INCIDENT:

Missing Elderly Dependent Adult

DATE/TIME:

02/11/2018; 0130 hours

LOCATION:

400 Block of South “F” Street, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Gabriel Santana, 89 years

PREPARED BY:

Kevin Baysinger, Commander

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Kevin Baysinger (805) 385-7746

[email protected]

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing dependent adult. Mr. Gabriel Santana, 89 years old, walked away from his residence in the 400 Block of South “F” Street, Oxnard, around 1:30AM this morning. Mr. Santana is described as a Hispanic male, 5’-10” tall and weighs approximately 175 lbs. He was wearing a tan jacket, grey long sleeve shirt, and blue jeans. He is known to frequent the local shopping areas including Circle K at First Street and Rose Avenue, and the WalMart shopping center. If you see Mr. Santana, please contact the Oxnard Police Department dispatch center at (805) 385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 11, 2018 @ 1030 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Homicide Investigation

DATE/TIME:

February 11, 2018 at approximately 12:00 a.m.

LOCATION:

Community Center Park, 801 Hobson Way

VICTIM(S):

African American male, 26-year old Oxnard resident; name withheld pending notification

SUSPECT(S):

Unknown

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763

[email protected]

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Detective Robert Valenzuela (805) 385-7645

[email protected]

DETAILS: On February 11, 2018, at approximately 12:00 a.m., Oxnard police officers responded to a call for service of gunshots heard in Community Center Park, located at 801 Hobson Way. Police officers arrived on scene and located a shooting victim. The victim, a 26-year old African American male, was found lying on the sidewalk near the northern parking lot. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to the scene. Unfortunately, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assume the investigation. At this early stage in the investigation, detectives do not have any suspect information nor do they have a motive for the murder.

The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000.00 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases. Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Robert Valenzuela at (805) 385-7645.

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: February, 11 2018, at 5:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Armed Home Invasion Robbery
DATE/TIME:	February 10, 2018, 7:55 p.m.
LOCATION:	4000 blk Terrace Avenue, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	S1 H, M, 5’6, 16-18 years, thin build. S2 H, M, 5’2, 18-25 years, heavy 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 February 10, 2018, at 7:55 p.m., Oxnard police officers responded to a robbery where two subjects forced entry into a home in the 4000 blk of Terrace Avenue. One of the subjects brandished a firearm and demanded money from several family members. The second subject remained outside of the home acting as a look out. One of the family members gave the subject with the firearm $5.00. A second family member suffered a minor injury when S1 struck her with the firearm. Both subjects fled from the home. While fleeing S2 attempted to rob an additional victim, a pizza delivery man, that robbery was unsuccessful. The Oxnard Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit responded. The investigation is ongoing.

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.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Man arrested for being in possession of a concealed firearm
DATE/TIME:	February 9, 2018 / 1:55 p.m.
LOCATION:	5300 South J Street, Oxnard, Ca.
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Jesus Marquez, 20 year-old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Rocky Marquez, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Rocky Marquez, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7600

DETAILS:

On February 9, at approximately 1:55 p.m., officers from the Neighborhood Policing Team were conducting a foot patrol in the 5300 block of South J Street, when they observed a suspicious subject attempting to conceal a firearm in his waistband. Officers contacted Jesus Marquez, who was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun. Marquez was arrested for numerous firearms related charges.

The Oxnard Police Department Neighborhood Policing Team focuses on crime and quality of life issues at the neighborhood level, with a focus on Community Policing and Problem Solving. The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 9, 2018 / 1600 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	2017 FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Data Shows a Decrease in Oxnard Crime
DATE/TIME:	January-December 2017
LOCATION:	Citywide – City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sharon Giles, Investigative Services Bureau Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sharon Giles, Investigative Services Bureau Commander [email protected]; (805) 385-7620

DETAILS: The FBI gathers crime statistics from law enforcement agencies each year as part of their Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. The UCR Program collects data on four violent crime and four property crime categories. The purpose of the program is to generate a reliable set of crime statistics for use by law enforcement. The Oxnard Police Department has been a participating UCR agency for over forty (40) years and believes it is important to share the crime data with our residents.

