News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: February 5, 2022 (9:16 PM)

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrests

SUSPECTS: Amanda Bustamante, age 32, Oxnard resident

Juan Rivera, age 21, Oxnard resident

Cesar Morales, age 20, Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Bryce Canyon Avenue and J Street

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771 | robin.whitney@oxnardpd.org

On February 5, 2022, at approximately 9:16 p.m., officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a silver 2020 Nissan Sentra for traffic infractions near the intersection of Bryce Canyon Avenue and A Street. The driver failed to stop and a brief 30 second pursuit ensued before the driver collided into a chain-link fence near the intersection of Bryce Canyon and J Street. Officers observed a handgun being tossed from the vehicle. The firearm was later recovered and determined to be a loaded 9mm handgun. The driver was identified as Amanda Bustamante, age 32. There were two adult male passengers in the vehicle; Juan Rivera (age 21) and Cesar Morales (age 20). All of the occupants are Oxnard residents. During a search in and around the vehicle, a second loaded 9mm P80 handgun was located. Additionally, a box containing over 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition was located along with an extended magazine, and a quantity of methamphetamine. Suspect Bustamante was arrested for various felony firearm related charges in addition to felony evading. Suspects Rivera and Morales were also arrested for various felony firearm/ammunition related charges.

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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: February 1, 2022

SUBJECT: Narcotics Sales and Firearms Arrest

SUSPECTS: Jesus Rangel, 43-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 1400 block of West Date Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

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

During the month of January, 2022, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) began an investigation into narcotics activity occurring at a residence located in the 1400 block of West Date Street. During the investigation, detectives identified the resident, Jesus Rangel, as being involved in narcotics sales. Detectives also learned that Rangel had a felony warrant issued for his arrest for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Detectives authored a search warrant for Rangel’s residence.

On February 1, 2022, with the assistance of the Oxnard SWAT team, Oxnard K9 Unit, Oxnard Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Unit (UAV), and the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, DEU Detectives served a search warrant at the residence. During the service of the search warrant, Rangel fled out of the rear garage and into the main residence.

SWAT Officers attempted to make contact with the occupants for several minutes and four occupants exited the residence. For over two hours, Rangel refused to exit the residence. SWAT officers put chemical irritants inside of the residence in an attempt to gain compliance. After approximately five minutes of the irritants being placed inside of the residence, Rangel broke out a rear window of the residence and surrendered to the officers.

DEU detectives responded to the residence after all of the subjects were detained to complete the investigation. During a search of the residence, detectives located two loaded firearms, large amounts of US Currency, narcotics, and indicia of narcotics sales. Jesus Rangel was arrested for a felony warrant regarding his Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for being a felon in possession of a firearm, narcotics sales, and several additional firearms related charges. Rangel is being held in custody at the Ventura County Jail without bail.

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: February 1, 2022

SUBJECT: Project Leave Behind

LOCATION: City of Oxnard

CONTACT: Steve Trickle, Sergeant | (805) 385-7600 | steve.trickle@oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Unit has recently partnered with Ventura County Behavioral Health and embarked on a pilot program called “Project Leave Behind.” The newly implemented program is the first of its kind in Ventura County. As part of this program, the Oxnard Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Officers began distributing Overdose Rescue Kits to the city’s unsheltered / homeless population in December 2021. The kits were created to combat and reduce fatal opioid overdoses in the City of Oxnard.

The Overdose Rescue Kits contain three doses of Naloxone (Narcan), a CPR shield, & educational and additional information for county-wide drug addiction treatment and recovery. Naloxone is a medication used for the treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose, and can rapidly reverse its effects. Naloxone was used by Oxnard Police officers over sixty (60) times in 2021. The literature in each kit is printed in both English and Spanish. In addition, there is a QR code in each kit to access the same information via any smartphone or tablet.

