News | Page 21 | Oxnard Police Department

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 10, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian

LOCATION: Rose Avenue at Oxnard Boulevard

DRIVER: Jose Garibay, Oxnard Resident

VEHICLE: 2002 Ford F-150

PEDESTRIAN: Josefina Romo, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org

On May 10, 2024, at approximately 5:24 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred at the intersection of Rose Avenue and Oxnard Boulevard. The pedestrian, later identified as 67-year-old Oxnard resident Josefina Romo, sustained major injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the vehicle, 58-year-old Oxnard resident Jose Garibay, remained on scene, was uninjured, and cooperated with investigators.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that Jose Garibay was driving southbound Oxnard Boulevard when he struck Josefina Romo, who had been crossing Oxnard Boulevard in the marked crosswalk at Rose Avenue. Investigators did not believe that speed, alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors to the collision. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)200-5668 or via email at alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 10, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian

LOCATION: Rose Avenue at Oxnard Boulevard

DRIVER: Jose Garibay, Oxnard Resident

VEHICLE: 2002 Ford F-150

PEDESTRIAN: Josefina Romo, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 10, 2024

SUBJECT: Organized Retail Theft Arrests

SUSPECTS: Kourosh Mirshekar, 35 year-old Oxnard Resident

Atefeh Mohammadi, 27 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 4300 block of Waterside Lane, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7623 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) jose.velazquez@oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit along with the Drug Enforcement Unit, completed a two-month long investigation into allegations of organized retail thefts that occurred within the City of Oxnard.

The investigation led to the identification of two suspects, Kourosh Mirshekar and Atefeh Mohammadi, both Oxnard residents, who were involved in multiple thefts during a one-month span. Detectives quickly gathered sufficient evidence to secure search warrants to prevent the ongoing loss of property occurring at Oxnard businesses. Detectives worked closely with the victimized business and secured a search warrant for the suspect’s residence, located in the 4300 block of Waterside Lane.

On May 10, 2024, detectives with the Property Crimes and Drug Enforcement Units along with the Special Enforcement Unit, executed the search warrant at the suspect’s residence. During the search of the residence, detectives located several items of stolen property and evidence related to the Organized Retail Theft investigation. In addition to the recovered stolen property, detectives seized a large quantity of U.S. currency believed to be proceeds derived from the activity of Organized Retail Theft.

Both Mirshekar and Mohammadi were arrested and booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention Facility on charges associated with Organized Retail Theft.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing Organized Retail Theft in the city of Oxnard. Ventura County is not immune to these crime trends and has seen a significant increase in criminal activity year after year. From 10/01/2022 until 09/30/2023, within Ventura County, there were 554 reported Organized Retail Theft (ORT) incidents, 1,058 reported stolen vehicle incidents, 799 reported catalytic converter theft incidents, and three reported cargo theft incidents. In total, this amounts to approximately 2,414 crime incidents impacting the citizens of Ventura County. The total estimated loss attributed to these crimes for Ventura County is approximately $10 million per year.

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 by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department’s 25th Annual Memorial Ceremony
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am
LOCATION:	251 South C Street, Oxnard, California
PREPARED BY:	Paul Carganilla, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Mike Thomas (805) 385-8300 Michael.Thomas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, the Oxnard Police Department will be hosting its 25th Annual Memorial Ceremony. The ceremony will occur in front of the Oxnard Police Department.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Decades later, the event became known as National Police Week. This year, National Police Week is from Sunday, May 12, 2024, to Saturday, May 18, 2024. During National Police Week, thousands of law enforcement officers and survivors travel to Washington D.C. and other parts of the United States to honor those officers that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Our Memorial Ceremony will honor Oxnard’s seven fallen police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Each officer made the ultimate sacrifice while proudly wearing the badge of the Oxnard Police Department and bravely working to keep the City of Oxnard safe.

Our fallen Oxnard Police Officers are:

Deputy Constable Andrew McNaughton

End of Watch – March 23, 1906

Constable William E. Kelley

End of Watch – August 20, 1921

Officer Albert Gasperetti

End of Watch – April 15, 1956

Officer Frederick J. Clark

End of Watch – October 12, 1971

Senior Officer John Adair

End of Watch – October 7, 1980

Officer James E. O’Brien

End of Watch – December 2, 1993

Officer James R. Jensen, Jr.

End of Watch – March 13, 1996

The ceremony is open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend to honor our fallen police officers and pay tribute to all law enforcement officers who continue to serve.

Several streets surrounding the Oxnard Police Department will be closed beginning at 7:00 am until approximately 12:00 pm. Vehicle traffic will be diverted from the area and intersections will be controlled by police personnel. Motorists traveling through the area should expect minor delays and are asked to avoid the area if they are not attending the ceremony. The following intersections will be closed:

Northbound C Street from Fourth Street
Westbound Third Street from B Street
Eastbound Third Street from D Street
Southbound C Street from Second Street

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 8, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.

