OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspect Arrested for Burglary
DATE/TIME:	August 14, 2017 / 2:49 a.m.
LOCATION:	500 block of West Wooley Road
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Gerardo Mares, 48-year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	David Walker, Sergeant (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	David Walker, Sergeant david.walker@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On August 14, 2017, at approximately 2:49 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 500 block of West Wooley Road after a burglary alarm activation was reported for a warehouse. Officers arrived at the location and interrupted the in-progress burglary. A suspect was seen running from the warehouse where forced entry had been made. Property had also been removed from the building and staged outside by the suspect.

Gerardo Mares was located attempting to run and hide from officers in the area. During the investigation, Mares admitted that he had been near the warehouse when the officers arrived. Officers also found evidence that placed Mares at the scene of the crime. Mares was taken into custody and later booked into the Ventura County Jail for burglary. The suspect was found to also have prior arrests for narcotics violations and vehicle theft.

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 at tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 14, 2017 / 1:30 p.m

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang related firearm and drug arrest
DATE/TIME:	August 13, 2017/ 1800 hours
LOCATION:	Saviers Road at Yucca Street
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	Sandy Dominguez (10-17-90) Juan Medina (3-3-88) Jessie Cortez (4-10-88)
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Silver ’17 Hyundai Sonata (7XEV183)
LOSS:	None
PREPARED BY:	Martin Cook, Senior Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Martin Cook (805) 385-7600 martin.cook@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On August 13, 2017 at approximately 1800 hours officers from the Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) were working gang enforcement in the area of the Saviers Road and Bard Road. SEU officers observed a silver ’17 Hyundai Sonata in the area and conducted a vehicle stop for a vehicle code violation at the intersection of Saviers Road and Yucca Street. During the traffic stop, Officers identified the driver as Sandy Dominguez and the passengers as Colonia Gang members Jessie Cortez and Juan Medina. Both Cortez and Medina are currently on Parole in the State of California, and Cortez is currently served with the City of Oxnard Gang Injunction. Information was received that earlier in the day, on 8-13-17, Medina had cut off his Parole GPS monitor and was currently being looked for by California State Parole.

During a Parole search of the Hyundai, a loaded 40 Cal. semi-automatic Glock handgun, narcotic pills, heroin and methamphetamine were located in the vehicle. The firearm located in the vehicle was found to be stolen out of the City of Oxnard. The occupants of the vehicle were also found in possession of additional methamphetamine on their persons.

Cortez, Medina and Dominguez were arrested for numerous firearms related and narcotics related violations.

The Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (Gang 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. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witnesses to a crime.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. 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 (805) 222-8477.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 13, 2017/ 1950 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Detectives are Searching for a “Person of Interest” in Homicide Case

DATE/TIME:

June 11, 2017, at approximately 10:19 p.m.

LOCATION:

Wilson Park, 350 North C Street

VICTIM(S):

Eduardo Banales, 33-year old Oxnard resident

PERSON OF INTEREST:

Possibly Hispanic Male, mid-20’s.

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763

alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Detective Miguel Serrato (805) 385-7688

miguel.serrato@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

(OXNARD, Calif) – The Oxnard Police Department is searching for a “Person of Interest” that could have valuable information in an ongoing homicide investigation.

On June 11, 2017, at approximately 10:19 p.m., 33-year old Eduardo Banales was shot and killed in the parking lot of Wilson Park, located at 350 North C Street. Detectives responded to the scene and immediately started collecting evidence and gathering information.

Based on the information and evidence collected so far in the investigation, detectives believe the person depicted in the sketch (see below) was at Wilson Park at the time of the shooting. The person is described as a possible Hispanic male in his mid-20’s. Detectives believe the person has valuable information that could assist with the investigation. Detectives would like to speak to the person directly about the shooting death of Eduardo Banales.

Detectives are requesting the community’s assistance in identifying the “Person of Interest”. If anyone recognizes the person depicted in the sketch or if you know who the person is, you are asked to contact Detective Miguel Serrato at (805) 385-7688. 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 $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect(s) in homicide cases.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 12, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempt Homicide Arrest
DATE/TIME:	August 09, 2017, 11:00 AM
LOCATION:	Ventura County Jail
SUSPECT(S):	Andres Ayala, 28 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant Brett.smith@oxnardpd.org (805) 486-6211
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jonathan Ballow, 288-3289 or jonathan.ballow@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On July 18, 2017, at approximately 11:50PM, Oxnard police officers responded to the 200 block of E. Seventh St., Oxnard; reference a shooting that just occurred. When officers arrived they located a victim who sustained a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Officers learned the victim and the suspect were involved in a verbal altercation inside of a garage. The altercation led the two men outside where the suspect shot the victim. The suspect fled the scene prior to police officer’s arrival.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) continued to investigate shooting after the initial police response. During the course of their investigation, investigators learned the identity of the suspect, Andres Ayala.

On August 09, 2017, VCU investigators arrested Ayala at the Ventura County Jail for the above charges. Ayala was currently in jail on charges unrelated to the shooting.

