NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

SWAT Team Call Out- Wanted Person Arrested

DATE/TIME:

8/30/19, 12:12 p.m.

LOCATION:

1800 block of Adelaide Court, Oxnard

SUSPECT(S):

James Solis, age 51, Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander

(805) 385-7771

[email protected]

DETAILS:

On 8/30/19, at approximately 12:12 p.m., officers went to a residence in the 1800 block of Adelaide Court to contact wanted subject James Solis (age 51), who had two no-bail felony warrants, and a misdemeanor warrant. When officers arrived, Solis fled into his residence. The Oxnard Police Department SWAT Team was deployed. Over the next 3 ½ hours, SWAT used various tactics in an attempt to make contact with Solis, with no response. At approximately 1537 hours, SWAT finally made contact with Solis and he surrendered without incident. Solis was taken into custody and booked into Ventura County Jail for the outstanding warrants, in addition to a misdemeanor charge of delaying the duties of an officer.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/30/19, 1930 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2019

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

Denise Shadinger, Commander

[email protected] (805) 385-7619

City of Oxnard Alarm Ordinance and Alarm Permit Requirements

Oxnard, CA – Law enforcement responses to false alarms is a nationwide public safety concern, as their sheer number imposes a drain on resources. Some studies across the nation have estimated that about 98% of alarm calls received by communications centers are false alarms. In 2018, the Oxnard Police Department responded to 4,823 security alarm calls, and 99.3% of them were false alarms. False alarms are preventable and compete with legitimate calls for service.

The City of Oxnard’s revised alarm ordinance went into effect on February 7, 2019. The newly revised ordinance adopts measures that are intended to reduce the number of police responses to false alarms, as well as promote alarm user responsibility.

Oxnard’s alarm ordinance introduced “enhanced call confirmation” (“ECC”) to the city as a prerequisite to alarm companies requesting a police response to one of its client locations. ECC requires the alarm company to attempt to reach two (2) pre-designated contacts before requesting a police response. Exceptions to this practice can occur, such as when audio/video can immediately confirm that an intrusion has taken place. Panic, duress, and robbery alarms, as well as locations designated by the Police Department, are exempt from ECC.

Regarding ECC, Oxnard Police Department Commander Denise Shadinger stated, “With this new call confirmation process, we need our local alarm users to contact their alarm company and provide them with accurate phone numbers to call in the event the alarm is activated. The alarm companies are required to contact the listed responsible persons before calling us.”

According to the National Monitoring Center, many agencies that have adopted ECC practices are reporting between a 60-70% decrease in false alarm responses. This reduction translates to increased officer availability to respond to other service demands.

Alarm users are required to maintain a valid security alarm permit. On July 10, 2019, the Oxnard Police Department “went live” with its online alarm permit management system. This system, through a third-party vendor, has a website that allows Oxnard’s alarm users to conveniently register for their security alarm permits. The link is: https://www.crywolfservices.com/oxnardca/

Alarm users who do not have a valid permit and have an alarm-generated police response to their site are subject to a fine. Assistant Police Chief Jason Benites stated: “We’ve been messaging this to our community over the past several months. Six months after the ordinance went into effect, we are coming across residents and business owners who still do not have a valid permit, and in some cases, never obtained one. We would prefer that our local alarm users go and get their permit, so they are not penalized.”

Benites added: “Our main goal is to reduce the number of false alarm calls so that our officers can be available for real emergencies. False alarm responses can be prevented by alarm users being responsible for their systems.”

Alarm users who generate two or more police responses to their alarm site during a given twelve-month period will be subject to a $145 penalty, per response. Oxnard Alarm Administrator, Lynnette Raya, stated, “We implemented this penalty to address those locations that cause an excessive number of responses. We literally have some locations that generate several of them each year, if not each month. We have been reaching out to those locations in an effort to have them address the issue, but in some cases, the alarms continue.”

