OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member arrested for vehicle pursuit and being in possession of a loaded firearm
DATE/TIME:	May 21, 2017/ 6:25 PM
LOCATION:	Modoc Dr at Madera Pl
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Gary Morales, 25 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7600

DETAILS:

On May 21, 2017, at approximately 6:25 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Gang Unit (Special Enforcement Unit) were conducting uniform gang enforcement in the area of the Lemonwood neighborhood when they conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a vehicle violation.

Gary Morales was the only occupant of the vehicle and failed to yield for the traffic stop. A short pursuit ensued through the neighborhood. During the pursuit, Morales threw a firearm from the vehicle. The firearm hit a wall and discharged one round. Morales exited his vehicle and ran from it without putting the vehicle into park. Officers chased and caught Morales as he tried to get into a backyard. Another officer jumped into the moving vehicle and prevented it from colliding into a light pole in front of a residence.

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/contactus.apx to submit at tip via text or email.

Gary Morales

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 05/21/17 / 1945 hours

INCIDENT:

Firearm and Burglary Arrest

DATE/TIME:

May 20, 2017/2110 hours

LOCATION:

1100 Block of Paseo Las Nubes

SUSPECT(S):

Joe Mukul, 25 years, Oxnard Resident

PREPARED BY:

Kevin Baysinger, Commander

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Kevin Baysinger (805) 375-7746

[email protected]

DETAILS:

On May 20, 2017 at approximately 2020 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the area of the 1400 block of Halesia Lane reference a subject in possession of a rifle.

Additional residents called regarding the subject. As officers were searching for the subject, he fled from officers while in possession of the rifle. After a lengthy search aided by calls from area residents, the suspect, Joe Mukul, was taken into custody without further incident in the 1100 block of Paseo Las Nubes. The rifle, an AR-15 rifle, was located a short distance away. It was not loaded.

Upon further investigation, officers learned that the rifle was just taken from a residence in the 2000 block of Rohdea Way. Officers also found that Mukul had also committed a residential burglary in the 2000 block of Vinca Way, and possessed property from that burglary.

Mukul was arrested for various charges, including possessing stolen property, possessing a firearm while being a prohibited person, residential burglary, and resisting the duties of a peace officer.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Oxnard Police Department at 385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 21, 2017/0220 hours.

INCIDENT

Firearm arrest

DATE/TIME:

May 20, 2017/2000 hours

LOCATION:

Gonzales Road and Lantana Street

VICTIM(S):

N/A

SUSPECT(S):

Omar Tapia, 35 years, Oxnard Resident

WITNESS(ES):

N/A

SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):

N/A

LOSS:

None

PREPARED BY:

Bill Crisostomo, Sergeant

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Bill Crisostomo (805) 385-7644

[email protected]

DETAILS:

On May 20, 2017 at approximately 2000 hours Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit were working uniformed gang enforcement in the area of Gonzales Road and Lantana Street.

SEU officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and contacted Omar Tapia. Tapia is a known gang member, is on probation and has been served with the city’s gang injunctions. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a loaded semi-automatic handgun was located.

Tapia was arrested for several firearm related charges, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of the gang injunction.

The Oxnard Police Department 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 20, 2017/2310

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Vehicle Pursuit and Firearms Arrest

DATE/TIME:

May 19, 2017 at approximately 6:00 p.m.

LOCATION:

Rice Avenue @ Hueneme Road

SUSPECT(S):

Fifteen year old female, Oxnard resident

Rafael Alvarado, 19 year old Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763

[email protected]

CONTACT PERSON

AND CONTACT INFO:

Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763

[email protected]

(OXNARD, Calif) – A fifteen year old female driver was arrested after leading Oxnard police officers on a brief vehicle pursuit, and a nineteen year old male was arrested for weapons violations after he fled from officers during the vehicle pursuit.

On May 19, 2017 at approximately 6:00 p.m., Oxnard police officers attempted to stop a small red SUV for a traffic violation in the area of Rice Avenue and Hueneme Road. The vehicle, driven by a fifteen year old female driver, stopped briefly but then quickly accelerated away from the police officers. The police officers pursued the vehicle a short distance before the vehicle slowed to allow a male passenger out of the vehicle. The male passenger, later identified as 19 year old Rafael Alvarado, ran from police officers. While running from the officers, Alvarado discarded a loaded firearm. Police officers caught Alvarado and arrested him for weapons violations. The discarded firearm was recovered.

