OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang members arrested for being in possession of a concealed rifle, ammunition, and drugs
DATE/TIME:	March 31, 2017/ 5:45 PM
LOCATION:	Phoenix Dr at Walden St
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Cesar Guerrero, 18 year old Oxnard resident Richard Chairez, 20 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 March 31, 2017, at approximately 5:45 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Gang Unit (Special Enforcement Unit) were conducting uniform gang enforcement in the area of Phoenix Dr and Walden St when they conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle violation.

Both Cesar Guerrero and Richard Chairez are on probation with search terms. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a rifle, ammunition, and drugs were all located inside of it. Guerrero and Chairez were arrested for various firearm, ammunition, and drug charges. Guerrero and Chairez are both documented gang members.

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.

Cesar Guerrero

Richard Chairez

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
DATE/TIME:	April 1-30, 2017
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

WORKING TOGETHER TO STOP DISTRACTED DRIVING

April is recognized as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In California, the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), Oxnard Police Department, CHP, local law enforcement, and community partners throughout the state are working together to make the roads safer by highlighting the dangers of being distracted while driving, especially by cell phones.

“Law enforcement would rather see everyone off their cell phones than hand out a lot of tickets,” said Rhonda Craft, director of the Office of Traffic Safety. “Take care of calling, texting, setting your GPS and everything else before you hit the street.”

Lawmakers agree that distracted driving continues to be a growing problem among California’s motorists. Assembly Bill 1785 went into effect on January 1^st, requiring all drivers in California to keep their cell phone out of their hands while operating a motor vehicle. Under the new law, a driver may activate or deactivate a feature or function of the cell phone or wireless communication device by swiping or tapping its screen only if it is properly mounted or not being held in a driver’s hand. Specific information on the new law can be found at www.ots.ca.gov.

The Office of Traffic Safety will begin a new public awareness campaign throughout the state in April emphasizing how the new law makes virtually all hand-held cell phone activity illegal – talking, texting, and using apps. The campaign aims to end distracted driving through education and raise awareness about the associated dangers. The goal is to change motorist behaviors and save lives, not just in the month of April but year-round.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 3,477 people were killed and an estimated 391,000 injured in motor vehicle collisions involving distracted drivers in 2015. That is a 9 percent increase in fatalities as compared to the previous year.

The Oxnard Police Department will join other law enforcement agencies throughout the state to provide educational experiences as well as zero tolerance enforcement efforts to discourage distracted driving. Officers will have a special emphasis this month on enforcing all cell phone and distracted driving laws. The goal is to gain voluntary compliance by drivers, but sometimes citations are necessary for motorists to better understand the importance of driving distraction free.

The Oxnard Police Department is deploying extra traffic officers with grant-funded resources on April 4, 2017, and April 18, 2017, in city locations with higher numbers of traffic collisions. Violators will be stopped and cited with fines set at $162 for first-time offenders. This campaign is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Distracted Driver Operation
DATE/TIME:	March 28, 2017 / 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Tuesday, March 28, 2017, between 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department conducted a distracted driver enforcement operation throughout the city. Officers focused enforcement efforts in areas prone to distracted driver-related collisions such as the Oxnard Boulevard/Saviers Road corridor, north Rose Avenue, and the area of Vineyard Avenue and Oxnard Boulevard. Officers issued 95 citations to violators of California’s distracted driving law during the enforcement period.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to make everyone aware that it is illegal to hold and use a cell phone while texting, calling, or using the apps while driving. It must be affixed to the vehicle, may be operated in hands-free mode using voice activation, or used with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the driver’s finger. Drivers should use an appropriate hands-free device such as a Bluetooth earpiece or speaker system.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct these types of enforcement operations this year to make our roadways and community safer. These operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Officer Manuel Perez monitoring the area of Vineyard Avenue and Oxnard Boulevard for distracted drivers.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 28, 2017 / 7:30 p.m.

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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Homicide Investigation

DATE/TIME:

March 27, 2017 at approximately 10:27 p.m.

LOCATION:

400 block of North Bonita Avenue

VICTIM(S):

Name withheld

SUSPECT(S):

Unknown

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763

alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org

CONTACT INFO:

Detective Miguel Serrato (805) 385-7688

miguel.serrato@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: (Oxnard, Calif) – On March 27, 2017 at approximately 10:27 p.m., Oxnard Police Officers responded to a shooting victim in the 400 block of North Bonita Avenue. The police officers arrived on scene and located a shooting victim in the street. The police officers provided first aid until EMS personnel arrived. Despite the lifesaving efforts given by the police officers and EMS personnel, the victim died at the scene.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assume the investigation. At this early point in the investigation, there is no clear motive for the murder. Gang motivation has not been ruled out.

