NEWS RELEASE | National Teen Driver Safety Week | 10/14/22

  NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:         October 14, 2022

SUBJECT:  National Teen Driver Safety Week

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal   

         (805) 385-7749 | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department Reminds Parents Are Key to Keeping Teens Safe Behind the Wheel

 

National Teen Driver Safety Week kicks off October 16

 

Oxnard Calif. – In recognition of National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22), The Oxnard Police Department encourages teens and their parents to talk about the importance of following the rules of the road and driving responsibly. 

 

Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 2,378 teenagers died in car crashes in 2020 – a 14% increase from the prior year. Per mile driven, teen drivers are nearly four times as likely to be involved in a crash as drivers in all other age groups.

 

The Oxnard Police Department offers the following tips to parents and guardians for starting conversations about safe driving with teens:

• • Provisional Driver’s License : Learn about California’s provisional licensing law, which places restrictions on passengers and driving at night during the first year they have a license.

• Lead by example: Have driving sessions with your teen. Tell, but also show your teen how to drive safely.

• Set ground rules: Be firm on rules such as no phone use, being distracted by friends, always following the speed limit, and always buckling up.

• Sober driving: Emphasize the importance of never driving under the influence or riding with someone who has been drinking.

 

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: October 13, 2022 (6:30 PM) 

SUBJECT: Juvenile Prohibited Person / Documented Criminal Street Gang Member Found in Possession of P80 Semi-automatic Firearm

SUSPECTS:  17-year-old Bakersfield resident

LOCATION:  North alley of the 1900 blk. of San Gorgonio, Oxnard

CONTACT:   Bakari Myers, Sergeant

                      (805) 797-6202 | bakari.myers@Oxnardpd.org

 

On October 13, 2022, at approximately 6:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) contacted occupants in a parked vehicle.  The vehicle was occupied by two female adults, and a 17-year-old juvenile.  One of the adults had their infant with them.  Officers immediately recognized the 17-year-old juvenile as a documented criminal street gang member with prior convictions for robbery.  During the contact with the occupants, officers noticed an open alcoholic beverage container in the vehicle.  All of the occupants in the vehicle were under the legal age to possess or consume alcohol.  

 

Officers began removing the occupants from the vehicle to retrieve the open alcoholic beverage.  When officers removed the 17-year-old, the juvenile admitted to possessing a firearm in the vehicle.  Officers removed the remaining occupants and recovered an unloaded 9-millimeter Glock-style Polymer 80 semi-automatic handgun.  Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms.  Officers continued to search the vehicle and located a handgun magazine loaded with15 rounds, and 1 loose live round in the vehicle.

 

The 17-year-old was arrested for numerous felony firearms violations and transported to the Juvenile Justice Center.  The two adult females were released at the scene.  The adult female with the infant was found not to be under the influence of alcohol and was found not to have committed any child endangerment violations.  

 

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city.  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.  You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.  Booking photographs for adult felony arrest available on the department website:  www.oxnardpd.org under crime & safety, and booking / call logs.  

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE: October 13, 2022

DATE OF INCIDENT: October 9, 2022, at 7:43 p.m. and 8:56 p.m.

SUBJECT: Carjacking Suspect Arrested

LOCATION: Attempted Carjacking – 600 block West Vineyard Ave

Carjacking – 500 block of Forest Park Boulevard

VICTIM: 20 Year-Old Female Oxnard Resident

53 Year-Old Male Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT: Andrew Cornish, 19 Year-Old Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Carey Everhart, Detective

(805) 486-6228 | carey.everhart@Oxnardpd.org

On October 9, 2022 at approximately 7:43 p.m. Oxnard Police Department officers were dispatched to the 600 block of West Vineyard Avenue in reference to an attempted carjacking that had just occurred. When officers arrived, they contacted the female victim who said the suspect approached her as she was retrieving items from her vehicle. The suspect produced a handgun and demanded she give him the vehicle. The victim refused and ran to her apartment and called police. The suspect fled prior to officers arrival. 

Just over an hour later, at approximately 8:56 p.m. officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Forest Park Boulevard in reference to a carjacking that had just occurred. Officers contacted the victim who said he was outside of his vehicle when the suspect approached him, put a handgun to his back and demanded his vehicle, wallet, phone and a necklace he was wearing. The victim handed over these items and the suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle. 

