OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department Crime Advisory – Commercial Burglaries
DATE/TIME:	04/23/17 – 04/26/17
LOCATION:	Oxnard Police Department, 251 South “C” Street, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Detective Crystal Walker
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Crystal Walker, (805) 385-7668 or [email protected]

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Property Crimes Unit would like to inform the residents and business owners of Oxnard that there have been eight (8) commercial burglaries between April 23, 2017 and April 26, 2017. These particular commercial burglaries are set apart by the fact that the burglars are targeting cash registers and safes located inside the businesses. Force was used to gain entry to all of the businesses and the burglaries have been taking place during the late hours of the night to early hours of the morning.

This information is not being disseminated to alarm the business owners of Oxnard but to inform and prepare them to take precautions after-hours.

During these investigations, it has come to the attention of the Property Crimes Unit that it is common practice for some businesses to leave cash in the till for business use the next day. Please be cognizant that while it may seem more efficient, it does leave your business open to being a target for crime. The Property Crimes Unit encourages you to consider the following tips to help your business avoid becoming a victim of crime.

Remove all currency on-site and deposit it at your preferred financial institution.
Leave the cash drawer open and empty after-hours.
After-hours, if possible and your register is located close to windows, remove the cash register altogether and store in a safe, locked area.
Consider purchasing and installing a surveillance system with cameras both in front and to the rear of your business (make sure it has the ability to record clear images at night).
Test alarm and surveillance systems for functionality when you test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit, in its ongoing crime prevention efforts, would like to advise business owners that security assessments, crime prevention for businesses information and training are available by request. If you are interested in receiving further information, please contact Det. Crystal Walker at (805) 385-7668 or [email protected].

Help keep Oxnard crime free and safe. If you see suspicious activity, please report to the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385–7740 or dial 9-1-1. Anonymous information and tips can also be made with the Ventura County Crimestoppers at (805) 385–8255.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 04-27-17/1700

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle-Pedestrian Serious Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	April 25, 2017 / 2:18 a.m.
LOCATION:	Wooley Road at Commercial Avenue, Oxnard
DRIVER/VEHICLE:	Rodney Anthony Bennett, 25-year-old, Oxnard resident – Black 2008 Lexus IS250
PEDESTRIAN:	White Male, 39-year-old ( Name withheld pending notification to family)
PREPARED BY:	Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator (805) 385-7750 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Maria Pena, Senior Officer (805) 385-7750 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On April 25, 2017, at approximately 2:18 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to an injury collision in the area of Wooley Road and Commercial Avenue. When officers and EMS personnel arrived, they discovered a vehicle was involved in a collision with a pedestrian. Based on the preliminary investigation, the driver of the black Lexus was traveling westbound on Wooley Road approaching Commercial Avenue. For unknown reasons, the pedestrian was in the westbound lanes of Wooley Road and was struck by the Lexus.

EMS personnel rendered aid to the pedestrian and transported him to the Ventura County Medical Center with major injuries. He is listed in critical condition. Mr. Bennett was not injured in the collision.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs are involved. The collision is still under investigation.

Anyone who has information about this collision is urged to contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at (805) 385-7750 or via email at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 25, 2017 / 8:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery Arrest
DATE/TIME:	April 23rd, 2017 at 1:50 p.m.
LOCATION:	1000 blk Cheyenne Way
SUSPECT(S):	Alejandro Guzman, 19 year old Oxnard Resident Adrian Manriquez, 19 year old Oxnard Resident Ignacio Leyva, 18 year old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Bakari Myers
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Bakari Myers (805) 385-7771 [email protected]

Details:

On 4/23/17, at approximately 1:50 p.m., officers responded to the 1000 block of Cheyenne Wy. reference a robbery with a hammer. The victim stated that he was approached by three suspects riding in an older model Nissan Sentra. One of the occupants exited the vehicle while in possession of a hammer and approached the victim. The suspect, a 19 year old Oxnard resident identified as Alejandro Guzman, threatened the victim with the hammer and took the victim’s cellular phone. Guzman fled the scene in the vehicle along with the two other suspects who were identified as 18 year old Ignacio Leyva, and 19 year old Adrian Manriquez, both Oxnard residents.