For more information on Oxnard’s alarm ordinance and false alarm reduction effort, contact your alarm monitoring service, or visit: https://sites.google.com/oxnardpd.org/alarminfo/security-alarms-home

Oxnard’s Alarm Ordinance, Section 11-63 (Q) defines a false alarm as:

“An alarm to which responding personnel, having investigated the alarm site, find no evidence of a situation requiring a response by such personnel, or, except for an alarm based on fire or medical emergency, find that the alarm site contains one or more unsecured exterior doors or windows. A false alarm includes an alarm caused by a power outage but does not include an alarm caused by a force majeure or an extraordinary condition not reasonably within the control of the alarm business or alarm user. False alarms include situations involving an authorized person or persons at the alarm location who do not use the proper alarm code.”

Examples of false alarm events:

Malfunctioning alarm systems
Owner, visitor, real estate agents, cleaning crews or other employee error in disarming the alarm system
Doors or windows left open or ajar
Animals locked inside and moving about the premises
Mail being dropped through a door mail-drop slot
Power outages coupled with improper battery back-up system
Telephone line problems
An overly-sensitive system that activates when persons rattle a door or window
Drapes or balloons blowing in the breeze
Improperly secured doors or windows have blown open by the wind

An “excessive” alarm location is defined in the Ordinance Section 11-63(P) as “The occurrence of two (2) or more false alarms, generated by an alarm user’s alarm system, within a twelve (12) month period.”

When a location is deemed to have excessive false alarms, the alarm user will be fined $145 for each additional response within a twelve-month period.

Those locations that demonstrate over five false alarm responses during a twelve-month period may be subject to an alarm permit suspension or revocation. A suspension or revocation will result in fines up to $290 per response. It may even result in being placed on a “do not respond” status until the alarm user pays the fines, reinstates their permit, and obtains proof from their alarm company that the alarm was inspected and was found to be in good working order.

INCIDENT:	Shooting Suspects Arrested
DATE/TIME:	08/26/2019 2:16PM
LOCATION:	Johnson Creek Park, 501 Johnson Road, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	50 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Julien Jacquez, 23 year old Oxnard resident Anthony Ixta, 22 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Michael Velasquez, Detective (805) 385-8287 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jason Radcliffe, Detective (805) 385-7796 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 08/26/2019 at approximately 2:16 p.m., Officers with the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to Johnson Creek Park, located at 501 Johnson Road, reference a shooting victim. Officers made contact with the victim and found he had been shot in the torso. Officers were able to locate the two suspects in the area of Yucca Street and Cloyne Street; less than a block away. The suspects were later identified as Julien Jacquez, a 23 year old Oxnard resident and Anthony Ixta, a 22 year old Oxnard resident. Officers made contact with Jacquez and Ixta who were in a vehicle. Ixta was taken into custody without incident. Jacquez was uncooperative and was taken into custody after less lethal impact munitions were utilized to effect the arrest. Both Jacquez and Ixta were booked into Ventura County Main Jail for assault with a deadly weapon with a gang enhancement. Jacquez was additionally booked for resisting arrest. Both Ixta and Jacquez are documented gang members from a local criminal street gang. The victim is currently listed in critical condition at a local hospital.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08/26/2019, 8:35 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest in the Murder of Charles Barber
DATE/TIME:	August 25, 2019, 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION:	700 Block Aster Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Charles Mikell Barber, 34-year-old, Transient
SUSPECT(S):	17-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]

DETAILS:

On June 24, 2019, at approximately 6:54 a.m., patrol officers from the Oxnard Police Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the 200 block of West Vineyard Avenue to check on a male subject covered in blood. When officers arrived, they located Charles Barber bleeding from several stab wounds. EMS worked feverishly to save Mr. Barber and transported him by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center. Mr. Barber eventually succumbed to his injuries.

Major Crimes investigators worked diligently and thoroughly investigated the murder of Mr. Barber to identify the person responsible for his death. During the investigation, Major Crimes investigators interviewed numerous people who provided investigators with valuable information. As the homicide investigation continued, investigators were able to positively identify a 17-year-old Hispanic male as the person responsible for the death of Mr. Barber.

On August 25, 2019, Major Crimes investigators worked with the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit to take the juvenile into custody without incident for murder. The juvenile was booked into the Ventura County Juvenile Hall on a bail amount of $500,000.

