News Release: Shooting Victim (10/22/2021)

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           October 21, 2021 (11:52 PM)

SUBJECT:    Shooting Victim

LOCATION: Arturus Avenue and McWane Blvd.

VICTIM:       Name withheld, adult male

SUSPECT:    Unknown

CONTACT:  Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

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

On October 21, 2021, at about 11:52 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of the dead-end of Arcturus Avenue and McWane Blvd. regarding a shooting victim. Officers searched the surrounding area and located an adult male victim near a homeless encampment who was suffering from several gunshot wounds to his lower extremities. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is listed in stable condition. No arrests have been made and an investigation is continuing.

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.

Please avoid the area of Victoria Avenue between Wooley Road and Leeward Avenue.  The roadway will be closed today from 10:00 am to 11:00 am for a follow-up traffic investigation.  Residents are asked to use alternate routes.

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:            October 18, 2021, 11:06 a.m.  

SUBJECT:   Fatal Traffic Collision

LOCATION:  Victoria Avenue south of Wooley Road, Oxnard

DRIVER/VEHICLE: 84-year-old male of Oxnard, CA

                                     2001 BMW 330i

DRIVER/VEHICLE: 20-year-old male of Oxnard, CA

                                    2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee                                

 CONTACT:  Jose Diaz, Senior Officer

                        (805) 385-7749 | jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

On October 18, 2021, at approximately 11:06 a.m., Oxnard Police Officers and EMS personnel responded to a call of a traffic collision involving two vehicles that occurred on Victoria Avenue south of Wooley Road.  Oxnard Police Department Traffic Officers responded to assist with the investigation. Based on the preliminary investigation, it was determined that a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling south on Victoria Avenue when a 2001 BMW 330i entered the roadway traveling east across Victoria Avenue. The vehicles were involved in a collision on Victoria Avenue south of Wooley Road.      

The driver of the 2001 BMW 330i, identified as a 84-year-old male of Oxnard, sustained critical injuries and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries.  The driver of the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, identified as a 20-year-old male of Oxnard, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center due to moderate injuries and is listed in stable condition.

Anyone who witnessed this traffic collision is urged to contact Senior Officer Jose Diaz at (805) 385-7749 or via email at jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:            October 18, 2021, 11:06 a.m.  

SUBJECT:   Fatal Traffic Collision

LOCATION:  Victoria Avenue south of Wooley Road, Oxnard

DRIVER/VEHICLE: 20-year-old male of Oxnard, CA

                                     2001 BMW 330i

DRIVER/VEHICLE: 84-year-old male of Oxnard, CA

                                    2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee                                

 CONTACT:  Jose Diaz, Senior Officer

                        (805) 385-7749 | jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

On October 18, 2021, at approximately 11:06 a.m., Oxnard Police Officers and EMS personnel responded to a call of a traffic collision involving two vehicles that occurred on Victoria Avenue south of Wooley Road.  Oxnard Police Department Traffic Officers responded to assist with the investigation. Based on the preliminary investigation, it was determined that a 2001 BMW 330i was traveling south on Victoria Avenue when a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee entered the roadway traveling east across Victoria Avenue. The vehicles were involved in a collision on Victoria Avenue south of Wooley Road.      

The driver of the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, identified as a 84-year-old male of Oxnard, sustained critical injuries and was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries.  The driver of the 2001 BMW 330i, identified as a 20-year-old male of Oxnard, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center due to moderate injuries and is listed in stable condition.

Anyone who witnessed this traffic collision is urged to contact Senior Officer Jose Diaz at (805) 385-7749 or via email at jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           October 15, 2021

SUBJECT:    Traffic Safety, Education, and Enforcement Grants

LOCATION:  City of Oxnard

CONTACT:   Jose Diaz, Senior Traffic Officer

                      (805) 385-7749 | jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

 

Oxnard Police Department awarded $475,700.00 from two grants by the Office of Traffic Safety.

 

Oxnard, Calif. – The Oxnard Police Department received funding from two grants totaling $475,700.00 from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The police department received $450,000.00 for one of the grants that focus on deterring dangerous and illegal driving behaviors that increase the risk of crashes in the community. This funding allows the police department to provide necessary traffic enforcement measures with the goal of reducing serious injury and fatal crashes on our roads.

 

The grant will pay for additional enforcement measures, including:

·         DUI checkpoints and patrols specifically focused on suspected impaired drivers.

·        Enforcement operations focused on suspected distracted drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.

·         Bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operations focused on driver behaviors that put vulnerable road users at risk.

·         Motorcycle safety enforcement operations focused on driving and riding behavior that put motorcyclists as risk.

·         Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.

·         Enforcement operations focused on illegal street racing and vehicle modifications.

·         Community education presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, DUI, speeding, and bicycle and pedestrian safety.

·         Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

The Oxnard Police Department was awarded a second grant for $25,700.00 from the California Office of Traffic Safety that will further focus on the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.

 

Grant funds will pay for a comprehensive safety program that will teach valuable skills for all types of road users including:

·       Walking Field Trips that educate youth and older adults on safe walking habits.

·       Bicycle skills and training courses that educate youth on safe riding behaviors.

·       Helmet fitting inspections and distribution of helmets to those in need.

·      Community and school education presentations on best bike/walking practices.

·      Incorporating bicycle safety skills into regular community bike rides.

·  Pop-up events that promote the importance of visibility on roads with safety equipment such as reflective armbands/leg bands and bicycle headlights/taillights.

