NEWS RELEASE

DATE:             April 7, 2022 (8:18 PM)

SUBJECT:      Man arrested for possession of loaded firearm with large capacity magazine

LOCATION:   300 block of Cuesta Del Mar

VICTIM:         State of California

SUSPECT:      Daniel Vargas, age 18, Oxnard resident

CONTACT:    Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

                          (805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

On April 7, 2022, at around 8:18 PM, an Officer attempted to contact and detain two suspicious subjects in the 300 block of the north alley of Cuesta Del Mar. As the Officer approached the two subjects, suspect Daniel Vargas (age 18) grabbed his waistband and began fleeing on foot. The Officer chased Vargas a short distance and commanded him to stop several times. Vargas refused to obey the commands and continued running. Vargas fled into an apartment courtyard in the 300 block of Cuesta Del Mar where he ran into a locked gate and was taken into custody. The Officer searched Vargas and discovered he was in possession of a loaded P80 Glock style handgun with a large capacity magazine. Vargas was charged with various felonies related to the possession of the loaded firearm, in addition to resisting arrest.

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:           April 7, 2022 (8:32 PM)

SUBJECT:    Man arrested for possession of a loaded firearm inside a retail business

LOCATION: 2700 block of Saviers Rd.

VICTIM:       State of California

SUSPECT:    Angel Tejeda, age 25, Oxnard resident

CONTACT:  Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

                        (805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

On April 7, 2022, at around 8:32 PM, a caller inside a retail business in the 2700 block of Saviers Rd. reported a suspicious subject possibly in possession of a handgun tucked in his waistband. Officers arrived on scene and monitored the suspect before he exited the store without paying for any merchandise. Officers contact suspect Angel Tejeda, age 25, as he exited the store. Tejada was uncooperative with officers and began reaching toward his waistband. Officers tackled Tejada  and struggled with him before removing a loaded P80 9mm Glock style handgun from Tejeda's waistband. Tejada continued to physically resist arrest and a third officer utilized a taser before officers were able to take Tejeda into custody. Tejada was arrested for various felony charges related to the possession of the loaded firearm, in addition to petty theft and resisting arrest.

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:            April 7, 2022 (3:06 PM)

SUBJECT:     Firearm Arrest

LOCATION:   Fifth St. and B St.  

VICTIM:         State of California

SUSPECT:     Daniel Alexander Lopez, age 19, Oxnard resident

VEHICLE:      Silver Honda Accord

CONTACT:     Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

                       (805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

On April 7, 2022, at around 3:06 p.m., officers assigned to work extra gang enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a silver Honda Accord at the intersection of Fifth St. and B St. in Oxnard. Officers contacted four occupants in the vehicle. During the contact, the officers searched the interior of the vehicle and located a loaded P80 Glock style 9mm handgun in a pocket behind the driver’s seat. Officers arrested suspect Daniel Alexander Lopez, age 19. Lopez has a previous felony conviction and is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm. He was arrested for several felony firearm 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:            April 5, 2022

SUBJECT:     National Distracted Driving Campaign

CONTACT:    Mike Wood, Senior Police Officer   

                      (805) 385-7749 | [email protected]

2022 U DRIVE. U TEXT. U PAY. CAMPAIGN

Oxnard, CA – The Oxnard Police Department is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay. high-visibility enforcement effort. From April 7-11, 2022, law enforcement officers from across the country will work together to enforce texting and distracted driving laws to make our roads safer for all road users.

According to NHTSA, between 2012 and 2019, 26,004 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver. While fatalities from motor vehicle crashes decreased slightly from 2018, distraction-related fatalities increased by 10%. NHTSA also reported that the number of deaths linked to driver distraction was 3,142 nationwide, or almost 9% of all fatalities, in 2019. This represents a 10% increase over the year 2018, or 284 more fatalities. The distraction figure was the largest increase in causes of traffic deaths reported for 2019.

Millennials and Generation Z are the most distracted drivers, often using their cell phones to talk, text, and scroll through social media while behind the wheel. According to NHTSA research from 2017, young drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers since 2007. In 2019, 9% of people killed in teen (15-19) driving crashes died when the teen drivers were distracted at the time of the crash.

