John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Murder Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	03-25-2010 / 1:30am
LOCATION:	Barstow Ca
VICTIM(S):	Michael Wade, 49
SUSPECT(S):	Terrance Morrow, 29 years, Resident of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jimseitz@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 

A second suspect was arrested in connection with the November 9, 2009 murder of Michael Wade Thursday morning. Terrance Morrow, 29 years of Oxnard was taken into custody without incident early Thursday morning by the Barstow Police Department.

Investigators believed Morrow may have been trying to leave the area after several search warrants were executed Wednesday morning related to the investigation. Information was developed leading detectives to believe Morrow may have boarded a bus that was due to stop in Barstow at 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Barstow Police Department was contacted minutes before the bus arrived in Barstow. Officers responded to the bus depot and took Morrow into custody without incident.

Morrow was transported back to Ventura County Thursday Morning where he was booked on a number of charges including murder. Detectives are not releasing any further information relating to Morrows involvement in the homicide.

The table below shows the crime statistics for Oxnard for 2008 and 2009. The statistics from 1992 have also been added to show the decline.

	1992	2008	2009	2008-2009 % CHG	2008-2009 NUM DIFF	1992-2009 % CHG	1992-2009 NUM DIFF
Homicide	14	14	13	-7.1%	-1	-7.1%	-1
Rape	75	21	25	19.0%	4	-66.7%	-50
Robbery	569	452	384	-15.0%	-68	-32.5%	-185
Aggr Assault	965	330	350	6.1%	20	-63.7%	-615
Burglary	2134	895	704	-21.3%	-191	-67.0%	-1430
Auto Theft	1109	528	454	-14.0%	-74	-59.1%	-655
Larceny	5145	2876	2929	1.8%	53	-43.1%	-2216
Arson	47	54	10	-81.5%	-44	-78.7%	-37
TOTAL	10058	5170	4869	-5.8%	-301	-51.6%	-5189

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 vehicle burglary
DATE/TIME:	March 23, 2010
LOCATION:	Channel Islands Blvd. / Statham Blvd.
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Efrain Hernandez
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	Property valued at approximately $200
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Marc Amon
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Luis Mancha (805) 385-7667

DETAILS:

On 3-23-10 at approximately 4:40pm, officers from the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit identified a wanted subject walking in the area of Channel Islands Boulevard and Statham Boulevard. The subject was identified as 25 year-old Oxnard resident Efrain Hernandez who was wanted for a vehicle burglary that occurred in February 2010.

Hernandez was identified by a fingerprint he left at the scene that was later compared with the statewide database. Hernandez is believed to have been responsible for several other vehicle burglaries in the south Oxnard area however the investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Luis Mancha (805) 385-7667.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Auto Burglars Arrested
DATE/TIME:	3/24/10, 12:04 AM
LOCATION:	700 Block West Channel Islands Blvd
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Dangelly Rivera, 19-year old, Oxnard resident. 17-year old male, Oxnard resident.
WITNESS(ES):	Withheld
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	NA
LOSS:	Car Stereo, recovered
PREPARED BY:	Sgt David Villanueva, 385-7650
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt David Villanueva, 385-7650, Report# 10-06372

DETAILS: 

An alert citizen reports a car alarm sounding in the carports of the 700 Block of West Channel Islands Blvd. He goes to investigate, and is confronted by two males, one of which brandishes a butterfly-type-knife. Another concerned resident waves down a responding police cruiser, and the suspects flee on foot. Officers Robert Valenzuela and Jaime Miranda capture both suspects after a short foot chase, and the stolen car stereo is recovered.

Investigation revealed that the two entered the vehicle through the car’s convertible top and stole the car’s in-dash stereo. The adult was booked into Ventura County Jail for vehicle burglary, brandishing a deadly weapon, and obstructing officers in their duties, and is being held on $10,000 bail. The juvenile was released to his parents on a citation for vehicle burglary and obstructing officers in their duties. The car stereo was returned to the grateful owner.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	03-24-2010 / 0630 Hours
LOCATION:	700 Block Mobil Ave, Camarillo
VICTIM(S):	Michael Wade
SUSPECT(S):	Brian Starks, 35 years, Ventura County resident
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jimseitz@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Brian Starks, a 35 year old resident of Ventura County was arrested for murder early this morning in connection with the November 9, 2009 homicide of Michael Wade. Ventura County Sheriff’s Department S.W.A.T. along with S.W.A.T. officers from the Oxnard Police Department served simultaneous search warrants in Camarillo and Oxnard this morning. The warrant service was in response obtaining an arrest warrant for Starks yesterday afternoon. Starks was found at a relative’s house located in the 700 block of Mobil Ave in Camarillo. He was taken into custody without incident.

Starks is suspected of shooting Michael Wade, 49 years old during a botched robbery attempt last November. That homicide took place in the 1400 Block of S. “E” St. in the City of Oxnard. Starks is being held on murder charges.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Burglary Arrest
DATE/TIME:	3-23-2010 / 0954
LOCATION:	1900 Block of Isabella St., Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Unavailable/ State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Julio Rodriguez, 32 years old from Oxnard Joshua Olsen, 23 years old from Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	2010 Gray Toyota 4 door
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Commander Mike Adair
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Mike Adair 3-23-10

DETAILS:

On March 23rd at approximately 9:54am officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 1900 block of Isabella St. to investigate a call of a suspicious subject. A resident had called police to alert them of a suspicious person in the backyard of a nearby home. The reporting person gave a description of the subject as well as a vehicle that was waiting in the area.