The teenage female driver of the red SUV once again accelerated away from the police officers. The vehicle pursuit lasted a short distance. The female driver yielded to the police officers and was taken into custody. Oxnard police officers found eight other occupants in the small SUV. The occupants were all juveniles; four of the juveniles were reported as runaways. There were no reported injuries in this incident.

The runaway juveniles were returned to their parents. The fifteen year old female driver was arrested for evading from police and lodged in Juvenile Hall. Alvarado was arrested for the weapons violation and booked into Ventura County Jail.

Rafael Alvarado

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 20, 2017 at 2 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Multi-Location Search Warrant Operation

DATE/TIME:

May 19, 2017, at approximately 9:00 p.m.

LOCATION:

Three locations in Oxnard

SUSPECT(S):

A 14 year old male juvenile (name withheld due to age)

PREPARED BY:

Sergeant Alex Arnett

CONTACT PERSON

AND CONTACT INFO:

Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763

[email protected]

DETAILS: On May 19, 2017 at approximately 9:00 p.m., Officers and detectives from the Oxnard Police Department along with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and Ventura Police Department, served simultaneous search warrants. The search warrants are a direct follow-up to the recent violence in the city of Oxnard. The Oxnard Police Department will be persistent with these efforts and leave no stone unturned.

During today’s search warrants, a 14 year old juvenile was arrested for attempting to flee from police officers. Police officers and detectives also seized one firearm and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind the public to report criminal behavior or suspicious activity.

The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 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 Alex Arnett at (805) 385-7763, or Detective Edgar Fernandez at (805) 385-7645. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can still provide valuable information to detectives by texting the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 394-8370 or calling Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 5/20/2017 1:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide Investigations
DATE/TIME:	May 19, 2017 at approximately 3:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	2700 block of El Dorado Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Jorge Coria, 42-year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Interim Investigations Commander Sharon Giles (805) 385-7620 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Edgar Fernandez (805) 385-7645 [email protected]

(OXNARD, Calif) – The Oxnard Police Department is investigating the third homicide to occur in the city in the last three days.

On May 19, 2017, at approximately 3:00 a.m., Oxnard police officers responded to several 9-1-1 calls of gunshots heard in the 2700 block of El Dorado Avenue. Shortly thereafter, a shooting victim was reported in the same area where the gunshots were heard. The first police officers on scene located the victim, later identified as 42-year old Jorge Coria. The police officers administered first-aid until Fire and EMS personnel arrived. Coria was placed in an ambulance and transported to the Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC). Unfortunately, Coria died at the hospital.

Detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit and the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation from patrol officers. Preliminary investigation has determined that the victim has affiliation with a known Oxnard gang. The motive for the murder is unknown, but gang motivation has not been ruled out. There are no indications that this incident is related to the two homicides earlier in the week.

This is Oxnard’s ninth homicide of the year and third within the last three (3) days:

On May 16th, 29 year old Aaron Austin was shot and killed in the 300 block of North G Street.
On May 16th, 23-year old Eduardo Leon Viveros was shot and killed in the 5400 block of Perkins Road
On May 18th, 42-year old Jorge Coria was shot and killed in the 2700 block of El Dorado Avenue

Oxnard Police Chief Scott Whitney stated: “We take every one of these homicides personally, regardless of the circumstances. Our detectives are working day and night on these cases to bring justice for the victims’ families.” Since March 2017, the Oxnard Police Department has arrested 19 individuals for unlawful possession of a firearm.

The Police Department will be increasing its patrol presence. In addition to increased overtime and reallocating resources, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Port Hueneme Police Department and the California Highway Patrol have offered their assistance. The Police Department will also be creating a special investigative workgroup to focus on the recent violence. This workgroup will include personnel from the FBI and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

City Manager Greg Nyhoff stated: “The city will utilize whatever resources are necessary to support the police department in its efforts to keep our community safe.”

