OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	09-03-18 / 11:30 p.m.
LOCATION:	Victoria Ave. @ Wooley Rd.
VICTIM(S):	Juan Cruz 19-year-old Oxnard resident (deceased) Karisa Serrato 20-year-old Port Hueneme resident (deceased) Martin Celis 19-year-old Oxnard resident (critical condition)
VEHICLE(S):	1991 Pontiac Firebird 2006 Lexus GS 430
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Officer Jose Diaz (805)385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On September 3, 2018, at approximately 11:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to an injury traffic collision involving two vehicles at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Wooley Road. When officers arrived they located a red 1991 Pontiac Firebird south of the intersection. The driver of the vehicle, 19-year old Oxnard resident Juan Cruz, suffered major injuries as a result of the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics. A female passenger, 20-year-old Port Hueneme resident Karisa Serrato, was ejected from the vehicle and suffered serious injuries. Serrato was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center but later succumbed to her injuries. A second passenger in the vehicle, a 19-year-old Oxnard resident, was also transported to the hospital and is listed in critical but stable condition.

Based upon the initial investigation, officers determined that the Firebird was traveling southbound on Victoria Avenue at a high rate of speed. The Firebird collided with a Lexus GS 430 that was also traveling southbound. After colliding with the Lexus, the Firebird continued southbound through the intersection of Wooley Rd., left the roadway, and then struck a large palm tree broadside. The force of the collision knocked the palm tree over.

The driver of the Lexus, a 34-year-old male, was not injured and remained at the scene. It is unknown whether or not drugs and/or alcohol were involved in the collision. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information is asked to contact Officer Jose Diaz of the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit (805)385-7600 [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9-4-18 / 7:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Prohibited Persons in Possession of Firearms
DATE/TIME:	September 2, 2018 / 10:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	Statham Blvd. at Sunkist Cr. and 700 blk. Hueneme Rd.
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	David Ortega, 43-year-old, Oxnard resident Adolfo Marin, 22-year-old, Oxnard resident Santiago Garcia, 23-year-old, Oxnard resident Jacob Steir, 21-year-old, Oxnard resident Amber Perez, 40-year-old, Camarillo resident
PREPARED BY:	Bakari Myers, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7771
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Christopher Williams, Commander [email protected] 805-207-7234

DETAILS:

On September 2, at approximately 10:00 p.m., officers from the Special Enforcement and K9 units attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation. The vehicle stopped near the intersection of Statham Blvd. and Sunkist Cr. Adolfo Marin, a passenger in the vehicle, fled but was quickly apprehended. During the foot pursuit Marin discarded a loaded handgun which was recovered at the scene. Marin had a prior conviction for firearms possession which makes him a prohibited person. The remaining occupants (Ortega, Garcia, and Steir) were in possession of methamphetamine and arrested for narcotics violations. Jacob Steir, who is on parole for a previous shooting, was also placed on a parole hold.

The officers conducted a follow up investigation at a hotel that the suspects had recently left and made contact with suspect Amber Perez, who is on parole for narcotics sales. Officers searched the room and located a loaded handgun in the bed that Perez was sitting on. Perez was arrested for being a prohibited person (felon) in possession of a loaded handgun.

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.

Adolfo Marin Jacob Steir Amber Perez

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 3, 2018 / 0030 hours

INCIDENT:

DUI/Firearm Arrest

DATE/TIME:

9/1/18 @ 8:05PM

LOCATION:

Moonlight Park Avenue / Forest Park Boulevard

VICTIM(S):

N/A

SUSPECT(S):

Thomas Zavala, 22 year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Commander Kevin Baysinger

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Kevin Baysinger

[email protected]

(805) 385-7746

DETAILS:

On September 1^st, 2018 at approx. 8:05PM hours, officers conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the area of Moonlight Park Avenue and Forest Park Boulevard in Oxnard. Officers contacted the driver, 22 year old Oxnard resident Thomas Zavala, who exhibited signs and symptoms of having consumed alcohol. After an investigation, Zavala was arrested for driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a misdemeanor.

During a search of Zavala’s vehicle, officers located a firearm concealed in the vehicle. He was ultimately arrested for 23152(a)CVC, driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, 25400(a)(1)PC, possessing a concealed firearm in a vehicle, and 23103CVC, reckless driving.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 2^nd, 2018 at 0140 hours.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Gang member arrested for Robbery

DATE/TIME:

8/31/18 @ 1645 hours

LOCATION:

Magnolia Ave @ Oxnard Blvd

VICTIM(S):

56 year old Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT(S):

Omar Romo, 29 year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Officer Matt Ross

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Officer Matt Ross

[email protected]

(805) 385-8290

DETAILS:

On August 31^st, 2018 at approx. 1645 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop in the area of Magnolia Ave and Oxnard Blvd. The driver of the vehicle, Omar Romo, was positively identified as the suspect who earlier this date committed a robbery involving a pizza delivery person. Romo is a documented injunction served gang member who is also a high risk parolee on Electronic Monitoring for assault with a deadly weapon. Just prior to this traffic stop, Romo cut off his electronic monitor in an effort to avoid capture.

Once contacted, Romo exited his vehicle and took a fighting stance against the officer. Romo stated he intended to hurt the arresting officer. Romo was given commands to surrender peacefully, but did not comply. Romo then punched the officer on the left side of his head and shoulder. A struggle ensued where Romo continued to fight officers. At one point, Romo attempted to grab one of the officer’s firearm, but was unsuccessful. Romo was then taken into custody where he continued to resist.