Investigators with the Violent Crimes Unit began investigating these cases. Early in the investigation, it was believed the crimes were committed by the same suspect. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the suspect, 19-year-old Oxnard resident Andrew Cornish, was responsible for both crimes. Cornish, who was in custody at Ventura County Main Jail for two armed robberies he committed in the early morning hours of October 10, 2022 in the City of Ventura, was contacted by investigators and arrested for attempted carjacking and carjacking.  If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Carey Everhart at 805-486-6228 or carey.everhart@oxnardpd.org. 

Information can be reported online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnard.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.

DATE:         October 12, 2022

SUBJECT:  National Walk and Roll to School Day

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal   

         (805) 385-7749 | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department Supports National Walk and Roll to School Day Oct. 12

 

The Oxnard Police Department encourages parents and students to join their classmates and walk, bike, or roll to class Oct. 12.

 

“Walk and Roll to School Day” is celebrated annually to highlight the benefits of exercise and practice pedestrian and road safety with other students, families, and caregivers.

 

The Oxnard Police Department offers tips for students who walk, bike, or roll to school:

• Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk or ride as far from cars as possible, facing traffic.
• Use crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets with fewer lanes and lower speed limits.
• Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street. 
• Watch for cars entering/leaving driveways or parking spaces.
• Always wear a helmet when riding or rolling.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Keep earbud or headphone volume low enough so you can still hear around you.

 

Drivers should be extra careful and anticipate more foot and bike traffic the morning of Oct. 12, as well as be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing the street. Drivers should always watch their speed and slow down in school zones.

 

Schools are encouraged to register at walkbiketoschool.org as a way of tracking participation and showing support for active, healthy, and safe transportation. 

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

DATE:           October 8, 2022

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

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 | jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

 

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

 

On October 7, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department held a simultaneous DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint at Oxnard Boulevard and Wagon Wheel Road and a city-wide DUI saturation patrol.  The operations resulted in four arrests for impaired driving, three arrests for driving on a suspended license for a previous DUI, and twenty 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.

 

DATE: October 6, 2022 at 10:40PM

SUBJECT: Person Arrested for Firearm Possession

SUSPECTS:  Brian Ramos Aquino, 19 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 100 block of West Pleasant Valley Road, Oxnard

CONTACT:   Kevin Baysinger, Commander

                      (805) 385-7600 | kevin.baysinger@Oxnardpd.org

 

On the above date and time, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a vehicle driving recklessly in the 100 block of west Pleasant Valley Road.  Officers arrived on scene and located the vehicle, a white Infiniti, speeding in the area.  The vehicle was stopped for vehicle code violations and the occupants were contacted.  

 

During the stop, officers learned there were illegal substances in the vehicle.  A search was conducted and officers located a loaded firearm under the passenger’s seat that belonged to Aquino.  He was arrested for firearms-related violations.  Two other occupants in the vehicle were released at the scene.  

 

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.  You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.  Booking photographs for adult felony arrest available on the department website:  www.oxnardpd.org under crime & safety, and booking / call logs.  

 

DATE: October 6, 2022 

SUBJECT: Oxnard Man Arrested for Selling Drugs near an Elementary School

SUSPECTS: Francisco Cortez, 45 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 200 block East Hemlock Street, Oxnard 

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

                      (805) 256-5121  Brandon.Ordelheide@oxnardpd.org

 

During the month of September 2022, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the South District Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT) began an investigation regarding an unknown subject selling drugs near an elementary school in the Cal-Gisler neighborhood. During the investigation, detectives identified a residence in the 200 block of East Hemlock Street as being involved in the on-going drugs sales. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence.

 

On October 6, 2022 Oxnard NPT Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle involved in the drug sales and contacted the driver, Francisco Cortez. Cortez was found to have an outstanding felony arrest warrant for a narcotics sales arrest in 2019 and a misdemeanor warrant for narcotics possession. Cortez was placed under arrest for his outstanding warrants and the search warrant was served at his residence. During the search warrant, detectives located a large quantity of methamphetamine, a 9mm altered blank gun, and further evidence of drug sales. 

 

Cortez was additionally charged with possession for sales of methamphetamine within a thousand feet of a school, a felony. He is currently in custody at the Oxnard Police Department with a bail amount of $160,000. 

   

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. 

 

DATE:         October 5, 2022

SUBJECT:  Traffic Safety, Education, and Enforcement Grant

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal   

         (805) 385-7749 | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

 

Oxnard Police Department Awarded $500,000 Grant to Deter Unsafe Behaviors, Increase Safety on Roads

The Oxnard Police Department will increase patrols throughout the community and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads. 

 

The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including: 

• DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
• High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
• Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk. 
• Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.
• Community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, bicycle and pedestrian safety.

• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

 

The grant program will run through September 2023.

 

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