OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Homicide

DATE/TIME:

July 11, 2018, 11:28 p.m.

LOCATION:

1300 block of Edgewood Way, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Michael Mendoza, 56-year-old, Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT(S):

Unknown

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763

[email protected]

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Detective Jaime Miranda (805) 385-7680

[email protected]

DETAILS:

On July 11, 2018, at approximately 11:28 p.m., Officers responded to a call for service regarding a shooting victim in the 1300 block of Edgewood Way. When officers arrived, they located Mr. Michael Mendoza who had suffered a gunshot wound to his head.

He was transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. At the time, Mr. Mendoza was listed in stable, but guarded condition in the Intensive Care Unit. On July 20, 2018, Mr. Mendoza was released from the hospital.

On July 27, 2018, Mr. Mendoza was admitted to the Ventura County Medical Center with complications from the brain injury. On August 13th, Mr. Mendoza passed away from complications due to the injury he sustained on July 11th. His body was transferred to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office. Mr. Mendoza’s death is now being investigated as a homicide.

This is the 11^th homicide of the year in the City of Oxnard.

Detectives are requesting anyone who might have witnessed the incident to contact Detective Jaime Miranda (805) 385-7680. You can also provide valuable information and remain anonymous by calling 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 to submit a tip via text or email.

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.

Detectives are also encouraging anyone who 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/1300edgewoodway

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 14, 2018, 3:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	8/14/18, 6:14 a.m.
LOCATION:	2300 block of South El Dorado Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Eduardo M. Miranda, Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Brett Smith (805) 486-6211 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 8/14/18, at approximately 6:14 a.m., Oxnard Police Officers and were dispatched to a gunshot victim in the 2300 block of El Dorado Avenue. Upon arrival, they located a 24 year-old male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his right thigh. The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center and is currently listed in stable condition. Violent Crimes Detectives are on scene conducting the investigation.

Detectives are requesting anyone who might have witnessed the incident to contact (805) 385-7760. You can also provide valuable information and remain anonymous by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or at http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

A more detailed press release will be forthcoming later this morning.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/14/18, 0645 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Gang Member Arrested with a Firearm

DATE/TIME:

August 13, 2018, @ 6:50 P.M.

LOCATION:

500 Block of North G Street, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

State of California

SUSPECT(S):

Daniel Garcia, 29 year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Dale McAlpine, Sergeant

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Dale McAlpine, Sergeant

[email protected] 805-857-4655

DETAILS:

On August 13, 2018, at approximately 6:50 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police contacted a known gang member in his vehicle in the 500 Block of North G Street. The subject was identified as Daniel Garcia, 29 year old Oxnard resident. During the contact with Garcia, officers located a loaded sawed off shotgun in his vehicle. The shotgun had been illegally modified with a barrel that had been shorten to a prohibited length. Garcia was arrested without incident during the encounter.

Daniel Garcia was charged with possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of loaded firearm in a vehicle. He was booked in Ventura County Jail on his charges.

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: 08/13/2018 / 2030 hours

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Shooting Victim

DATE/TIME:

8/13/18, 10:22 p.m.

LOCATION:

5300 block of South J Street

VICTIM(S):

Withheld

SUSPECT(S):

Unknown

PREPARED BY:

Robin Whitney, Commander

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Scott Aaron, Major Crimes Supervisor

(805) 385-7763

[email protected]

DETAILS:

On 8/13/18, at approximately 10:22 p.m., Oxnard Police Officers and were dispatched to a gunshot victim in the 5300 block of South J Street. Upon arrival, they located an adult male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center and is currently listed in extremely critical condition. Major Crimes Detectives are on scene conducting the investigation.

A more detailed press release will be forthcoming later this morning.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/14/18, 0156 hours

INCIDENT:

Robbery Arrest

DATE/TIME:

8/11/18; 9:55PM

LOCATION:

Johnson Creek Park, 501 Johnson Road, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Adult Male

SUSPECT(S):

Luis Sanchez, 19 year old Oxnard resident

Benjamin Voorhees, 18 year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Cmdr. Kevin Baysinger

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Cmdr. Kevin Baysinger

[email protected]

805-385-7746

DETAILS:

On August 11, 2018 at about 9:55PM, an Oxnard police officer was patrolling Johnson Creek Park when he observed a robbery in progress. Two suspects had forced the victim to the ground and were attempting to take the victim’s property. As the officer approached, both suspects attempted to flee. One suspect was quickly detained; the second suspect was located west of the park attempting to hide under a vehicle.

