OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Traffic Enforcement Operation
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, July 13, 2017 / 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Police Officer (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

Enhanced Traffic Enforcement results in 29 citations, 1 vehicle towed, 3 vehicles referred to a State Emissions Referee

On Thursday, July 13, 2017, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department deployed specially trained personnel in response to recent complaints and traffic collisions related to illegal street racing, reckless driving, and unsafe vehicles operating on our roadways. The police department has received complaints from community members of large numbers of modified vehicles gathering and disturbing at different locations around the city. The Oxnard Police Traffic Unit has investigated five serious injury and fatal traffic collisions involving street racing, speeding, and unsafe driving this year.

During the traffic enforcement operation, officers issued 29 citations and one vehicle was towed. Three drivers were issued citations for modified emission violations and referred to the State Emissions Referee.

Over the past several years, there has been an increased presence of these types of unsanctioned events in Oxnard and throughout the county. Street racing, drag racing, drifting, and other forms of unpermitted driving create a very dangerous environment for everyone on our roadways. The Oxnard Police Department will be taking a zero tolerance approach to this dangerous and potentially deadly illegal behavior. Those doing these acts will be subject to citations, vehicles being towed, and possibly arrested.

Violators driving modified vehicles will be referred to a State Referee, who will perform equipment inspections. State Referees will not sign off citations until a vehicle is in full compliance with the law.

It is the mission of the Oxnard Police Department to promote traffic safety and to reduce the number of collisions in our community. The police department will continue these types of enforcement operations in an effort to make our roadways safer.

If anyone has questions regarding this enforcement operation, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown @ [email protected].

(Officers Sergio Figueroa and Jose Diaz issuing citations for illegally modified vehicles)

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7/13/17 11:55 p.m.

INCIDENT:

Robbery

DATE/TIME:

Thursday, July 13, 2017 / 1615 hours

LOCATION:

Frye’s Electronics, 1901 Ventura Blvd., Oxnard, CA

VICTIM(S):

Names Withheld

SUSPECT(S):

Nathan Saffa, 23 year-old Oxnard resident

Primitivo Pina, 24 year-old Oxnard resident

WITNESS(ES):

Names Withheld

VICTIM VEHICLE:

N/A

PREPARED BY:

Marc Amon, Crime Reduction Sergeant

[email protected]

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Marc Amon, Crime Reduction Sergeant

[email protected]

DETAILS: On July 13, 2017 at approximately 4:15 p.m., a Frye’s Electronics employee confronted two subjects whom he suspected of stealing merchandise from the store. During the parking lot confrontation, the employee asked the two subjects to come back inside the store at which time one of the subjects brandished what appeared to be a handgun at the employee. The two subjects were later identified as 23 year-old Oxnard resident, Nathan Saffa and 24 year-old Oxnard resident, Primitivo Pina.

The employee yelled for assistance and an armed retired Oxnard Police Officer heard the call for help. When suspects Saffa and Pina saw that the retired officer was armed with a real firearm, they split up and fled the parking lot. Responding officers were able to locate the fleeing suspect Saffa while the employee and witness pursued suspect Pina.

Officers followed Saffa as he tried to evade officers on his bicycle. He was eventually apprehended near the intersection of Williams Drive and Socorro Way. Saffa was positively identified and arrested for the robbery.

Suspect Pina was chased and detained by the retired officer and store employee until officers arrived to assist at Auto Center Drive and Rice Avenue. Pina was positively identified and arrested for the robbery. Neither Pina nor Saffa have previous robbery arrests, but both have had numerous larceny and drug-related arrests in the past. The gun used by the suspects was recovered and found to be a BB air pistol.

Since January, Oxnard has been averaging approximately 300 larceny cases a month with many of these cases going unsolved. The most common cases are shoplifts and thefts from vehicles. The Oxnard Police Department encourages all residents to lock, take, or keep all valuables in a safe place to prevent the temptation of thefts.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 13, 2017 / 1930 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Oxnard Police Arrest Suspect in 2014 Homicide Case

DATE/TIME:

February 23, 2014 at approximately 9:34 p.m.