Just as importantly, the Oxnard Police Department needs the help and assistance of our community partners. We are asking the public to report suspicious behavior or criminal activity to police IMMEDIATELY by calling 911. Stolen weapons and stolen cars are often used to commit violent crimes. The Police Department urges our residents to lock their vehicles and secure their firearms.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 19, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police & Fire Department along with families and community members participated in the annual Ride of Silence
DATE/TIME:	5/18/17; 6:00 PM
PREPARED BY:	Community Affairs Manager, Melissa Valdez
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Melissa Valdez [email protected] (805) 342-8292

DETAILS:

On Wednesday, May 17, 2017, the Oxnard Police Department & Fire Department along with Channel Island Bicycle Club, Bike Ventura Hub, community members and families of victims participated in the annual Ride of Silence memorial event. The 8 mile bike ride coordinated by Anthony Martinez in memory of his son Anthony Martinez Jr. and victims of bicycle related deaths honored the memory of their loved ones and raised awareness of bicycle safety. Adorned with colorful butterflies symbolizing the cycle of life riders made their way through the City visiting ghost bikes memorials.

The Ride of Silence is a community group ride that asks participants to proceed no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road, and remain silent during the ride. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police, and city officials that bicyclists have a legal right to ride on public roadways and to remind motorists of the vulnerability of those with whom they share the road. The ride is a chance to show respect for the lives of those cyclists who have been killed or injured while riding their bikes.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Investigating Two Homicide Cases
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):	29-year old Oxnard resident and 23-year old Oxnard resident; names withheld pending family notification
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7763 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeff Kay (805) 385-8174 [email protected] Detective Jaime Miranda (805) 385-7680 [email protected]

(OXNARD, Calif) – The Oxnard Police Department is investigating two homicides that occurred at different locations within the city. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the crimes 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 and upon their arrival, they located a 29-year old African-American male with gunshot wounds. The victim was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center by ambulance. Unfortunately, the victim 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 Hispanic male. Fire and 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 incidents and is leading both investigations. All investigative resources within the Department are being utilized around the clock to assist with the investigations. Patrol staffing has been increased in the coming nights to provide an enhanced uniformed presence in the affected neighborhoods. At this early stage in the investigations, detectives do not have any suspect information nor do they have a motive for the murders.

These incidents mark the seventh and eighth homicides that have occurred in the city of Oxnard in 2017. 7 of the 8 homicides this year have occurred between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and midnight. The Oxnard Police Department encourages all of our residents to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity, particularly if they believe they heard gunshots. Both incidents last night occurred in densely populated residential neighborhoods. Detectives believe there are residents in those neighborhoods that have information that would be helpful to the investigations. If anyone has any information about either of the incidents, please do not hesitate to contact detectives.

The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect(s) in homicide cases. Please call Detective Jeff Kay at (805) 385-8174 or Detective Jaime Miranda at (805) 385-7680 with any information. You can also remain anonymous and still provide valuable information by calling 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 test or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 17, 2017 at 3:00 P.M.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearms Arrest
DATE/TIME:	May 16, 2017; 8:30 P.M.
LOCATION:	3200 Block Merced Place
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Victor Franco, 33 years, Oxnard Resident Ray Fernandez, 20 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 May 16, 2017, at approximately 8:30 P.M., Oxnard police officers conducted a traffic stop on three subjects in a parked vehicle with no license plates in the 3200 block of Merced Place. During the stop, officers contacted Ray Fernandez, who was in the driver seat of the vehicle, and Victor Franco, who was in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Fernandez was found to be on probation and had search terms. Franco was found to be on parole and had search terms.

During a search of the vehicle, a loaded .38 caliber handgun was found. The handgun’s serial number had been removed. Franco and Fernandez were arrested for being prohibited persons 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: May 17, 2017/ 0050 hours

Ray Fernandez Victor Franco

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearms Arrest
DATE/TIME:	May 16, 2017; 4:45 P.M.
LOCATION:	6200 Block Perkins Rd
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Eric Reza, 49 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Jared Battles, Police Officer
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jared Battles (805) 385-7600 Jared.Battles@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On May 16, 2017, at approximately 4:45 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a foot patrol at the Halco Plant in the 6200 block of Perkins Road. During the patrol, officers contacted Eric Reza near a reported stolen vehicle which was in the process of being stripped. Reza was found to be on probation and had search terms.

During a search of Reza’s property, a loaded 9mm handgun was found. The handgun had been reported stolen the day prior, as it was taken with the above listed vehicle. Reza was arrested for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, as well as several other weapons related charges.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 16, 2017/2040 hours

Eric Reza