Many drivers are guilty of a “double standard” when it comes to distracted driving. In its 2018 Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA Foundation reported that while nearly 96% of drivers believed it was very or extremely dangerous to read a text or email while driving, 4 out of 10 drivers admitted to doing so within the previous 30 days.

Drive Safe Every Trip

The Oxnard Police Department and NHTSA urge drivers to put their phones away when behind the wheel. If you need to text, pull over and do not drive while doing so. If you are the driver, follow these steps for a safe driving experience:

• If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
• Ask your passenger to be your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
  
• Cell phone use is habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. Break the cycle. Remember: U Drive. U Text. U Pay. For more information, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:            April 2, 2022 (5:04 PM)

SUBJECT:     Firearm Arrests

LOCATION:   2100 block of Alexander St.

VICTIM:         State of California

SUSPECT:     Joel Antonio Ruiz, age 19, Oxnard resident

                       Name withheld, age 17, Oxnard resident

VEHICLE:      Black Chevrolet Tahoe

CONTACT:     Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

                       (805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

On April 2, 2022, at around 5:04 p.m., officers assigned to work extra gang enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Tahoe in the 2100 block of Alexander St. Officers contacted the driver Joel Antonio Ruiz, age 19, and a 17-year old male passenger. Officers conducted a records check and determined that both occupants were on probation for previous firearm convictions. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle pursuant to the probation terms and located two loaded 9mm sub-compact handguns concealed in the center console area. Officers subsequently arrested both Ruiz and the ­juvenile for various felony charges related to the possession of the firearms.

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:            April 3, 2022 (2:00 AM)

SUBJECT:   Firearm Arrest

LOCATION:  3000 block of Saviers Road (West Alley)

VICTIM:         State of California

SUSPECT:   Amber Bencomo, age 21, Oxnard resident

VEHICLE:     White Lexus

CONTACT:   Miguel Serrato, Patrol Sergeant

                        (805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

On April 3, 2022, at around 2:00 a.m., officers with the Oxnard Police Department contacted several subjects loitering in the west alley of the 3000 block of Saviers Road. One of the subjects contacted was Amber Bencomo (21yrs.). Bencomo was associated with a white Lexus vehicle. The officers were able to observe a bolt action shotgun in plain view inside the vehicle. The officers obtained the keys for the vehicle from Bencomo and they seized the bolt action shotgun. The bolt action shotgun was found to be loaded. Officers subsequently arrested Bencomo for possession of a loaded firearm. One of the other subjects associated with Bencomo was found to be on parole for robbery and was arrested for a parole violation.   

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:            April 1, 2022

SUBJECT:   Illegal Marijuana Indoor Cultivation

SUSPECTS:  Boris Poghosyan, 35-year-old Glendale Resident

LOCATION:  1500 block South Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard

CONTACT:   Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

                      (805) 256-5121  [email protected]

During the month of March 2022, The Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) received a complaint regarding an illegal marijuana cultivation occurring inside a business building located in the 1500 block of South Oxnard Blvd. DEU Detectives contacted the detectives from the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) – Los Angeles Field Office. With the assistance of DCC Detectives, DEU Detectives verified that the business was not a licensed facility to cultivate marijuana. Detectives developed probable cause to obtain a search warrant for the business.  

On April 1, 2022, with the assistance of the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), DEU detectives served a search warrant at the business. While serving the search warrant, officers encountered heavy fortification on the building. The suspect, Boris Poghosyon refused to exit the building and surrender to the officers. Deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) responded to assist in the investigation. After approximately three hours, officers were able to gain access into the building to conduct a search. Poghosyon was found hiding in the ceiling of the business. He was taken into custody without incident.  

Once the building was secure, DEU detectives began a search of the business. During the search of the business, Detectives located large plastic containers containing liquid fertilizer. The Oxnard Fire Department was on scene and inspected the containers before detectives continued the search. Detectives also learned that the business was being operated from two large generators and the power to the business was altered. Southern California Edison responded to the business to verify the safety of the electricity at the business.

Detectives located approximately twenty pounds of processed marijuana and over seven hundred marijuana plants in various stages of growth.

Upon completion of the investigation, the building was red-tagged and the power was removed from the business, pending further investigation. Boris Poghosyan was placed under arrest for cultivation of marijuana and resisting or delaying a police officer during the course of his/her duty, both misdemeanors.   

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing narcotics related crimes 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.