LOCATION:

200 block of West Juniper Street, Oxnard

VICTIM(S):

Austin Cory Martin, 23-year old Oxnard resident

SUSPECT(S):

Abraham Gonzalez, 21-year old Oxnard resident

(18-years old at the time of the shooting)

PREPARED BY:

Alex Arnett, Major Crimes Sergeant (805) 385-7763

[email protected]

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Ken Tougas, Major Crimes Detective (805) 200-5669

[email protected]

DETAILS: (Oxnard, Calif) – After a three-year ongoing investigation, detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit made an arrest in a 2014 homicide case. Detectives arrested 21-year old Abraham Gonzalez, of Oxnard, and charged him in the shooting death of 23-year old Austin Martin. Gonzalez was 18-years old at the time of the shooting.

On February 23, 2014, at approximately 9:34 p.m., Oxnard police officers responded to a shooting victim at a residence in the 200 block of West Juniper Street. The police officers arrived on scene and located the victim, Austin Martin, suffering from a gunshot wound. Martin was transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center. Unfortunately, Martin died as a result of the shooting.

Major Crimes Detectives responded to the crime scene and led the investigation. The detectives were determined to identify the person or persons responsible for Martin’s death. Eventually, detectives obtained information that Abraham Gonzalez was involved in Martin’s murder. Detectives continued to investigate the case and obtained sufficient evidence in order to obtain an arrest warrant for Gonzalez.

On July 13, 2017, Major Crimes Detectives officially arrested Gonzalez for murder. Gonzales is currently incarcerated at Centinela State Prison for charges unrelated to the homicide investigation. Gonzalez will be brought back to Ventura County to face murder charges.

The arrest of Gonzales for the murder of Austin Martin was due to the hard work and dedication of Major Crimes Detectives and in direct partnership with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Detectives will continue to investigate the murder of Austin Martin, and additional arrests are probable.

Anyone with information about the murder of Austin Martin, or any homicide investigation, is encouraged to contact Detective Ken Tougas at (805) 200-5669, or the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600. 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 at tip via text or email.

Abraham Gonzalez

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 13, 2017, at 1:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	UPDATE: She has been located and reunited with her family. Missing Dependent Adult
DATE/TIME:	7/12/2017 0949 hours
LOCATION:	1000 block of Roderick Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Patricia Taylor, 76 years old
PREPARED BY:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda [email protected] Oxnard Police Department 805-385-7740

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is currently searching for a missing 76 year old dependent adult who walked away from her vehicle. Patricia Taylor was last seen in the area of the 1000 block of Roderick Avenue in Oxnard, around 9:30 am. Mrs. Taylor has been diagnosed with dementia. Mrs. Taylor is described as a white female, 5’-6”, 100 pounds with gray hair, and blue eyes. Mrs. Taylor was last seen wearing a red and black dress jacket, white shirt, black jeans, and red sandals.

Currently the Oxnard Police Department is conducting an area search for Mrs. Taylor

Anyone who has seen Mrs. Taylor or knows her possible whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740 or dial 911.

Patricia Taylor

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7/12/17 11:05 am

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	2nd Annual Summer at City Hall
DATE/TIME:	July 11, 2017
PREPARED BY:	Melissa Valdez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Melissa Valdez (805) 342-8292 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On Wednesday, July 5, 2017, Assistant Police Chief Eric Sonstegard welcomed 20 bright eyed Academy students from the Oxnard Union High School District to the orientation of the 2nd annual Summer at City Hall program. The Summer at City Hall program is a joint venture between the City of Oxnard, the Oxnard Union High School District, and the Alliance for Linked Learning that provides local high school students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while making a difference in their communities.

The mission of this program is to create strong partnerships between school district and local government entities to offer students opportunities to gain 21st century work skills, provide tools to become civically aware and engaged, and bring a youth voice to authentic City issues.

The Summer at City Hall program is a 4-week program with regular instructional classroom sessions Monday thru Thursday from 8:30 AM -12:00 PM and 42 hours of hands-on learning. Student interns have a chance to work alongside decision makers within a variety of City of Oxnard departments. The student interns earn five school credits along with a stipend made possible by the So Cal Gas Company.

The student interns attend job skill workshops hosted by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce. This summer, the student interns will have the opportunity sit down with the Oxnard Police Department’s Police Chiefs during a mini town hall to discuss youth and police relations as well as hear a presentation from Mayor Tim Flynn on public service in local government. Engaging youth in government provides students the opportunity to learn about local government, careers in local government, and how to advocate for community change.

