News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 2, 2022, 1:43 PM

SUBJECT: Men stopped for public drinking at park had gun

LOCATION: Del Sol Park, 1500 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard

SUSPECT(S): Joshua Vaca, 18, & Anthony Bivens, 21, both Oxnard residents

PREPARED BY: Luis Mc Arthur, Commander

(805) 207-4762 | [email protected]

CONTACT: Luis Mc Arthur, Commander

(805) 207-4762 | [email protected]

OXNARD, CA – On Saturday, July 2, 2022, at around 1:43 p.m., an Oxnard officer patrolling near Del Park, 1500 Colonia Rd. spotted two men drinking near the restrooms. The men immediately fled into the restroom when they saw the officer.

One of the men, Joshua Vaca came out, but was immediately resistive and was wrestled to the ground. He had a loaded .22 caliber pistol concealed in his pants. The other subject, Anthony Bivens threatened to intercede and hurt the officer if he did not let go of his friend. Other officers responded to help and were able to stop Bivens as he tried to flee through the park. Bivens ditched a knife near a trash can before he was stopped.

Vaca and Bivens were charged with weapons and Bivens faces an additional charge of threatening an officer. The two men were booked in Ventura County Jail.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 4, 2022; 1:54AM

SUBJECT: Hit and Run into Residence / Structure Fire

SUSPECTS: Unknown

LOCATION: 2000 Block of North Ventura Road

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On July 4, 2022, at about 1:54 a.m., Oxnard Police officers and Oxnard Fire personnel responded to the 2000 block of North Ventura Road in reference to a vehicle driving into an apartment complex causing a structure fire to one of the apartments. All of the occupants from the apartment complex were evacuated and no injuries were reported. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene prior to the officer's arrival. The structure fire was extinguished by the Oxnard Fire Department. Edison, Southern California Gas Company, and a city of Oxnard Building Inspector responded to the scene. Unfortunately, one of the apartments was deemed unsafe for the resident to return inside and was displaced. The investigation into the driver of the vehicle is ongoing.

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: June 30, 2022 (9:30 PM)

SUBJECT: Prohibited Persons / Documented Criminal Street Gang Members Arrested for Firearms Possession

SUSPECTS: Marco Juarez, 31-year-old Oxnard resident

Louie Duran, 35-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: \J St. at Bard Rd., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On June 30, 2022, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at J St. and Bard Rd. Officers had prior knowledge that Marco Juarez was in the vehicle and that he had a felony warrant for a PROS violation with an original commitment offense of felony domestic violence. The Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – that was effective October 1, 2011. This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious (irrespective of priors) or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent committing offense. Prior convictions are not considered.

A second occupant in the vehicle, Louie Duran, was also found to have a warrant. Juarez and Duran were both arrested for their warrants. Officers searched the vehicle pursuant to the terms of Juarez’ supervised release and located a loaded M&P 9-millimeter handgun, and a loaded 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.

Juarez and Duran both documented criminal street gang members with prior felony convictions. The prior felony convictions make them both prohibited persons. Duran and Juarez were both charged with their warrants and for felony firearms 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: July 1, 2022

SUBJECT: Fourth of July DUI Enforcement

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7749 | [email protected]

Stay Safe and Celebrate Fourth of July Weekend Responsibly

Oxnard, Calif. – The Oxnard Police Department reminds drivers to plan ahead and celebrate the holiday safely and responsibly.

This weekend and through Monday, July 4, the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

In 2020, nearly 500 people were killed in crashes throughout the country during the Fourth of July weekend. Of those deadly crashes, 41% involved alcohol.

According to AAA Southern California, more than five million Californians will travel over the 4th of July holiday. With most traveling by car, allow extra time to get to your destination.

While some festivities may include alcohol, driving under the influence also includes impairment from prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana. Do your research and be informed about how certain drugs may affect your driving ability.

If you are hosting friends and family for barbecues and watching fireworks shows, offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking. If you see people leaving who have been drinking, offer to have them stay the night or make arrangements for them to take a sober ride home. If you see someone who appears impaired or driving recklessly, call 9-1-1.

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: June 29, 2022 (7:40 PM)

SUBJECT: Documented Criminal Street Gang Members Found in Possession of P80 Semi-automatic Firearms / Follow Up Search Warrant Yields “Ghost” Semi-automatic Rifles

SUSPECTS: Michael Espinoza, 33-year-old Port Hueneme resident

Fidel Rojas, 22-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Ventura Rd. at Scott St., Port Hueneme

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On June 29, 2022, at approximately 7:40 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of Ventura Rd. and Scott St. Officers contacted the driver pursuant to a search warrant. The driver, Michael Espinoza, and passenger, Fidel Rojas, were removed from the vehicle. Espinoza and Rojas are documented Oxnard criminal street gang members.

Officers searched the vehicle and located a loaded .40 caliber Glock-style Polymer 80 semi-automatic handgun and a loaded 9-millimeter Glock 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 arrested Espinoza and Rojas for felony firearms possession.

