News Releases

On the morning of Thursday, June 9, 2022, The Oxnard Police Department became aware of social media postings referencing sexual assault incidents at Pacifica High School. The incidents were between students. The Police Department’s Family Protection Unit (FPU) assigned investigators to look further into this, along with the assistance of a school resource officer.

The cases that drove the discussion on social media were from incidents that occurred in 2019 and 2020. Both cases were thoroughly investigated by FPU detectives. Due to the sensitive nature of these investigations, as well as the age of the victims, Oxnard Police cannot, and will not, release information on the status of the investigations, or speak to the details of these cases.

A number of comments made in the social media posts made reference or alluded to additional victims or incidents. Police investigators and school resource officers are also working with school administrators to conduct outreach, including through social media, in hopes of identifying and locating potential additional victims or witnesses, as well as persons with information about the incidents. At the time of this news release, eight (8) officers have been assembled to further look into allegations.

The Oxnard Police Department understands the serious nature of sexual assault cases, and is committed to investigating them. Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit are highly trained professionals who are devoted to seeking justice for victims. The Oxnard Police Department works closely with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office to ensure that sexual assault cases are fully investigated.

If you are a sexual assault victim from Pacifica High School, or have information about these incidents, we urge you to contact Sergeant Scott Aaron at (805) 385-7756 or email at [email protected].

Alex Arnett, Commander

Investigative Services Bureau

Oxnard Police Department

251 South C Street, Oxnard, Ca. 93030

Desk – (805) 385-7620

[email protected]

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 9, 2022, 4:49 p.m.

SUBJECT: Serious Injury Traffic Collision

LOCATION: Pleasant Valley Road at Longfellow Way, Oxnard

DRIVER/VEHICLE: 17-year-old male of Port Hueneme, CA

1997 Honda Accord

PASSENGER: 17-year-old male of Oxnard, CA

CONTACT: Andrew Pinkstaff, Corporal

(805) 385-7750 | [email protected]

On June 9, 2022, at approximately 4:49 p.m., Oxnard Police officers and EMS personnel responded to a call for service regarding a single-vehicle traffic collision in the area of Pleasant Valley Road and Longfellow Way. When EMS personnel arrived at the scene of the incident, they discovered that the occupants of the vehicle, identified as a 17-year-old male of Port Hueneme and a 17-year-old male of Oxnard, were trapped inside. Oxnard Fire Department personnel extracted the occupants, who were transported to Ventura County Medical Center with critical injuries.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that the 1997 Honda Accord was traveling westbound on Pleasant Valley Road east of Longfellow Way. For unknown reasons, the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a block wall and tree along the north side of the roadway. An investigation is ongoing regarding the cause of the collision and whether speed, drugs, and/or alcohol were involved.

Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Corporal Andrew Pinkstaff at (805) 385-7750 or via email at [email protected]. Also, anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 9th, 2022 (9:40 PM)

SUBJECT: Post Release Offender with Warrant for Firearm Possession, Arrested in Possession of a P80 Firearm

SUSPECTS: Isaac Guzman, 24-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: South alley 400 blk. of Canterbury Wy., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On June 9^th, 2022, at approximately 9:40 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) were conducting a patrol in the South Winds neighborhood when they observed wanted subject Isaac Guzman driving a vehicle in the south alley of the 400 blk. of Canterbury Wy. Officers were aware that Guzman is a Post Release Offender and that he has a felony warrant for a PROS violation with an original commitment offense of possession of a firearm by a felon or addict. 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.

When officers attempted to stop Guzman, Guzman put his vehicle in reverse and accelerated in the alley. Guzman collided with another motorist that was stopped in the alley and then fled on foot. Guzman was apprehended after a brief struggle and was taken into custody for his felony warrant, resisting arrest, and for hit and run causing injury (complaint of pain).

Officers searched the vehicle Guzman was driving and located a loaded 9 millimeter Glock-style Polymer 80 semi-automatic handgun. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are commercially sold as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms.

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.

Officers are on scene of a serious injury single vehicle collision that occurred at around 4:50 p.m. near the intersection of Pleasant Valley Rd. and Longfellow Wy. Traffic for W/B Pleasant Valley Rd. is blocked at Terrace Ave and is being diverted onto N/B Terrace Ave. Traffic for E/B Pleasant Valley Rd. remains open. A press release with additional details will be sent out later this evening.