Officers located a vehicle that matched the description on Terrace Ave. at Bard Rd. The above mentioned suspects were located in the vehicle along with the victim’s cellular phone. During a search of the vehicle, officers located two hammers. The suspects were booked for robbery and conspiracy. All of the suspects were booked into the Ventura County Jail.

(Manriquez’ photo and photo of the recovered hammers below. No adult booking photos available for Leyva or Guzman)

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearm Seizure
DATE/TIME:	April 22, 2017 / 2130 hours
LOCATION:	Pleasant Valley Road and C Street, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Luis Hernandez, 24 years, Oxnard Resident Luis Renteria, 21 years, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Gray 2003 GMC Envoy 5AWH838
PREPARED BY:	Greg Hebert, Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	[email protected] 805-432-8772

DETAILS:

On April 22, 2017, at about 2130 hours, officers from the California Highway Patrol observed a Gray 2003 GMC Envoy being driven in the area of Pleasant Valley Road and C Street with loud music in violation of the California Vehicle Code. The vehicle quickly parked and the driver, Luis Hernandez, and passenger, Luis Renteria, attempted to walk away. The CHP officers contacted both Hernandez and Renteria. Officers from the Oxnard Police Department arrived to assist the CHP.

Renteria was found to have a civil warrant. Renteria was arrested and later booked into Ventura County Jail. Hernandez was found to be driving with a suspended license. Hernandez was arrested and later released from the Oxnard Police Department with a citation. A loaded .22 rifle was found in plain view in the vehicle. The firearm was seized. Firearms related charges are pending further investigation.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 23, 2017 / 1200 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Scam Arrest
DATE/TIME:	April 20, 2017/1400 hours
LOCATION:	400 block South Oxnard Boulevard
VICTIM(S):	Not disclosed
SUSPECT(S):	Rodriguez, Jose “Frank” Francisco, 57 years old
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	$100,000+
PREPARED BY:	Detective Erica Escalante
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Erica Escalante (805) 385-7661 [email protected]

DETAILS:

Detective Erica Escalante, the Financial Crimes Investigator for the Oxnard Police Department, received information that Jose “Frank” Francisco Rodriguez, 57 years old, of Oxnard, was scamming people out of money by falsely holding himself out as an investment broker. Rodriguez took only cash payments of thousands of dollars from his victims with the promise of purchasing stocks for them and tripling their investments in three years. Detective Escalante found that Rodriguez had an outstanding arrest warrant from the County of Los Angeles in relation to the exact same type of scam theft crimes with many victims in Los Angeles in 2014. Members of the Oxnard Police Department Property Crimes and Neighborhood Policing Team located Rodriguez in the 400 block of South Oxnard Boulevard, where they took him into custody for his outstanding arrest warrant without incident. The bail was set at $180,000, and Rodriguez’ custody will be transferred to Los Angeles County. Anybody with information about Rodriguez’ theft scams is encouraged to contact Detective Escalante at (805) 385-7661 or [email protected].

The public should be aware that somebody selling stocks or securities should be a licensed broker with the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission and/or hold a certificate from the California Commissioner of Business Oversight. License status can be researched at the California Department of Business Oversight online at http://www.dbo.ca.gov/Resources/default.asp or by calling (866) 275-2677.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 20, 2017/1800 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fumigation Tent Burglaries
DATE/TIME:	03/24/17 – 04/13/17
LOCATION:	Oxnard Police Department, 251 South “C” Street, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Detective Crystal Walker
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Crystal Walker, (805) 385-7668 or [email protected]

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department would like to inform the residents of Oxnard that there have been four (4) residential burglaries between March 24, 2017 and April 13, 2017. These particular residential burglaries are set apart by the fact that the burglaries occurred during fumigation of the residences. The burglaries occurred in four different areas of the city and there does not appear to be any connection at this time. The only commonality is that entry was forced.

This information is not being disseminated to alarm the residents of Oxnard but to inform and prepare them if they are considering fumigation of their residence.

Open and unlocked doors and windows have been the primary method and point of entry in almost half of the fumigation burglaries that have occurred in Oxnard in the past – most likely during the ventilation period of the process. In other cases, doors and windows have been pried, smashed or bodily force was used to gain access.