Special Enforcement Unit Officers followed up by serving a search warrant at Espinoza’s residence, located in the 100 blk. of East C St., in the city of Port Hueneme. Officers located a bag containing two completed, 80%, semi-automatic, .223 caliber rifles and two loaded 30 round magazines. 80% rifles are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. Officers examined the rifles and noted fresh metal shavings on the rifles. Fresh metal shavings can be indicative of a ghost firearm that was recently assembled. Officers continued to search and located a drill press which is often used to further assemble P80 handguns and 80% rifles.

22-46195 gun.JPG

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 27, 2022, at 7:35 P.M.

SUBJECT: Dispute Results in Death of a Man in Oxnard

LOCATION: 1800 block of Arcadia Street, Oxnard, CA

VICTIM: Steven Rodriguez, 43 year old, Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT: Hispanic Male, 37 year old, (Deceased) (Name Withheld Pending Family Notification)

CONTACT: Edgar Fernandez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7763 | [email protected]

On Monday, June 27, 2022, at approximately 7:35 P.M., the Oxnard Police Department received a call of a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the torso, in the 1800 block of Arcadia Street. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered that the male shooting victim had been transported to St. John Medical Center by private vehicle. The shooting victim, a 37 year old male, was subsequently transported to the Ventura County Medical Center and immediately taken into emergency surgery. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. His name is being withheld until notification has been made to his family.

A second victim was transported to Ventura County Medical Center. It was determined that Steven Rodriguez had been stabbed several times in the upper torso. The stabbing had also taken place during the altercation on Arcadia Street. Rodriguez’s wounds are believed to be non-life threatening.

Investigators were called to the scene. Detectives are in the preliminary stages of the investigation, but it is believed that Rodriguez was inside of his residence when the 37 year old entered Rodriguez’s home and an altercation ensued. During this altercation, Rodriguez was stabbed and the 37 year old male was shot. It is believed that both parties knew each other prior to this incident. The nature of the dispute is currently under investigation.

Investigators are encouraging anyone who has any information, may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Ken Tougas (805) 200-5669. The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City of Oxnard.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have video recorded or photographed all or part of the incident, to upload your media directly to the investigators via the following link: https://oxnardpd.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/1800arcadia

All submissions are immediately logged into the Oxnard Police Department’s digital evidence system. Contact information is not stored by Axon and community members can remain anonymous, choosing to upload their files without providing contact information.

Also, 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.

DATE/ TIME: June, 27, 2022 at 2:00 A.M.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 25, 2022; 7:20PM

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECTS: Darwin Rosas, 27 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Yucca and “B” Streets , Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a vehicle code violation at Yucca and “B” Streets. Rosas was the right rear passenger in this vehicle.

During the officers’ investigation, they observed a handgun on the floorboard where Rosas was seated. The handgun was a loaded 9mm handgun. Rosas was arrested for multiple firearms violations. The other occupants of the vehicle were detained, but later released at the scene.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 26, 2022

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

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Sergeant

(805) 200-2337 | [email protected]

Two impaired drivers arrested during a DUI checkpoint and saturation patrols

On June 25, 2022, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., Oxnard Police officers held a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint on Pleasant Valley Road west of Saviers Road. Specially trained officers also conducted a citywide DUI enforcement saturation. The checkpoint and DUI saturation patrols resulted in two DUI arrests and 24 traffic citations.

Checkpoint locations and DUI saturation patrols 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: June 23, 2022

SUBJECT: Narcotics Sales Arrest / Firearm Arrest

SUSPECTS: Francisco Dimas Sr, 42 year-old Oxnard Resident

Francisco Dimas Jr, 22 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 500 Block of East Channel Islands Blvd, Oxnard

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

(805) 256-5121 [email protected]

During the month of June, 2022, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the South District Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT) began an investigation into narcotics activity occurring at a residence located in the 500 block of East Channel Islands Blvd. During the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant in reference to the narcotics activity at the residence.

On June 23, 2022, with the assistance of the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), and Oxnard K9 Unit, Francisco Dimas Sr. was located and detained while driving his vehicle. Once detained, SEU Officers, South District NPT, and DEU Detectives served the search warrant at the residence.

During a search of the residence, DEU Detectives located Francisco Dimas Jr. inside of a bedroom at the residence. Detectives conducted a search of the bedroom where Dimas Jr. was located and located a loaded firearm and narcotics. Dimas Jr. was placed under arrest for being in possession of a loaded firearm and narcotics, a felony.

Detectives searched through Dimas Sr.’s personal property and located a large quantity of cocaine, US Currency, and further evidence of narcotics sales. Dimas was arrested for narcotics sales, a felony. Dimas Sr. has a prior arrest and conviction for narcotics sales.

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: June 24, 2022

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

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal | (805) 385-7749 | [email protected]

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, June 25, 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 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 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.

Paul Carganilla

Community Affairs Manager

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

email: [email protected]

251 South C Street, Oxnard, CA 93030