News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 13, 2022

SUBJECT: Subjects Arrested for Firearm Possession

SUSPECTS: Christian Rojas, 27 year old Oxnard resident

Daniel Morales, 25 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: City of Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

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

On Saturday, August 13^th, at approximately 3:30PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation on a black Chevy Silverado truck at 6^th and A Streets in Oxnard. Officers noticed that the driver, Rojas, showed signs of impairment. Additionally, officers observed open containers of alcohol in the vehicle. Rojas and the vehicle’s other two occupants, right front passenger Morales and a third occupant were removed from the vehicle in order to conduct a DUI investigation on Rojas.

Rojas was ultimately arrested for DUI. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded revolver underneath the vehicle’s center console. This firearm was previously reported stolen. Rojas and Morales, both previously convicted felons, were also arrested for multiple firearms violations. The rear passenger was arrested for outstanding misdemeanor warrants.

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: August 13, 2022

SUBJECT: Subject Arrested for Firearm Possession

SUSPECTS: Reynaldo Palazuelos, 45 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: City of Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

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

On Saturday, August 13^th, at approximately 8:40PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department contacted the occupants of a vehicle parked in the 200 block of West Sixth Street. The right front passenger, Palazuelos, was found to be on parole. Officers removed Palazuelos and the driver from the vehicle, and conducted a search of the vehicle.

During the search, officers located a loaded P80 handgun located in the right front passenger compartment. Palazuelos, a previously convicted felon, was arrested for numerous firearm violations. The driver of the vehicle was released at the scene.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 12, 2022

SUBJECT: Fatal Traffic Collision Involving a Vehicle and Pedestrian

LOCATION: West Seventh Street at South A Street, Oxnard

DRIVER/VEHICLE: Male, 38 year-old Oxnard resident / 2020 GMC Sierra 2500

PEDESTRIAN: Carmen Ramirez, 73 year-old Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Corporal Andrew Pinkstaff, Traffic Investigator | (805) 385-7750 | andrew.pinkstaff@oxnardpd.org

At approximately 6:40 PM on August 12, 2022, officers from the Oxnard Police Department and E.M.S. personnel responded to a call for service regarding a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. The collision occurred at West Seventh Street and South A Street, in downtown Oxnard.

The initial investigation determined that a 2020 GMC Sierra, driven by a 38-year-old male, was traveling westbound on Seventh Street towards A Street. The pedestrian, who was reported to be crossing the intersection within the crosswalk, was struck by the vehicle. The pedestrian has been identified as former Oxnard City Council Mayor Pro Tem, and current District 5 Chair of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors Carmen Ramirez.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

Supervisor Ramirez was transported to a local hospital. Unfortunately, she did not survive her injuries.

At the time of this news release, Oxnard Police Department traffic investigators are on scene and continuing with their investigation.

An additional news release from the City of Oxnard is forthcoming.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is urged to contact Corporal Andrew Pinkstaff at (805) 385-7750 or via email at andrew.pinkstaff@oxnardpd.org.

Paul Carganilla

Community Affairs Manager

phone: (805) 385-7631 / mobile: (805) 342-8292

email: paul.carganilla@oxnardpd.org

251 South C Street, Oxnard, CA 93030

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 13, 2022; 12:30AM

SUBJECT: Subject Arrested for Firearm Possession

SUSPECTS: Richard Harja, 51 year old Port Hueneme resident

LOCATION: City of Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

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

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to the 2800 block of S. Harbor Boulevard reference a subject possibly in possession of a handgun. Once the officers arrived, they made contact with Harja, who matched the description given by the reporting party.

During the officers’ contact with Harja, officers located a firearm that Harja had concealed on himself. Officers were able to retrieve the firearm, and place Harja in handcuffs. The firearm was loaded, with one round in the chamber. Officers learned that he was a previously convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. Harja was arrested for multiple firearms violations, and transported to Ventura County Jail.

Maximiliano was safely located.

On Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 10:34 AM Aaron, Scott <scott.aaron@oxnardpd.org> wrote:

Correction, Maximiliano's age is 21 years old

On Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 10:29 AM Aaron, Scott <scott.aaron@oxnardpd.org> wrote:

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:                                  August 12, 2022, 10:30 A.M.

SUBJECT:                           At-Risk Missing Person

LOCATION:                       1400 block Port Drive, Oxnard

MISSING PERSON:            Maximiliano “Max” Zuniga -Guillen, 87-year-old, Oxnard

CONTACT:                           Scott Aaron, Sergeant

                                                (805) 385-7756 | Scott.Aaron@Oxnardpd.org

The Missing Persons Unit

                                                (805) 385-7629

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the community's assistance locating an autistic adult. Max Zuniga-Guillen is a 21-year-old Hispanic male, 5’8, 125 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. Max was last seen at his residence in Oxnard on the evening of August 11th, 2022. Max left his residence with a laptop computer and computer monitor. Max was wearing grey sweatpants with a white tie used for a belt for his pants and a charcoal-colored t-shirt.

Max Zuniga-Guillen is diagnosed with Aspergers and schizophrenia and takes medication.

Max’s family believes he would go to the Port Hueneme Library and shopping centers in the north-end of Oxnard.

If you have any information about Max, we ask that you contact the Oxnard Police Department dispatch immediately at (805) 385-7740.

Correction, Maximiliano's age is 21 years old

On Fri, Aug 12, 2022 at 10:29 AM Aaron, Scott <scott.aaron@oxnardpd.org> wrote:

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:                                  August 12, 2022, 10:30 A.M.

SUBJECT:                           At-Risk Missing Person

LOCATION:                       1400 block Port Drive, Oxnard

MISSING PERSON:            Maximiliano “Max” Zuniga -Guillen, 87-year-old, Oxnard

CONTACT:                           Scott Aaron, Sergeant

                                                (805) 385-7756 | Scott.Aaron@Oxnardpd.org

The Missing Persons Unit

                                                (805) 385-7629

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the community's assistance locating an autistic adult. Max Zuniga-Guillen is a 21-year-old Hispanic male, 5’8, 125 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. Max was last seen at his residence in Oxnard on the evening of August 11th, 2022. Max left his residence with a laptop computer and computer monitor. Max was wearing grey sweatpants with a white tie used for a belt for his pants and a charcoal-colored t-shirt.

Max Zuniga-Guillen is diagnosed with Aspergers and schizophrenia and takes medication.

Max’s family believes he would go to the Port Hueneme Library and shopping centers in the north-end of Oxnard.

If you have any information about Max, we ask that you contact the Oxnard Police Department dispatch immediately at (805) 385-7740.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 12, 2022, 10:30 A.M.

SUBJECT: At-Risk Missing Person

LOCATION: 1400 block Port Drive, Oxnard

MISSING PERSON: Maximiliano “Max” Zuniga -Guillen, 21-year-old, Oxnard

CONTACT: Scott Aaron, Sergeant

(805) 385-7756 | Scott.Aaron@Oxnardpd.org

The Missing Persons Unit

(805) 385-7629

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance locating an autistic adult. Max Zuniga-Guillen is a 21-year-old Hispanic male, 5’8, 125 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. Max was last seen at his residence in Oxnard on the evening of August 11th, 2022. Max left his residence with a laptop computer and computer monitor. Max was wearing grey sweatpants with a white tie used for a belt for his pants and a charcoal-colored t-shirt.

Max Zuniga-Guillen is diagnosed with Aspergers and schizophrenia and takes medication.

Max’s family believes he would go to the Port Hueneme Library and shopping centers in the north-end of Oxnard.

