News Releases

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 24, 2021, 3:25 P.M.

SUBJECT: Subject Arrested for Possession of a Firearm and Controlled Substances for Sale

LOCATION: 2200 Block, El Portal Way

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | martin.cook@oxnardpd.org

On July 24, at approximately 3:25 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) conducted a traffic stop on a silver Nissan Altima in the 2200 block of El Portal Way. Officers contacted Eduardo Montiel (24yrs), Monica Sanchez (23yrs) and Efrain Magallon (27yrs) in the vehicle. Montiel and Magallon are known criminal street gang members in the City of Oxnard, and Montiel is currently on Parole for robbery and firearms possession. Sanchez is also on probation for theft.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located a concealed and loaded Polymer 80 Glock style handgun, methamphetamine and cocaine for sale and items indicative of narcotics sales. P80 semi-automatic handguns are commercially sold incomplete and without serial numbers; they must be further manufactured to make them functioning firearms and serialized. Sanchez was found to be in possession of the firearm and controlled substances, and charged with various felony firearm and narcotics violations. Montiel was arrested for a violation of parole.

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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 23, 2021 (8:46 PM)

SUBJECT: Post Release Offender Arrested for Attempt Robbery and Narcotic Sales

LOCATION: Cedar Court and G Street

VICTIM: Undisclosed

SUSPECT: Albert Salinas Lara, age 41, Oxnard resident

VEHICLE: Orange Mountain Bicycle

CONTACT: Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

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

On 7/22/21, at approximately 6:37 PM, an officer contacted a victim of an attempted robbery with a handgun. The victim reported he was near the intersection of Cedar Court and G Street when the suspect approached him and demanded money. When the victim refused to comply, the suspect produced a handgun and pointed it at the victim. The victim fled towards some nearby apartments and the suspect followed him while still brandishing the firearm. Shortly afterwards, the victim returned to his vehicle, which was parked nearby, and the suspect confronted him again. The suspect then used his handgun to shatter the victim’s windshield, before fleeing the scene on an orange mountain bike.

On 7/23/21, at around 8:46 PM, the same Officer who took the report from the previous day, was on patrol in the alley in the 1200 block of Hill Street when he observed a subject riding an orange mountain bike who matched the suspect description of the attempt robbery from the previous day. The Officer attempted to detain the bicyclist however the individual refused to stop and fled eastbound on his bicycle. The Officer pursued the suspect in his police unit, and ultimately physically detained him in the middle of Durley Park. The victim of the attempt robbery was contacted and responded to the park where he positively identified suspect Albert Salinas Lara, age 41. Lara was in possession of backpack. During a search of the backpack, the arresting Officer located a replica firearm and a substantial quantity of methamphetamine.

Lara is a known criminal street gang member within the City of Oxnard and a Post Release Offender who had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. Lara was arrested for the felony charges of attempted robbery and possession for sale of dangerous drugs, in addition to the misdemeanor charges of vandalism and resisting an officer.

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: July 22, 2021, 7:30 PM

SUBJECT: Arrest Made In Violent Assault

LOCATION: Island Pacific Market, 4833 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard

SUSPECT: Todd Koep

CONTACT: Detective Carey Everhart

(805) 486-6228 | carey.everhart@oxnardpd.org

On July 22, 2021 at approximately 7:30 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a battery that had just occurred inside of the Island Pacific Market, located at 4833 South Rose Avenue.

When officers arrived, they located and detained the suspect, 59-year-old Todd Koep, in the area. Koep is a transient and a Post Release Offender for elder abuse. The Post Release Offender Program was created in 2011 by Assembly Bill 109 (Public Safety Realignment). The program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious or non-sex related felony offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. Release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent commitment offense and prior convictions are not considered.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Koep was inside of the Island Pacific Market when he approached the victim, a 50-year-old male Oxnard resident, from behind. Without any provocation, Koep began striking the victim, causing him to fall to the ground. The incident was witnessed by several people in the store. Koep then left the store, where he was contacted by responding officers.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was admitted due to significant head injuries, including facial fractures. Koep was arrested for battery with serious bodily injury, as well as a violation of probation, and was later booked into the Ventura County Jail.