The grant program will run through September 2022.

 

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:           October 14, 2021, 7:35 AM

SUBJECT:    Suspect Arrested in Shooting Death of Juvenile

LOCATION: 200 block of James Avenue, Oxnard

VICTIM:       Alexander Belleza, 16 year old, Oxnard resident

SUSPECT:    16 year old male juvenile, Oxnard resident

CONTACT:  Edgar Fernandez, Sergeant

                        (805) 385-7763 | edgar.fernandez@Oxnardpd.org

On April 29, 2021 at around 8:35 PM, a 16 year old juvenile was located suffering from a single gunshot wound, in the 200 block of James Ave. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition. On May 6^th, 2021, several days after the shooting, the juvenile victim was taken off life support and pronounced dead.

This morning, after a several month long investigation, the Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Unit, along with the assistance of the Oxnard Police SWAT Team, Oxnard Drug Enforcement Unit and the Ventura County SWAT Team, an arrest was made of a 16 year old male juvenile for the shooting death of Alexander Belleza. The juvenile suspect was transported and will be housed at the Ventura County Juvenile Detention Center.

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/200jamesavenue 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, investigators are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Kaya Boysan (805) 385-7642.  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.

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:            October 14, 2021

SUBJECT:   Unattended Vehicle Enforcement

LOCATION:  Citywide, Oxnard, CA

CONTACT:   Enrique Alvarez, Auto Theft Task Force

                        (805) 385-7664 | Enrique.Alvarez@Oxnardpd.org

 

 

The Oxnard Police Department Auto Theft Task Force conducted an operation this morning targeting vehicles that were found to be running without the driver being present.  Leaving your vehicle running and unattended is against the law and carries a fine of $70.  Today, detectives issued a total of 10 citations. 

 

The operation was conducted due to an increase in stolen vehicles over the last month.  It has been observed that as the weather turns colder, drivers leave their vehicles on to warm them up and then leave them unattended.  These actions create a window of opportunity that is often taken advantage of by a car thief.

 

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to enforce this law and ask that our community members do their part in helping reduce auto theft in our city by not leaving their vehicles running and unattended. 

 

The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind residents of the following tips to help prevent vehicle thefts:

 

·         Never leave your car unlocked or your keys in the vehicle, not even for a minute.

·         Don't leave your car idling and unattended because it is unnecessary (it doesn't get cold enough here), it is unsafe and illegal (22515(a) V.C.) and someone can steal your car.

·         Also, it is a well-known fact that the crime of stealing a vehicle is not the only crime that occurs.  Usually, this “first” crime can lead to fraud, theft of identity, grand theft, etc.

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 stay 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.

*UPDATE*

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:                                 October 13, 2021 6:00 p.m.  

SUBJECT:                          Driver arrested in a fatal traffic collision

LOCATION:                       C Street at Eighth Street, Oxnard

SUSPECT/VEHICLE:        Guadalupe Gonzalez

                                30-year-old female of Port Hueneme, CA

                                           2002 GMC Envoy

 DRIVER/VEHICLE:           29-year-old female of Oxnard, CA

                                           2005 Ford Focus   

CONTACT:                         Paul Knapp, Senior Officer

                                           (805) 385-7750 | paul.knapp@oxnardpd.org

Update (Refer to the original collision information below)

 

On February 4, 2021, at 9:42 p.m., Oxnard officers responded to a traffic collision involving two vehicles that occurred at the intersection of C Street and Eighth Street. Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that the 2002 GMC Envoy, driven by Guadalupe Gonzalez, was traveling westbound on Eighth Street when she broadsided a 2005 Ford Focus, driven by a 29-year-old female of Oxnard, that was traveling northbound on C Street.  The 29-year-old female was seriously injured and immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center; however, she succumbed to her injuries on February 5, 2021. 

 

Traffic investigators conducted an extensive investigation into the collision and determined that Gonzalez caused the collision by failing to stop for a stop sign. Traffic investigators also determined that Gonzalez was driving her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. As a result, on October 12, 2021, Oxnard officers arrested Gonzalez for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Gonzalez was booked into the Ventura County Jail.          

 

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact Senior Officer Paul Knapp at (805) 385-7750, or via email at paul.knapp@oxnardpd.org.  

 

On February 4, 2021, at approximately 9:42 p.m., Oxnard officers and EMS personnel responded to a call of a traffic collision involving two vehicles that occurred at the intersection of C Street and Eighth Street.  Officers determined that a 2002 GMC Envoy driven by a 30-year-old female from Port Hueneme broadsided a 2005 Ford Focus driven by a 29-year-old female from Oxnard.  Both drivers were seriously injured and immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center.  The 30-year-old female was admitted to the hospital and listed in stable condition.  The 29-year-old female sustained life-threatening injuries and is listed in critical condition.   

Traffic investigators responded to the scene and took over the investigation.  Based on preliminary information, it was determined that prior to the collision, the Ford Focus was traveling northbound on C Street and the GMC Envoy was traveling westbound on Eighth Street.   For unknown reasons, the driver of the GMC Envoy entered the intersection and continued into the path of the oncoming Ford Focus.  After the broadside collision, both vehicles continued towards the northwest corner of the intersection and then came to rest adjacent to the sidewalk. 

The investigation is ongoing.  Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Senior Officer Paul Knapp at (805) 385-7750 or via email at paul.knapp@oxnardpd.org.