Officers are on scene of an injury traffic collision that occurred around 5:15 p.m near the intersection of Olds Rd. and Butler Rd. The accident resulted in power lines down. Currently there are live power lines down that extend across all lanes of Oxnard Blvd. between Pleasant Valley Rd. and Channel Islands Blvd. Traffic is blocked for both directions and is being diverted. The roadway is expected to be closed for an extended period of time. An update will be sent out when the roadway is re-opened.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 5, 2022

SUBJECT: Planned Comprehensive Fireworks Enforcement Efforts

LOCATION: Citywide

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

All fireworks are illegal in Oxnard. Despite this, each year during the month leading up to July 4th, the Oxnard Police Department receives many fireworks complaints. In 2020, 3329 fireworks calls were received during the month leading up to July 4th; 1,078 of the calls were received on the July 4th weekend. On the 4th of July itself, during the 8-hour time frame between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the Department received 715 fireworks calls. However, in 2021 there was a significant decrease in the number of fireworks calls received during the month leading up to July 4th with 499 reported for the entire month; 314 of them were received during the holiday weekend, and 237 of them received during the evening hours of July 4th.

Fireworks are a significant nuisance to the majority of our residents and they can be extremely dangerous. For example, in 2019 a young adult male was tragically killed in our city by a mortar that exploded. Each year fireworks land on rooftops and cause structure fires in the city. Fireworks also cause emotional distress for many of our residents particularly those suffering from PTSD. They can also be very distressing for pets. Many of our residents resort to administering prescription sedatives to their pets to help them cope with fireworks.

The above reasons demonstrate why the Oxnard Police Department has a zero tolerance enforcement approach towards fireworks. While it is often very difficult for officers to catch fireworks violators, each year the Department nonetheless prioritizes deploying as many police resources as reasonably possible towards fireworks enforcement. Last year, as a result of the dedicated and comprehensive fireworks enforcement efforts, the Department issued far more fireworks citations than any other police department in Ventura County.

Any individual caught using, or possessing fireworks, is subject to a fine ranging from $250-$1000; “Safe and Sane“ fireworks (sparklers, cones, flowers, etc.) carry a $250 fine; while “Dangerous” fireworks (firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, M80s, mortars, etc.) carry a $1000 fine.

In preparation for the upcoming fireworks enforcement effort, the Department will again be positioning message trailers in specific areas of the city where last year had heavy fireworks activity. The message trailers will display information reminding residents that fireworks are illegal and informing them of the fines. Additionally, the Department has already begun mailing warning letters to addresses where fireworks activity was reported last year. The letters advise the residents that their addresses will be closely monitored this year for any repeat violations.

The Department’s Crime Reduction Unit plays a valuable role in this effort by analyzing recent fireworks calls and regularly updating patrol officers of the specific locations where fireworks are occurring. Officers starting their shifts are asked to target those specific addresses for enforcement purposes during their patrols. Throughout the month leading up to July 4th, Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT) officers will be proactively sending out warning notices to specific addresses where fireworks activity is being reported. Furthermore, in the weeks leading up to July 4th, NPT officers will be teaming up with Fire Department and Code Compliance personnel and conducting periodic undercover fireworks suppression operations at night that will involve the use of a drone, to help pinpoint addresses where fireworks are occurring.

This year the Department is planning another comprehensive fireworks enforcement effort on July 4th utilizing all available resources within reason. This means that many officers who would normally have Independence Day off have been assigned to work, including officers in specialized lateral assignments such as our NPT, Homeless Liaison Unit, Special Enforcement Unit, and Traffic Unit. The Department will deploy the officers in a multitude of capacities including uniformed patrol, undercover operations, motorcycle, bicycle, and foot patrols. Additionally, the Department will deploy several drones to detect locations where fireworks are occurring. Police personnel will team up with the Oxnard Fire Department and Oxnard Code Compliance Department in this comprehensive team effort.

The City of Oxnard has a social host ordinance which holds property owners responsible for fireworks activity occurring on, or from, their property. Last year, for the second time, the Department used a drone on the 4th of July which aided in identifying specific addresses where fireworks were being used. However, given the high volume of fireworks calls on July 4th, officers were not always able to immediately contact the property owners/renters to issue a citation. Nonetheless, NPT officers followed up by mailing fireworks citations to the property owners during the month of July to ensure they were held accountable for the illegal/dangerous activity occurring on their property. The Department will follow the same procedure this year but will be using enhanced drone resources. Property owners where dangerous fireworks are occurring will be subject to receiving a citation for $1000.