This is Oxnard’s fourth homicide of the year.

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. Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Miguel Serrato at (805)385-7688. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 28, 2017 at 2:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Businesses Partner With Police To Fight Crime
DATE/TIME:	03/27/2017 at 11:35 am
LOCATION:	Citywide
PREPARED BY:	Detective Lucy Buttell, Oxnard Police Department
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Lucy Buttell, Oxnard Police Department 805-385-7594 Information Technology Manager Raja Bamrungpong Raja.bamrungpong@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department is pleased to announce an online reporting portal that will allow businesses to report crimes, upload documents and submit suspect photos for faster service. Businesses will no longer have to wait for police to arrive and complete the report as the businesses can now report these incidents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week regardless of calls pending within the city. Businesses can log onto the Oxnard Police Department website and access the online reporting system to get the reports filed instantly. Businesses without internet access are welcome to use the service centers located inside of the Oxnard Police Department lobby.

In 2016, the Oxnard Police Department had 7,061 confirmed property crimes with a majority of those crimes being theft related. With so many thefts occurring at businesses, reports are often prioritized, causing the patrol officer to have a delayed response. Many of these reports are time consuming, so an officer may be on the call for a significant time. By having the businesses file their own reports, officers will be available for more immediate emergency calls. This partnership will allow more uncommitted patrol time for officers to focus on crime prevention efforts.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to thank our local businesses for doing their part to provide better service to our community.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 27, 2017 at 11:35 hours.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Carjacking Arrest

DATE/TIME:

March 24, 2017

LOCATION:

1000 block Isleton Place, Oxnard, CA

SUSPECT(S):

16 year old female, Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Scott Coe, Senior Officer

scott.coe@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7796

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Detective Cody Collet

cody.collet@oxnardpd.org; (805) 486-6228

DETAILS:

On March 21, 2017 officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 1000 Block of Isleton Place regarding a carjacking that had just occurred. The suspects were described as a one male and one female, both approximately 15 years old. The female suspect was armed with a knife and threatened the victim. The victim was not injured. The victim’s vehicle was taken and located abandoned a short distance away.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit were able to identify the female suspect as a 16 year old Oxnard resident.

On March 24, 2017 members from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit and Violent Crimes Unit served a search warrant in the 1000 block of Isleton Place. During the search warrant the 16 year old female suspect was located and arrested.

Investigators are working to identify the male suspect who was involved in the violent crime.

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 http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE/TIME PREPARED: 3/24/17; 1935 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Commercial Burglary Arrests
DATE/TIME:	3-23-17/1:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	Kaiser – 300 block E. Hillcrest Drive, Newbury Park Verizon Wireless – 2300 block of Las Posas Road, Camarillo Kaiser Pharmacy – 2200 block of East Gonzales Road, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Kaiser Verizon
SUSPECT(S):	Aaron Charles Carter (29 year old male) – Upland, Ca. Keitra Penn (30 year old female) – Los Angeles, Ca. Teresita Trapp (29 year old female) – Hawthorne, Ca.
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Black Infiniti FX30 SUV
LOSS:	Kaiser Optometry – $34,000.00 (prescription eyeglasses) Verizon Wireless – No loss Kaiser Pharmacy – $51, 000(prescription medication)
PREPARED BY:	Detective Chip Buttell – Oxnard Police
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Chip Buttell – Oxnard Police (805)-385-7755 Detective Chris Zapata – Thousand Oaks Police Department/Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (805) – 494-8221

DETAILS:

On March 22, 2017, the Oxnard Police Department and Thousand Oaks Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office concluded a five month joint investigation regarding several commercial burglaries that occurred on October 17, 2016, with the arrest of several suspects.

On October 17, 2016, at approximately 2:20 A.M., Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a burglary at the Kaiser Optometry Office located in the 300 block of East Hillcrest Drive in the City of Newbury Park. The suspects forced entry to the business and stole approximately $34,000 worth of prescription eyeglasses.

At approximately 2:35 A.M., the Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a burglary at Verizon Wireless located in the 2300 block of Las Posas Road in the City of Camarillo. The suspects forced entry into the business but were unable to take any property.

At approximately 2:56 A.M., Oxnard Police Officers responded to a burglary at the Kaiser Pharmacy located in the 2200 block of East Gonzales Road. The suspects forced entry into the business and stole approximately $51,000 worth of prescription medication.

The Oxnard Police Department along with the Thousand Oaks Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Special Crimes Unit and Crime Analysis Units investigated the burglaries.

Surveillance footage from the three businesses was obtained which provided investigators with several leads that eventually led to the identification of the persons involved.

