John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery (Business) with a handgun
DATE/TIME:	9/1/2010 @ 2055 hours
LOCATION:	Warehouse Shoe Store, 2330 Saviers Rd. Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Warehouse Shoe Store
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, 21 years, 5’-8”, 170 lbs., wearing a ski mask, a hooded sweatshirt and gloves
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown
LOSS:	Cash/ Unknown amount
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven F. Funk (805) 385-7796 or email: stevenfunk@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Chip Buttell (805) 385-7665

DETAILS:

On 09/01/2010 at approximately 2055 hours, officers were dispatched to the Warehouse Shoe Store located at 2330 Saviers Rd. regarding an armed robbery. The suspect entered the store and immediately ordered all employees and customers to the ground.

The suspect pointed a handgun at the cashier and ordered him to hand over the money inside of the cash register. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money the suspect fled eastbound from the store on foot. No injuries were reported.

If anyone has information about this incident they are asked to call Detective Charles Buttell at (805) 385-7665 or email him at charlesbutell@oxnardpd.org. If you would like to remain anonymous call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

An investigation is continuing.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY AND ARREST OF SUSPECT
DATE/TIME:	9/1/10 1700 HOURS
LOCATION:	4900 BLOCK OCEANAIRE STREET, OXNARD
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	LOPEZ, LEOPOLDO – A RESIDENT OF PORT HUENEME, CA
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	ELECTRONICS $500.00
PREPARED BY:	SENIOR DETECTIVE MANCHA
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	DETECTIVE TOM PAYN (805) 385-7594

DETAILS:

IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ON 8-31-10, A BURGLAR ENTERED AN OCCUPIED RESIDENCE LOCATED IN THE 4900 BLOCK OF OCEANAIRE STREET IN THE CITY OF OXNARD. THE HOMEOWNER WHO HEARD THE BURGLAR INSIDE THE HOME OWNER ATTEMPTED TO DETAIN HIM. THE HOMEOWNER, AFTER STRUGGLING WITH THE BURGLAR, WAS NOT ABLE TO DETAIN HIM AND THE BURGLAR ESCAPED.

OXNARD POLICE OFFICERS, WHICH INCLUDED BURGLARY DETECTIVE TOM PAYN, RESPONDED TO THE RESIDENCE TO INVESTIGATE THE CRIME. SEVERAL ITEMS OF EVIDENCE WERE LOCATED AT THE SCENE. THESE ITEMS EVENTUALLY LED TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE SUSPECT, LEOPOLDO LOPEZ AN 18 YEAR OLD MALE RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF PORT HUENEME.

ON 9-1-10, INVESTIGATORS SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT AT LOPEZ’ RESIDENCE AND OBTAINED ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE RELATED TO THE BURGLARY ON OCEANAIRE. LOPEZ WAS NOT PRESENT DURING THE SEARCH BUT WAS CONTACTED LATER THIS DAY AND ARRESTED FOR THE BURGLARY.

INVESTIGATORS ARE ALSO SEEKING THE PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IN TRYING TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL WITNESSES. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION CAN CONTACT DETECTIVE TOM PAYN AT (805) 385- 7594.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Police crack down on railroad trespassers
DATE/TIME:	September 2, 2010 6:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard railroad tracks
PREPARED BY:	Officer James Langford
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer James Langford, 805-385-7650

DETAILS:

On September 2, 2010, from the hours of 10:00 AM to 1: 00 PM, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department teamed with Special Agents from Union Pacific Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Homeland Security for a selective enforcement sweep of the railroad tracks running through the City of Oxnard from Camarillo to Montalvo. The goal was to look for trespassers on the private railroad property belonging to Union Pacific Railroad. Also, all vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists who failed to yield the right-of-way or obey train crossing signs/warnings for the train at grade crossings.

During the operation, officers witnessed 60 various violations. As a result, 4 persons were arrested for trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property and 20 motorists were issued citations for various railroad related violations. Violators face fines and penalties ranging from $200.00 to $500.00 and possibly even jail time.

California was ranked # 2 in the United States for Highway-Rail grade collisions in 2009 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 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. Any one 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!

Funding for this enforcement is provided to the Union Pacific Police Department by Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit organization to educate the public about railroad safety and making the community safer. More information about railroad safety can be found by go to: www.oli.org.

 

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	9/4/10 0444
LOCATION:	4800 Block of Petit Drive
VICTIM(S):	28 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):	None
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Dan Whitmer, (805) 385-7547

DETAILS:

On 9/4/10 at approximately 0044 hours, Oxnard police officers responded to an assault victim in the 4800 block of Petit Drive. The officers located an assault victim with contusions and stab wounds. The victim was transported to Ventura County Medical center and listed in stable condition. The injuries were not considered life threatening.