The victim positively identified both suspects as the persons that had taken his property. Luis Sanchez, a 19 year old Oxnard resident, and Benjamin Voorhees, an 18 year old Oxnard resident, were arrested for the robbery. Sanchez was also arrested for possessing brass knuckles.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department or Ventura County Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also visit this site www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit at tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 12, 2018 / 3:00AM

INCIDENT:

Firearm Arrest.

DATE/TIME:

8/12/18; 12:20AM

LOCATION:

700 block of Linden Drive

VICTIM(S):

N/A

SUSPECT(S):

Francisco Dimas, 18 year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Cmdr. Kevin Baysinger

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Cmdr. Kevin Baysinger

[email protected]

805-385-7746

DETAILS:

On August 12, 2018 at about 12:20AM, officers responded to the 700 block of Linden Drive reference a male heard yelling in the area. The male was overheard yelling that he was going to kill someone, and that someone was going to die. Officers checked the alley and detained a subject who tried to hide from the officers. A loaded 9mm handgun was found where the subject was located.

Francisco Dimas, an 18 year old Oxnard resident, was arrested for possessing a loaded firearm, a misdemeanor.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 12, 2018 / 2:00AM

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, August 9, 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:

DUI checkpoint and DUI saturation patrol nets three arrests

On Thursday, August 9, 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 and a separate DUI saturation patrol in the City of Oxnard. The checkpoint was conducted in the northbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard north of Second Street. This location was chosen to provide increased DUI deterrence and in response to recent alcohol-related arrests and DUI collisions. The officers on DUI saturation patrol focused enforcement in areas with recent DUI collisions and arrests.

DUI checkpoint results:

783 vehicles screened

One DUI-alcohol suspect arrested

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

14 citations issued

DUI saturation results:

One DUI arrest and one subject arrested for a parole violation.

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: 08/10/18 12:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Armed robbery at 7-Eleven
DATE/TIME:	August 9, 2018, 12:56 a.m.
LOCATION:	7-Eleven, 2600 East Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):	Name(s) Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic Male, 30 years, tall, thin, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
PREPARED BY:	Jeff Long, Sergeant [email protected] (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Luis Mc Arthur, Commander [email protected] (805) 385-7740

DETAILS: Officers responded to the 7 Eleven located at 2600 E. Pleasant Valley Road regarding an armed robbery. The robbery happened around 1 a.m. Thursday morning, when a man went into the store, showed a firearm and demanded money and property. The suspect was described as a tall, thin Hispanic male, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

The man left on foot in an unknown direction before officers arrived. Several officers attempted to find the suspect.

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: 8/09/18, 5:11 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Homicide Update

DATE/TIME:

August 7, 2018, 7:08 p.m.

LOCATION:

Camino Del Sol and Rice Avenue, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Luis Ramirez, 19-years old, Ventura County

SUSPECT(S):

Unknown

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Scott Aaron (805) 385-7763

[email protected]

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Detective Jose Velazquez (805) 385-7760

[email protected]

DETAILS:

On August 7, 2018 at approximately 7:08 p.m., officers responded to a homicide scene near the intersection of Camino Del Sol and Rice Avenue. The Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Unit is releasing the name of the homicide victim, 19-year old, Luis Ramirez.

Detectives believe that on August 7, 2018 at approximately 7:00 p.m., a confrontation with Ramirez and an occupant of another vehicle may have taken place in the northbound lanes on Rice Avenue, between the suspect and Ramirez shortly before the shooting occurred. Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating any witnesses who saw a blue sedan driving erratically during this time period on Rice Avenue.

Detectives are requesting anyone who might have witnessed the incident to contact Detective Jose Velazquez (805) 385-7760. You can also provide valuable information and remain anonymous by calling 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 to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 8, 2018, 2:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	August 9, 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 9, 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 797 DUI collisions which have claimed 13 lives and resulted in another 503 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.