If you have any information about Max, we ask that you contact the Oxnard Police Department dispatch immediately at (805) 385-7740.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 10, 2022 (9:30 PM)

SUBJECT: Police pursue two vehicles; subjects arrested for firearms violations and Assault with a Deadly Weapon (vehicle)

SUSPECTS: Gary Morales, 31 year-old Oxnard resident

Gustavo Aguilar, 33-year-old Oxnard resident

Christian Frias, 28-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: City of Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

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

On the above date and time officers from the Oxnard Police Department attempted to stop a red Mitsubishi SUV at Teakwood and M Streets for a vehicle code violation. This vehicle failed to yield to the officer, and a pursuit followed. At the same time, a second vehicle, a blue Mercedes, attempted to interfere in this pursuit by inserting itself in between the Mitsubishi and the pursuing officer, preventing the officer from pursuing the Mitsubishi. At one point, the Mercedes attempted to intentionally collide with the officer’s unit, but was unsuccessful. Officers began pursuing both the Mitsubishi and Mercedes as they failed to yield to the officers.

The Mitsubishi finally yielded at Yucca Street and Saviers Road. The right rear passenger, Morales, exited and attempted to flee from officers while in possession of shotgun. Officers were able to detain Morales and located a second firearm, a handgun, on his person. Morales, a convicted felon and person prohibited from firearm possession, was arrested for multiple firearms violations and obstructing a peace officer. The left rear passenger of this vehicle, Aguilar, was found to be in possession of 9mm ammunition. Aguilar is a convicted felon and prohibited from owning/possessing ammunition. He was arrested for this violation. The female driver of this vehicle was arrested for evading an officer.

The Mercedes yielded in the 700 block of Polaris Way, in the city of Port Hueneme. The driver, Frias, was detained without further incident. Because he attempted to interfere with the pursuit of the Mitsubishi, and attempted to collide with the pursuing officer’s unit, Frias was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, reckless driving, and evading an officer, all felonies.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 9, 2022

SUBJECT: Back to School Safety Month

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

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

August is Back to School Safety Month: Slow Down and Look for Children in School Zones

Oxnard, Calif. – As students head back to the classroom, the Oxnard Police Department reminds parents and residents to follow the speed limit and be extra careful driving through school zones.

If you are behind a school bus with a stop sign and flashing red lights, drivers need to stop so students can safely get on and off the bus. Drivers must remain stopped while the red lights are on. Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or a center turn lane.

The Oxnard Police Department offers the following tips to stay safe around schools:

● Slow down and follow the speed limit.

● Adhere to school policies and procedures for dropping off and picking up students.

● Stop for school buses. Watch for children rushing to catch the bus or exiting.

● Whenever possible, avoid blocking the crosswalk while waiting to make a right-hand turn.

For parents with children walking or biking to school, teach them safe walking and riding behaviors, such as looking both ways before crossing the street, using sidewalks when available, and crossing at marked crosswalks with stop signs or signals.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 5, 2022

SUBJECT: Residential Burglary Arrest

LOCATION: 500 and 600 blocks of Eastwood Drive

VICTIM: Two Oxnard Residents

SUSPECT: Eduardo Madera, 35-Year-Old Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Jared Schacher, Property Crimes Detective

(805) 385-7594 | Jared.Schacher@oxnardpd.org

On July 17, 2022, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 500 and 600 blocks of Eastwood Drive, reference two burglaries that had occurred to occupied residences. It was learned the suspect entered the garage of the victim’s residences while they were asleep, and stole several items from the garage and from inside one of the residences. Eduardo Madera, an Oxnard resident, was contacted and found to be in possession of several stolen items from the burglaries. Madera was also captured on video using credit cards belonging to the victims. A thorough investigation was conducted and Madera was found to be responsible for the burglaries. He was subsequently arrested for two counts of 459 PC – first-degree residential burglary.

Madera may have committed similar crimes that were not reported to the Oxnard Police Department. If you believe you are a victim or witness of this or a similar crime, please contact Detective Jared Schacher at (805) 385-7594.

The Oxnard Police Department urges citizens to not become a victim of property crimes. Remember to always lock the doors to your house and vehicles. Do not leave any items in vehicles that can be obviously seen. Install cameras and lighting systems. If packages are regularly delivered to your residence, consider having a neighbor retrieve them or have them delivered to a holding locker.