NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 23, 2021, 10:40 P.M.

SUBJECT: Documented Gang Member / Prohibited Person Arrested for Firearm Possession

LOCATION: Victoria Ave. at Fifth St., Oxnard

SUSPECTS: Lewis Avalos, 36-year-old Ventura resident

CONTACT: Christopher Williams, Commander

On January 23rd, at approximately 10:40 p.m. officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a suspected traffic infraction at Victoria Ave. and Fifth St. The driver was identified as Lewis Avalos. Avalos is a documented criminal street gang member who is also on parole for assault with a deadly weapon. Officers searched the vehicle pursuant to Avalos’ parole terms and located a loaded handgun. Due to Avalos’ prior conviction for assault with a deadly weapon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Avalos was arrested for several firearms related 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: January 24, 2021 / 0010 hours

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 22, 2021, 12:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: Sexually Violent Predator – Arrested

LOCATION: 600 Block West 5th Street, Oxnard

SUSPECT: Anthony Francis Dacayana, 63 years old

CONTACT: Scott Aaron, Sergeant

(805) 385-7756 | [email protected]

Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 290.45 and Megan’s Law, Oxnard Police Department Chief Jason Benites is announcing that a Sexually Violent Predator was arrested.

On December 3, 2019, Anthony Francis Dacayana was released from Atascadero State Hospital and was living in the City of Oxnard with an electronic monitoring device. He was convicted of rape by force or fear and rape with force and threat. Mr. Dacayana is a registered sex offender. Prior to his release, he was found to be a "Sexually Violent Predator" (SVP) in a separate court proceeding.

On January 22, 2021, The Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit was notified that Mr. Dacayana had violated the terms of his release. He was taken into custody without incident for the violation. Mr. Dacayana was booked into Ventura County Jail and not eligible for bail. He will remain in custody of the Ventura County Sheriff until he returns to Atascadero State Hospital.

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: January 22, 2021

SUBJECT: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operations

LOCATION: City of Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Traffic Officer

(805) 385-7749 | [email protected]

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operations Planned for

January 23, 2021, and January 24, 2021

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct two bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operations on January 23, 2021, and January 24, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. aimed at keeping people who need to go out to exercise or run essential errands safely.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is requiring residents to stay home as much as possible, the Oxnard Police Department recognizes the need to protect the public by looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers, and pedestrians that make roads unsafe.

These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals, or any other traffic violation. Officers will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violations of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.

The safety of bicyclists and pedestrians remains a top priority for the Oxnard Police Department. To keep you and your family safe, the Oxnard Police Department offers the following tips when out biking, driving, or walking:

PEDESTRIANS

● Only cross at marked crosswalks or intersections with a stop sign or signal.

● Look for cars backing up. Avoid going between parked cars.

● Make eye contact with drivers. Don’t assume they see you.

● Wear bright clothing during the day and use a flashlight when walking at night.

DRIVERS

● Wait for pedestrians to cross the street. Be courteous and patient.

● Stay off the phone.

● Follow the speed limit.

● Look for pedestrians when backing up or turning.

BICYCLISTS

● Always wear a helmet. Helmets are required by law for anyone under 18.

● Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

Everyone who is out is reminded to practice physical distancing measures, when feasible, staying at least six feet away from others.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 21, 2021, 11:04 p.m.

SUBJECT: Serious injury hit and run collision

LOCATION: 1200 block of W. Gonzales Road, Oxnard

VICTIM: 29-year-old female of Oxnard

SUSPECT: Unknown

VEHICLE: Unknown

CONTACT: Manuel Perez, Traffic Officer

(805) 385-7750 | [email protected]

On January 21, 2021, at approximately 11:04 hours, officers were dispatched to 1201 W. Gonzales Road regarding a disturbance possibly involving a fight in the alley. As officers were responding to the scene, additional information was received that a collision had occurred involving a pedestrian. Once officers arrived at the location, they discovered a 29-year-old female of Oxnard had been struck by a vehicle and sustained serious injuries. The pedestrian was immediately transported to Ventura County Medical Center where she is listed in critical condition.