The victim told officers he was walking in the neighborhood when he was assaulted by unknown persons.

Investigators are requesting that anyone with information regarding this case to call Senior Officer Dan Whitmer (805) 385-7547 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 385-8255.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Armed robbery / home invasion
DATE/TIME:	9-4-10 / 2:47 PM
LOCATION:	300 block of Cordova Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Four male adults (names withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	HM age 35, 5-09, 200, shaved head, black shirt, unknown color pants, black glove on one hand, black revolver
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Keller
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796

DETAILS:

At 2:47 P.M. on 9-4-10 Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 300 block of Cordova Street regarding an armed robbery. Upon arrival officers located two victims at the residence who had been robbed at gunpoint. Two additional victims arrived on scene during the investigation.

The lone suspect had been on foot in the neighborhood when he confronted two victims outside a residence. These victims were ordered inside by the armed suspect who followed them into the living room. While inside, the suspect confronted two additional victims and ordered all four to hand over currency from their persons. The victims were held at gunpoint on the floor and were verbally threatened during the crime.

The suspect left the area on foot and was last seen on San Gorgonio Street. No suspect vehicle was seen. The victims and witnesses names were withheld based on the threats by the suspect. None of the victims were physically injured as a result of the robbery.

Investigators are requesting that anyone with information regarding this case to call Detective Steve Funk at (805) 385-7796. Anonymous tips may be reported to the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 385-8255.

John Crombach 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
DATE/TIME:	September 10th, 2010 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, September 10th, 2010, 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.

From the beginning of 2010, the Oxnard Police Department has arrested over 650 drivers for DUI, an average of 81 each month. Last month, several additional officers were deployed to conduct DUI enforcement throughout the city. The enforcement efforts of these officers resulted in 95 DUI arrests, the most in the past 10 months including November of 2009 when 94 arrests were made.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to inform the public of these facts about drunk driving:

The .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) threshold —• All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have established a threshold making it illegal per se to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.

Crossing the threshold —• In spite of these laws, nearly 12,000 people nationwide during 2008 were killed in crashes involving drivers or motorcycle riders with BACs of .08 or higher.

Repeat offenders —• A driver involved in a fatal crash who had a BAC of .08 or higher was 8 times more likely to have a prior conviction for driving impaired than a driver involved in fatal crash who had consumed no alcohol.

Impaired drivers and vehicles —• The percentage of drivers with BACs of .08 or higher involved in fatal crashes was highest for motorcycle riders (29%), compared with drivers of light trucks (23%) and passenger cars (23%).

Impaired drivers and age —• The highest percentage of drivers in fatal crashes who had BACs of .08 or higher was for drivers 21 to 24 years old (34%), followed by drivers 25 to 34 (31%) and 35 to 44 (25%).

High-risk periods —• Alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes was 4 times higher at night than during the day (36% versus 9%); and 32 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes on weekends were alcohol-impaired, compared to 15 percent during the week.

A serious crime —• Alcohol-impaired (.08 BAC or higher) crash fatalities accounted for 32 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities during 2008 — or an average of one fatality every 45 minutes.

For additional impaired-driving information and resources, visit the High-Visibility Enforcement Campaign Headquarters at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department will continue extra DUI enforcement in September. Our next sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint is scheduled for next Thursday, September 16th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. We remain committed to our no-tolerance approach to DUI drivers and urge the public to drive sober. These DUI operations are part of our 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.

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.

 

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Expected Road Closures For The Fiestas Patrias Parade
DATE/TIME:	September 12, 2010 1030 to 1300 hours
LOCATION:	Downtown Oxnard – C Street from Wooley Road to Second Street
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS: 

On Sunday, September 12th, 2010, Mexico’s independence from Spain will be celebrated during the annual Fiestas Patrias Parade held in downtown Oxnard. Over 60 entries are expected to participate in this year’s parade. The parade is scheduled to start at 11:00 A.M. and is expected to end at approximately 1:00 P.M.

The parade will start at the intersection of C Street and travel northbound to Second Street where it ends in the parking lot of Oxnard’s City Hall. The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be handling the traffic control along the parade route and some of the nearby streets.

Starting at 10:30 A.M., all intersections on C Street between Wooley Road and Second Street will be closed for the parade. Two additional street closures for the parade’s staging area will be Ninth Street between C Street and A Street and A Street between Wooley Road and Eighth Street. Spectators arriving to watch the parade are urged to park their vehicles in the multi-level parking structure located at the corner of Third Street and B Street.