The Oxnard Police Department is respectfully asking all of our residents to celebrate Independence Day safely, and respect the peace and well-being of their neighbors and their pets, by refraining from using fireworks.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

· Fireworks Cellphone Line (905-307-6308) Dedicated line specifically for fireworks complaints. Carried by an NPT officer while on duty to take down specific information of problematic locations where fireworks are occurring at.

· Fireworks Tips via Email ([email protected]) Please provide specific information regarding locations, days, and times

· Fireworks Hotline (805-394-5884) Callers can remain anonymous

· Oxnard Police Department Non-Emergency Number (805-385-7740) Use for reporting fireworks activity in progress. Please recognize that fireworks calls are prioritized based on other calls for service pending throughout the city.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 3, 2022 (9:26 PM)

SUBJECT: Firearm arrest

LOCATION: 1300 block of Edgewood Way

VICTIM: State of California

SUSPECT 1: Omar Vega, age 30, Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771 | [email protected]

On June 4, 2022, at approximately 9:26 PM, Oxnard Police Officers contacted a juvenile who reported he was being chased by a subject possibly in possession of a firearm in the Fremont Square neighborhood. While officers were on scene, the juvenile pointed out the subject who he believed was chasing him. Officers were able to contact that subject and found that he was in possession of a concealed firearm, narcotics, and narcotics paraphernalia. The subject was identified as Omar Vega, a 30-year-old Oxnard resident. He was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm, various narcotics violations, and criminal threats. The juvenile was unharmed and officers safely returned him to his family.

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: June 2nd, 2022 (7:15 PM)

SUBJECT: Documented Criminal Street Gang Member Found in Possession of P80 Semi-automatic Firearm

SUSPECTS: 17-year-old juvenile Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 2700 block El Dorado Ave., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On June 2^nd, 2022, at approximately 7:15 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) contacted a group of known documented criminal street gang members known to be on probation. As officers contacted the subjects, one of the subjects fled from officers while holding his waistband. This subject, a 17-year-old juvenile, is a documented Oxnard criminal street gang member, who has a prior felony conviction for an assault with a firearm. The juvenile has previous arrests for possession of a loaded firearm.

Officers chased the juvenile and observed him throw a firearm into a rear yard in the 2700 block of El Dorado Ave. Officers apprehended the juvenile a short while later. During a search of the rear yard where the firearm was discarded, officers located a loaded 9mm 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. Officers arrested the juvenile for possession of a loaded firearm by a prohibited person and convicted felon.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 1, 2022, 2:30 PM

SUBJECT: Criminal threats

LOCATION: Oxnard High School, 3400 W. Gonzales Rd., Oxnard

VICTIM: Minor

SUSPECT 1: 17-year-old, Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Luis Mc Arthur, Patrol Commander

(805) 207-4762 | [email protected]

On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, just after 2:30 PM, the school resource officer at Oxnard High School, located at 3400 W. Gonzales Road received information that there was a discussion between a female student and a male student in the library that turned into a disagreement.

The male student evidently became upset and left. The two had dated for a brief time. The teen later sent the girl a message through social media with a photo of what appeared to be a gun threatening to harm another student.

The school resource officer and the school’s administration thought the photo may have been sent from the campus and out of an abundance of caution put the high school on lockdown while officers searched the campus.

The student was located off campus on Channel Islands Boulevard near Manzanita Drive and was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats and lodged in Juvenile Hall. The weapon was located and determined to be a BB-gun.

The police department takes any threat to the safety of students and staff very seriously and out of caution, we will have additional police units on and around the Oxnard High School campus tomorrow.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 31, 2022, 8:15 A.M.

SUBJECT: Possible Kidnapping

LOCATION: 2200 Block Harbor Boulevard, Oxnard, CA.

CONTACT: Mike Johnson, Sergeant

(805) 486-6211

[email protected]

On May 31, 2022 at approximately 8:15 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were contacted by a female who resides out of the County of Ventura, regarding a possible kidnapping. During the course of the investigation, officers learned that the male victim was possibly being held in a residence in the 2200 block of Harbor Boulevard. Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to assist with the investigation. While on scene, a vehicle left the residence and was stopped by officers a short time later. A female and three males from the vehicle were detained and transported to the Oxnard Police Department. Members of the Oxnard Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics Team assisted with the traffic stop and a subsequent search of the residence, where two additional males were detained. The victim was located unharmed. Investigators are still working to determine if a kidnapping did in fact occur. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes 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 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 PREPARED: May 31, 2022 / 8:40 P.M.