News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 24, 2023

SUBJECT: Shots fired with multiple victims

LOCATION: 1900 Block Lantana Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Detective Roger Ramirez

On April 24^th at approximately 5:30PM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to the area of Gonzales Road and Ventura Road regarding several calls of shots fired. Officers contacted the occupants of a black sedan in the area. One of the occupants, a 32-year-old male, suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and was transported to a local hospital. He was listed in stable condition. Another occupant of the vehicle, a 27-year-old male, suffered a gunshot wound to his ear and was treated at the scene. Both victim’s injuries were non-life threatening.

Officers checked the area and located evidence of a shooting in the alley of the 1900 block of Lantana Street.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Roger Ramirez at 805-385-7686 or by email at [email protected].

Information can be reported online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and click on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous and still provide valuable information by calling Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 16, 2023

SUBJECT: DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrol Results

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7750 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Six impaired drivers arrested during simultaneous DUI checkpoint and saturation patrol.

On April 15, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department and California Highway Patrol – Ventura Office, held a simultaneous DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint at Victoria Avenue and Fifth Street and a city-wide DUI saturation patrol. The operations resulted in six arrests for impaired driving and nineteen citations.

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

Funding for this checkpoint and DUI enforcement patrols was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 17, 2023

SUBJECT: Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Enforcement

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7750 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct a traffic safety operation on April 20, 2023, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

The Oxnard Police Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

Pedestrians

· Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.

· Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.

· Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

· Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.

· Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

· Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

· Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

· Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

· Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.

· Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

· Avoid the door zone: do not ride too close to parked cars.

· If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

· Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 17, 2023

SUBJECT: Oxnard Police release Critical Incident Community Briefing video of officer involved shooting incident

LOCATION: 2000 block of East Bard Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 8AM-6PM) [email protected] (after hours)

The Oxnard Police Department is releasing a Critical Incident Community Briefing video of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred at approximately 6:00 P.M. on Friday, April 7, 2023.

The public can view the Critical Incident Community Briefing video on the Oxnard Police Department’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/aZUF4koU8mo. The link to the Critical Incident Community Briefing video will also be available on the Oxnard Police Department’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Viewer discretion is advised.

Chief Jason Benites stated: “The purpose of the video is to provide a general overview of what happened, hopefully answer questions that we realize may exist, as well as help discourage the spread of misinformation.”

The video also provides an explanation of the “less lethal” devices that were used prior to the officer involved shooting, as well as the functions and limitations of the officers’ body-worn cameras. Body worn cameras from all five officers present captured the incident from their respective positions.

Chief Benites added, “This video is in no way intended to offer an opinion or analysis of what transpired. Its scope is limited to presenting facts. It is focused only on the incident itself, and not beyond that…We encourage those watching the video to try to not arrive at a conclusion about the incident, as not all facts, evidence, and information have been corroborated or verified.”

The investigation is still ongoing. Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has additional information to contact Detective Charles Buttell at (805) 385-7688 or [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 22, 2023

SUBJECT: DEA National Prescription Take Back

LOCATION: Oxnard, California

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7623 (Tue-Fri, 10AM-8PM) [email protected]

On April 22, 2023, the Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit, Neighborhood Policing Team, K9 Unit, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hosted the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the country. DEA and its partners collected tablets, capsules, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.

Take Back Day offered free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide. In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 8,300 tons of medication from circulation since its inception. During today’s operation, about 364 pounds in prescription medication was collected.

For more information and to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses in the city of Oxnard. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 14, 2023

SUBJECT: Oxnard Police Department “Shoulder Tap” Operation

LOCATION: Oxnard, California

CONTACT: Corporal Steven Ramirez II, F.A.C.T. Compliance Officer

(805) 385-3920 (Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm) | [email protected]

Oxnard Police Department arrest two in Underage Drinking Enforcement Operation

The Oxnard Police Department arrested two individuals during a “Shoulder Tap” operation on April 14, 2023, in Oxnard for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.

A “Shoulder Tap” operation focuses on adults who purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 21. A minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol. The minor also indicates they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the underage person, they can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

This enforcement operation is designed to create awareness about the dangers of underage drinking throughout California and keep communities safe. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This operation was funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.

Anyone requesting information may contact Corporal Steven Ramirez II at (805) 385-3920 or via email at [email protected]. If the inquiry is outside of the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage the use of the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more efficient way to reach the Investigator. Our Watch Commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 13, 2023

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrols

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7750 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Oxnard Police Department to hold DUI Checkpoint and use extra officers to patrol for suspected impaired drivers

The Oxnard Police Department and the California Highway Patrol – Ventura Office will have additional officers on patrol on Saturday, April 15, 2023, specifically looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In addition, the Oxnard Police Department and California Highway Patrol will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city. The DUI Checkpoint and DUI patrols will be from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

DUI checkpoints and patrols are done in locations with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

In 2018, 1,069 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above). The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take these precautions to avoid a DUI:

· Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation – to get home.

· Walking while impaired is also dangerous. Have someone sober walk you home or stay with you until a sober driver is available to pick you up.

· Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

· Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

A DUI arrest is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 13, 2023

SUBJECT: Oxnard Police release name of person shot by police, names of involved officers, and additional information

LOCATION: 2000 block of East Bard Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected] (after hours)

This supplemental news release will provide information concerning those persons involved in an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred shortly after 6 P.M. on Friday, April 7, 2023. The incident occurred in the 2000 block of East Bard Road in the City of Oxnard.