The police department continued to focus on crime prevention efforts in 2017 for another successful decrease in the number of crimes committed in Oxnard. The 11.1% overall decrease in crime translated to 782 crimes prevented in comparison to last year. The UCR crime categories and the reported crime data for 2016 and 2017 are listed below:

Police Chief Scott Whitney said about the reduction in overall crime:

“At the beginning of 2017, we set an ambitious goal for our organization of reducing overall Part One crime by 10%. Our officers in our neighborhoods as well as our detectives tasked with investigating these crimes shifted their focus from traditional policing methods to intelligence-led policing methods focused on two key areas: 1) Preventing crimes from ever happening, and 2) targeting chronic and repeat offenders responsible for a bulk of our crime. We believe these methods are reflected in the UCR data and are very excited to continue towards another crime reduction in 2018.”

Aggravated Assaults

For purposes of crime classification and reporting, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice define aggravated assault as “an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault is accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.”

Aggravated assaults decreased by 9.1% with 40 fewer aggravated assaults in 2017 as compared to 2016 statistics. Overall, aggravated assaults within the City of Oxnard have been trending downward for decades. During calendar year 1994, there were 1,073 aggravated assaults reported in the City with a population of 50,000 fewer people as compared to 398 during 2017.

Robberies

For purposes of crime classification and reporting, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice define robbery as “The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.”

The number of robberies increased from 429 in 2016 to 430 in 2017. Carjacking had the largest increase with a 48.1% jump from the last year. Robberies to businesses realized the largest decrease of 17.2%.

Larcenies (Thefts)

For purposes of crime classification and reporting, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice define larceny as “an unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another.”

The crime category of larceny (theft) decreased by 10.7% overall. There were 4,309 larcenies reported during calendar year 2016 and 3,848 during 2017, a decrease of 461 incidents. The two driving forces behind the larceny crime rate continue to be Shoplifting and Thefts from Motor Vehicles, accounting for 59% of all thefts in the City of Oxnard. Larceny is responsible for 61% of the total crime picture and is the most preventable.

“We placed an emphasis on shoplifting reduction in 2017 and we’re proud of the efforts of our officers in making it happen,” stated Assistant Chief Eric S. Sonstegard, who oversees the Investigative Services Bureau. Assistant Chief Sonstegard added, “You do not realize an 18% reduction by accident. It’s through the concerted crime prevention efforts of our property crimes investigators that we were able to put mechanisms in place to prevent these crimes from ever happening.”

Motor Vehicle Theft

For purposes of crime classification and reporting, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice define motor vehicle theft as “the theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.” A motor vehicle is defined as a self-propelled vehicle that runs on land surface.

Motor vehicle theft decreased 11.8%. There were 786 motor vehicle thefts reported during calendar year 2016 and 693 during 2017, 93 fewer crimes.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 8, 2018, 2:00 PM

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspicious Injury Investigation
DATE/TIME:	February 25, 2019 at approximately 6:50 .p.m.
LOCATION:	100 block of Mallard Way, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Name being withheld
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Luis Mancha (805) 385-7632 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jacob Jundef (805) 385-7680 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On February 25, 2019, at approximately 6:50 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 100 block of Mallard Way, regarding a female suffering from suspicious injuries. Officers located the injured female and contacted EMS. EMS arrived on scene and immediately transported the victim to St. John’s Hospital.

The female victim is listed in critical condition according to medical personnel.

The incident is being investigated by Oxnard Police Department Investigative Services Bureau. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of her next of kin.

Detectives are requesting anyone who might have witnessed the incident to contact Detective Jacob Jundef (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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 26, 2019 at 6:00 pm

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Investigators Searching for Vehicle Used in two Related Homicides

DATE/TIME:

May 16, 2017, at approximately 9:15 P.M.

May 16, 2017, between 9-9:30 P.M.

LOCATION:

300 block of North G Street, Oxnard

5400 block of Perkins Road, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Aaron Austin, 29-years old, Oxnard resident

Eduardo Leon, 23-years old, Oxnard resident

SUSPECT(S):

Unknown

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763

[email protected]

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763

[email protected]

DETAILS: (OXNARD, Calif) – The Oxnard Police Department continues to investigate two homicides that occurred on May 16, 2017, at different locations within the city of Oxnard. Investigators have determined that these two murders are related.