Limited information was received regarding the driver and vehicle involved in the collision, however, it was determined the driver fled in the vehicle westbound in the north alley of W. Gonzales Road towards Ventura Road. Traffic investigators have taken over the investigation and encourage anyone with information regarding this collision to contact Traffic Officer Manuel Perez at (805) 385-7750, 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 www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 21, 2021, 5:00 a.m.

SUBJECT: Maintaining a drug house / Elder Abuse Arrest

SUSPECTS: Octavio Perez, 45 year old Oxnard resident

Joseph Mondesi, 21 year old Oxnard resident

Mario Magdaleno, 34 year old Oxnard resident

Alan Quintero, 23 year old Oxnard resident

Robert Pulido, 29 year old Oxnard resident

Maricela Suarez, 27 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 1200 Block of Devonshire Drive, Oxnard

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

805-256-5121, [email protected]

During the month of November, 2020, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) began an investigation into narcotics activity occurring at a residence located in the 1200 block of Devonshire Road. During the investigation, detectives identified the resident, Octavio Perez, after patrol officers responded to an overdose investigation inside of the residence on November 17, 2020. During this incident, Perez was contacted by patrol officers inside of the residence while he was in possession of a firearm. Perez threatened to shoot police officers while Oxnard Fire Personnel were attempting to revive the fifty year old victim. The victim ultimately was pronounced deceased at the scene and Perez was not apprehended. During the investigation, two additional overdoses occurred at the residence and the victims were revived with Narcan.

On January 21, 2021, with the assistance of the Oxnard SWAT team, Oxnard K9 Unit, Oxnard Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), the Oxnard Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT), Ventura County Sherriff’s Office, and the Ventura Police Department, DEU Detectives served a search warrant at the residence. During the service of the search warrant, Joseph Mondesi, fled out of the rear of the residence and began jumping neighboring fences. Mondesi was contacted by SWAT officers and taken into custody for his outstanding misdemeanor warrants. A seventeen year old reported runaway exited the residence and surrendered without incident. After multiple requests were made for the occupants to exit the residence, CNT officers attempted to make contact with any additional occupants.

CNT Officers attempted to make contact with the occupants for several minutes. Octavio Perez suddenly appeared in a front window of the residence and began waving a pistol at the SWAT officers before retreating out of view of the officers. CNT officers attempted to negotiate with Perez, however, Perez refused to cooperate. SWAT officers put chemical irritants inside of the residence in an attempt to gain compliance. After approximately ten minutes of the irritants being placed inside of the residence, five subjects including Perez, exited the residence. Perez became non-compliant and K9 Rocky apprehended Perez. As K9 Rocky was apprehending Perez, an imitation firearm fell from his person onto the pavement. The four other subjects were taken into custody without further incident.

DEU detectives responded to the residence after all of the subjects were detained to complete the investigation. Octavio Perez was arrested for a felony warrant regarding his Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS), elder abuse (felony), maintaining / operating a drug house (felony), brandishing an imitation firearm (misdemeanor), and altering an imitation firearm (misdemeanor). Mario Magdaleno and Maricela Suarez were arrested for a misdemeanor warrant and resisting or delaying a police officer during an investigation. Alan Quintero and Robert Pulido were arrested for resisting or delaying a police officer during an investigation.

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: January 20, 2021, 08:00 p.m.

SUBJECT: Narcotics Sales Arrest

SUSPECTS: Robert Mahoney, 56 Year Old Thousand Oaks resident

William Mahoney, 57 Year Old Thousand Oaks resident

LOCATION: 2000 Block of Solar Drive, Oxnard

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

805-256-5121, [email protected]

On January 20, 2021, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Oxnard Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT), Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) completed an investigation into Robert Mahoney in reference to narcotics sales in Ventura County. During the investigation, Detectives learned that Robert Mahoney had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Detectives located Robert in a vehicle with his brother, William Mahoney. NPT Officers contacted Robert while he was seated in a vehicle and he was taken into custody for his outstanding warrant. Robert was found to be in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine. During a search of the vehicle, Officers located additional methamphetamine, digital scales, packaging, and US Currency consistent with the street sales of narcotics belonging to William Mahoney. Additionally, William was found to be in possession of a replica firearm. William and Robert were charged with transportation and possession for sale of methamphetamine, both felonies. They were booked into Ventura County Jail.

