News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 22, 2022 (2:50 AM)

SUBJECT: Parolee at Large Arrested After Barricading in Residence, K9 Assists in Apprehension

SUSPECTS: Frank Morales, 37-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 1100 blk. of South Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

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

On July 22, 2022, with the assistance of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Oxnard K9 Unit, and the Oxnard Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Unit (UAV), the Oxnard SWAT Team served an arrest warrant at an apartment complex in the 1100 blk. of South Oxnard Blvd. The felony warrant was regarding Frank Morales, a documented Oxnard criminal street gang member and parolee at large. Morales’ warrant had a “caution code” attached indicating Morales had “violent tendencies”.

Oxnard SWAT officers surrounded the residence, announced their presence, and called for residents to exit the apartment. After the residents failed to comply, SWAT team members forced entry to the apartment and gave additional announcements. Officers made contact with an adult female and child and escorted them from the residence. Officers continued to make announcements for Morales to exit the residence and Morales failed to comply. Officers attempted to negotiate with Morales for over an hour utilizing the PA system from one of the armored rescue vehicles (ARV) with negative results.

SWAT officers notified neighboring apartments and assisted residents with evacuation. SWAT officers, with the assistance of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, inserted chemical irritants into the residence. Morales emerged from a room inside of the residence to avoid the chemical irritants. Officers gave Morales surrender commands and Morales failed to comply.

After several warnings and opportunities to comply, Oxnard PD K9 Rocky was deployed and Morales was taken into custody. Morales was treated at the scene by a TEMS Specialist (Oxnard Fire personnel attached to the Oxnard SWAT Team) and then escorted downstairs to EMS.

Morales was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for further treatment prior to being booked for his felony warrant.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit and SWAT Team members are 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: July 22, 2022, 1:00 P.M.

SUBJECT: Missing Juvenile

MISSING: Maria Castro Rodriguez, 13-year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 700 block of Cuesta Del Mar Drive, Oxnard

CONTACT: Scott Aaron, Sergeant

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

The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a juvenile that voluntarily left her home in the 700 block of Cuesta Del Mar Drive in Oxnard.

Police are looking for 13-year-old Maria Castro Rodriguez. Rodriguez left her residence, where she was living with her parents, after a verbal dispute on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Rodriguez’s mother reported to the police on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at about 3:00 P.M., that her daughter was gone. Police also learned that days before Rodriguez left, she was staying with friends that live in the Southwinds neighborhood. A neighbor saw Rodriguez get into a gray Honda four-door driven by an unknown male. The vehicle was last seen westbound on Cuesta Del Mar Drive.

Rodriguez is described as a Hispanic female, 5’1” tall, 90 pounds. When she left home, she was wearing a gray t-shirt, red shorts, and blue sandals. Rodriguez has a birthmark on her forehead over her left eye.

Detectives with the Family Protection Unit are following up on all leads and are attempting to locate Rodriguez. If you see Rodriguez, please contact the Oxnard Police Department dispatch center at (805) 385-7740.

Maria Rodriguez was found safe and unharmed.

Thank you

On Fri, Jul 22, 2022 at 12:54 PM Aaron, Scott <scott.aaron@oxnardpd.org> wrote:

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 22, 2022, 1:00 P.M.

SUBJECT:               Missing Juvenile

MISSING: Maria Castro Rodriguez, 13-year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 700 block of Cuesta Del Mar Drive, Oxnard

CONTACT:               Scott Aaron, Sergeant

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

The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a juvenile that voluntarily left her home in the 700 block of Cuesta Del Mar Drive in Oxnard.

Police are looking for 13-year-old Maria Castro Rodriguez. Rodriguez left her residence, where she was living with her parents, after a verbal dispute on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Rodriguez’s mother reported to the police on Thursday, July 21, 2022, at about 3:00 P.M., that her daughter was gone. Police also learned that days before Rodriguez left, she was staying with friends that live in the Southwinds neighborhood. A neighbor saw Rodriguez get into a gray Honda four-door driven by an unknown male. The vehicle was last seen westbound on Cuesta Del Mar Drive.

Rodriguez is described as a Hispanic female, 5’1” tall, 90 pounds. When she left home, she was wearing a gray t-shirt, red shorts, and blue sandals. Rodriguez has a birthmark on her forehead over her left eye.

Detectives with the Family Protection Unit are following up on all leads and are attempting to locate Rodriguez. If you see Rodriguez, please contact the Oxnard Police Department dispatch center at (805) 385-7740.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 22, 2022

SUBJECT: Narcotics Sales Arrest

SUSPECTS: Leopoldo Garcia, 34 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 800 Block of Trinidad Way, Oxnard

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

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

During the month of July, 2022, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the South District Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT) began an investigation regarding narcotics sales occurring in the Blackstock Neighborhood. During the investigation, Leopoldo Garcia was identified as being involved in the sale of Methamphetamine in the surrounding area. DEU Detectives developed enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for narcotics sales.