Investigators are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Jake Jundef (805) 385-7680. 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/200westvineyard. 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: August 25, 2019, 7:45 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious injury traffic collision
DATE/TIME:	August 25, 2019 / 1:03 p.m.
LOCATION:	Gonzales Road at Patterson Road, Oxnard
VEHICLES/OCCUPANTS	Specially Constructed Volkswagen dune buggy Driver: 42-year-old female, Oxnard resident Passenger: 40-year-old male, Oxnard resident 2005 Dodge Caravan Driver: 18-year-old male, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jose Diaz, Traffic Officer (805)385-7750 [email protected]

On August 25, 2019, at approximately 1:03 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision which occurred on Gonzales Road at Patterson Road. Officers discovered that a 2005 Dodge Caravan and a specially constructed Volkswagen dune buggy had collided at the intersection. The driver of the dune buggy was partially ejected from the vehicle and was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where she is listed in critical condition. The passenger of the dune buggy, a 40-year-old male of Oxnard, and driver of the Dodge Caravan, an 18-year-old male of Oxnard, sustained moderate injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment.

Based on the preliminary investigation, traffic investigators determined the Dodge Caravan was traveling eastbound on Gonzales Road and the dune buggy was traveling northbound on Patterson Road. Both vehicles entered the intersection at the same time and were involved in a broadside type collision. The traffic control signal was functioning properly at the time of the collision and it is unclear who had the right of way as one of the vehicles may have failed to stop for a red light.

Traffic investigators do not believe speed or alcohol/drugs were involved. The collision is still under investigation. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Officer Jose Diaz at (805) 385-7750 or via email at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/25/19 @ 4:15 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery Arrest Resisting an Officer with Violence
DATE/TIME:	8/23/19, 10:21 p.m.
LOCATION:	1300 block of Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Yvette Fernandez, Santa Paula resident (age 33)
PREPARED BY:	Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Robin Whitney, Patrol Commander (805) 385-7771 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 8/23/19, at about 10:21 p.m., suspect Yvette Fernandez entered a market in the 1300 block of Saviers Rd., approached the register counter and requested a bottle of liquor. As the clerk rang up the item, Fernandez grabbed the bottle and walked away without paying for it. The clerk confronted Fernandez at the entrance to the store, at which time Fernandez opened the bottle and began drinking from it. Fernandez then brandished a knife, and began swinging it at the clerk, as she threatened him. The clerk slammed the door on Fernandez, locking her inside the store until officers arrived. Fernandez was arrested for robbery. Officers transported Fernandez to the Oxnard Police Department. While officers were in the process of escorting Fernandez into the jail, she kicked one of the officers. Fernandez was additionally charged with resisting an officer with violence.

A review of Fernandez’ criminal history shows she has several prior convictions for violently resisting peace officers in the performance of their duties.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/24/19, 0223 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Indecent Exposure/ Lewd Conduct Arrest
DATE/TIME:	August 22, 2019 2:03 p.m.
LOCATION:	900 block South Ventura Road
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Walter Brown, 56 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Eduardo M. Miranda, Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Eduardo M. Miranda, Commander (805) 385-7771 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On August 22, 2019, at 2:03 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 900 block of South Ventura Road reference a report of a nude male masturbating in the laundromat. The subject was identified as Walter Brown. Brown became non-compliant and officers used pepper spray to take him into custody. He was arrested for indecent exposure and lewd conduct.

Over the past three days, Brown has been arrested three times for similar indecent conduct. Below is a brief summary of the two additional incidents.

On August 21, 2019, at 4:13 p.m., officers responded to a call regarding Brown disturbing in the 900 block of South Oxnard Boulevard. During that incident, Brown wasn’t wearing any pants and was exposing his genitals to passing motorists on Oxnard Boulevard.

On August 20, 2019, at 2:26 p.m., officers responded to a call regarding Brown disturbing in the 900 block of South Ventura Road. During that incident, Brown was inside a laundry room, wasn’t wearing any pants, and was masturbating with his genitals exposed.

Given Brown’s pattern of significant indecent/ lewd activity over the past three days, Brown was booked in Ventura County Jail and officers requested his bail to be increased to $100,000.

Anyone with information regarding these three cases 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: 8/22/19 1920 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation Planned for Oxnard

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operations aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers, and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules, and responsibilities.