Nationally, drug overdose deaths increased 28% in 2021 with a total of over 100,000 deaths. In 2020, there were 78,000 drug overdose deaths nationally; the drug fentanyl is responsible for the dramatic increase in OD fatalities. Ventura County has also suffered a similar increase in overdose rates due to fentanyl use. The Oxnard Police Department responded to a total of 283 total overdose calls for service in 2021 (nearly a 40% increase since 2019); 35 of the overdose calls for service were fatalities.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Homeless Liaison Unit distributed 50 Overdose Rescue Kits to unsheltered / homeless individuals during the first month of “Project Leave Behind.” The goal of the program is to save lives, reduce overdose rates, and provide resources to the population that is most vulnerable. After evaluating the pilot program, OD Rescue Kits will be issued to Oxnard PD Neighborhood Policing Teams and Patrol Officers. OD Rescue Kits will be distributed at overdose calls for service, contacts with opioid/narcotic dependent users or family members/significant others of addicts who are likely to encounter a loved one suffering from an opioid overdose.

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: February 2, 2022, at approximately 2:00 PM

SUBJECT: Attempted Kidnapping of a Juvenile

LOCATION: “G” Street at Teakwood Street, Oxnard

SUSPECT: White male, 5’-6” to 5’-8” tall, short brown hair, black shirt and black pants with a blue face covering, a scar above his right eye

VEHICLE: Black 4-door sedan with a possible cracked windshield

CONTACT: Scott Aaron, Sergeant | (805) 385-7756 | Scott.Aaron@OxnardPD.org

On February 2, 2022, at approximately 2:00 PM, the Oxnard Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call of an attempted kidnapping near the intersection of “G” Street and Teakwood Street in Oxnard. Oxnard police officers responded to the area and spoke to the victim, a 13-year old female juvenile.

Officers learned that the victim was walking home from school when the suspect, a white male with brown hair, a scar above his right eye, wearing a blue face covering, a black shirt, and black pants, pulled up next to the juvenile in a black 4-door sedan. The suspect briefly conversed with the juvenile, but the juvenile continued to walk away from the suspect. The suspect got out of the car and approached the juvenile at one point. The suspect grabbed the victim’s wrist and yelled for her to get in his car. A Samaritan driving by witnessed the incident and yelled for the suspect to leave the girl alone. The suspect entered his vehicle and left the area. The victim made it home safely and notified her parents, who contacted the police.

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit (FPU) were notified and investigated the incident. Detectives and patrol officers canvassed the area searching for video evidence and additional leads.

This afternoon, additional detectives and uniformed officers, including Traffic Officers, School Resource Officers (SRO), and the Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT), saturated the area searching for the suspect and his vehicle. School administrators were also made aware of the incident.

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 click on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can also remain anonymous by calling Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. you can submit a tip via text or email to www.venturacountycrimestoppers.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: February 3, 2022, at 1:53 A.M.

SUBJECT: Robbery Suspect Dies After Altercation with Convenience Store Clerk

LOCATION: 490 South Victoria Avenue, Oxnard

SUSPECT: Name Withheld Pending Family Notification

CONTACT: Michael Velasquez, Detective | (805) 385-8287 | michael.velasquez@oxnardpd.org

On February 3, 2022, at 1:53 A.M., the Oxnard Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call of an armed robbery that occurred at the Circle K, located at 409 South Victoria Avenue, Oxnard.

Oxnard police officers arrived at the store and spoke to the clerk. Officers learned that a suspect armed with a handgun entered the store and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money. Afterwards, the suspect ordered the clerk out of the store and away from the business. The clerk walked outside the store as ordered. In an apparent effort to defend himself, the clerk fought with the suspect. During the fight, the victim produced a knife and stabbed the suspect multiple times. In doing so, the victim disarmed the suspect of the handgun. The suspect was able to flee the scene. The clerk returned to the store and called 911.

