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:	April 16th, 2010 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

As the California Office of Traffic Safety has named 2010, “The Year of the Checkpoint,” the Oxnard Police Department will conduct another multi-location sobriety and drivers license checkpoint Friday night, April 16th, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 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.

In 2009, the Oxnard Police Department made over 950 DUI arrests and investigated over 240 DUI related crashes in the City of Oxnard. Of those 240 collisions, five of them involved a fatality where one of the drivers was driving under the influence of alcohol. 80 of them were injury collisions where over 120 people suffered injuries as a result of a DUI driver. In addition, the Oxnard Police Department investigated a total of 2,195 collisions in 2009. Of those crashes, 621 of them involved a driver who was unlicensed or driving with a suspended drivers license.

So far this year, the Oxnard Police Department has arrested over 275 DUI drivers.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to improving traffic safety and will continue to conduct these 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, driver 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:	Vehicle pursuit and gang members in possession of firearm
DATE/TIME:	April 12, 2010/1600 hours
LOCATION:	Channel Islands Blvd and Ventura Road
VICTIM(S):	None
SUSPECT(S):	Manuel Cortez, 26 year old male, Oxnard resident Eric Hartman, 31 year old male, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
VICTIM VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Bill Crisostomo
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:

DETAILS: 

On April 12, 2010 at approximately 1600 hours, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2007 silver Pontiac Vibe in the area of Ventura Road and Channel Islands Blvd. The driver, Manuel Cortez failed to yield and a vehicle pursuit ensued. At the termination of the pursuit, Cortez and a male passenger, Eric Hartman, fled from the vehicle on foot. As they fled they discarded a loaded 9mm machine pistol. Hartman was taken into custody after a brief foot chase and Cortez was taken into custody after being found in hiding in a trashcan during an area search.

Eric Hartman was arrested for possession of weapon, resisting arrest and violation of the gang injunction. Manuel Cortez was arrested for felony vehicle evasion, being under the influence of a controlled substance and violation of parole.

Both subjects are gang members and were later booked into the Ventura County Jail.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department Employee Recognition Awards Luncheon
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 12:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	Courtyard by Marriott, 600 Esplanade Drive, Oxnard
AWARDS PRESENTED:	Police Officer of the Year Civilian Employee of the Year Supervisor of the Year M.A.D.D. Award Dispatcher of the Year 10851 Awards Chief’s Award of Excellence Volunteer of the Year
PREPARED BY:	Commander Scott Hebert
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Scott Hebert at [email protected] or (805) 385-8290

DETAILS:

The Kiwanis Club of Oxnard is pleased to once again host the Oxnard Police Department Employee Recognition Awards Luncheon at 12:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 22, 2010. The public is invited but reservations for the event are required. Tickets are $25 per person and can be paid for at the door. Space is limited! To reserve your seat, please call Danah Palmer at (805) 385-7784 or [email protected].

During this ceremony, Oxnard’s 42nd Police Officer of the Year will be announced. The nominees are:

• Officer Raymund Mosones
• Senior Officer Brian P. Woolley
• Senior Officer Ricardo Vazquez
• Officer Andrew Pinkstaff

The criteria for Oxnard Police Officer of the Year are:

1. Rank of Police Officer II or Senior Police Officer.
2. Performance of duties in an exemplary fashion.
3. Strong academic credentials or evidence of an earnest effort to obtain a higher degree.
4. Activity beyond the normal scope of duty; voluntarily engaging in the community affairs of Oxnard is a significant way.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS
In addition to naming Oxnard’s Police Officer of the Year for 2009, Oxnard police Chief John Crombach will present the following awards to police department employees for exemplary service:

• 2009 Supervisor of the Year
• 2009 Civilian Employee of the Year
• 2009 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) Award
• 2009 Dispatcher of the Year
• 2009 Chief’s Award of Excellencev
• Volunteer of the Year (Clancy Nieland Award)
• 10851 Award (in recognition of stolen vehicle recovery efforts in 2009, presented by the California Highway Patrol and the Automobile Club of Southern California)

PRESS NOTE: The Kiwanis will host one representative from each media outlet for lunch during the awards ceremony. Please contact Danah Palmer to RSVP.

Questions regarding the awards luncheon should be directed to Commander Scott Hebert at [email protected] or (805) 385-8290.

 

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
DATE/TIME:	04/11/2010 5:15pm
LOCATION:	Southwest Park – 2900 Block of Fifth Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Lopez, Leodegario – 25 year old from Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Mike Adair, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sr. Officer Alex Arnett

DETAILS:

On April 11, 2010 at approximately 5:15pm, Oxnard Police Officers received a call of several subjects fighting in Southwest Park, 2900 block of Fifth Street. Upon arrival, officers saw a large crowd in the park and several witnesses stated there had been a stabbing. The witnesses also pointed to a subject later identified as Leodegario Lopez and stated he was the suspect in the stabbing. Officers made contact with Lopez and recovered the weapon.

The initial investigation revealed that the argument stemmed from a soccer game that was being played at the time. In all, three stabbing victims responded to St. John’s Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening stab wounds. Lopez was identified as the suspect in all three stabbings.

Leodegario Lopez, a 25 year old male Oxnard resident, was arrested in connection with the crimes and booked into Ventura County Jail. The victims’ information is being with held as the investigation is still on-going.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Detective Alex Arnett of the Oxnard Police Department at 805-486-6297.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gas Station Armed Robbery
DATE/TIME:	04/06/10, 0152 hrs
LOCATION:	2251 N. Oxnard Blvd.
VICTIM(S):	Chevron Gas Station
SUSPECT(S):	Mark Magallanes, 22 years, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	Withheld
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	Undisclosed amount of currency
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Robin Whitney
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Paul Knapp 385-7796

DETAILS:

On 04/06/10, at approximately 0152 hours, a silent hold up alarm call was received from Chevron Gas Station, 2251 N. Oxnard Blvd. It was confirmed that a robbery had just occurred. Information regarding the suspect’s description and direction of travel was broadcasted to the responding police units.