On August 22, 2019, from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and August 24, 2019, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., officers will be looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers, and pedestrians that put roadway users at risk. 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 dangerous 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 violation of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising at an alarming rate. In 2016, 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads. Pedestrian fatalities are up nearly 33 percent from 2012, and the number of bicyclists killed is up nearly 25 percent over the past five years. In 2019, the Oxnard Police Department has investigated six fatal collisions and 69 injury collisions involving bicyclists and pedestrians.

People walking should only cross the street using crosswalks or intersections, preferably with a stop sign or signal. People on foot should also look for cars backing up and avoid darting between parked cars, make eye contact with drivers and wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

Drivers should wait for pedestrians to cross the street, avoid distractions like using a cell phone, and be courteous and patient. All bike riders are reminded to always wear a helmet; helmets are required by law for those under 18. Bike riders should always go with the flow of traffic, let faster traffic pass and use hand signals when turning or stopping.

The Oxnard Police Department supports the new OTS public awareness campaign, “Go Safely, California.” To find out more about ways to go safely, visit gosafelyca.org.

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: August 21, 2019 / 3:30 p.m.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Enhanced Abatement Efforts Planned for Ormond Beach

*UPDATE*

DATE/TIME:

August 22, 2019

LOCATION:

Ormond Beach, City of Oxnard

PREPARED BY:

Assistant Chief Eric S. Sonstegard

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Assistant Chief Eric S. Sonstegard

805-990-1079 eric.sonstegard @oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Earlier this week, Oxnard Police Department officers, with assistance from the Port Hueneme Police Department, began contacting numerous individuals in the beach dunes at Ormond Beach. This was part of an effort to address the escalating problem of individuals camping in the area. Approximately thirty (30) encampments were posted with flyers indicating the anti-camping ordinance violations and instructions for leaving the area.

This morning, representatives from the City of Oxnard and the City of Port Hueneme began a multi-day clean-up effort in the Ormond Beach Dunes. Fifteen (15) individuals were contacted in the area but no arrests were made. One elderly individual was found to be ill and escorted to a safe area where he could be tended to by medical personnel. Approximately thirty (30) separate encampments were abandoned and will be part of the clean-up effort.

“We plan to conduct weekly patrols of this area as part of a sustained effort to keep the area clean. We’re working closely with the Port Hueneme Police Department as most of these individuals enter the Ormond Beach area via the City of Port Hueneme”, said Assistant Police Chief Eric S. Sonstegard. He added, “Our preference is that these individuals take advantage of the service providers available that are willing to help.”

Please see the attached photos taken this morning.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/22/2019 4:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Enhanced Abatement Efforts Planned for Ormond Beach
DATE/TIME:	August 19, 2019
LOCATION:	Ormond Beach, City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Assistant Chief Eric S. Sonstegard
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Assistant Chief Eric S. Sonstegard 805-990-1079 [email protected]

DETAILS:

Oxnard Police Department officers, with assistance from the Port Hueneme Police Department and the Oxnard Fire Department, have begun contacting numerous individuals in and around the beach dunes at Ormond Beach. This is part of an effort to address the escalating problem of individuals camping in the area. While the Oxnard Municipal Code expressly prohibits camping on Ormond Beach, numerous individuals have set up encampments.

This morning, the individuals were advised that they would no longer be allowed to camp at Ormond Beach. Each of the approximately thirty (30) encampments were posted with flyers indicating the ordinance violations and instructions for leaving the area.

Representatives from the Oxnard Housing Department and Community Action for Ventura County were also present to provide alternative resources and services for those who wish to utilize them. Staff from the City of Oxnard’s Environmental Resources (ER) Division were on scene to evaluate the area. ER personnel will be working closely with the Police Department in the coming days to clean up the encampments at the beach.

Comments from Police Chief Scott Whitney-

“This morning’s work will be part of a sustained effort to ensure this area gets cleaned up and is protected. We are committed to enforcing the existing ordinances that are intended to protect endangered areas around our beach. There are never enough resources for all of the demands placed on our homeless liaison officers and it took us a couple weeks to coordinate adequate staffing.”

Chief Whitney added, “We understand the negative impacts this has on the surrounding neighborhoods. The City of Oxnard will continue to work with Port Hueneme and our other city partners to mitigate these impacts.”

Please see the attached photos taken this morning.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/19/2019 3:00 p.m.