The first homicide occurred on May 16, 2017, at approximately 9:15 p.m. in the 300 block of North G Street. Oxnard police officers responded to the report of a shooting victim. Upon their arrival, they located a 29-year old male, identified as Aaron Austin, suffering from gunshot wounds. Austin was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) by ambulance. Unfortunately, Austin was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

While this investigation was still in its initial stages, the Oxnard Police Department was notified of another shooting victim. On May 17, 2017, at approximately 5:30 a.m., residents in the 5400 block of Perkins Road called the police department after they found a shooting victim lying in the west alley. Police officers responded and located the shooting victim, a 23-year old male, identified as Eduardo Leon. EMS personnel arrived on scene and declared the victim deceased. During this investigation, police officers and investigators spoke to several residents who said they heard gunshots or fireworks the previous evening but did not report it to the police.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit responded to both homicides and had been diligently investigating both cases and following up on all leads. Recently, investigators have developed information on both cases that led investigators to determine that both of these homicides are related. Additionally, investigators uncovered video surveillance recordings that captured, what detectives believe, is a vehicle associated with the suspect(s) in the homicides.

Detectives reviewed the surveillance video and strongly believe that the suspect vehicle is likely a dark colored 2000’s compact BMW sedan. This determination was made based on the various mechanical characteristics of the vehicle, including the location of the different exterior lights on the car. The photograph below was taken from a surveillance camera near one of the homicide locations. This image highlights the location of the vehicle’s lights, which assisted in determining year range and make of the vehicle.

Snapshot of suspect vehicle – highlighting the vehicle’s distinct lighting characteristics

The suspect vehicle investigators are searching for is similar to the vehicle in the stock photograph below.

At this stage in both homicide investigations, detectives are still searching for any information that could assist in identifying a suspect(s) or a motive for the murders.

The Oxnard Police Department encourages anyone with information in regards to the senseless murder of Aaron Austin and/or Eduardo Leon to contact detectives. Additionally, anyone with knowledge or information regarding this suspect vehicle is highly encouraged to contact detectives.

Aaron Austin

Eduardo Leon

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 6, 2018, at approximately 7:30 A.M.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Felon in Possession of a Firearm
DATE/TIME:	February 5, 2018 / 9:25 p.m.
LOCATION:	1700 block of Crawford St.
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Sergio Contreras, 36-year-old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Bakari Myers, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7771
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Christopher Williams, Commander [email protected] 805-385-8290

DETAILS:

On February 5, at approximately 9:25 p.m., officers from the Special Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop in the Colonia neighborhood in the 1700 block of Crawford St. The officers immediately recognized the driver as 36-year-old Sergio Contreras, a documented criminal street gang member on supervised release (Post Release Offender). Officers exercised Contreras’ court ordered search terms and located a semiautomatic handgun concealed in the vehicle. Contreras was arrested for numerous firearms related 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 5, 2018 / 2300 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI Saturation Patrols and Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation Results
DATE/TIME:	February 4, 2018 / 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On Sunday, February 4, 2018, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation in an effort to lower deaths and injuries resulting from motorcycle-involved collisions. Officers patrolled areas frequented by motorcyclists focusing on primary causes of motorcycle collisions including speed, unsafe turning, and right of way violations.

Additional officers also conducted DUI saturation patrols between 3:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. specifically to stop and arrest drivers and riders showing signs of alcohol or drug impairment. DUI saturation patrols were conducted in areas where alcohol-related arrests and/or DUI collisions have occurred.

The Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation resulted in the following:

51 total citations issued (31 citations issued to motorcyclists)
One motorcyclist arrested for DUI alcohol
One misdemeanor warrant arrest

The DUI saturation patrols resulted in the following:

Four DUI alcohol arrests
Two DUI drug arrests
28 total citations issued
Two vehicles towed

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct these types of operations in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related crashes and motorcycle-involved collisions. These 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 [email protected].

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Felon in Possession of a Firearm
DATE/TIME:	February 4, 2018 / 4:50 p.m.
LOCATION:	Emerson Ave. at Dupont St.
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Omar Baez, 31-year-old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Bakari Myers, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7771
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Christopher Williams, Commander [email protected] 805-385-8290

DETAILS:

On February 4, at approximately 4:50 p.m., officers from the Special Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop in the Lemonwood neighborhood near the intersection of Emerson Ave. and Dupont St. During the traffic stop, officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain view and smelled what appeared to be burnt marijuana in the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located a semiautomatic handgun. The driver, Omar Baez, was ultimately arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm as well as ammunition.