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: August 11, 2017 0900 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Recovered Stolen Vehicle, Firearm Located
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 9:30 hours
LOCATION:	2000 block of North Ventura Road, Pt. Hueneme
SUSPECT(S):	Flavio Gasca, 09/26/93
VICTIM VEHICLE:	White 2002 Chevrolet Silverado Pick-up
PREPARED BY:	Crystal Walker, Senior Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Enrique Alvarez Enrique.alvarez@oxnardpd.org or (805) 385-7664

DETAILS:

This morning at approximately 9:30 a.m., an undercover officer with the Oxnard Auto Theft Task Force (OATTF) spotted a reported stolen vehicle in a high crime area of Oxnard. The officer followed the vehicle, which had originally been reported stolen in Pt. Hueneme, until marked patrol units were able to perform a traffic stop. Ultimately, patrol officers were able to stop and detain the vehicle in the 2000 block of North Ventura Road in Pt. Hueneme.

After the driver was arrested, a search was conducted of his person and several shotgun rounds were located in his possession. During a search of the vehicle, several more shotgun rounds were located along with a 14” sawed-off shotgun. The shotgun had been pushed between the center console and driver’s seat.

The driver, later identified as Flavio Gasca, 09/26/93, was interviewed and Gasca admitted to knowing that the vehicle was stolen. Gasca also admitted to the possession of the shotgun. Gasca’s charges include unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, receiving stolen property (motor vehicle), under the influence in possession of a firearm, own/possess/control a firearm in violation of probation, carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle, carrying a loaded firearm on one’s person and two outstanding misdemeanor warrants.

Based on the initial stolen vehicle report, Gasca was able to steal the victim vehicle due to a spare key being left in the vehicle with the doors unlocked. The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind residents of the following tips to help prevent vehicle thefts:

Never leave your car unlocked, not even for a minute.
Never leave your keys in the car, even if you think they are really “hidden.”
Don’t leave your car idling and unattended because it is unnecessary (it doesn’t get cold enough here), it is unsafe and illegal, and someone can steal your car.
Wheel locks, brake pedal locks and steering wheel locks are also effective.

If anyone has any information regarding stolen vehicles please contact Detective Enrique Alvarez at enrique.alvarez@oxnardpd.org or (805) 385-7664.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 9, 2017 / 1413 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Prohibited gang member arrested for possession of a shotgun
DATE/TIME:	8/8/17 / 1820
LOCATION:	400 Block of Cuesta Del Mar
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	15 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant Daniel.Whitmer@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant Daniel.Whitmer@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7600

DETAILS:

On August 8, 2017, at approximately 6:20 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Gang Unit (Special Enforcement Unit) were conducting uniform gang enforcement in the 400 block of Cuesta Del Mar when they responded to a call of ten subjects tagging walls in the alley. The caller also advised that the subjects were passing a gun back and forth between each other.

When Officers arrived the group of subjects ran away and officers chased after them. Several of the subjects were stopped in the area. A 15 year old gang member was contacted and in possession of a Mossberg 410 pump action shotgun. The juvenile is a documented gang member who is a prohibited person due to prior gun arrests. The juvenile was arrested for various gun charges.

The Oxnard Police Department Gang Unit (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. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witnesses to a crime.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08/08/17 / 2030 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Oxnard man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter in Heroin Overdose Case

DATE/TIME:

April 27, 2017 at approximately 10:30 a.m.

LOCATION:

1000 block Offshore Street, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Christopher Ariaz, 32-year old Oxnard resident

SUSPECT(S):

Ryan Tepezano, 36-year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Detective James Langford (805) 385-7600

james.langford@oxnardpd.org

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Detective James Langford (805) 385-7600

james.langford@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On December 15, 2015, Oxnard police officers and EMS personnel responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Offshore Street regarding an unresponsive person. EMS personnel attempted to provide medical aid; however, the person was pronounced deceased at the scene. The deceased person was later identified as 32-year old Oxnard resident Christopher Ariaz. Officers located evidence of drug use at the scene. An autopsy later confirmed that Ariaz died as a result of a heroin overdose.

Detectives assigned to the Ventura County Narcotics Task Force responded to the scene and led the investigation. Narcotics detectives were able to identify 36-year old Ryan Tepezano as the source from which Ariaz obtained his heroin.

In the early morning hours of January 28, 2016, detectives from the Ventura County Narcotics Task Force and members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) served search warrants at two residences next door to one another in the 2000 block of Curran Street in the City of Oxnard. During the search warrant service, Ryan Tepezano was arrested for maintaining a place for drug use and/or sales, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and felon in possession of a firearm. Tepezano was booked into the Ventura County Jail and later pled guilty to the above listed charges.

On April 27, 2016, detectives with the Ventura County Narcotics Task Force concluded their investigation into the death of Christopher Ariaz and presented the case to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Based on their investigation, detectives believed that Tepezano provided Ariaz with heroin, which resulted in his death. Tepezano was arrested for manslaughter and for selling illegal narcotics with the enhancement of causing great bodily injury.

