John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Wanted Murder Suspect / Reward Offered
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, September 30th 2010
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Adam Wittkins, Major Crimes / Homicide Unit: (805) 385-7649 / [email protected]

DETAILS:

On August 17th 2010, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to a reported shooting in the area of San Jose Street at Halcon Street in the City of Oxnard. Upon arrival, officers located shooting victim Adrian Lerma. Lerma had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The subsequent investigation has determined Oxnard resident Rene Ramos, Date of Birth July 17th, 1985, is responsible for the Lerma murder. Ramos fled the area after the murder. A murder case has been filed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office against Ramos and there is an active warrant for Ramos’s arrest for the murder.

The City of Oxnard has a long standing policy to offer a reward for the arrest and conviction of homicide suspects. That offer is extended to this case as well. Anyone who provides information on the whereabouts of Ramos which directly leads to his capture and arrest is eligible to share in a $10,000 reward. See the attached flyer.

Please direct all information to the Oxnard Police Departments Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, Detective Adam Wittkins at (805) 385-7649 or via e-mail at [email protected].

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 Checkpoints
DATE/TIME:	Friday, September 24th, 2010 1800-0200 Sunday, September 26th, 2010 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting two multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints this upcoming weekend. The first one is scheduled for Friday night, September 24th, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. The second one is set for Sunday, September 26th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. After this weekend, we will have conducted a total of 22 checkpoints since October 2009. Thirty-three DUI arrests were made during the 20 checkpoints conducted so far. At these checkpoints, officers also issued citations to 438 unlicensed drivers and 50 citations were issued to drivers with suspended driver’s licenses.

The Oxnard Police Department has arrested over 715 drivers for DUI since the beginning of 2010. In addition to this weekend’s checkpoints, additional officers will be deployed over the weekend to conduct DUI enforcement patrols throughout the city of Oxnard.

All of these DUI operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue its DUI enforcement efforts and is committed to improving traffic safety. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes in the city of Oxnard and to make our roadways and community safer.

We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. Please buckle up, drive sober, and drive safely!

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	CRIME FREE BUSINESS PROGRAM MEETING
DATE/TIME:	WEDNESDAY 10-20-2010 / 7:30-9:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT – 251 S. C Street (second floor), Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Officer Marty Ennis 385-8349
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Marty Ennis 385-8349

DETAILS:

On October 20, 2010, the Oxnard Police Department is hosting a business owners/managers meeting for the “Crime Free business program.”

This program is part of a nationwide study designed to lower crime and violence in small business establishments across the country. Some of the goals are achieved by networking the police department and businesses throughout the City of Oxnard. This meeting is recommended for business owners, managers, and employees. The program is free and joining can lead to lowered liability insurance rates. The program is open to all businesses.

This program has proven to be successful in lowering crime, making businesses less susceptible to criminal attack, and increasing profitability.

The meeting hours are from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. on the second floor of the Oxnard Police Department located at 251 S. C St., Oxnard.

If you have any questions or wish to sign up for the meeting please contact Detective Martin Ennis at (805) 385-8349 or e-mail him at [email protected].

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Narcotics Search Warrant
DATE/TIME:	September 23, 2010 / 1100 hours
LOCATION:	2700 block of Geronimo Drive, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Janet Pecatoste (8/28/77), resident of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Greg Hebert
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Greg Hebert, [email protected] 385-7636

DETAILS:

On September 23, 2010, the Oxnard Police Department’s Narcotics Unit served a search warrant on Janet Pecatoste at her residence in the 2700 block of Geronimo Drive in the City of Oxnard. The search warrant was the result of a 2 month investigation into Pecatoste for sales of methamphetamines.

Pecatoste was arrested at the residence without incident. A search of the residence revealed a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Pecatoste was booked into Ventura County Jail for possession of a controlled substance for sales and bail was set at $50,000.

Pecatoste was operating a “room and board” facility at the residence with many of the tenants being clients of Behavioral Health Services. Behavioral Health Services was contacted and will follow up with their own investigation into Pecatoste.

An investigation is ongoing.

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:	Thursday, September 16th, 2010 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

In response to several alcohol-related collisions that have occurred on Thursday nights over the past several months, The Oxnard Police Department conducted a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Thursday, September 16th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. This checkpoint was held in the southbound lanes of Rose Avenue at Cesar Chavez Drive.

Officers screened 1,207 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted two DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol and one of them was arrested for DUI with a blood alcohol level of .14. One additional driver was arrested for outstanding misdemeanor warrants from San Bernardino County.

Thirty-one drivers were issued citations for various driver’s license violations. Fourteen drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and two drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Nine vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

These checkpoints are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA). The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting two additional sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints before the end of this month.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspect arrested for auto burglary and for possession of drug paraphernalia
DATE/TIME:	09/13/2010 1330 hours
LOCATION:	Intersection of First Street and Rose Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Name Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Julio Cesar Garcia- Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	Property recovered
PREPARED BY:	Detective Luis Mancha
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Luis Mancha, (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On 09-13-10 at approximately 1330 hours, officers responded to a vehicle burglary in progress at the intersection of First Street and Rose Avenue.

The suspect, Julio Cesar Garcia, was observed inside of the vehicle by arriving officers and taken into custody. Property taken from the vehicle was recovered.

Garcia, when arrested, was found in possession of drug paraphernalia. Garcia was booked for burglary and for possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to remind residents to secure their vehicles and not leave valuables in plain view. Residents are also urged to record vital information from their valuables, such as serial numbers and model numbers.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Murder
DATE/TIME:	8-28-10/2352 hours
LOCATION:	200 block of East Elm Street
VICTIM(S):	Oscar Borjon – 29 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Ruben Flores – 25 year old Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	None
PREPARED BY:	Detective Charles Buttell 385-7665
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Charles Buttell 385-7665

DETAILS:

On 8-28-10 at approximately 2352 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a call of a stabbing victim in the 200 block of East Elm Street in the City of Oxnard. Upon arrival officers contacted the victim Oscar Borjon who had suffered two stab wounds to his body. During the investigation the suspect was determined to be the victim’s half brother Ruben Flores. Flores fled the scene on the night of the incident and was unable to be contacted. Flores was contacted on 8-31-10 in the 1300 block of South Oxnard Boulevard where he was taken into custody without incident. Flores was booked into the Ventura County Jail for attempted homicide. Flores’ bail is set at $500,000.

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:	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: [email protected]
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 [email protected]. 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.