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.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Domestic Related) Child Endangerment Felony Vandalism
DATE/TIME:	08/28/10, 0225 hrs
LOCATION:	Ego Joyeria Moda, 500 block S. ‘C’ Street
VICTIM(S):	(3) Teenaged Children (names withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Padilla, 48 years old
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	White Chevrolet Express Van
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Robin Whitney
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Ricardo Vazquez

DETAILS:

On 08/28/10, at approximately 0225 hrs, Officers were dispatched to the above location reference a subject ramming a vehicle into the building. Upon arrival, officers detained the suspect.

Officers interviewed the suspect’s estranged wife and (3) teenaged children and determined the following: The suspect arrived at the above location, began yelling and banging on the windows, as the family slept inside. The children heard their father get into a vehicle and start it up. The children were in fear for their safety and quickly climbed out of their beds. Just as the children were exiting their bedroom, their father backed his van through the wall several times. The children’s beds were positioned directly behind the wall where the suspect rammed his vehicle through. The force of the impact pushed the beds inward and caused glass to come crashing down in the bedroom. Due to the children’s quick actions, they narrowly avoided being seriously injured.

The suspect was arrested for the above listed charges.

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:	DUI Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, August 28th, 2010 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department conducted a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday, August 28th, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M.

The checkpoint was held in the following locations:

1. W/B Wooley Road @ J Street
2. S/B Victoria Avenue @ Gonzales Road

Officers screened 1,081 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted four DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol and two drivers were arrested for DUI. One additional driver was arrested for outstanding misdemeanor warrants.

Forty-eight drivers were issued citations for various driver’s license violations. Twenty-one drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and four drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Ten vehicles were towed from the checkpoints.

These checkpoints are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA).

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:	Shooting / Homicide
DATE/TIME:	August 29, 2010 6:42 PM
LOCATION:	1309 Saviers Rd (Mr Kwicks)
VICTIM(S):	Rudy Rivas 20 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	3 Hispanic Males, dressed in dark clothing. 1 Hispanic Female (Driver)
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	In Custody
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Major Crimes Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Jeff Kay (805) 385-8174 jeffkay@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 8-29-10 at 6:42 PM officers received a call of a shooting at 1309 Saviers Rd (Mr Kwiks). When they arrived they located the victim inside the business where he died from his injuries. Witnesses told officers that the victim was involved in a fight with the suspects and during the fight he was shot. The victim then staggered into the business and collapsed. No employees inside the business were injured during the incident.

The suspects re-entered their vehicle and fled the area. Officers located the vehicle abandoned and impounded it for evidence. Investigators do not know the motive for the shooting; it does not to appear to be gang related. Investigators are asking for your assistance. If you know anything or had witnessed the shooting or fight please call Det. Jeff Kay at (805) 385-8174 or remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking/Kidnapping/Robbery
DATE/TIME:	08-26-2010 at 1520 hours
LOCATION:	Lucky Supermarket 2401 Saviers Road, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	27 Year-old male, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	15 Year-old female, Oxnard Resident 15 Year-old male, Port Hueneme Resident 15 Year-old female, Port Hueneme Resident
PREPARED BY:	Officer James Langford
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer James Langford (805) 385-7600 / jameslangford@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 

On 8-26-10, at approximately 1520 hours, Oxnard Police Officers responded to the area of the Oxnard Police Department reference a subject chasing three people for previously taking his telephone.

The victim reported that he had been at the Lucky Supermarket (2401 Saviers Road) parking lot at about 3:00 PM putting his one year old child into a car seat of his vehicle. The three suspects approached the victim and entered the vehicle while demanding a ride. One suspect obtained a power drill that was inside of the victim’s vehicle and pointed it at the victims head while activating the drill. All three suspects again demanded a ride. One suspect even went so far as to grab the one year-old’s arm and demand that the victim give them a ride. The suspects also removed several items from the vehicle and took possession of them.

The victim drove the suspects in his vehicle, but instead of driving to where they demanded, he drove to the Oxnard Police Department. One of the suspects again put the power drill to the victim’s head and demanded the victim continue driving, however he stopped none the less. The three suspects fled the area, also taking his telephone. The telephone was recovered by the victim, who then called the police.

All three suspects were located near the police station, arrested and lodged at Juvenile Hall for suspicion of carjacking, kidnapping, robbery, child endangerment, conspiracy to commit a crime, brandishing a weapon, criminal threats, dissuading a witness from reporting a crime, and vandalism. The victim did not suffer injuries during the robbery.

The suspect’s names are not being released due to their ages, and the victim’s name is not being released at this time.

Anyone who witnessed this incident is asked to contact Officer James Langford at 805-385-7600 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).