Tepezano, who was in custody at the Ventura County Jail – Todd Road Jail Facility, was arrested and charged with manslaughter and sales of heroin with an enhancement of causing great bodily injury. Ultimately, Tepezano pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter with an enhancement.

On August 4, 2017, Tepezano was sentenced to 3-years in jail, 3-years of mandatory supervision following his release and was ordered to pay restitution to the state and the victim’s family.

The arrest of Tepezano was due to a dedicated and exhaustive investigation by members of the Ventura County Narcotic Task Force and in direct partnership with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. This conviction helps to serve as a message to drug dealers that Ventura County Law Enforcement will not tolerate the sales of illegal narcotics in our the communities. Ventura County Law Enforcement will continue to investigate narcotics related overdose deaths and bring those responsible to justice.

The Ventura County Narcotic Task Force – West County Street Team is made up of detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Paula Police Department, and the Oxnard Police Department. These detectives work cooperatively in the investigation of narcotics offenses occurring in the western portion of Ventura County.

Ryan Tepezano

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 8, 2017 / 1:00 p.m.

INCIDENT:

13 Clerks Cited for Selling Alcohol to Minors

DATE/TIME:

Saturday, August 5, 2017 / 2000 hours

VICTIM(S):

State of California

LOCATIONS:

Oxnard Shores Bottle Shoppe, 1035 S. Harbor Boulevard, Oxnard
Express Mini Market II, 400 W. Pleasant Valley Road, Oxnard
Auto Fuels Gas Station, 2460 Auto Center Drive, Oxnard
7-Eleven, 2201 E. Gonzales Road, Oxnard
Town and Country Market, 611 W. First Street, Oxnard
Circle K, 2323 N. Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard.
“C” Street Market, 122 N. C Street, Oxnard
Doc’s Liquor and Market, 2195 E. Channel Islands Boulevard, Oxnard
Walgreens, 2303 E. Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard
Doc’s Meat Market, 630 S. C Street, Oxnard
El Maguey Liquor, 3610 Saviers Road, Oxnard
CVS Pharmacy, 551 S. Ventura Road, Oxnard
Fred’s Gas, 3211 Saviers Road, Oxnard

PREPARED BY:

Rocky Marquez, Neighborhood Policing Team Sergeant

Rocky.marquez@oxnardpd.org

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Officer David Castillo

david.castillo@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On August 5, 2017, the Oxnard Police Department cited 13 store clerks for selling alcohol to minors. The actions were the result of three simultaneous minor decoy operations in which minors, under the direct supervision of officers, attempted to purchase alcohol from 57 retail licensees in the City of Oxnard.

Those who sold to the minors face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, the Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.

The Oxnard Police Department is conducting the compliance checks to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunken driving fatalities than the general adult population.

Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980’s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped in some cities as low as 10 percent or even below.

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

This project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Education and Teen Alcohol Enforcement Program Grant, funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 5, 2017 / 2030 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspects Arrested for Attempted Vehicle Theft, Narcotics, and Stolen Property
DATE/TIME:	July 31, 2017 / 3:54 a.m.
LOCATION:	1500 block of Cypress Street
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Alberto Herrera, 27-year-old Oxnard resident Felipe Ventura, 34-year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	David Walker, Sergeant (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	David Walker, Sergeant david.walker@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On July 31, 2017, at approximately 3:54 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Cypress Street after an alert citizen reported that a possible auto theft was in progress. Officers responded to the area and contacted Felipe Ventura inside the victim vehicle. Alberto Herrera was contacted waiting nearby. During the investigation, officers learned that the suspects intended to steal the vehicle. The suspects also had stolen property from the vehicle in their possession as well as a substance believed to be methamphetamine. The suspects were taken into custody and later booked into the Ventura County Jail for outstanding warrants, possession of stolen property, vehicle tampering, possession of narcotics and possession of burglary tools.

This incident was another example of how members of the public assisted the Oxnard Police Department by calling 911 to report suspicious individuals and crimes in progress. Anyone with information regarding this incident or other 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 at tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 31, 2017 / 6:00 a.m.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Firearm Arrest

DATE/TIME:

July 27, 2017 / 8:30 PM

LOCATION:

251 S. C Street

SUSPECT(S):

Francisco Zapien, 22 year old Oxnard Resident

PREPARED BY:

Nathan Langelier, Officer

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Kevin Baysinger, Commander, 385-7746

Kevin.Baysinger@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On July 27, 2017, officers conducted a traffic stop on an erratic driver that was reportedly following another vehicle in the area of the Oxnard Police Station.

Officers made contact with the driver, Francisco Zapien. Zapien admitted to officers that he had a loaded firearm in the vehicle. Officers located a loaded semi-automatic handgun concealed on the passenger seat. They also found narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia on his person. Zapien was arrested for several gun and narcotic related charges.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 27, 2017 / 10:58 PM