When officers arrived they contacted the driver of the vehicle, Joshua Olsen and found that he had a felony warrant for his arrest. Officers then saw a subject, Julio Rodriguez, exit the victim house and jump over a rear yard fence. The officers chased the subject from yard to yard and a perimeter was established around the neighborhood. A police service dog apprehended the suspect a short time later and he suffered minor injuries. Several items were found along the path the suspect had taken and those items were later identified as stolen from the house on Isabella St.

Rodriguez was transported to St. John’s Hospital for treatment and later booked into the Ventura County Jail. Olsen was also booked into the Ventura County Jail. Both suspects were charged with burglary, conspiracy, and outstanding warrants.

Residents with questions or with information are urged to contact Detective Luis Mancha at (805) 385-7664.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Strong Arm 211PC Robbery Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	3/20/10 2145 hrs
LOCATION:	Cooper Rd. and Grant Ave.
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Francisco Rodriguez (12/19/79)
WITNESS(ES):	Officers J. Floriano and B. Stevens
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	$10.00 (Recovered at the scene)
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Jack Kujawa
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Jack Kujawa (805) 385-7600

DETAILS: 
2145 hours. Officers Floriano and Stevens were working in a two man police unit in Colonia when they saw what appeared to be two subjects in a fight at Cooper Rd. and Grant Ave. As they approached, the smaller of the two subjects in the altercation saw the police approaching and yelled for help. Both subjects were detained. During their investigation they learned that larger of the subjects, Francisco Rodriguez (12/19/79), was a documented Colonia Chiques gang member on the gang injunction.

The victim told officers that Rodriguez had demanded money or he would “shoot” the victim. Rodriguez was not armed. During the investigation, and in the officer’s presence, the suspect threatened, in Spanish, to kill the victim if he continued to report the crime. The suspect was booked for Robbery, Terrorist Threats, Dissuading a victim from reporting a crime, and violation of the Colonia Chiques Gang Injunction. The victim told the officers, “Thank god you showed up, he would have killed me”. Cash taken during the crime was recovered. The suspect had recently been released from custody for Robbery.

An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oxnard Police Department or 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 Drivers License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	March 20th, 2010 2000-0300
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS: 

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct a multi-location sobriety and drivers license checkpoint Saturday night, March 20th, from 8:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M. 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 220 drivers for DUI and has investigated over 50 DUI related crashes. This Wednesday night, March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day), officers from the Oxnard Police Department partnered with officers from the Ventura Police Department, Simi Valley Police Department, and deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department to conduct a DUI saturation patrol in the City of Ventura. During the 7 hour operation, 6 DUI arrests were made.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to improving traffic safety and will continue to conduct sobriety and drivers License checkpoints and DUI enforcement operations in 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. Please buckle up 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 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:	Chop Shop Operation & Recovered Stolen Vehicles
DATE/TIME:	3/18/10, 22:45
LOCATION:	400 Blk. E. Olive Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Thomas Cortez, age 47, Oxnard resident Mario Durazo, age 39, Oxnard resident Jose Esquivel, age 47, Oxnard resident Emmanuel Esquivel, age 22, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Det. Patrick Dolan, Auto Theft Investigator, (805) 385-7755
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Patrick Dolan, Auto Theft Investigator, (805) 385-7755

DETAILS:

On 3/18/10 at approximately 2245 hours, Oxnard officers responded to a possible theft of an auto tow dolly from the closed U-Haul rental yard at 3020 Saviers Rd., Oxnard. The suspects fled prior to the arrival of officers. Officers searching the area located the stolen tow dolly in the alley of the 400 block of E. Olive St. as Thomas Cortez and Mario Durazo tried to walk away. Cortez and Durazo were detained by officers and the subsequent investigation determined that a 1995 Nissan pick-up that the suspects had used to steal the tow dolly was also stolen in Oxnard on 3/17/10. Further, a 2002 Ford F-150 pick-up truck that they were attempting to load onto the stolen tow dolly in the alley was stolen in Oxnard on 3/12/10. Cortez was arrested for auto theft, a felony. Durazo was also arrested for auto theft as well for being in possession of a controlled substance (a felony) and being under the influence of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor).

Further investigation revealed that the Ford truck had been stripped of its major components including the engine, transmission, hood, and seats. These missing parts and numerous other car parts were located in and around the residence behind which Cortez and Durazo were detained. Investigators from the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force contacted the residents and determined that there was a chop shop operation in place at the residence. Two of the residents, Jose Esquivel and his son, Emmanuel Esquivel, were arrested for auto theft, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime, and operating a chop shop – all felonies. All four suspects were booked into Ventura County Jail.

An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Patrick Dolan at (805) 385-7755 or 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:	Child Endangerment Possession of a stolen firearm Possession of a loaded firearm
DATE/TIME:	03/18/10, 0156 Hrs
LOCATION:	5300 Block of South J Street
VICTIM(S):	3-year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Jorge Ortiz, 24-year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective Paul Knapp
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Roger Garcia 805-385-7688

DETAILS: 

On 3/18/2010 at about 0156 hrs, officers responded to a call of a shooting victim at St. John’s Hospital. Jorge Ortiz initially stated that he was shot by an unknown suspect as he was getting into his vehicle in the alley in the 5300 block of South J Street. It became apparent from his gunshot wound to his left leg that the injury was self-inflicted.

Ortiz admitted to officers that he was going to his residence in the 5300 block of South J Street. He was armed with a handgun in his pocket and carrying his 3-year old child. He placed his child into the front seat of his vehicle and as he was sitting down in the vehicle, the gun discharged and the bullet struck Ortiz in the left leg.

Prior to going to the hospital, Ortiz discarded the weapon in a nearby trashcan. The weapon was later recovered by officers and found to have been reported stolen.

Ortiz was treated and released at St. John’s Regional Medical Center and subsequently arrested for 3 felony charges of child endangerment, possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm. He was booked into Ventura County Jail with bail set at $500,000.