To culminate the four week internship, the student interns will present their student projects to their peers and mentors. The Summer at City Hall program was created by the Institute for Local Government to create a high school to career pipeline to ensure a more diverse and prepared public sector workforce.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 11, 2017 4:00pm

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Minor in Possession of a Firearm / Vandalism Arrest
DATE/TIME:	July 9, 2017 at 5:50 p.m.
LOCATION:	1500 Tulipan Cr.
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	16-year-old male, Oxnard resident 16-year-old female, Port Hueneme resident
PREPARED BY:	Bakari Myers, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7771
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Bakari Myers, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7771

DETAILS:

On July 9, 2017, at approximately 5:50 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Tulipan Cr. reference a subject in possession of a handgun in the swimming pool area. Officers ultimately made contact with a 16 year old male juvenile who was described and identified by the reporting party. Officers located a handgun that was in a bag next to the juvenile. The juvenile, who is on supervised release from a previous weapons charge, was arrested for being a minor in possession of a concealable firearm and for possessing a firearm in violation of his probation.

After the minor was taken into custody, a 16 year old female associate was seen vandalizing an Oxnard Police car by kicking and denting the driver door. The female was located by officers and identified by a witness. The female juvenile was charged with misdemeanor vandalism. The male and female juvenile were both lodged in juvenile hall.

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 http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit at tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 9, 2017 / 2140 Hours

INCIDENT:

Gang related firearm arrest

DATE/TIME:

July 7, 2017/2100

LOCATION:

1300 block of Felicia Court

VICTIM(S):

N/A

SUSPECT(S):

16 year old male juvenile

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 July 7, 2017 at approximately 2100 hours officers from the Special Enforcement Unit were working gang enforcement in the area of the 1300 block of Felicia Court. SEU officers made contact with a 16 year old male juvenile who was found to be in possession of a loaded revolver.

The juvenile was arrested for weapon violations and lodged into juvenile hall. The juvenile is a known gang member.

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: July 7, 2017/2145

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stolen vehicle from Oxnard Fire Department
DATE/TIME:	July 3, 2017 / 0830 hours
LOCATION:	491 S. K St.
VICTIM(S):	City of Oxnard, Fire Department
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):	None
VICTIM VEHICLE(S):	2007 Ford F350 Stake Bed Truck, Lic# 1254723 (similar to photo of vehicle attached)
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Marc Amon [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. Luis Mancha [email protected]

DETAILS: Earlier today firefighters from the Oxnard Fire Department reported that an equipment vehicle was stolen from the lot of Fire Station #1, located on South K Street in Oxnard. The vehicle is a red Ford F350 truck with a stake bed and emergency overhead lights. Officers are currently searching for the vehicle and the investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the vehicle or information on a possible suspect(s) is encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740 or 911.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Graffiti Arrest
DATE/TIME:	July 2, 2017 at 4:15 p.m.
LOCATION:	Gisler Ave. at Maple St.
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Carlos Barry, 23 year old Wilmington, California resident
PREPARED BY:	Bakari Myers, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7771
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Bakari Myers, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7771

DETAILS:

On July 2, 2017, at approximately 4:15 p.m., an officer patrolling near the intersection of Gilser Ave. and Maple St. observed an individual use an acrylic paint and commit graffiti vandalism on the sidewalk. The officer contacted the suspect, 23 year old Wilmington resident Carlos Barry, and arrested him for committing misdemeanor graffiti vandalism and for possessing graffiti tools. Barry had written his moniker on the sidewalk.

The city of Oxnard spends more than $750,000 each year on graffiti eradication. Residents can report graffiti to the GAP Hotline (805) 385-8010and the graffiti will typically be removed within 24-48 hours.

Carlos Barry

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 3, 2017 / 0130 Hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vandalism Arrest
DATE/TIME:	July 1, 2017 / 10:10 p.m.
LOCATION:	Fifth St. at Ventura Rd.
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Isaac Hidalgo, 22 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Bakari Myers, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7771
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Bakari Myers, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-7771

DETAILS:

On July 1, 2017, at approximately 10:10 p.m., officers on patrol observed an individual committing graffiti vandalism on one of the traffic light poles. The subject also committed graffiti vandalism on one of the traffic signs at the intersection. Officers contacted the suspect, 22 year old Oxnard resident, Isaac Hidalgo and arrested him for committing misdemeanor graffiti vandalism and for possessing graffiti tools.

The city of Oxnard spends more than $750,000 each year on graffiti eradication. Residents can report graffiti to the GAP Hotline (805) 385-8010 and the graffiti will typically be removed within 24-48 hours.

Isaac Hidalgo

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 1, 2017 / 10:56 p.m.