OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	December 20, 2019 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

DUI Checkpoint nets two DUI arrests

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit arrested two impaired drivers while conducting a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint on December 20, 2019. The checkpoint was conducted on Rose Avenue north of Wooley Road between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m., resulting in the following:

976 vehicles screened
Two DUI-alcohol suspects arrested
21 drivers cited for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked
32 citations issued
Four vehicles towed

DUI checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Last year, the Oxnard Police Department investigated 253 DUI collisions that killed six people and injured 142 others.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be approximately $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, can impair and result in a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: December 21, 2019 / 4:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Collision Involving Juvenile Pedestrian
DATE/TIME:	December 19, 2019/ 4:16 p.m.
LOCATION:	C Street and Coach C Lane
VICTIM(S):	Withheld, 11-year-old male
PREPARED BY:	Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander (805) 385-7771 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 12/19/19, at about 4:16 p.m., officers were dispatched to a collision involving a vehicle and a juvenile pedestrian, near the intersection of C Street and Coach C Lane. Upon arrival, officers found an 11-year-old child suffering from a head injury. The child was transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center and later airlifted to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, in critical but stable condition. Based upon a preliminary investigation, it appears the driver of a pick-up truck made a left turn, from westbound Coach C Lane to southbound C Street, and collided with the victim in the roadway.

An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 12/19/19, 9:55 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest in the Murder of Peter Morales
DATE/TIME:	December 18, 2019, at about 2:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	Hood River County, Oregon
VICTIM(S):	Peter Morales, 17-year-old, Hispanic male
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Manuel Dimas, 21-year-old Hispanic male
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763 [email protected]
FOLLOW UP MEDIA CONTACT PERSONS AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763 [email protected] Commander Sharon Giles (805) 385-7620 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On September 14, 2019, at about 10:45 P.M., patrol officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the 1700 block of Elsinore Circle for a reported shooting victim. When officers arrived, they located a 17-year-old Peter Morales suffering from a gunshot wound. EMS transported him by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center, but he did not survive his injuries.

Major Crimes investigators worked tirelessly and thoroughly investigated the murder of Mr. Morales to identify the person responsible for his death. During the investigation, Major Crimes investigators interviewed numerous people who provided valuable information. As the homicide investigation continued, investigators positively identified 21-year-old Jose Dimas as the person responsible for the death of Mr. Morales.

Major Crimes investigators worked with the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, the Cyber Investigations Unit and Special Enforcement Unit, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Marshals Service, Hillsboro Police Department (Oregon), and the Oregon State Police.

On December 18, 2019, Mr. Dimas was taken into custody without incident for murder in Hood River, Oregon. Mr. Dimas was booked into a Hood River County Detention Facility awaiting extradition to Ventura County on a bail amount of $555,000.

Investigators are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Miguel Serrato (805) 385-7688. Investigators are also encouraging 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/1700elsinorecir. 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.

The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within 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 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: December 18, 2019, 2:30 P.M.

(Booking photo from May 2019)

Jose Manuel Dimas, DOB 9/5/1998

INCIDENT:	Gang Member Arrested for Illegal Possession of an Assault Rifle and Handguns
DATE/TIME:	December 15^th, 2019/ 12:20 p.m.
LOCATION:	CenterPoint Mall, 2655 Saviers Road, Oxnard CA. 93033
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Martin Zamora, 25 years old
PREPARED BY:	Martin Cook, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Christopher Williams, Commander [email protected] 805-207-7234

DETAILS:

On December 15^th, 2019 at approximately 12:20 P.M., officers from the Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) and K-9 Unit (Rocky) conducted a traffic stop in the area of the CenterPoint Mall for a vehicle code violation. During that traffic stop, officers contacted Zamora who was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Officers observed illegal items inside the vehicle and a search resulted in finding 3 firearms (a loaded AR-15 style assault rifle, a loaded 9mm semi-auto handgun and a .357 revolver) and a loaded 40 round 5.56 caliber high capacity magazine. None of the firearms located were registered to Zamora. Zamora is also a criminal street gang member. Zamora was arrested for numerous felony weapons charges.

