OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearm’s Arrest of Wanted Felon
DATE/TIME:	July 26, 2017, 8:15 p.m.
LOCATION:	Deodar Avenue and “A” Street, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Robert Valenzuela, 24 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant brett.smith@Oxnardpd.org, 805-486-6211
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Cody Collet, (805) 486-6228 Cody.collet@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On July 26, 2017, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) along with the departments K-9 Unit and Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), observed wanted subject Robert Valenzuela, walking in the area of Deodar Avenue and “A” Street. As officers approached Valenzuela he discarded a loaded firearm and was subsequently apprehended by a police canine.

Valenzuela is a documented member of a violent criminal street gang in Oxnard, and has two prior firearm convictions. If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Detective Cody Collet at (805) 486-6228. 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 www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 27, 2017, / 11:00 AM

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearms Arrest
DATE/TIME:	July 27, 2017 / 01:46 hours
LOCATION:	Rose Ave @ 101 Freeway Overpass
SUSPECT(S):	Daniel Fernando Reyes, 18 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Roger Garcia, Police Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Paul Cumming, Sergeant Paul.Cumming@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7771

DETAILS:

On July 27, 2017, an officer from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Rose Avenue over the 101 Freeway overpass.

During the traffic stop, the front passenger, identified as Oxnard resident Daniel Fernando Reyes, was making suspicious movements and was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm. Reyes was arrested for firearms related 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 at tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 27, 2017 / 03:30 AM

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking/Robbery Arrests
DATE/TIME:	July 26, 2017, 12:30 PM
LOCATION:	Ventura County Jail
SUSPECT(S):	Marlene Sanchez, 20 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant Brett.smith@oxnardpd.org (805) 486-6211
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Ricardo Vega, 385-8291 orricardovega@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On July 11, 2017, at approximately 2:00PM, Oxnard police officers responded to the 600 block of W. Hueneme Road, Oxnard, reference a robbery and carjacking that just occurred. Officers learned a male and female held the victim at knife point and ordered the victim out of his vehicle. When the victim refused, the male suspect forced his way into the vehicle and held a knife to the victims’ abdomen. The female suspect then removed the victim’s wallet from his pant pocket. The suspects told the victim to exit his vehicle, and leave the keys in the ignition. Fearing for his life, the victim complied and both suspects drove away in the victim’s vehicle.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) continued to investigate robbery/carjacking after the initial police response. During the course of their investigation, investigators learned the identity of the female suspect, Marlene Sanchez.

On July 26, 2017, VCU investigators arrested Sanchez at the Ventura County Jail for the above charges. Sanchez is currently in jail on charges related to a stolen vehicle.

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:	Oxnard Police and Fire announce National Night Out events across the City,Tuesday, August 1st
DATE/TIME:	August 1st, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and August 4th, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	August 1st North District: Cabrillo North Oxnard Methodist Church 1801 Joliet Place, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Carriage Square Eastwood Park 703 Ivywood Drive, 5:00-8:00 pm West District: Sycamore Senior Village 333 N. “F” Street, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Hobson Park East: 801 Hobson Way, Community Park East, 5:00-8:00 pm East District: Del Sol Park 1800 Camino del Sol, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. August 4th South District: Southwinds Park 300 W. Clara, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
PREPARED BY:	Community Affairs Manager, Melissa Valdez
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Melissa Valdez melissa.valdez@oxnardpd.org or (8050 342-8292

DETAILS:

Oxnard residents are partnering with the Oxnard Police and Fire Departments to bring you a series of National Night Out (NNO) events scheduled for next Tuesday, August 1, 2017 and Friday, August 4, 2017.

NNO is a national effort of cities, law enforcement agencies, crime prevention organizations, community groups and neighborhoods. Along with traditional outside lights and front porch vigils, most cities and towns celebrate National Night Out with a variety of special citywide and neighborhood events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, festivals, visits from local officials and law enforcement, safety fairs, and youth events.

National Night Out is designed to: (1) heighten crime prevention awareness, (2) generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs, (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and (4) send a message to criminals letting them know that community members are organized, vigilant and willing to report crime.

Events throughout Oxnard will bring the District Teams who patrol and serve each District to a location where they can meet their neighborhood members. District Teams focus on crime, traffic safety, and quality of life issues at the neighborhood level and need the public’s help to best do their jobs. Also participating in the event is the Oxnard Fire Department who will be sharing risk reduction and fire prevention strategies.

