OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Officer Involved Shooting

DATE/TIME:

July 29, 2018, at approximately 7:21 p.m.

LOCATION:

Royal Duke Mobile Home Park, 1301 East Ventura Boulevard, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Oxnard Police Officer, name being withheld

SUSPECT(S):

Joel Tapia Jr, 30 year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763

scott.aaron@oxnardpd.org

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Detective Jeff Kay (805) 385-8174

jeff.kay@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On July 29, 2018 at approximately 7:21 p.m., an Oxnard Police Officer was on patrol in the Royal Duke Mobile Home Park located in the 1301 East Ventura Boulevard, in the City of Oxnard when he observed a subject known to him as Joel Tapia Jr. Tapia has had many prior contacts with law enforcement in the past.

On September 24, 2017, Tapia was involved in a traffic collision and when he was contacted by Oxnard Police Officers, he was not compliant. He was found to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested at the scene. As he was being placed in a police unit for transportation, Tapia fought the officer to prevent the arrest.

On June 24, 2018, Oxnard Police attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Tapia. Tapia failed to yield and led officers on a pursuit. The pursuit was cancelled due to the high rate of speed and traffic violations.

On this date, the unidentified officer knew Tapia had several outstanding warrants. One of the warrants was a failure to appear for a felony warrant for resisting arrest. The officer contacted Tapia to initiate an arrest for the outstanding warrants. Tapia resisted arrest and actively fought the officer.

The officer discharged his firearm, striking Tapia. Tapia immediately let go of the officer and fled the scene to his residence where he barricaded himself inside.

The Oxnard Police Special Enforcement Unit and Crisis Negotiation Unit responded to the scene and after a lengthy standoff, Tapia was located in the bathroom of his residence. He was then taken into custody without any further resistance and transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he underwent surgery. He is listed in stable condition.

The officer involved in the shooting sustained minor injuries during the altercation. He was transported to Saint John’s Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and released. He was placed on paid administrative leave, which is department policy for officers involved in a shooting incident.

Detectives are requesting anyone who might have witnessed the incident to contact Detective Jeff Kay (805) 385-8174 jeff.kay@oxnardpd.org.

Detectives are also encouraging anyone who video recorded or photographed all or part of the incident to upload your media directly to detectives via the following link: https://oxnardpd.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/1301venturablvd

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 30, 2018, at 7:00 a.m.

INCIDENT:

Gang Member with a Firearm

DATE/TIME:

July 27, 2018, @ 10:20 P.M

LOCATION:

2000 Block of Napoleon Ave., Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

State of California

SUSPECT(S):

Rafael Aguilar, 26 year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Robert Flinn, Sergeant

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Christopher Williams, Commander

Christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org 805-207-7234

DETAILS:

On July 27, 2018, at approximately 10:20 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit contacted a known Lemonwood gang member driving a vehicle in the 2000 block of Napoleon Avenue. The subject was identified as Rafael Aguilar. During the course of contact with Aguilar, officers located a loaded firearm in his vehicle along with narcotics and additional ammunition. Aguilar resisted arrest during the encounter with the arresting officers. The firearm found on Aguilar was reported stolen out of the City of Ojai.

Rafael Aguilar was charged with possession of a concealed and loaded firearm, possession of stolen property, possession of narcotics with a firearm and resisting arrest. He was booked in Ventura County Jail on his 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 criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or 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.

You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.apx to submit at tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 28, 2018, at 1:30 A.M.

INCIDENT:

Citywide probation compliance checks

DATE/TIME:

July 26, 2018, 2:00 p.m.

LOCATION:

Citywide

PREPARED BY:

Brett A. Smith, Sergeant

brett.smith@oxnardpd.org (805) 248-9122

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Brett A. Smith, Sergeant

brett.smith@oxnardpd.org (805) 248-9122

DETAILS: On July 26, 2018, The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU), in conjunction with the Ventura County Juvenile Probation Unit conducted several probation searches throughout the City of Oxnard in an effort to ensure probationers were adhering to their probation terms. Officers found fourteen juveniles that were not in compliance and two of the juveniles were arrested. One was arrested for possession of narcotics and the other for possession of a loaded firearm.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue collaborative efforts with the Ventura County Juvenile Probation Unit with the aim to diminish violent crime and criminal activity.

If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7796. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 27, 2018, 2:25 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Attempt Murder/Stabbing Suspect Arrested

DATE/TIME:

July 10, 2018, 4:00 a.m.

LOCATION:

2900 block Saviers Road, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Name Withheld

SUSPECT(S):

Hispanic Male, 17 year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Brett A. Smith, Sergeant

brett.smith@oxnardpd.org (805) 248-9122

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Brett A. Smith, Sergeant

Brett.smith@oxnardpd.org (805) 248-9122

Update: The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) was able to identify the person responsible for the attack. Today, at 3:51 p.m., the Department’s Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) located and arrested the juvenile responsible for the attack. The juvenile was taken to the Juvenile Justice Facility and charged with Attempted Murder.

The victim of the attack has been released from the hospital.

