News Release: Fatal Traffic Collision (8/11/20)

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           August 11, 2020, 7:50 a.m.

SUBJECT:    Single vehicle fatal traffic collision

LOCATION:  Ventura Road south of Wagon Wheel Road, Oxnard

DRIVER:       49-year-old male of Oxnard  

VEHICLE:     2003 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck

CONTACT:   Manuel Perez III, Traffic Officer

                        (805) 385-7750 | [email protected]

 

On August 11, 2020, at approximately 7:50 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a single-vehicle traffic collision that occurred in the area of Ventura Road south of Wagon Wheel Road.  Officers determined that a 49-year-old male of Oxnard driving a 2003 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was traveling northbound on Ventura Road, and, for unknown reasons, veered off the roadway onto the center divider.  The vehicle then struck a support structure for the train bridge located on Ventura Road south of Wagon Wheel Road. 

The driver sustained critical injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the collision.  

Traffic investigators have taken over the investigation.  It does not appear that alcohol and/or drugs were involved.  Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Officer Manuel Perez at (805) 385-7750 or via email at [email protected]. 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           August 7, 2020, 8:31 P.M.

SUBJECT:    Serious injury traffic collision involving a Metrolink train and a vehicle

LOCATION:  Del Norte Blvd. at Fifth Street, Oxnard

DRIVER:       55-year-old male of Oxnard   

VEHICLE:     2003 Chevy S-10 pickup truck

CONTACT:   Paul Knapp, Senior Officer

                        (805) 385-7750 | [email protected]

 

On August 7, 2020, at approximately 8:31 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision involving a Metrolink train and a vehicle that occurred at Del Norte Blvd. and Fifth Street.  Officers determined that a 55-year-old male of Oxnard driving a Chevy S-10 pickup truck was traveling southbound on Del Norte Blvd.  As the driver drove onto the railroad grade crossing located north of Fifth Street, he turned right and drove westbound onto the railroad tracks where the vehicle became stuck.  A westbound Metrolink train then approached the intersection and attempted to stop but was unable to avoid the collision and collided with the pickup truck. 

The driver sustained serious injuries and was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.   No one riding on the Metrolink train was injured.  After the investigation was completed, the Metrolink train was able to continue to the Oxnard Transit Center. 

Traffic investigators have taken over the investigation.  It is unknown whether alcohol and/or drugs 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:            August 6, 2020, 2:45 P.M.

SUBJECT:   Attempted Bank Robbery Arrest

VICTIM:         Wells Fargo Bank

SUSPECT:   Craig James Brashear, 45 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION:  Wells Fargo Bank, 400 block E. Esplanade Drive Oxnard, CA

CONTACT:   Rocky Marquez, Sergeant

                        (805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

 

On Thursday, August 6, 2020, officers responded to a report of a bank robbery in progress at the Wells Fargo Bank, located in the 400 block of E. Esplanade Drive, in Oxnard. The suspect, Craig Brashear, claimed to have a “bomb” and demanded an undisclosed amount of money from the bank teller. A bank employee immediately retreated from the counter and called police to report the incident. Responding officers contacted and detained Brashear as he was fleeing the business. Brashear also claimed to have placed an explosive device on the roof of the business. The Oxnard Police Department Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was used to search the roof for possible explosive devices. No suspicious devices were located in the area.

 

Craig Brashear was arrested for attempted robbery of the bank and the malicious informing of a false explosive device. A records check revealed that Brashear has multiple prior bank robbery convictions.

 

Police, Fire, and Water Department personnel are on scene of a significant water main break at the intersection of Pleasant Valley and Perkins Road. Traffic is closed on Pleasant Valley Road, in both directions, between C and J Street. The road closure is expected to be in effect for an extended period of time. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes. 

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:            July 22, 2020, 1:00 P.M.

SUBJECT:   Arrests Made In String of Robberies

LOCATION:  Pleasant Valley Road and Charles Street, Oxnard, CA

CONTACT:   Jaime Miranda, Detective

(805) 385-7547                                

[email protected]           

 

 

During the week of July 18^th 2020, the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit began an investigation into a series of robberies of street vendors in the Southwinds Neighborhood. On July 22^nd 2020, investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit were conducting directed enforcement in the Southwinds Neighborhood in reference to those robberies. At approximately 1:00 P.M., investigators observed what they believed was a robbery in progress to a street vendor near the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Charles Street.

 

Investigators drove towards the incident to make contact with the involved parties however the suspect drove away in a vehicle. Investigators conducted an enforcement stop on the vehicle and contacted the lone occupant, who was identified as 26-year-old Oxnard resident Diego Cruz. While speaking with Cruz, additional investigators contacted the victim, who confirmed that Cruz was attempting to rob him.

 

Cruz was arrested for four counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery. He was later booked into the Ventura County Jail on those charges. Anyone with any information regarding this crime or similar crimes is encouraged to contact Detective Jaime Miranda at 805-385-7547.

 

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.