*UPDATE*

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 7, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a bicyclist

LOCATION: Saviers Road at Pleasant Valley Road

DRIVER: Unknown

VEHICLE: 2002 Mercury Mountaineer

PEDESTRIAN: Youssef Anis Salama Ayad, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org

Update (Refer to the original collision information below)

On May 3, 2024, at approximately 6:04 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist that occurred near the intersection of Saviers Road and Pleasant Valley Road. The bicyclist was transported to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the bicyclist as Youssef Anis Salama Ayad, a 33-year-old resident of Oxnard. The collision investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)200-5668, or by email at alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

On May 3, 2024, at approximately 6:04 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist that occurred near the intersection of Saviers Road and Pleasant Valley. The bicyclist, an unidentified adult male, sustained major injuries and was transported to a hospital. He was pronounced deceased a short time later. The vehicle fled the scene.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that the bicyclist was riding southbound Saviers Road in the northbound bicycle lane. The vehicle, a Mercury Mountaineer, exited the parking lot of the Speedway Express Gas Station and made a right turn onto Saviers Road. The vehicle struck the bicyclist, and then fled the collision scene. Investigators did not believe that speed was a contributing factor to the collision. It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors to the collision. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Patrick Blanche at (805)200-5668 or via email at Patrick.blanche@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 3, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a bicyclist

LOCATION: Saviers Road at Pleasant Valley Road

DRIVER: Unknown

VEHICLE: 2002 Mercury Mountaineer

PEDESTRIAN: Unidentified adult male

CONTACT: Patrick Blanche, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | patrick.blanche@oxnardpd.org

On May 3, 2024, at approximately 6:04 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist that occurred near the intersection of Saviers Road and Pleasant Valley. The bicyclist, an unidentified adult male, sustained major injuries and was transported to a hospital. He was pronounced deceased a short time later. The vehicle fled the scene.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 2, 2024

SUBJECT: Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805)385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7am-5pm) │michael.gens@oxnardpd.org

Rev Up Safety: May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Oxnard, Calif. – During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May, the Oxnard Police Department would like to remind drivers to always look twice for motorcycles. By practicing safe driving habits and taking shared responsibility on our roads, we can help everyone arrive at their destination safely.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022. Motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and four times more likely to be injured.

Throughout the month, the Oxnard Police Department will increase efforts to address dangerous and unsafe driving, focusing on driving behaviors that put motorcyclists at risk, such as speeding, unsafe or illegal lane changes, and stop sign/red light violations. Additionally, on May 23, 2024, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., officers will conduct enhanced enforcement specifically addressing those dangerous and unsafe driving behaviors.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers:

· Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

· Do not follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.

· If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Be sure that the rider is turning before moving ahead.

Motorcyclists:

· Always wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet with eye protection.

· Wear leather or other sturdy clothing such as a jacket, pants, boots with nonskid soles and gloves. Add reflective strips or decals to your clothing and motorcycle to make it easier for other drivers to see you.

· Ride defensively. Don’t assume a driver can see you. Avoid riding in a driver’s blind spot.

· Always keep you lights on, even during the day.

Lastly, both drivers and riders should never drive/ride distracted or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

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

DATE: May 1, 2024

SUBJECT: National Bicycle Safety Month

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805)385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7am-5pm) │michael.gens@oxnardpd.org

Share the Road and Look Out for One Another During

Bicycle Safety Month

Oxnard, Calif. – May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Oxnard Police Department is encouraging everyone to get active and safely take bike rides while at the same time reminding drivers to be on the lookout for more people biking and walking.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,105 people killed while riding a bike in 2022, and an estimated 46,195 bicyclists were injured. In 2021, 976 bicyclists were killed (a 1.9% increase from 2020) and an estimated 41,615 bicyclists were injured (a 7% increase from 2020).

To help keep people safe while biking or walking, the Oxnard Police Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month, focusing on driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield right of way, and stop sign/red light running.

The Oxnard Police Department suggests the following safety tips for bicyclists and drivers:

Drivers

· Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful traveling through intersections.

· Look carefully for bicyclists and pedestrians before making a turn or opening a car door near streets or bike paths.

· Be patient when traveling behind bicyclists and give them space when passing. California law requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists and always pass with at least 3 feet of space.

· Never drive while distracted.

Bike Riders

· Use lights at night.

· Although not required for riders 18 and older, always wear a properly secured helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the chance of a head injury in the event of a crash.

· Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

· Yield to pedestrians, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or unmarked intersections.

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

###

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 1^st, 2024 (4:40 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Five Handguns Recovered During Traffic Stop

SUSPECTS: Erick Soria, 25-year-old Oxnard resident

Alex Valenzuela, 22-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 400 blk. S. Ventura Rd., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | bakari.myers@Oxnardpd.org

On May 1^st, 2024, at approximately 4:40 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) assisted the Violent Crimes Unit with conducting a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 400 blk. of South Ventura Rd. The traffic stop was in regards to a search warrant for the driver, Erick Soria, and for Soria’s vehicle. Soria had a passenger in his vehicle who was identified as Alex Valenzuela. Officers removed Soria and Valenzuela from the vehicle and conducted a search pursuant to the warrant.

Officers and detectives searched the vehicle and located five handguns. None of the handguns were registered to either of the occupants, two of the handguns were found to be 9-millimeter, Glock-style, Polymer 80, un-serialized, semi-automatic handguns. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. One of the Polymer 80 handguns was equipped with a threaded barrel. A threaded pistol barrel allows the firearm to accept a flash suppressor, or silencer and fit the definition of “assault weapon”, per 30515 of the California Penal Code. Soria and Valenzuela were subsequently charged with felony firearms violations

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit and Violent Crimes Unit are 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.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME: April 30, 2024 / 12:00AM

SUBJECT: Possession of a Firearm Arrest

SUSPECT: Michael McMann, 23-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 3200 block of South Rose Avenue, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

Kevin.Baysinger@OxnardPD.org

(805) 385-7746 (Sun-Wed 4PM-2AM)

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police Officers received a report of a subject possibly in possession of a firearm in the 3200 block of S. Rose Avenue. Officers contacted the suspect, McMann, and learned he was in possession of a loaded 9mm firearm. McMann was detained and arrested without incident for multiple firearms violations.

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 by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.