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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 22, 2021, 4:10 P.M.

SUBJECT: Felony Wanted Subject Arrested For Possession of a Firearm

LOCATION: 600 Block, Evergreen Lane, Port Hueneme

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | martin.cook@oxnardpd.org

On July 22, at approximately 4:10 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) and Oxnard Police K-9 Unit contacted a subject, Samuel Uribe (22yrs), in the 600 block of Evergreen Lane, Port Hueneme. Uribe was known to have a felony warrant for his arrest, is a known criminal street gang member within the City of Oxnard and is a prohibited person from the possession of firearms and/or ammunition. Uribe has several prior felony firearms convictions, and is a Post Release Offender in the County of Ventura for firearms and narcotics possession.

During the contact, Police Service Dog “Leo” was deployed and assisted in the apprehension of Uribe. After Uribe was taken into custody for his felony warrant, officers located a loaded sawed-off shotgun concealed in Uribe’s waistband area. Uribe was arrested for felony firearms related charges in addition to his felony warrant. The firearm was found to be unregistered in the State of California.

Uribe is currently in 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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 21, 2021, 3:30 PM

SUBJECT: Suspects arrested for purchasing a vehicle with a stolen credit card

LOCATION: 2000 block of North Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA

SUSPECT: Colin Moore, 38 years, resident of Inyo County, CA

Lauren Evans, 30 years, resident of Oxnard, CA

VEHICLE: 2018 Toyota Camry

CONTACT: Detective Enrique Alvarez,

(805) 385-7664| enrique.alvarez@Oxnardpd.org

On July 2, 2021, an auto burglary was reported to the Los Angeles Police Department by the vehicle owner. The vehicle owner reported that several items, including identification cards, credit cards, and checks, were stolen from the vehicle.

On the same day, the suspects, identified as Colin Moore, 38 years and Lauren Evans, 30 years, purchased a 2018 Toyota Camry from an Oxnard car dealership by utilizing the victim's stolen identification and credit cards.

On July 20, 2021, Oxnard Police Department Property Crime Detectives were informed of the fraudulently purchased Toyota and immediately began to follow up on the case. The detectives assisted by the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force (VenCATT), located the vehicle occupied by Moore and Evans in the 2000 block of North Rose Avenue in Oxnard. Both Moore and Evans were taken into custody without incident.

The suspects were found to be in possession of personal identifying information belonging to various persons, which included the driver's license and credit cards used to purchase the Toyota Camry.

The suspects were charged with conspiracy, false personation, possession of a stolen vehicle, purchasing a vehicle under false pretenses and fraud.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to offer the following tips to help prevent fraudulent use of your personal information:

· Immediately report any theft of your personal identifying information especially if it was used to purchase items, obtain credit or open accounts;

· Do not give your personal identifying information to anyone that you do not know or did not solicit their services;

· Do not leave anything containing your personal identifying information in your car or any place where someone could take it;

· Sign the back of your credit cards or write, "Demand to see proper ID" so that clerks pay attention to your credit card use; and

· Obtain a credit report annually: www.annualcreditreport.com.

Residents are also encouraged to be “Partners in Public Safety” and reminded to report suspicious activity to police. Residents can report anonymously and translators are available 24/7. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Oxnard Police Department Detective Enrique Alvarez at (805) 385-7605 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 20, 2021, 5:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: Subject Arrested For Possession of a Firearm

LOCATION: 600 Block, Evergreen Lane, Port Hueneme

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | martin.cook@oxnardpd.org

On July 20, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit) and Oxnard Police K-9 Unit conducted a traffic stop of a Nissan Sentra in the 600 block of Evergreen Lane in Port Hueneme. During the traffic stop, Officer contacted Miguel Vasquez (39yrs), Jeanette Siquiedo (20yrs) and an additional female subject in the vehicle. Vasquez and Siquiedo are known criminal street gang members within the City of Oxnard, and both are prohibited from the possession of firearms and/or ammunition. Vasquez has several prior felony and firearms convictions and Siquiedo is currently on probation in the County of Ventura for firearms possession.