On July 22, 2022, with the assistance of South District NPT Officers, Leopoldo Garcia was observed driving a vehicle and a traffic enforcement stop was initiated. During a search of the vehicle, Garcia was found in possession of Methamphetamine for sale. A search warrant was served at Garcia’s residence and a large quantity of methamphetamine and further evidence of narcotics sales was located.

Garcia was arrested for possession for sale of Methamphetamine and transportation of Methamphetamine, both felonies. He was booked into Ventura County Jail.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing narcotics related overdoses within Oxnard neighborhoods. 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: July 21, 2022 (4:30 PM)

SUBJECT: Prohibited Person / Documented Gang Member Arrested for Firearms Possession

SUSPECTS: Alex Valenzuela, 21-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 400 blk. W. Pleasant Valley Rd., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

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

On July 21, 2022, at approximately 4:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle, in the 400 blk. of W. Pleasant Valley Rd. that was observed committing several traffic infractions. Officers contacted the occupants of the vehicle. During the contact officers learned that the right front passenger, identified as Alex Valenzuela, was on probation for two prior firearms possession convictions and had search terms.

Officers had Valenzuela exit the vehicle to exercise his search terms and located a loaded 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun next to where Valenzuela was seated. Valenzuela was arrested for possessing the handgun. Valenzuela is a documented Oxnard criminal street gang member and a prohibited person based on his prior weapons convictions. This is Valenzuela’s third firearm arrest in approximately two years.

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: July 21, 2022

SUBJECT: Overdose investigation leads to Narcotics Sales Arrest

SUSPECTS: Abel Mejia, 44 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 3000 Block of Albany Drive, Oxnard

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

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

During the month of July, 2022, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), the South District Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT), and Homeless Liaison Officers (HLO’s) began an investigation regarding an increase in drug use and drug overdoses occurring in the area of Yucca Street and Saviers Road. During the investigation, Abel Mejia was identified as being involved in the sale of Fentanyl in the surrounding area. DEU Detectives developed enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for narcotics sales.

On July 21, 2022, with the assistance of South District NPT Officers, Abel Mejia was observed driving a vehicle and a traffic enforcement stop was initiated. During a search of the vehicle, Mejia was found in possession of Fentanyl for sale. A search warrant was served at Abel Mejia’s residence and further evidence of narcotics sales was located.

Abel Mejia was arrested for possession for sale of Fentanyl and transportation of Fentanyl, both felonies. He was booked into Ventura County Jail.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 21, 2022

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

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

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

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

The Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol on Saturday, July 23, 2022, specifically looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In addition, the Oxnard Police Department 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: July 21, 2022, 1:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: Suspect Arrested for Child Exploitation Material

LOCATION: 600 block Northport Lane, Oxnard

MISSING PERSON: Charles Hebrard, 44-year-old, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Scott Aaron, Sergeant

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

On July 21, 2022, at about 8:00 A.M., after a seven-month-long investigation into the possession and distribution of child exploitation material, detectives from the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit and members of the Southern California High Tech Crimes Task Force served a search warrant at a residence in the 600 block of Northport Lane in the City of Oxnard.

During the subsequent investigation and search of electronic devices in the residence, Mr. Hebrard was identified as the suspect in this case. Mr. Hebrard was arrested for one count of possession/control of matter depicting sexual conduct of a person under 18, one count of possession of child pornography with intent to distribute, and one count of bringing obscene matter into or distributing within the state. Mr. Hebrard was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on a bail amount of $50,000.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind the public that possessing child pornography is a felony and can be punishable with imprisonment in State Prison. In addition to being captured in images and videos, many children depicted are often the victims of sexual assault, exploitation, or human trafficking. The Oxnard Police Department is committed to protecting the safety of our youth, and the continuing investigation of these crimes against children will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted.

Anyone with information regarding Mr. Hebard or the possession of child pornography is encouraged to contact Detective Kevin Adair with the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit at (805) 385-7663. For additional information on how to report child pornography, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com.

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 also 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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 12, 2022, 10:06 p.m.

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian

LOCATION: Fourth St at C Street, Oxnard

DRIVER/VEHICLE: Jesus Magana Estrada, 26-year-old male of Oxnard, CA

2015 Volkswagen Jetta

PEDESTRIAN: Name withheld pending next-of-kin

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7749 | mike.wood@oxnardpd.org

On July 12, 2022, at approximately 10:06 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a call for service regarding a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred at Fourth Street and C Street.

Initial investigation revealed a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by Jesus Magana Estrada, was traveling northbound on C Street towards Fourth Street. A pedestrian (name withheld), was crossing the street in a crosswalk when the collision occurred. The driver of the Volkswagen remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Based on the initial investigation, Officers did not believe that speed or alcohol were a contributing factor to the collision. The pedestrian was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition.

On July 18, 2022, the Oxnard Police Department was notified that the pedestrian had succumbed to his injuries he sustained from the collision. Traffic Investigators are now taking over the investigation to determine the cause of the collision.

If anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Corporal Mike Wood at (805) 385-7749 or via email at mike.wood@oxnardpd.org. Also, anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600.

Please disregard the last press release. Updated press release is attached. Thank you.