News | Page 21 | Oxnard Police Department

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 28, 2024

SUBJECT: Fourth of July Traffic Safety and DUI Enforcement

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805)385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7am-5pm) │[email protected]

Don’t Be The ‘I’ in DUI: Be a Hero, Designate a Sober Driver

Celebrate Fourth of July Responsibly

Oxnard, Calif. – The Oxnard Police Department reminds drivers to be the real heroes of the night by prioritizing the safety of everyone on the road this Fourth of July. Plan ahead and celebrate the holiday responsibly.

Beginning Monday, July 1 through Sunday, July 7, the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

In 2022, 487 people were killed in crashes throughout the country during the Fourth of July holiday period. Of those deadly crashes, 40% involved alcohol. In California, 68 people were killed in crashes during last year’s Independence Day holiday period. In addition, California Highway Patrol officers made nearly 1,224 arrests for driving under the influence – an average of one DUI arrest every five minutes.

While some festivities may include alcohol, driving under the influence also includes impairment from prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana. Do your research and be informed about how certain drugs may affect your driving ability.

If you are hosting friends and family for barbecues and watching fireworks shows, offer nonalcoholic drinks for designated sober drivers and monitor who is drinking. If you see people leaving who have been drinking, offer to have them stay the night or make arrangements for them to take a sober ride home.

If you see someone who appears impaired or driving recklessly, call 9-1-1.

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

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 28, 2024 (7:17 p.m.)

SUBJECT: P80 Handgun, and Two 12-Gauge Pipe Shotguns Recovered During Search Warrant

SUSPECTS: Eduardo Lara, 18-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 3000 blk. S. J St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On June 28^th, 2024, at approximately 7:17 p.m., Officers from the Special Enforcement Unit (gang unit), and the Violent Crimes Unit served a search warrant in the 3000 blk. of South J St. The subject of the warrant was identified as Eduardo Lara, who was under investigation for illegal firearms possession. Lara was located in the area and officers attempted to detain him pursuant to the search warrant. Lara fled south in the alley behind his residence and was observed discarding a handgun in his rear yard. Lara was apprehended by the pursuing officers.

Officers served the search warrant at Lara’s residence and located the handgun which was a 9-millimeter, Glock-style, Polymer 80, un-serialized, semi-automatic handgun in the rear yard. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. During the service of the search warrant officers located two improvised 12-gauge pipe shotguns. Lara was booked for felony firearms violations, and transported to the Ventura County Jail.

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: June 29, 2024

SUBJECT: DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Saturation Results

CONTACT: Michael Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Seven impaired drivers arrested during DUI checkpoint and saturation.

On June 28, 2024, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department, in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol, held a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint at Vineyard Avenue and Esplanade Drive, as well as a simultaneous city-wide DUI saturation. The operation resulted in seven arrests for impaired driving, and twenty-six citations for various traffic violations, including being an unlicensed driver and/or driving with a suspended license.

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

Funding for this checkpoint and DUI enforcement patrols was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

UPDATED NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 26, 2024

SUBJECT: Officer Involved Shooting Suspect Booked

LOCATION: 500 Block of North Ventura Road, Oxnard

VICTIM: Isaiah Nichols 27-year-old, Male

CONTACT: Jaime Miranda, Sergeant

(805) 385-7632 | [email protected]

On June 26, 2024 at 10:00 AM, Isaiah Nichols was discharged from Ventura County Medical Center and transported to the Ventura County Jail where he was booked for attempted murder for an unrelated incident that occurred on May 17, 2024. In addition, he was booked on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon upon a police officer, and five counts of exhibiting a deadly weapon to a police officer for the incident which led to the officer involved shooting. Nichols’ bail was set at $1,000,000.00

This is still an ongoing criminal investigation. Investigators are encouraging anyone who has any information or may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Adam Aguilar at (805) 385-7680 or by email at [email protected]. All of the officers involved have since returned to active duty.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 21, 2024

SUBJECT: Suspect arrested in connection to 2 robberies

LOCATION: 400 Block North Rose and 1900 Block North Ventura Rd.

VICTIM: Two local Businesses

SUSPECT: Ezra Carrasco, 20-year-old Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Detective Hugo Garcia

(805) 797-6142 | [email protected]

On June 21, 2024, at 3:56 p.m., Oxnard police officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Carl's Jr. restaurant in the 800 block of N. Rose Avenue. The robber was reportedly armed with a gun.

A possible suspect, Ezra Carrasco, 20, of Oxnard, was apprehended several blocks away on San Jose Street near Kohala Street. Witnesses identified Carrasco as the robbery suspect, leading to his arrest.

Investigators successfully connected Carrasco to a 7-Eleven store robbery on north Oxnard Boulevard that occurred overnight.

We need your help: If you have any information on this case, please contact Detective Hugo Garcia at (805) 797-6142 or by email at [email protected]. You can also report online via the Oxnard Police Department's website, www.oxnard.org, and click on 'Report Suspicious Activity.' Alternatively, you can provide valuable information by calling Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. For more options, visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 26, 2024

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrols

CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 | [email protected]

Oxnard Police Department to hold DUI Checkpoint and use extra officers to patrol for suspected impaired drivers

The Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers working patrol on Friday, June 28, 2024, specifically looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In addition, the Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city. The DUI Checkpoint and DUI patrols will be from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

DUI checkpoints and patrols are done in locations with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

In 2021, 1,370 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above). The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take these precautions to avoid a DUI:

● Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation – to get home.

● Walking while impaired is also dangerous. Have someone sober walk you home or stay with you until a sober driver is available to pick you up.

● Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

● Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

A DUI arrest is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.

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

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 26, 2024

SUBJECT: Documented Gang Member Arrested for Possession of Stolen Firearms and Narcotics for Sales

SUSPECTS: David Gasca, 28-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 2600 block El Dorado Ave, Oxnard

CONTACT: Scott Coe, Sergeant

(805) 207-5962 | [email protected]

During the month of June, the Oxnard Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation into David Gasca regarding the sales of controlled substances. Gasca is a documented gang member in the City of Oxnard who is also prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to a previous illegal firearms conviction. During the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for Gasca’s residence.

On June 21, 2024, with the assistance of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office West County Special Enforcement Unit, Gasca was contacted in the City of Ventura. Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at Gasca’s residence in the 2600 block of El Dorado Ave in Oxnard. During a search of the residence, detectives recovered four loaded handguns, one sawed-off rifle, and ammunition. Two of the handguns had previously been reported stolen in Ventura County.

Detectives also located cocaine for sales, methamphetamine for sales, prescription pills, US currency and additional evidence of narcotics sales. Gasca was arrested for possession of narcotics for sales and various firearms offenses as an active participant in a criminal street gang.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses, gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard. 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: June 19th, 2024 (7:38 p.m.)

SUBJECT: 3D Printed Handgun Recovered After Vehicle Pursuit

SUSPECTS: Oscar Villafana, 19-year-old Oxnard resident

Jesse Olivares, 19-year-old Port Hueneme resident

LOCATION: Camino Del Sol at Sara Drive, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jason Radcliffe, Corporal

(805) 385-7796 | [email protected]

On June 19^th, at approximately 7:38 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The vehicle failed to stop and attempted to evade the officers. Passenger Jesse Olivares discarded a loaded 3D printed handgun. The vehicle yielded a short time later. The driver, Oscar Villafana, was arrested for the pursuit and weapons violations. Olivares was arrested for firearms violations.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME: June 18, 2024 / 9:20PM

SUBJECT: Seizure of Illegal Fireworks

LOCATION: Fierro Meat Market, 1355 Saviers Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

[email protected]

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

On the above date and time, Oxnard police officers responded to Fierro Meat Market, 1355 Saviers Road, reference the business selling “mortar” fireworks. Officers responded and located more than ten varieties of illegal fireworks, including both “safe and sane” and “dangerous” fireworks. Over 3,000 individual fireworks were seized, including nine of the large mortar-style dangerous fireworks. The total weight was estimated at 30 pounds.

The business owner was cited for a violation of Oxnard City Code 7-147.1(B)(1).

All fireworks are illegal in Oxnard. Fireworks are a significant nuisance to the majority of our residents and they can be extremely dangerous with risk of significant injuries. Each year, fireworks land on rooftops and cause structure fires in the city. Fireworks also cause emotional distress for many of our residents particularly those suffering from post-traumatic stress. They can also be very distressing for pets and their owners. Many of our residents resort to administering prescription sedatives to their pets to help them cope with fireworks.

The above reasons demonstrate why the Oxnard Police Department has a zero tolerance enforcement approach towards fireworks. While it is often very difficult for officers to catch offenders of fireworks violations, each year the Department prioritizes deploying as many police resources as reasonably possible towards fireworks enforcement.

Any individual caught using or possessing fireworks is subject to a fine ranging from $250-$1000; “Safe and Sane“ fireworks (sparklers, cones, flowers, etc.) carry a $250 fine; while “Dangerous” fireworks (firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, M80s, mortars, etc.) carry a $1000 fine.

The Oxnard Police Department is respectfully asking all of our residents to celebrate Independence Day safely without risk of injury or property damage. We also encourage everyone to respect the peace and well-being of their neighbors and their pets by refraining from the use of fireworks.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

• Fireworks Cellphone Line (805-307-6308) Dedicated line specifically for fireworks complaints carried by an NPT officer while on duty to take down specific information of problematic locations where fireworks are occurring.

• Fireworks Tips via Email ([email protected]) Please provide specific information regarding locations, days, and times

• Fireworks Hotline (805-394-5884) Callers can remain anonymous

• Oxnard Police Department Non-Emergency Number (805-385-7740) Use for reporting fireworks activity in progress. Please recognize that fireworks calls are prioritized based on other calls for service pending throughout the city.

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NEWS RELEASE

DATE: June 17, 2024

SUBJECT: Oxnard Store Clerks Cited for Selling Alcohol to Minors

LOCATION: Oxnard, California

CONTACT: Corporal Steven Ramirez II, F.A.C.T. Compliance Officer

(805) 385-3920 (Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm) | [email protected]

Store Clerks in the City of Oxnard Cited for Selling Alcohol to Minors

The Oxnard Police Department, with assistance from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, cited two store clerks in the City of Oxnard for selling alcohol to a minor on June 17, 2024. The actions were the result of a minor decoy operation in which a minor, under the direct supervision of police officers, attempted to purchase alcohol from 10 retail licensees in the City of Oxnard.

For a first violation, clerks who sold alcohol to a minor could face a minimum fine of $250 and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the business's alcoholic beverage license. That action may include a fine, suspension of the license, or permanent revocation of the license.

Compliance checks are conducted statewide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunk driving fatalities than the general adult population. The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing the harm associated with minors drinking alcohol.

Law enforcement agencies have been conducting minor decoy operations throughout the state since the 1980s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. When conducted routinely, the rate has dropped in some cities to as low as 10 percent.

In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the use of underage decoys is a valid tool for law enforcement to ensure that licensees are complying with the law.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) through the department's Grant Assistance Program. ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.