During a search of the vehicle, a loaded semi-automatic .380 caliber Ruger handgun was located concealed in the passenger compartment. Vasquez was found to be in possession of the firearm and arrested for several felony firearms violations. The firearm was found to be unregistered in the State of California.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 17, 2021

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint Results

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Traffic Officer

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

Three Drivers Arrested at the Oxnard DUI Checkpoint

Oxnard, Ca. – 794 drivers were screened while driving through a DUI checkpoint on July 17, 2021. The checkpoint was held at Victoria Avenue south of Wooley Road from 7:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Twenty-two drivers were cited for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended/revoked license. Three drivers were arrested for DUI.

Checkpoint locations 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.

As businesses continue to reopen, including bars and restaurants, impaired driving remains a top traffic safety concern. Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 17, 2021, 1800 Hours

SUBJECT: Assault Victim Dies from Injuries

LOCATION: 500 N. Roosevelt Avenue, Oxnard, CA

VICTIM: Melecio Chavez, 73 Year Old, Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT: Unknown

CONTACT: Edgar Fernandez, Sergeant

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

On July 13, 2021, at about 11:25 PM, officers responded to the call of a subject down in the street, in the 500 block of Roosevelt Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located 73 year old Melecio Chavez who was bleeding from a wound to his head. Officers learned that Chavez had stepped outside of his house and became involved in an argument with two unknown male subjects in front of his residence. During this altercation, it is believed that Chavez was struck by one or both subjects and knocked to the ground.

Emergency medical personnel quickly arrived to provide assistance. Chavez was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for emergency medical treatment.

Today, July 17, 2021, Melecio Chavez succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the hospital.

The Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Unit has taken over this investigation. This is the ninth homicide in the City of Oxnard this year.

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/500rooseveltave. 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 John Sunia (805) 385-7760. 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 PREPARED: July 17, 2020, 9:20 P.M.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: July 16, 2021, 12:50 P.M.

SUBJECT: Body of Missing Person Located

VICTIM: Eudelia Gonzalez Rojas, 46 years old

SUSPECT: Josefino Cayetano Maldonado, 41 years old

CONTACT: Scott Aaron, Sergeant

(805) 385-7756 | Scott.Aaron@Oxnardpd.org

On Saturday, July 10, 2021, at about 8:30 P.M., Eudelia Gonzalez Rojas was seen by family members getting into a vehicle with an unknown person and driving away from her residence. Eudelia didn’t return home on Saturday night, so family members became concerned because she was not responding to telephone calls. The family eventually reported her missing to the Oxnard Police Department on Sunday night, July 11, 2021.

A detailed follow-up investigation was conducted by the Missing Persons Unit and Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department. Detectives obtained evidence that upgraded this case to suspicious circumstances instead of voluntary missing.

On Thursday, July 15, 2021, Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department served a search warrant on a residence in Salinas, California. This residence belonged to the victim’s ex-husband, Josefino Cayetano Maldonado. Josefino Cayetano Maldonado was interviewed by detectives and confessed to killing his ex-wife, Eudelia Gonzalez Rojas in Ventura County but disposed of her body in Santa Barbara County. Detectives are still processing the area where she was murdered. The killing of Ms. Rojas did not take place within the City of Oxnard. Maldonado provided the unincorporated area of the killing to the police at the time of his interview.

The body of Ms. Rojas was located down an embankment in the area of the US 101 Freeway, North of the Gaviota Tunnel in Santa Barbara County. Detectives requested the assistance of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team to recover the body of Ms. Rojas.

Maldonado was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility Roajs’ murder and a bail amount of $500,000.

This investigation is still ongoing at the time of this news release.

The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City.

Investigators are asking the public to come forward if anyone has witnessed this incident. The public is asked to contact Detective Chip Buttell (805) 385-7688 or Detecitve Michael McManama (805) 385-7662.

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.

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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: July 15, 2021

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Officer

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

Oxnard Police Department Holding DUI Checkpoint on July 17, 2021

The Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint on Saturday, July 17, 2021, from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location within the city limits.

Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired. During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.

Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.