NEWS RELEASE

DATE:            April 29, 2021, 9:45 PM

SUBJECT:   Fatal Traffic Collision

LOCATION:  Gonzales Road at Victoria Avenue

DRIVER/VEHICLE: Unidentified Adult Female

                                     2008 Nissan Altima

DRIVER/VEHICLE: 31-year-old female of Oxnard, CA

                                    2019 Dodge Durango

CONTACT:   Paul Knapp, Senior Officer

                        (805) 305-7750 | [email protected]

On April 29, 2021, at around 9:45 PM, Oxnard officers and EMS personnel responded to a call of a traffic collision involving two vehicles that occurred in the intersection of Gonzales Road and Victoria Avenue in the City of Oxnard.  The initial investigation determined that the Dodge Durango and the Nissan Altima collided with each other in the intersection for unknown reasons.  

The unidentified adult female driver of the Nissan Altima suffered serious injuries during the collision and was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center.  Despite advanced medical treatment, the driver succumbed to her injuries. 

The driver of the 2019 Dodge Durango, identified as a 31-year-old female of Oxnard, was transported to St John’s Regional Medical Center due to minor injuries. 

An investigation is ongoing to determine whether drugs and/or alcohol were involved.  Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Senior Officer Paul Knapp at (805) 385-7750 or via email at [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:                        April 28, 2021, 7:00 a.m.

SUBJECT:                 Maintaining a drug house / Child Endangerment Arrest

SUSPECTS:               Steve Myers, 49 year old Oxnard resident

                                       Joemar Reano, 38 year old Oxnard resident

                                       Cecilia Calderon, 40 year old Oxnard resident

                                       Lori Upton, 58 year old Oxnard resident

                                       James Beltran, 53 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION:               4000 Block of Terrace Ave, Oxnard

CONTACT:                Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

                                   805-256-5121, [email protected]

During the month of April, 2021, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the South District Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT) began an investigation into narcotics activity occurring at a residence located in the 4000 Block of Terrace Avenue. During the investigation, detectives received several complaints regarding multiple subjects coming and going from the residence. After completing the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant in reference to the narcotics activity at the residence.  

On April 28, 2021, with the assistance of the Oxnard SWAT, Oxnard K9 Unit, and Ventura County Sherriff’s Office, DEU Detectives served a search warrant at the residence. During the service of the search warrant, multiple requests were made for the occupants to exit the residence. Officers observed occupants moving around in the residence, but refusing to exit. Officers attempted to make contact with the occupants for several minutes with no response. SWAT Officers utilized several Light and Sound Distraction Devices and quickly gained compliance from the occupants. In total, thirteen occupants exited the residence and were detained by SWAT Officers.   

DEU detectives responded to the residence after all of the subjects were detained to complete the investigation. During the investigation, the primary resident was identified as Steve Myers and the residence had multiple makeshift beds and sleeping areas. Myers also had his adult child and juvenile child living at the residence. Detectives conducted a search of the residence and located Methamphetamine and Fentanyl and further evidence of narcotics sales. Additionally, a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition was located unsecured on a bed. Drug paraphernalia was also located throughout the entire residence.

Steve Myers was arrested for maintaining a drug house, a felony, and child endangerment, a misdemeanor. Joemar Reano, Cecilia Calderon, and Lori Upton were arrested for misdemeanor warrants. James Beltran was arrested for a misdemeanor narcotics related charge. Children and Family Services was notified and assisted with relocating the juvenile to a safe environment.    

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:           April 22, 2021, 5:51 P.M.

SUBJECT:    Felon Arrested After Dumping Loaded Handgun in Convenience Store

LOCATION:  1900 Block North Rose Ave., Oxnard

SUSPECTS:  Michael Sigala, 31-year-old Camarillo resident                         

CONTACT:    Tim Kelley, Commander

                        (805) 857-5297 | [email protected]

On April 22nd, at approximately 5:51 p.m. officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a suspected traffic violation at Rose Ave. and Gonzales Rd. The driver, later identified as Michael Sigala, immediately fled from the vehicle and into a crowded convenience store where Sigala attempted to hide a loaded handgun amongst display items in the store.  Sigala was apprehended as he attempted to flee the convenience store.  Officers recovered the loaded firearm from the display items. 

Sigala is a felon and prohibited from possessing firearms due to the following felony convictions: felony child abuse, felon in possession of firearms, and felony evading. Sigala is also a documented Oxnard criminal street gang member.  Sigala was booked for several felony firearms violations.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  April 22, 2021 / 1945 hours

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:           April 25, 2021, 5:00 P.M.

SUBJECT:    Felon Arrested for Illegal Possession of Firearm and Sales of Controlled Substances.

LOCATION:  100 block E. Cedar St., Oxnard

SUSPECTS:  Jovany Lopez, 21-year-old Oxnard resident                                                   CONTACT:     Tim Kelley, Commander

                        (805) 857-5297 | [email protected]

On April 25^th, at approximately 3:41 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation at Iris and Valley Park.  The driver, Jovany Lopez (21 years old), was contacted and found to be on probation for a felony conviction of illegal firearm possession and sales of controlled substances from a prior arrest the Special Enforcement Unit had made in 2020.

A probation search was conducted at Lopez’ residence per his search terms.  Officers located a homemade (ghost) Glock style 9mm handgun without a serial number. Officers also located 12.5 grams of methamphetamine, 119 grams of heroin, and two (2) bottles of Promethazine.  In addition, paraphernalia and a large amount of U.S. Currency were located indicating the sales of controlled substances.  Due to Jovany’s conviction, he is a felon prohibited from possessing firearms.  Jovany was booked for several additional felony weapons violations and sales of controlled substances.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  April 25, 2021 / 1830 hours

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:                        April 21, 2021, 3:00 p.m.

SUBJECT:                 Overdose investigation leads to Fentanyl Sales Arrest

SUSPECTS:               Robert Garcia, 47 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION:               4600 Block of South ‘A’ Street, Oxnard                                                          

CONTACT:                Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

                                   805-256-5121, [email protected]

During the month of March, 2021, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), the South District Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT), and Homeless Liaison Officers (HLO’s) began an investigation regarding an increase in drug overdoses occurring in south Oxnard. During the investigation, Robert Garcia was identified as being involved in the sale of Fentanyl in the surrounding area. DEU Detectives developed enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for narcotics sales.

On April 21, 2021, with the assistance of South District NPT Officers, a search warrant was served at Robert Garcia’s residence. During the service of the search warrant, Garcia fled from officers and was detained at the residence. During a search of the residence, detectives and NPT Officers located a large quantity of Fentanyl, Heroin, Methamphetamine, US Currency, and further evidence of narcotics sales.   

Robert Garcia was arrested for possession for sale of Fentanyl, Heroin, and Methamphetamine, all felonies. Additionally, Garcia was charged with possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, a felony, destruction of evidence, and resisting an officer during the course of the investigation, both misdemeanors. This is Garcia’s second arrest for narcotics sales in the City of Oxnard within the last 17 months.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing narcotics related overdoses within Oxnard neighborhoods.  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.