There is still time to schedule your own event! Just follow the below steps to have your own NNO event:

Each group that is participating is asked to notify the police department so that we can make arrangements to stop by.
You do not have to be part of an organized group (Neighborhood Council, Neighborhood Watch) to have an event.
This is about neighbors getting to know neighbors and celebrating together!
Contact your beat coordinator for assistance in setting up your event.
We can’t wait to hang out with you!

If you have any questions regarding National Night Out events in Oxnard, please contact Community Affairs Manager, Melissa Valdez at melissa.valdez@oxnardpd.org or (805) 342-8292.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 07-26-17/ 11:00 am

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearms Arrest
DATE/TIME:	July 25, 2017; 1:25 A.M.
LOCATION:	5220 Jefferson Square
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Robert De La Cerda, 38 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Jonathan Martin, Police Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jonathan Martin (805) 385-7600 Jonathan.Martin@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On July 25, 2017, at approximately 1:25 A.M., Oxnard police officers contacted two subjects who were occupants in a parked vehicle to the rear of 5220 Jefferson Square. Officers contacted Robert De La Cerda, who was a passenger in the vehicle. De La Cerda was found to be on parole and probation and had search terms.

During a search of the vehicle, a loaded .22 caliber rifle was found where De La Cerda was seated. The rifle’s barrel had been cut down to less than sixteen inches. De La Cerda was arrested for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, as well as several other weapons related 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 (805) 222-8477. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.apx to submit at tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 25, 2017/ 0345 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang members arrested for possession of two loaded, stolen firearms
DATE/TIME:	July 24, 2017 / 5:25 PM
LOCATION:	1300 Blk of W. Guava St
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Esteban Corona, 21 year old Oxnard resident Joseph Tamayo, 21 year old Oxnard resident Victor Cortez, 22 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 July 24, 2017, at approximately 5:25 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Gang Unit (Special Enforcement Unit) were conducting uniform gang enforcement in the 1300 block of W. Guava St when they conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle, for a vehicle violation.

The vehicle was driven by Esteban Corona. Joseph Tamayo and Victor Cortez were passengers in the vehicle. Tamayo is on probation with search terms. Officers searched the vehicle and found an unloaded stolen firearm and a loaded unregistered firearm in the vehicle. Corona, Tamayo, and Cortez were all arrested for numerous felony 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.

Esteban Corona

Joseph Tamayo

Victor Cortez

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 07/25/17 / 2030 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempt to Locate a Hit and Run
DATE/TIME:	July 18, 2017/ 5:09am
PREPARED BY:	Melissa Valdez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena (805) 385-7750 maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at about 5:09 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the intersection of Cooper Road and Roosevelt Avenue regarding a hit and run injury collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the vehicle of interest was traveling westbound on Cooper Road towards Roosevelt Avenue. The pedestrian was walking in a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Cooper Road and Roosevelt Avenue when he was struck by the suspect vehicle. The pedestrian later died at the hospital.

Surveillance video captured the vehicle of interest as it fled westbound on Cooper Road after striking the pedestrian. The vehicle of interest is a dark colored 4-door older model sedan, with tinted rear windows. It has a spoiler with a third brake light and oxidation to the roof and truck. The vehicle likely has damage to the left front fender, bumper area and the left front headlight. The occupants were a Hispanic male driver and a passenger (unknown sex).

The Oxnard Police Department is requesting the assistance of the public. If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at (805) 385-7750, email at maria.pena@oxnardpd.org or Officer Jose Diaz at (805) 200-5668, email at jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org. 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, email www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 24, 2017/ 11:15 am

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Pursuit Of Stolen Vehicle, Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, July 19, 2017 / 12:35 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2017
LOCATION:	Saviers Road at Hill Street.
VICTIM(S):	Names Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Elisabeth Esquivel, 21 year-old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	Names Withheld
VICTIM VEHICLE:	Gray 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck
PREPARED BY:	Enrique Alvarez, Senior Officer Enrique.alvarez@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Enrique Alvarez Enrique.alvarez@oxnardpd.org or (805) 385-7664

DETAILS:

On July 19, 2017, at approximately 12:35 p.m., an Oxnard Police Department patrol sergeant attempted to make a traffic stop of a stolen gray, 2002, Ford, F-150 pickup truck near the intersection of Saviers Road and Hill Street. The vehicle was stolen from the 3400 block of Olds Road during a residential burglary that occurred earlier in the day. The brief pursuit was terminated due to concern for public safety after it entered residential streets traveling at high rates of speed.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. today, members of the Oxnard Auto Theft Task Force observed the stolen vehicle being driven by a female driver in south Oxnard. Detectives were able to contact and arrest the driver in the area of Yucca Street and Saviers Road without incident.