DETAILS: On July 9, 2018, at approximately 10:55 p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a stabbing victim in the 2900 block of Saviers Road. Officers contacted the victim and found the victim was suffering from several stab wounds. The victim was immediately transported by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery. The victim is currently listed in stable condition. Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) responded to investigate the circumstances surrounding this violent assault.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7/23/18, 10:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Grandmother of Deceased 3-year old Kimberly Lopez Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit a Crime

DATE/TIME:

July 23, 2018 / 8:15 a.m.

LOCATION:

1000 block South Ventura Road, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Kimberly Lopez, 3-years old, Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT(S):

Maria De Jesus Lopez, 44 years old, Oxnard Resident

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763

scott.aaron@oxnardpd.org

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Detective Jeff Kay (805) 385-7763

jeff.kay@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

(OXNARD, Calif) – After over a year and a half long investigation, detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit have made an additional arrest in the death of 3-year old Kimberly Lopez. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has filed conspiracy charges against Kimberly’s grandmother, Maria De Jesus Lopez.

The official police investigation started on September 7, 2016. At that time, officials from Ventura County Children and Family Services (VCCFS) notified the Oxnard Police Department that 3-year old Kimberly Lopez was missing. Kimberly was last seen by a VCCFS social worker in the custody of her father, Omar Lopez. Guardianship was given to Omar after he completed the required classes to become Kimberly’s legal guardian. Mayra Chavez was granted supervised home visits with Kimberly. The visits were to be supervised by Omar and Maria De Jesus Lopez, Mayra’s mother. Kimberly was last seen on March 10, 2015 during a home visit by a VCCFS social worker.

In July of 2016, VCCFS social workers received information concerning the well-being of Kimberly. Social workers made several home visits in an attempt to check on Kimberly. However, Omar and Mayra provided social workers with unverified information that Kimberly was living with relatives in Mexico. After numerous home visits, neither Omar nor Mayra were able to provide verifiable documentation or proof that Kimberly was living with relatives in Mexico. VCCFS notified the Oxnard Police Department on September 7, 2016, that Kimberly was missing. A missing person report was filed, and detectives immediately began investigating the whereabouts of Kimberly.

Also in September of 2016, VCCFS initiated a new juvenile dependency case on Kimberly, and the Ventura County Juvenile Court issued an order to take Kimberly back into protective custody once she was located.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and Family Protection Unit, along with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) all worked diligently in an attempt to locate missing 3-year old Kimberly Lopez. Detectives interviewed family members, friends and associates of Mayra and Omar who expressed their concern for Kimberly’s disappearance. Detectives also conducted extensive and detailed interviews with Mayra Chavez, Omar Lopez, and Maria De Jesus Lopez. Detectives believed that Mayra and Omar were the key to finding Kimberly and that Maria Lopez likely had information as to her whereabouts.

During the police investigation and search for Kimberly, Mayra and Omar were in custody on civil arrest warrants for failing to provide accurate information on the whereabouts of Kimberly.

During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to gather sufficient evidence and information to believe that Kimberly Lopez was deceased and that Mayra Chavez and Omar Lopez were responsible for her death. Detectives believe Kimberly was placed in a situation that resulted in her death while in the care and custody of Mayra and Omar. Additionally detectives were able to gather evidence that shows Maria De Jesus Lopez had knowledge of Kimberly’s death, but assisted the parents with concealing that fact.

Detectives, working closely with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, submitted police reports and other items of evidence for review. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office examined all the information obtained during the extensive police investigation. Maria De Jesus Lopez was officially charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Crime, California Penal Code section 182(a)(1).

Maria De Jesus Lopez is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail with bail set at $200,000.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 23, 2018 / 10:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Hit-and-Run Arrest
DATE/TIME:	July 22, 2018 / 9:38 p.m.
LOCATION:	1900 block of East Pleasant Valley Rd. Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld pending notification to next-of-kin
SUSPECT(S):	Francisco Javier Garcia 10/7/68
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	2005 Ford Expedition
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Officer Mike Wood (805)385-7750 Mike.wood@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On July 22, 2018, at approximately 9:38 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to an injury accident on East Pleasant Valley Road. just east of Syracuse Drive. When officers arrived they located two females suffering serious injuries. One of the females, a 51-year-old Oxnard resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second female, a 23-year-old Oxnard resident, was transported to a local hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Based upon the initial investigation, officers determined that a white 2000 Cadillac Escalade was traveling eastbound on Pleasant Valley Road. For reasons that are unknown, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. The vehicle entered back onto the roadway and came to rest partially blocking the #2 lane. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene leaving behind an injured passenger. The passenger sustained minor injuries, was transported to a local hospital, interviewed by officers and, later released. Officers have yet to identify the driver of the Escalade.

Shortly after the collision, the female victims and a male subject were traveling eastbound on Pleasant Valley Road in a white 2018 Jeep Latitude. The vehicle stopped in the #1 lane with its emergency flashers to assist at the accident scene. As they were approaching the Cadillac, a black 2005 Ford Expedition traveling eastbound on Pleasant Valley Road, struck both the Jeep and Cadillac as well as the two females. The driver of the Expedition exited the vehicle and fled the area on foot.