There are a number of steps that residents can take to further protect themselves and their property. Your Oxnard Police Department encourages residents to remove small valuables such as money, jewelry, keys, personal documents, flatscreen televisions and small electronics. Residents are also encouraged to advise neighbors so they can be vigilant and help report suspicious people or activity during planned fumigation dates. Furthermore, residents can ask their fumigation company if they offer the installation of surveillance systems that can notify the fumigation company if entry is made to the residence. Your Oxnard police department does have a limited amount of temporary surveillance systems that they can install, at no charge, to residences that are being fumigated. They are available by appointment only and are subject to availability. To obtain further information, contact the crime prevention unit at 805-385–7668.

Help keep our homes and neighborhoods in Oxnard crime free and safe. If you see suspicious activity, please report to the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385–7740 or dial 9-1-1. Anonymous information and tips can also be made with the Ventura County Crimestoppers at (805) 385–8255.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 04-23-17/0832

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department installs Community Cameras as part of their efforts to curb continued violence
DATE/TIME:	April 21, 2017
LOCATION:	Sierra Linda Neighborhood Rose Park Neighborhood
PREPARED BY:	Eric S. Sonstegard, Assistant Police Chief [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Eric S. Sonstegard, Assistant Police Chief (805) 385-7801

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department recently installed the first of a series of Community Cameras in neighborhoods adversely affected by continued gang violence. These Community Cameras, which are housed in overt boxes with “Oxnard Police Department” and “Protecting Our Community With Exceptional Service” printed on them, are installed in high pedestrian traffic areas in selected neighborhoods. They provide 24-hour a day video surveillance that investigators are able to monitor and record. The first two Community Cameras have been installed in the Rose Park and Sierra Linda neighborhoods.

Sadly, the genesis for this program began out of tragedy. On February 17, 2014, 24-year old Joshua Van was senselessly shot killed as he walked with friends in the 2000 block of Mariposa Avenue. Joshua, a former basketball player at Rio Mesa High School, had just left the Circle-K market in the Sierra Linda neighborhood when he was confronted by gang members and shot.

Shortly thereafter, Cynthia Gonzalez, Joshua’s mother, accompanied by Joshua’s father, Carlos Gonzalez, and sister, Ciara Gonzales, began to be regular attendees at Oxnard City Council meetings. Cynthia would make impassioned pleas each week during public comments for the city to install CCTV cameras as a way to deter future violence. Cynthia was diligent with her comments, often citing public surveillance camera programs in other cities that had been successful deterrents to neighborhood violence. Meanwhile, Oxnard Police Investigators ultimately made arrests of two individuals responsible for the murder of Joshua Van. Their investigation was greatly enhanced by surveillance footage captured inside and outside the Circle K Market. This only made the Gonzalez family more resolute in their quest for CCTV cameras.

Tragically, the Gonzalez family would once again be touched by violence in 2016 when 32-year old Christopher Camper was shot and killed less than 1,000 feet from where Joshua was killed. Oxnard Police Investigators arrested the individual responsible for Camper’s murder and were again aided by surveillance footage captured by nearby cameras. Cynthia continued to attend City Council meetings in 2016 and ask for public CCTV cameras.

In the fall of 2016, inspired by the Gonzales family and having seen similar successes in other cities, the Oxnard Police Department decided to partner with the Gonzalez’s and begin a Community Camera program. The Department earmarked asset forfeiture funds to develop the first two prototypes of what are now called Community Cameras. Cynthia, Carlos, and Ciara attended neighborhood council meetings with Oxnard Police Department staff to help tell the story of Joshua and answer any questions about public surveillance cameras.

The Oxnard Police Department plans to install additional Community Cameras in 2017 in a number of selected neighborhoods. Assistant Chief Eric S. Sonstegard- “These cameras are one tool in a multi-faceted plan to address continued gang violence. We understand they won’t prevent everything but we believe the presence of video surveillance cameras can have a positive effect on increasing public safety. Their mere presence can act as a powerful crime deterrent and evidence obtained from video gathered can be invaluable in some police investigations.”