Two subjects were arrested and identified as Keitra Penn (30 year old female) and Teresita Trapp (29 year old female). Penn is currently on California Department of Corrections Parole for burglary. A third suspect was identified as Aaron Charles Carter who is currently in custody in the California Department of Corrections on unrelated charges. An arrest warrant is currently being sought for Carter. Carter also has affiliation with a criminal street gang in Los Angeles County.

Penn was charged with three counts of burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime. Trapp was charged with one count of accessory to a crime.

Penn and Trapp are currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail and are being held on $250,000 bail.

If anyone has any further information regarding these crimes please contact Detective Chip Buttell at 805-385-7755 or Detective Chris Zapata at 805-494-8221.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3-22-17/1340 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Single Vehicle Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	March 21, 2017 / 8:09 p.m.
LOCATION:	Pleasant Valley Road east of Longfellow Way, Oxnard
DRIVER/VEHICLE:	Mario Gurrola, 22-year-old Port Hueneme resident – Green 2002 Chevy 1500 Pickup Truck
OCCUPANTS:	· Luis Fernando Hernandez, 20-year-old Oxnard resident · Felipe Coria, 20-year-old Oxnard resident · Carlos Pena, 18-year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 ricardo.vazquez@oxnardpdorg
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Maria Pena, Senior Officer (805) 385-7750 maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On March 21, 2017, at approximately 8:09 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a collision in the area of Pleasant Valley Road and Longfellow Way. When officers and EMS personnel arrived, they discovered a single vehicle was involved in a collision with a driver and three passengers trapped in the vehicle. Based on the preliminary investigation, the driver of the Chevy Pickup truck was traveling westbound on Pleasant Valley Road at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control of the pickup truck as he traversed over a railroad grade crossing located east of Longfellow Way. The driver was unable to gain control of the pickup truck and collided into an electrical pole and large palm tree.

EMS personnel used extrication tools to rescue the driver and occupants from the vehicle. Passengers Felipe Coria (20-year-old Oxnard resident) and Carlos Pena (18-year-old Oxnard resident) were transported to the Ventura County Medical Center with moderate injuries and are listed in stable condition. EMS personnel attempted to render aid to the driver, Mario Gurrola (22-year-old Port Hueneme resident) and passenger Luis Fernando Hernandez (20-year-old Oxnard resident); however, both succumbed to their injuries at the scene of the collision.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs are involved but speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision. The collision is still under investigation.

Anyone who has information about this collision is urged to contact Senior Officer Maria Pena at (805) 385-7750 or via email at maria.pena@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 22, 2017 / 2:00 a.m.

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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Assault with a Deadly Weapon Arrest

DATE/TIME:

March 17, 2017, 2215 hours

LOCATION:

1600 Block of Pacific Ave, Oxnard, CA.

VICTIM(S):

22 Year old Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT(S):

Freddie Castro, 36

PREPARED BY:

Detective Michael Velasquez

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Michael Velasquez, michael.velasquez@oxnardpd.org

805-385-8287

DETAILS:

On March 17, 2017 at approximately 10:15 pm officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the 1600 block of Pacific Ave. When Officers arrived on scene they located a 22 year old Oxnard resident with a stab wound to the back. The victim was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The suspect was described as a male subject with a shaved head.

On March 18, 2017 at approximately 1845 hours a witness to the incident located the suspect in the area of Channel Islands Blvd. and Statham Blvd. Officers detained the 36 year old Oxnard resident, Freddie Castro. Castro was positively identified as the suspect from the stabbing. Castro was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and is currently being held on a $30,000 bail at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Main Jail. Castro is a Post Release Offender and convicted felon.

The Post Release Offender program was created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment. This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent commitment offense, prior convictions are not considered.

If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Detective Michael Velasquez at (805) 385-8287. 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:	Gang members arrested for being in possession of concealed, loaded, stolen firearms
DATE/TIME:	March 17, 2017/ 6 PM
LOCATION:	300 Block of Featherstone
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Sergio Zendejas, 25 year old Oxnard resident Jose Salazar, 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 March 17, 2017, at approximately 6 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Gang Unit (Special Enforcement Unit) were conducting uniform gang enforcement in the 300 block of Featherstone.

Officers saw several subjects drinking alcohol outside of a known gang member’s house in the area. The subjects were contacted by officers and during a search two loaded firearms were located.

Sergio Zendejas was arrested for being a felon in possession of a concealed, loaded rifle. Jose Salazar was arrested for being in possession of a concealed, loaded, stolen handgun. Two other subjects with them were arrested for violations of probation terms by being with gang members who were in possession of loaded firearms.

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. 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.

Jose Salazar

Sergio Zendejas