Within minutes, Patrol Officers Anthony McCowan and Moses Martinez, working a two man unit, observed an individual matching the description walking on Citrus Grove Lane, near Blackberry Circle. Officers detained the individual, who was subsequently identified as the suspect, and arrested for armed robbery. The weapon used and currency taken were recovered. 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 Deadly Weapon
DATE/TIME:	4/9/2010 at 2303 hours
LOCATION:	100 block of North D Street
VICTIM(S):	40 year-old Hispanic male, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Antonio Ortiz, 33 years, of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Cmdr. Tom Chronister
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Roger Garcia

DETAILS:

On 4/9/10 at about 2303 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a shooting victim in the 100 block of North D Street. Upon arrival, officers found the injured victim in the common hallway of an apartment complex. Witnesses advised the suspect had entered an apartment in the complex after injuring the victim and was armed with a handgun.

A perimeter around the apartment building was quickly established and emergency medical services personnel were escorted by officers into the hallway to extricate the victim. Nearby apartments were evacuated.

Several witnesses told officers the suspect had gotten into a fight with the victim during which the suspect pulled out a handgun, struck the victim with the handgun grip and fired the weapon either in the air or at the victim several times.

The suspect was located inside of one of the apartments and was positively identified by several witnesses. He was arrested without incident. The victim sustained minor head wounds in this incident. The suspect was eventually booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

If anyone witnessed this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Roger Garcia at 805-385-7788 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at
1-800-222-TIPS or text “BUSTED” plus your message to “CRIMES” (274637).

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:	Attempted Homicide
DATE/TIME:	4/3/2010 at 2100 Hrs
LOCATION:	1700 block of East Fifth Street
VICTIM(S):	27 year-old Hispanic male, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, 20 years, 5-04, thin build, short black hair
PREPARED BY:	Detective Paul Knapp
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Paul Knapp 805-385-7796

DETAILS:

On 4/3/10 at about 2100 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a stabbing victim in the 1700 block of East Fifth Street. The victim sustained multiple stab wounds. He is currently listed in critical but stable condition.
The victim told officers he was in his apartment with the suspect whom he knew as a past resident of the same complex. The suspect asked the victim to borrow money. When the victim refused, the suspect stabbed the victim multiple times. The suspect fled the area and has yet to be located or identified.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Paul Knapp at 805-385-7796 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or text “BUSTED” plus your message to “CRIMES” (274637).

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 Arrest
DATE/TIME:	April 8, 2010 3:15 PM
LOCATION:	2160 No. Rose Ave (In front of Ventura County Credit Union)
VICTIM(S):	Anthony Miranda, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Carlos Sanchez 19 years-old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	All evidence recovered
PREPARED BY:	Violent Crimes Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Paul Knapp (805) 385-7796

DETAILS: 

On 4-8-10 at around 2:00 PM the victim was exiting a business in the 1900 block of Solar Drive. Upon reaching his vehicle he was confronted by the armed suspect. The suspect demanded money from the victim. After obtaining money the suspect demanded the victim drive him to several stores in the area in an attempt to purchase items and return them for cash.

After attempting this several time unsuccessfully the suspect demanded the victim to take him to the bank and get out cash. The victim drove into the parking lot of the bank and exited the car. The suspect remained in the car still armed with a handgun. Once inside the bank the victim notified the bank employees of what was happening and they called the police.

Upon the arrival of officers they located the victim’s vehicle; the suspect was seated in the vehicle and taken into custody without incident. The suspect was arrested for multiple counts of robbery, criminal threats, burglary, and the use of a firearm during a robbery.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempt Homicide
DATE/TIME:	04/04/2010 0100
LOCATION:	1300 Block of Gardenia Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Garcia, Oscar Garcia
PREPARED BY:	Sr. Officer Ricardo Vazquez
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sr. Officer Ricardo Vazquez

DETAILS:

On April 04, 2010 at approximately 1:00am, Oxnard Police Officers received a call of a possible shooting victim in the 1300 block of Gardenia Street. Upon arrival, one victim was found with a gunshot wound to the face. The victim was transported to a local hospital and listed in serious condition.

Oscar Barron Garcia, a 23 year old male, was arrested in connection with the shooting. The victim’s information is being with held as the investigation is still on-going.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Detective Ricardo Vazquez of the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7760.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Cultivation of marijuana for sales arrest.
DATE/TIME:	March 30, 2010 1000 hours
LOCATION:	1000 block of Denver Place
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Marissa Pech 21 year-old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Violent Crimes Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Thomas (805) 385-7660

DETAILS:

On 3-30-10 during the early morning hours investigators assigned to the Violent Crimes Unit conducted a search warrant. This search warrant was to obtain tagging paraphernalia and additional associated items. During the search warrant investigators located a small grow of marijuana and evidence for sales paperwork.

The suspect Marissa Pech, 21 years of Oxnard was arrested for the cultivation of marijuana for sales and booked into the Ventura County jail. Investigators located additional items relating to the tagging investigation.

Tagging crimes in the city of Oxnard cost the city millions of dollars each year to clean up or abate. The city officials and police have a zero tolerance in dealing with taggers and the crimes they commit. Future arrests are pending.