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: January 9, 2021, 3:43 P.M.

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a bicyclist

LOCATION: Oxnard Blvd. north of Wooley Road, Oxnard

DRIVER: 21-year-old male of Fresno, CA

VEHICLE: 2019 Peterbilt semi-truck and trailer

BICYCLIST: 75-year-old male of Oxnard

CONTACT: Michael Gens, Traffic Officer

(805) 385-7750 | [email protected]

On January 9, 2021, at approximately 3:43 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision involving a semi-truck and trailer and a bicyclist that occurred on Oxnard Blvd. north of Wooley Road. Officers determined that a 2019 Peterbilt semi-truck towing a 53-foot trailer struck a 75-year-old male of Oxnard. The bicyclist sustained critical injuries and succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the collision. The 21-year-old semi-truck driver of Fresno remained at the scene and provided information regarding the collision.

Traffic investigators responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that the driver of the semi-truck and trailer was northbound Oxnard Blvd. after turning from Wooley Road when the bicyclist was struck. The driver immediately stopped and parked along the right side of the roadway after the collision. Traffic investigators do not believe that speed and/or alcohol are contributing factors to the collision.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Officer Michael Gens at (805) 385-7750 or via email at [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 17, 2021, 3:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: Arrest for Firearms Possession

LOCATION: 200 block Cuesta Del Mar (South Alley)

CONTACT: Miguel Serrato, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On Sunday, January 17, at approximately 3:30 p.m., patrol officers with the Oxnard Police Department conducted a stop reference a business and profession code violation. Officers contacted Roberto Perez Jr. (24yrs), who was driving a white Honda Accord. During the officer’s investigation, they located a firearm inside the vehicle in plain view.

Officers seized the firearm from the vehicle. The firearm located was a loaded 9mm caliber Glock style Polymer-80 semi-automatic handgun. The firearm was found to be non-serialized and unregistered. Perez was arrested for illegal possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle.

The Oxnard Police Department 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: January 19, 2020, 4:10 p.m.

SUBJECT: Narcotics Sales / Firearms Arrest

SUSPECTS: Juan Contreras, 24 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 200 block of South Juanita Avenue

CONTACT: Brandon Ordelheide, Sergeant

805-256-5121, [email protected]

On January 19, 2021, the Oxnard Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) served a search warrant in the 200 block of South Juanita Avenue in reference to Juan Contreras being involved in the ongoing sales of Alprazolam (Xanax). During the investigation, SEU Officers made a traffic enforcement stop on Contreras when he left his residence. During the investigation, Contreras was found in possession of a large quantity of Xanax and US Currency.

DEU detectives and SEU officers conducted a search of Contreras’s residence and located a loaded firearm and evidence consistent with the street sales of narcotics. Contreras was charged with possession of Xanax for sale, a felony, and felony firearm violations.

On December 12, 2020 SEU officers conducted a traffic stop on Contreras and arrested him for being in possession of a loaded unregistered firearm. DEU detectives learned that when Contreras was contacted today, he was currently out on felony bail for the December 12, 2020 incident.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 8, 2021

SUBJECT: Distracted Driving Enforcement

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Senior Traffic Officer

(805) 385-7749 | [email protected]

The Oxnard Police Department Focuses on Distracted Driving Enforcement

On January 12, 2021, the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers that are violating the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

Under the law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while driving. This includes talking, texting or using an app.

A driver cell phone violation is subject to a $157 fine for the first offense.

Other distractions include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, taking off a jacket, reaching for an object on the floor or navigating a vehicle’s in-dash touchscreen.

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.