family. Rios’ family members brought him to the Oxnard Police Department around noon. Rios was ultimately arrested for the sexual battery. Rios is currently on probation for a 2010 arrest.

If anyone witnessed the incident in the area of Roosevelt Avenue and Colonia Road; or feels they may have been a victim of a similar crime in that area, please contact Detective Denise Shadinger at 385-7662 or Detective Rachel Burr at 385-7609.

The booking photo of the suspect is being withheld until investigators attempt to locate additional witnesses or victims.