Shortly after the collision, the Oxnard Police Department 9-1-1 dispatchers received a call of a suspicious subject on the roof of a residence in the 2000 block of Walden Street. Officers responded and located Francisco Javier Garcia, a 49-year-old Oxnard resident, on the roof suffering from a head injury. Oxnard Fire Department personnel responded and were able to safely remove Garcia from the roof. Garcia was transported to a local area hospital. Officers were able to determine Garcia was the driver of the Expedition and was under the influence of alcohol during the time of the fatal collision. Garcia was arrested for felony hit-and-run, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and gross vehicular manslaughter.

Garcia was treated for his injuries and booked into the Ventura County Jail. Garcia’s bail is set at $500,000.

Anyone who witnessed or has information regarding the collision is asked to contact Officer Mike Wood from the Oxnard Police Department (805)385-7750 or via email at Mike.wood@oxnardpd.org .

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 23, 2018 / 7:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Stabbing

DATE/TIME:

July 22, 2018, 7:11p.m.

LOCATION:

1450 Doris Ave, Oxnard, CA.

VICTIM(S):

Name(s) Withheld

SUSPECT(S):

Undetermined

PREPARED BY:

Michael Velasquez, Detective

michael.velasquez@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-8287

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Jonathan Ballow, Detective

Brett.smith@oxnardpd.org (805) 288-3289

DETAILS: On July 22, 2018, at approximately 7:11p.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a stabbing victim at 1450 Doris Avenue. Officers discovered that two victims were transported in a private vehicle to St. John’s Regional Medical Center and are currently in stable condition. Two additional victims were located a short distance away from the crime scene. One was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and is expected to be released and the other was treated and released at the scene. Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) responded to investigate the circumstances surrounding this violent assault.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7/22/18, 7:11p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI / Driver’s License Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	Friday, July 20, 2018 9:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	Victoria Ave / Fifth St.
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Friday, July 20, 2018, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Oxnard. The checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Victoria Avenue north of Fifth St. This location was chosen to provide increased DUI deterrence and in response to recent alcohol-related arrests and DUI collisions.

The checkpoint resulted in the following:

1,417 vehicles through the checkpoint
1,011 drivers screened
7 DUI investigation
3 DUI alcohol arrest
1 misdemeanor warrant arrest
6 citations issued to unlicensed/ suspended drivers
14 total citations issued
2 vehicles towed

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 07/21/18 3:15 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	July 20, 2018 / 9:25 p.m.
LOCATION:	Robert Avenue south of Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard
VEHICLE:	2005 Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck
DRIVER:	67-year-old female, Santa Paula resident
PEDESTRIAN:	32 year-old female, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Mike Wood, Traffic Officer (805)385-7750 mike.wood@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On July 20, 2018, at approximately 9:25 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to an injury traffic collision involving a pedestrian at Oxnard Boulevard south of Robert Grant Avenue. It was determined a 2005 white Chevrolet 2500 pickup truck, driven by a 67-year-old female, Santa Paula resident was traveling northbound on Oxnard Boulevard when it collided with a 32-year-old pedestrian who was crossing Oxnard Boulevard south of Robert Avenue. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision and was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center. The pedestrian later died at the Ventura County Medical center from injuries she sustained from the collision.

The driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. It is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were involved. The collision is still under investigation.

Anyone who has information regarding the collision is urged to contact Officer Mike Wood at (805)385-7750 or via email at mike.wood@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7-21-18 / 01:03 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	July 20, 2018 / 8:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Planned this Friday

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, July 20, 2018, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. The Oxnard Police Department supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

The deterrent effect of High Visibility Enforcement using both DUI checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols has proven to lower the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug-impaired crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely.

DUI Checkpoints like this one are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

In California, alcohol involved collisions led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 serious injuries in 2014 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Over the course of the past three years, Oxnard PD officers have investigated 786 DUI collisions which have claimed 13 lives and resulted in another 496 injuries.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing, delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment effects.

Studies of California drivers have shown that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

Oxnard PD offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

Decide before you go out whether you plan to drink or drive. You can’t do both.
If you plan to drink, designate a sober driver before going out or map out another safe way to get home by taxi, ride-share or public transportation. You can also look up designated driver services in your area using the National Directory of Designated Driver Services (NDDDS).
See your friend or other patron impaired trying to get behind the wheel? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.
Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

People are encouraged to be a part of the designated driver very important person (“DDVIP”) program. As a DDVIP, you can ensure those drinking get home safely and get rewarded for it. Partnering bars and restaurants statewide have created non-alcoholic specialty drinks (“DDrinks”) for sober drivers: http://bit.ly/OTSDDrinks.

Recording Artists Against Drunk Driving (RADD) also offers a Designated Driver Rewards program at 43 college campuses statewide: http://collegeisradd.org/campus-partners/. Local bars and restaurants provide non-alcoholic drinks and/or food specials to DD’s.

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not! Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to The Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.