The driver of the stolen vehicle was identified as Elisabeth Esquivel, a 21-year-old Oxnard resident. Esquivel was charged with felony possession of the stolen vehicle and felony possession of stolen property as during a search of the vehicle, stolen property was located within. The stolen property not only linked her to the original burglary on Olds Road but to an additional burglary of a home on the same street. It should be noted that Esquivel has already been arrested and convicted earlier this year for driving a stolen vehicle.

The victim’s vehicle was stolen while it was in the garage with the keys in the vehicle. The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind residents of the following tips to 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: July 20, 2017 / 1535 hours

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Arrest Homicide Suspect
DATE/TIME:	July 22, 2017 at approximately 11:15 AM
LOCATION:	Intersection of Third Street and “A” Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Albert Salazar, 24-year-old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Jonathan Zambrano, 27-year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Mike Johnson, Sergeant mike.johnson@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Ramirez (805) 385-7760 steven.ramirez@oxnardpd.org

(OXNARD, Calif) –

Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department have arrested a suspect in the murder of 24-year-old Albert Salazar.

On July 19, 2017, Salazar was shot in the 1300 block of West Guava Street. Shortly after the shooting occurred, Salazar was transported by a private party to the parking lot of the Oxnard Police Department, where responding officers administered first aid until EMS arrived. Salazar was placed in an ambulance and transported to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). Unfortunately, Salazar died at the hospital.

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and the Violent Crimes Unit responded to both scenes to take over the investigation. During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to identify 27-year-old Jonathan Zambrano as the person responsible for Salazar’s death.

From the onset of the investigation, detectives worked diligently and persistently to obtain sufficient evidence against Zambrano to arrest him for the murder of Salazar. Working closely with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Zambrano two days after Salazar was murdered.

On July 22, 2017, at approximately 11:15 AM, detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit observed Zambrano in a vehicle in the area of Third Street and “A” Street in the City of Oxnard. The detectives, along with officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), made contact with Zambrano and the female driver of the vehicle, where they were both taken into custody without incident. Zambrano was arrested for his outstanding warrant related to Salazar’s murder and the female driver was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Zambrano is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail for murder. Zambrano is currently on CDC parole and is ineligible for bail.

Major Crimes Detectives will continue to investigate the murder of Albert Salazar. If you have information about this homicide, Detective Steven Ramirez can be contacted at (805) 385-7760. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can still provide valuable information to detectives by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

Jonathan Zambrano

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 22, 2017 at 2:30 pm.

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide Investigation
DATE/TIME:	July 19, 2017 at approximately 7:35 PM
LOCATION:	1300 block of West Guava Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Albert Salazar, 24 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sharon Giles, Interim Commander Sharon.Giles@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Ramirez (805) 385-7760 Steven.Ramirez@oxnardpd.org

(OXNARD, Calif) –

On July 19, 2017, at approximately 7:35 PM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to a shooting victim inside a vehicle which had been driven to the police department’s parking lot at 251 S. C St., Oxnard. The police officers administered first aid until EMS arrived. The victim was identified as 24 year old Albert Salazar. Salazar was placed in an ambulance and transported to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). Unfortunately, Salazar died at the hospital.

Just minutes prior to Salazar’s arrival at the police station, Oxnard Police Dispatch Center received calls of shots fired west of Durley Park. When officers responded to the area they located a crime scene in the 1300 block of West Guava Street. Officers confirmed that the victim was shot in this area.

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and the Violent Crimes Unit responded to both scenes to take over the investigation. The motive for the murder is unknown, but gang motivation has not been ruled out.

This is Oxnard’s eleventh homicide of the year.

The Oxnard Police Department is requesting the Community’s assistance. The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000.00 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction in homicide cases. If you have information about this homicide, or any of the recent homicides, please contact Sergeant Brett Smith at (805) 486-6211, or Detective Steven Ramirez at (805) 385-7760. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can still provide valuable information to detectives by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 20, 2017 at 9:30 am.