On Friday, April 7, 2023, at approximately 6:00 P.M., the Oxnard Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center received 9-1-1 calls from residents in the 2000 block of East Bard Road. The callers reported that a man with a knife was threatening residents. One caller stated that the male had chased her husband with a knife.

The deceased subject from the incident has been identified as eighteen year-old Oxnard resident Christian Baltazar Torrez.

Sergeant Todd Johnson, and Officers Jarrod Sheffield, Dan Casse, Randi Vines, and Kyle Hay were the Oxnard Police Department personnel that responded to the call. Officer Sheffield was the one officer that discharged a firearm.

The involved officers' tenure is listed as follows:

● Sergeant Todd Johnson has been employed by the Oxnard Police Department since January 2003.

● Officer Dan Casse has been employed by the Oxnard Police Department since January 2002.

● Officer Randi Vines has been employed by the Oxnard Police Department since April 2017.

● Officer Jarrod Sheffield has been employed by the Oxnard Police Department since April 2021.

● Officer Kyle Hay has been an Oxnard police officer since July 2021. Prior to becoming an Oxnard police officer, he was a deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for almost three years.

All of the involved officers are assigned to the Oxnard Police Department’s Patrol Division. None of the involved officers have previously been involved in a fatal shooting incident.

At the time of this news release, Officer Sheffield is on paid administrative leave. This is standard procedure for officers that are involved in incidents such as this, and a date of his return to work is being developed. The remaining officers are currently in service in their respective assignments.

Per Oxnard Police Chief Jason Benites, the department now plans to release a critical incident community briefing video to the public during the week of April 17, 2023. The video will provide an overview of the incident, as well as show the involved officers’ body-worn camera videos at the time of the shooting.

Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has additional information to contact Detective Chip Buttell at (805) 385-7688 or [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: Friday, April 7, 2023

SUBJECT: Man brandishing knife at residents leads to officer involved shooting

LOCATION: 2000 block of East Bard Road, Oxnard

SUSPECT: 18-year old Hispanic male, Oxnard resident, name withheld

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 8AM-6PM) | [email protected] (after hours)

At approximately 6:00 P.M. on April 7, 2023, residents in the 2000 block of East Bard Road called the Oxnard Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center to report that a person was brandishing and threatening residents with a knife. Oxnard Police Officers responded to the location to investigate.

When officers arrived on scene, they located the suspect, an 18-year old Hispanic male inside a green truck. The truck belonged to a resident, who had not given the suspect permission to enter his vehicle. The officers gave the suspect several commands to exit the truck, and he did not readily comply.

After approximately five minutes, the suspect exited the truck, and began walking towards the officers. The officers saw that the suspect was holding a knife in his left hand. The suspect walked in the direction of the officers as the officers commanded the suspect to drop the knife.

There were four police officers and a patrol sergeant at the scene of this incident. Three of the officers drew their handguns, one officer had a “less lethal” shotgun, and the patrol sergeant drew their taser.

As the suspect continued to walk in the direction of the officers, the sergeant deployed their taser. The taser probes contacted the suspect but had minimal effect; the suspect was able to continue moving towards the officers. The officer with the less lethal shotgun fired one “bean bag” round at the suspect, which caused the suspect to fall to the ground. The suspect quickly got back on his feet, knife in hand, in close proximity to officers, when one police officer fired their Department-issued handgun at the suspect. The suspect fell to the ground after being shot.

The officers called for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and provided life saving efforts, including CPR, until EMS personnel arrived on scene. An ambulance transported the suspect to the Ventura County Medical Center, and he was pronounced deceased at approximately 7:00 P.M.

The victims who reported the initial brandishing of a knife by the suspect were interviewed by officers and detectives, and provided detailed statements.

The police officers' body-worn cameras captured the entire incident. The Oxnard Police Department will share this footage in a Community Critical Incident Debriefing video next week.

In accordance with standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, the involved officers have been placed on administrative leave as the investigation progresses.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, in conjunction with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, is investigating the incident. Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident, or has additional information to contact Detective Chip Buttell at (805) 385-7688 or [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 6, 2023

SUBJECT: Narcotic Sales / Gun Arrest

SUSPECTS: Edgar Vasquez Lopez, 20 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 100 block North Garfield Avenue, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7620 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) [email protected]

During the month of March 2023, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), with the assistance of the Violent Crimes Unit, began an investigation into Edgar Vasquez Lopez being involved in the sale of narcotics. The investigation allowed DEU detectives to develop enough evidence to obtain a search warrant.

On April 6th, 2023, DEU detectives, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Neighborhood Policing Team, executed a search warrant at the residence of Mr. Lopez. The search of the residence yielded a large quantity of suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and “M30” fentanyl pills. In addition, investigators located a 9-millimeter Glock-style Polymer 80 semi-automatic handgun. Further evidence of narcotics trafficking was seized along with a large quantity of US Currency.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, and 50 times more potent than heroin as a painkiller. Twenty-six percent of tablets tested in a DEA laboratory contained a lethal dose of fentanyl.”

Furthermore, Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms.

Mr. Lopez was charged with gun and narcotic sales related charges. He was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.