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: December 15^th, 2019 / 1800 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department’s D.R.A.G.G. Auto Youth Program’s Fourth Holiday Vehicle Giveaway
DATE/TIME:	December 14, 2019 / 5:45 p.m.
PREPARED BY:	Paul Carganilla, Community Affairs Manager (805) 342-8292 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Daniel Shrubb (805) 200-2134 [email protected]

(OXNARD, California) –

This morning, in conjunction with the Twelfth Annual Santa to the Sea Toy Drive by Nyeland Promise, the Oxnard Police Department’s D.R.A.G.G. (Drag Racing Against Gangs and Graffiti) auto youth program gifted a refurbished vehicle to a well-deserving local family.

This is the fourth consecutive year our D.R.A.G.G. program has repaired and reconditioned a previously-owned vehicle and donated it to a family in need of reliable transportation. The vehicle, a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander, was donated by Oxnard Mitsubishi and refurbished by D.R.A.G.G., with assistance from Commercial Auto Body in Oxnard.

This year, over sixty well-deserving families were nominated. The recipients, Juan Cruz and his family, were selected by the students in the D.R.A.G.G. program.

Media with questions can contact Paul Carganilla (805) 342-8291 or [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: December 14th, 2019 / 5:45 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign
DATES:	December 13, 2019 to January 1, 2020
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over This Holiday Season

National Enforcement Campaign through New Year’s Day

The Oxnard Police Department encourages everyone attending holiday parties and gatherings where alcohol may be involved to use a designated sober driver.

This holiday season, from Dec. 13^th to New Year’s Day, the Oxnard Police Department will have more officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

In addition, the Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on December 20, 2019 from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Oxnard.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs.

So, if you are hosting a holiday party, offer non-alcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor how people are getting home. If someone has been drinking and tries to leave, offer to have them stay the night or take ride-share home.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: December 12, 2019 / 3:00 p.m.

INCIDENT:	Juvenile arrested for possession of a loaded firearm
DATE/TIME:	December 11, 2019 / 8:10PM
LOCATION:	Perkins Road and Clara Street, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Fifteen year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Kevin Baysinger, Commander [email protected] 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Kevin Baysinger, Commander [email protected] 805-385-7600

DETAILS:

On December 11, 2019 at about 8:10PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were patrolling in the vicinity of the recent homicide, specifically Perkins Road and Clara Street in south Oxnard. The observed group of individuals nearby and one person fled upon seeing the officers. The officers followed this person, and observed him toss an object beneath a vehicle. Officers contacted this individual, a 15 year old male juvenile, and also located a loaded firearm underneath the vehicle. They believed that the juvenile discarded the firearm underneath the vehicle to avoid arrest.

The juvenile was arrested for firearms violations. He was ultimately transported to the Ventura County Juvenile Justice center.

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: December 11, 2019 / 10:30PM

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On December 11, 2019 at approximately 12:51 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the Shell Gas Station, located at 1400 South Oxnard Boulevard, in reference to an armed robbery that had just occurred. The suspect entered the business, brandished a firearm, and demanded money. After taking an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect took some food items and fled the business.

At approximately 1:19 PM, while officers were still on scene at Shell Gas, additional officers were dispatched to a second armed robbery at Fiesta Liquor, located at 1637 South Oxnard Boulevard. Similar to the first robbery, the suspect entered the business, produced a handgun, and demanded cash. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and fled the business.

At approximately 1:50 PM, officers were dispatched to a third armed robbery at Mr. Kwiks Market, located at 1309 Saviers Road. Again, the circumstances were similar to the previous two robberies. The suspect entered the business, brandished a firearm at the employee and demanded cash. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and fled the business.

The suspect description was similar in all three robberies. An alert patrol officer who was responding to the area to assist, observed a subject matching the description in the 1200 block of South Oxnard Boulevard. The officer attempted to make contact with the subject but he fled into the east alley of Oxnard Boulevard. The officer gave chase and was able to apprehend the subject. He was found to be in possession of a small caliber handgun and a large amount of currency in various denominations. Based on evidence located at scenes of the robberies, it was determined that the subject, a 16 year old Oxnard resident, was responsible for all three armed robberies. He was later lodged at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center. The investigations are ongoing.