Romo was medically cleared at a local hospital, then taken to the Ventura County Jail for multiple felony charges including 211 PC, 148(D) PC and 69 PC.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 1^st, 2018 at 0030 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, August 30, 2018, 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On Thursday, August 30, 2018, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 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 northbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard north of Ash Street. This location was chosen to provide increased DUI deterrence and in response to recent alcohol-related arrests and DUI collisions.

DUI Checkpoint results:

734 vehicles screened

One misdemeanor warrant arrest

11 drivers cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked

19 citations issued

Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

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.

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.

The Oxnard Police Department offers these reminders to ensure a fun night doesn’t get spoiled with 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 way to get home safely by taking a cab, ride-share service like Uber or Lyft, or using public transportation. You can also look up designated driver services in your area using the National Directory of Designated Driver Services (NDDDS).

If you are DD, bars and restaurants statewide have created non-alcoholic specialty drinks (“DDrinks”) for sober drivers: http://bit.ly/OTSDDrinks

If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, call 911. Offer a description of the vehicle, location and direction of travel
See your friend or other patron impaired trying to get behind the wheel? Take the keys or help them make other arrangements to get where they are going safely.

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 will be conducting another DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint later this month in our ongoing commitment to take suspected impaired drivers off our streets and highways, ultimately lowering the risk for deaths and injuries.

The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Whether by bike, car, motorcycle or walking, the Oxnard Police Department encourages everyone to be a part of the solution and ‘Go Safely California.’

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08/31/18 12:00 a.m.

/24692-2/

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Man in custody after threatening to blow up house and family
DATE/TIME:	8/30/18, 11:14 a.m.
LOCATION:	500 Block of South E Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Mario Estrada, 46, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Luis Mc Arthur, Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Luis Mc Arthur, Commander (805) 207-4762 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 8/30/18, at about 11:14 a.m., police were called to the 500 block of South E Street reference a domestic disturbance. The suspect, Mario Estrada, 46, was reported to be under the influence of drugs and had threatened to blow his house up and kill his family, including children and grandparents. There was a presence of gas in the house and family and neighbors were evacuated from the affected area. Fifth Street was temporarily closed and nearby schools were put on lock-down. Estrada barricaded himself in the house.

Oxnard Fire, Ventura County Fire and So Cal Gas responded and the gas was shut off. The stand-off lasted about an hour before Estrada gave himself up without incident. The fire department ventilated the gas out of exit points. Estrada was arrested for criminal threats and tampering with utility services.

Estrada was booked into Ventura County Jail; bail was set at $20,000.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/30/18, 5:10 p.m.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Strong Arm Robbery Arrest

DATE/TIME:

8/29/18, 6:47 p.m.

LOCATION:

300 Block of N. Marquita Avenue, City of Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Withheld

SUSPECT(S):

Christopher Lopez, 21 years old, Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Robin Whitney, Commander

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Brett Smith, Sergeant

(805) 248-9122

[email protected]

DETAILS:

On 8/29/18, at approximately 6:47 p.m., officers were dispatched to a strong arm robbery that just occurred in the 300 block of N. Marquita Avenue. The victim reported the suspect approached him, simulated a weapon, and took his cell phone from his hands. The suspect was described, in part, as wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey and left the scene on foot.

It was reported that, after the first crime, the suspect approached an occupied vehicle nearby and committed an additional strong arm robbery to one of its occupants. However, during the investigation, officers were unable to locate the possible second victim.

An Oxnard Police Department Patrol Officer responding to the scene observed a subject matching the suspect description at the intersection of Cooper Road and Anita Avenue and detained him. During an infield line-up, the victim positively identified suspect Christopher Lopez, who was found to be in possession of the victim’s cell phone. Lopez, who was previously served with the Colonia Chiques civil gang injunction, was arrested for robbery.

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: 8/30/18, 2:00 p.m.

INCIDENT:

Series of Armed Robberies

DATE/TIME:

August 29, 2018, 8:30 p.m.

LOCATION:

100 block E Bard Road, Oxnard, 1100 block S “C” Street, Oxnard, 1700 block E Channel Islands Boulevard, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Names Withheld

SUSPECT(S):

H/M, 5’9, 20-30 years, medium build

PREPARED BY:

Brett A. Smith, Sergeant

[email protected] (805) 248-9122

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Brett A. Smith, Sergeant

[email protected] (805) 248-9122

DETAILS: On August 29, 2018, between 8:30 – 9:30 p.m., a series of three armed robberies occurred south of Channel Islands Blvd. in Oxnard. Officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to each robbery. Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) responded to investigate the circumstances surrounding the robberies. The investigation is ongoing and an update will be forthcoming as soon as investigators are able to release information that will not compromise the investigation.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/29/18, 11:45 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	August 30, 2018 / 6:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint planned this Thursday

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Thursday, August 30, 2018, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

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 776 DUI collisions which have claimed 13 lives and resulted in another 498 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.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 29, 2018 / 5:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearm Arrest
DATE/TIME:	August 28, 2018, 11:40 a.m.
LOCATION:	Bismark Way @ Albany Drive
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Jesus Bedolla, 23-year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda [email protected] 805-385-7600

DETAILS:

On August 28, 2018, at about 11:40 a.m., an Oxnard police officer contacted a suspicious subject in a parked vehicle reference possibly selling narcotics. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded .40 caliber handgun.

Jesus Bedolla, a 23-year-old Oxnard resident, was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor.

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 http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.apx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 28, 2018 / 1:10 p.m.