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 4/21/2017 12:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearms Arrest (04/22/2017)
DATE/TIME:	April 22, 2017; 2:40AM
LOCATION:	480 N. Rose Avenue
VICTIM(S):	State of CA
SUSPECT(S):	Joseph Ocampo
PREPARED BY:	Robert Flinn, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Robert Flinn (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On April 22, 2017 at 2:40 A.M, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the Carl’s Jr. located at 480 N. Rose Ave. reference a driver in the drive through line of the restaurant passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle. The driver was identified as Oxnard resident Joseph Ocampo and was found to be under the influence of alcohol.

During a search of the vehicle, a loaded .40 caliber handgun and two spent shell casings were found. Ocampo was arrested for driving while under the influence and possession of the loaded firearm foundin his vehicle.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witnesses to a crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 22, 2017/0930

Joseph Ocampo

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department’s Partnership with the FTC to Report Fraud and Scam Trends
DATE/TIME:	04/19/17
LOCATION:	Oxnard Police Department, 251 South “C” Street, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Detective Crystal Walker
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Erica Escalante, 805-385-7661 or [email protected]

DETAILS:

We are proud to announce that your Oxnard Police Department is now in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through the Consumer Sentinel Network, which is a nationwide law enforcement network for analyzing fraud and scam trends. Upon logging on to the network in early March to search all reports made by persons in the City of Oxnard in 2017, Financial Crimes Detective Erica Escalante found that 722 complaints had been made. While it is unfortunate that the level of scams and fraud are at such high numbers, it was heartening to see that so many people know how to make complaints to the FTC directly.

Most telephone, online and mail scams are committed by persons across state lines and national borders. It is, therefore, essential that all victims of such acts and attempts make reports to the FTC directly at www.ftc.gov so that federal law enforcement agencies and other law enforcement partners of the Consumer Sentinel Network can have access to the important data and investigative leads from your reports. A local police report is not necessary unless requested by your bank or financial institution.

In order to fight the battle against the growing trend of scammers targeting the elderly, Oxnard Police Department will use the Consumer Sentinel Network to file FTC complaints for all elderly (over age 65 years) and dependent adult victims. In addition, as mandated by California law, Oxnard Police Department cross reports to the Ventura County Adult Protective Services, another partner agency in the protection of elders and dependent adults from enduring ongoing victimization. Our own Oxnard Police Department Volunteers in Police Services or VIPS are helping with the project of entering the elder reports into the FTC complaint system.

Oxnard Police Department is also a member of the Ventura County Financial Abuse Specialist Team (VC FAST) with many other local organizations in the fight to protect elders and dependent adults from continued abuse and victimization. FAST is “a partnership of public and private multidisciplinary professionals who volunteer their time to facilitate comprehensive services to elder and dependent adult victims of financial abuse” and is a program of Senior Concerns.

Below are some helpful links:

To report a scam to the FTC: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1

VC Adult Protective Services: http://www.ventura.org/human-services-agency/adult-protective-services

Senior Concerns: www.seniorconcerns.org

Oxnard Police Department VIPS: https://www.oxnardpd.org/community-affairs/get-involved-stay-aware/volunteers-in-police-services/

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 04-19-17/1652

INCIDENT:	Narcotic Paraphernalia and Gun Arrest
DATE/TIME:	4/16/17 at 9:29 pm
LOCATION:	2101 North Rose Avenue
SUSPECT(S):	Moises Cervantes, 20 years of age, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	White Chevrolet Blazer
PREPARED BY:	Officer Ramiro Holguin

DETAILS: On 4/16/17 at 9:29 pm, Oxnard Police Officers were in the Vons parking lot at 2101 N. Rose Avenue checking for possible auto burglary suspects. This was in response to recent auto burglaries in the area. Officers contacted Moises Cervantes in a Chevy Blazer. A records check showed Cervantes was on probation for burglary. A probation search of his vehicle was conducted with the assistance of a K9 unit. The K9 alerted on a compartment inside the vehicle and officers located a methamphetamine pipe, forty .25 caliber rounds, and a .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun. The handgun was loaded and its serial numbers had been removed. Cervantes was booked for possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, possession of a firearm with altered serial numbers and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

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 Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 or visit the website: http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.apx

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 04/17/2017 @ 1:30 P.M.