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.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Public Notification – Release of Sexually Violent Predator
DATE/TIME:	December 3, 2019
LOCATION:	611 West 5th Street, Oxnard
SUBJECT:	Anthony Francis Dacayana, 62-year-old Hispanic male, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763 [email protected]
FOLLOW UP CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763 [email protected] Commander Sharon Giles (805) 385-7620 [email protected]

DETAILS:

Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 290.45 and Megan’s Law, Oxnard Police Department Chief Scott Whitney is announcing that a Sexually Violent Predator (“SVP”) was released from a state facility to the City of Oxnard on December 3, 2019, with an electronic monitoring device.

The purpose of this information is to allow the members of the public to protect themselves and their children from sex offenders. The law requires that we notify the public that it is illegal to use information obtained from this notification to commit a crime against a SVP or to engage in illegal discrimination or harassment against a SVP. A person is authorized to use this information only to protect a person at risk.

Anthony Francis Dacayana was convicted of rape by force or fear and rape with force and threat. Mr. Dacayana was found to be a SVP in a separate court proceeding and was released from Atascadero State Hospital on December 3, 2019.

Mr. Dacayana has convictions in two separate rape incidents. In the past, his victims were female adults whom he befriended. In the first incident, Dacayana was convicted of rape by force or fear. In the second incident, he was convicted for rape with force and threat. He raped and robbed a blind 34-year‐old woman in her home, he gagged and tied her hands and unplugged the phone.

Anyone with information regarding this subject 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.

Name: Anthony Francis Dacayana

Aliases: Cacayana, Anthony Francis

Dacayana, Tony Frances

Dacayana, Tony

Dacayana, Anthony

Date of Birth: 8/6/1957 (62 years)

Race: American Indian

Height: 5’10 Weight: 235

Hair: Blk/Gry Eyes: Brown

Tattoos: Right arm, chest, left arm, both hands, back, left eye, abdomen, both shoulders, & left facial cheek

Address: 611 West 5th Street, Oxnard

Vehicle(s): None

Registered Crime(s):

California Penal Code section 261(2) Rape by force or fear

California Penal Code section 261.2/261.3 Rape with force and threat

DATE / TIME PREPARED: December 9, 2019, 5:30 P.M.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest of scam participant for money laundering
DATE/TIME:	12-9-2019/1015
LOCATION:	800 block South E Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	12 elderly victims across the country
SUSPECT(S):	Varadin, Dennis Dean, 65 years old
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	$170,000+
PREPARED BY:	Detective Erica Escalante
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Erica Escalante (805) 385-7661

DETAILS:

On December 9, 2019, officers from the Oxnard Police Department arrested Dennis Dean Varadin (6-7-1954) for money laundering, theft, and elder financial abuse after a four-month long investigation by the Oxnard Police Department Financial Crimes Unit. In August 2019 an elderly victim’s son from North Carolina reported suspicious activity on the Oxnard Police Department web site www.OxnardPD.org because his father sent a large check to someone in Oxnard as part of a telephone sweepstakes scam. The Oxnard Police Department began accepting online suspicious activity reports this year and over 600 reports have been received; many resulting in arrests for a variety of crimes.

In conjunction with the Ventura County Adult Protective Services to whom several banks filed mandated elder financial abuse reports, the Oxnard Police Department Financial Crimes Detective undertook a lengthy investigation. The Detective found that Varadin received large checks totaling over $170,000 from more than ten elderly scam victims across the country over the past year. Varadin was booked into Ventura County Jail with a bail of $20,000.

It is illegal to knowingly transmit stolen funds through one’s bank account. No obviously fraudulent checks should ever be deposited or cashed against one’s account. Resources on how to recognize scams can be found on the web sites for the Oxnard Police Department at www.OxnardPD.org/fraud, the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov, and the FBI at www.ic3.gov.

Ventura County Adult Protective Services investigated over 4600 cases of elder physical, financial abuse and neglect in 2019. APS partners with law enforcement when abuse rises to a criminal level through our Rapid Response Expert Team and Financial Abuse Specialist Team. If an elder is the victim of any online or phone scam or any type of financial or physical abuse, reports can be made to (805) 654-3200. The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging also provides telephone support for elderly scam victims at (805) 477-7300. The Coalition for Family Harmony also provides counseling for victims of online romance scams at (800) 300-2181.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 12-9-2019/1300