For questions related to the parade, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking/Robbery involving a handgun
DATE/TIME:	9-12-10 / 1600 Hours
LOCATION:	La Gloria Parking Lot, 430 South Oxnard Boulevard
VICTIM(S):	Names Withheld: 25 year old Oxnard Resident 26 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	3 Unknown Hispanic males
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:	Unknown amount of currency and the victim’s vehicle
PREPARED BY:	Detective Roger Garcia
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Roger Garcia (805) 385-7688 rogergarcia@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 9-12-10, Oxnard Police officers contacted two victims of a robbery that took place earlier in the afternoon hours.

The victims told officers they were preparing to leave La Gloria Market when they met an unknown Hispanic male in the parking lot. The victims agreed to give the unknown Hispanic male a ride. As the victim drove the vehicle, the unknown Hispanic male pulled out a gun and ordered the victim to continue driving. The victim drove for a short time to an unknown area in Oxnard. The victim pulled the vehicle over at which time two additional unknown Hispanic males got into the vehicle. The victim drove for several minutes and was ordered to pull over at another unknown area in Oxnard. Both victims got out of the vehicle and were robbed for an unknown amount of currency. The suspects drove away in the victim’s vehicle.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Roger Garcia at (805) 385-7688, e-mail rogergarcia@oxnardpd.org, 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).

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle into a building
DATE/TIME:	9-13-10 / 2:05 a.m.
LOCATION:	Smucker’s, 800 Commercial Ave. Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	Smucker’s
SUSPECT(S):	Ignacio Rivas De La Cruz, 27 years Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Marc Amon, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Maria Pena, Traffic Investigator 805-385-7750

DETAILS:

On 9/13/10 at approximately 2:05 a.m., Officer Moses Martinez was patrolling the area of the 800 block of Commercial Avenue when he heard what sounded like a vehicular collision. He immediately began searching the area.

He quickly came across two male subjects who were obviously injured. The two subjects started to claim that they were just carjacked. Officers in the area quickly located the vehicle which was lodged in the main office entrance to the Smucker’s building located at 800 Commercial Avenue.

After further questioning one of the subjects, Ignacio Rivas De La Cruz, admitted to driving the vehicle and that they were not carjacked. He was heavily intoxicated. He provided the officers with a breath sample which revealed his blood alcohol content to be .16 percent.

De La Cruz was arrested for felony drunk driving.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Major Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	August 31, 2010, 1207 hours
LOCATION:	Vineyard Av @ Simon Wy
DRIVER-1:	Mehran Khamseh, Male, 45 years of Santa Barbara
PEDESTRIAN-1:	Alma Lopez, Female, 19 years of Oxnard
PEDESTRIAN-2:	Female, 3 years old of Oxnard
PEDESTRIAN-3:	Male, 1 year old of Oxnard
VEHICLE-1:	White, Flatbed tow truck
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Maria Pena, Senior Officer 385-7750

DETAILS:

On August 31, 2010, at approximately 1207 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the intersection of Vineyard Avenue and Simon Way after receiving a call of a traffic collision involving a tow truck and three pedestrians. While officers were enroute to the collision, several calls were received of an addition pedestrian/vehicle-involved collision at the intersection of Vineyard Avenue and Walnut Drive. Once on scene, officers and EMS personnel found that a tow truck driven by Mehran Khamseh, 45 years of Oxnard had struck Alma Lopez, 19 years of Oxnard, and her two children, a three year old and a one year old, as they were crossing Vineyard Av. at Simon Way.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Khamseh was making a left turn from westbound Simon Way to southbound Vineyard Av. on a green light. Ms. Lopez was pushing a baby stroller occupied by the two children across Vineyard Av. at Simon Way in the southern, marked crosswalk. She was crossing on a green light. Khamseh proceeded to make the left turn and struck the trio. As a result of being struck, Ms. Lopez was knocked to the ground and stroller became pinned beneath the tow truck. Khamseh continued traveling southbound on Vineyard, dragging the occupied stroller approximately ¼ mile where he subsequently stopped after being chased and flagged down by several witnesses.

Both children sustained serious injuries as a result of being dragged and were transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where they are listed in critical condition. Lopez was also transported for moderate injuries.

Investigators are trying to determine why Khamseh struck the trio at the intersection of Vineyard Av. and Simon Way and why he drove ¼ mile away from the scene before stopping. It has not been determined whether or not drugs or alcohol were a factor.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Senior Officer Maria Pena at 805-385-7750

An investigation is continuing.