While police officers were at the scene of the robbery, a 911 call came into the Emergency Communications Center at 2:01 A.M. of a stabbing victim in the 3500 block of Pier Walk. When officers arrived, they located a 30-year old male with stab wounds. The male with stab wounds matched the description of the Circle K robbery suspect. The male was transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center in critical condition. The male died of his wounds at 11:55 A.M.

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) arrived at the scene to assume the investigation of the robbery and the stabbing. VCU detectives believe that both incidents are related, and there are no additional suspects. The handgun used by the robbery suspect was found to be a replica handgun. The clerk was cooperative and forthcoming with officers and detectives.

VCU detectives are still reviewing evidence from the scene and are actively investigating the incident. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Michael Velasquez at (805) 385-8287.

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: January 29, 2022 (11:25 PM)

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECTS: David Matos, 19-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Fourth Street and A Street

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771 | robin.whitney@oxnardpd.org

On January 29, 2022, at approximately 11:25 p.m., a patrol officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle at the intersection of Fourth and A Street. There were three individuals in the vehicle, all of whom were on formal probation with search terms. The driver was David Matos, age 19. The two passengers were both minors. Officers conducted a probation search of Matos and located a loaded 9mm magazine in his pocket. Officers searched the interior of the vehicle and located the upper slide portion of a 9mm handgun in a compartment under the steering column. Officers continued searching the vehicle and located the frame of a 9mm handgun under the front passenger seat. Together, the items comprised an operable firearm. Officers conducted a records check and determined the firearm had been reported stolen in Oxnard in July of 2021. Matos was arrested for various felony firearm related charges. The two juveniles were not charged and were transported back to their residences.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 30, 2022 (12:35 AM)

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECTS: Eric Harris, 18-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Fourth Street and A Street

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771 | robin.whitney@oxnardpd.org

On January 29, 2022, at approximately 11:25 p.m., a patrol officer observed a vehicle speeding in the area of Fifth Street and G Street. The Officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle at the intersection of Fourth and G Street. There were two adult male occupants in the vehicle including passenger Eric Harris, age 18. Harris is on formal probation with search terms.

During a search of the vehicle, the Officer located a loaded .40 caliber P80 Glock style handgun under the front passenger seat where Harris was seated. The handgun was equipped with a threaded barrel designed to allow for the attachment of a suppressor, along with a high capacity magazine. A records check revealed that Harris is prohibited from possessing any firearm due to a previous felony conviction. Harris was arrested for multiple felony firearm related charges.

Police activity in the 1400 block of W. Date Street is currently affecting student traffic to McKinna Elementary School at 1600 S. N Street. The activity is confined to a residence near the campus. School officials are collaborating with police personnel on scene to address child safety traffic issues.

Marc Amon | Commander

Oxnard Police Department | 251 S. C St. | Oxnard, CA
marc.amon@oxnardpd.org | www.oxnardpd.org
805 678 0319 Mon-Thu 0700-1700

Police activity in the 1400 block of W. Date Street has concluded. An additional press release with further details will be provided later this date.

Jose Diaz

Oxnard Police Department

Sergeant

805-797-5522

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 28, 2022 (3:25 PM)

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECTS: Michael Cardenas, 20-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Bard Road at Simpson Drive, Oxnard

CONTACT: Tim Kelley, Commander

(805) 857-5297 | timothy.kelley@Oxnardpd.org

On January 28, 2022, at approximately 3:25 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) were conducting uniformed gang enforcement. Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a suspected traffic infraction on Bard Road and Simpson Drive. The officers contacted the driver and sole occupant, Michael Cardenas. Officers immediately identified Cardenas as an Oxnard criminal street gang member, who was on probation for a prior felony firearms conviction with search terms.

While speaking with Cardenas, officers observed a loaded 9-millimeter Glock-style Polymer 80 semi-automatic handgun in the vehicle. 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 Cardenas for possessing the handgun, and booked him for felony firearm related charges.

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.