OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

News Release: Oxnard Police K-9 Locates Wanted Felon (4/6/17)

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police K-9 Locates Wanted Felon
DATE/TIME:	April 6^th, 2017 at 6:20 p.m.
LOCATION:	1100 block North A Street
SUSPECT(S):	Pablo Vasquez 29 year old Oxnard resident.
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Daniel Casson
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Daniel Casson (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

On April 6, 2017 at approximately 6:20 p.m., Oxnard officers and two K-9 Teams from the K-9 Unit responded to a call regarding a wanted felon inside a residence in the 1100 block of North A Street. Officers contacted a family member who confirmed that wanted felon, 29 year old Pablo Vasquez, was inside the residence with two other family members. Vasquez had two outstanding felony warrants for his arrest (terrorist threats and resisting an officer with threats or violence). A family member told officers that they were concerned the family members inside the residence were being held against their will.

After about an hour officers were able to make contact with the two family members that were inside the residence and officers safely extracted them. Family members confirmed that Vasquez was hiding inside of the residence. Officers made several announcements to get Vasquez to surrender but he was uncooperative. Due to Vasquez’ violent history, police service dog “Leo” was then brought in to conduct a search of the residence. K-9 “Leo” quickly located Vasquez who was hiding in a bedroom in the rear of the residence. After “Leo” located Vasquez, he surrendered without further incident. Vasquez was booked into county jail for the two outstanding felony warrants for his arrest.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	April 4, 2017 / 5:44 p.m.
LOCATION:	Saviers Road at Elm Street, Oxnard
PARTIES/VEHICLES:	· Thomas Hartley, 36-year-old Oxnard resident – 2003 Honda Shadow motorcycle · Ros Amelia Glover, 65-year-old Oxnard resident – 2003 Toyota pickup truck
PREPARED BY:	Ricardo Vazquez, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	James Langford, Traffic Officer (805)385-7750 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On April 4, 2017, at 5:44 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a collision at the intersection of Saviers Road and Elm Street. When officers and EMS personnel arrived, they discovered that the collision involved a Toyota pickup truck and a motorcycle. Based on the preliminary investigation, the driver of the pickup truck was traveling northbound on Saviers Road and made a left turn at Elm Street directly in front of the motorcyclist, who was traveling southbound on Saviers Road. The motorcyclist was unable to avoid the collision and collided with the pickup truck. The force of the collision caused the motorcyclist to be ejected from the motorcycle.

The motorcyclist, Thomas Hartley a 36-year-old Oxnard resident, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center due to severe injuries and is listed in critical condition. The driver of the pickup truck, Ros Amelia Glover a 65-year-old Oxnard resident, remained at the scene of the collision and was uninjured.

It is not believed that alcohol and/or drugs are factors involved in the collision. The collision is still under investigation.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 4, 2017, 9:30 p.m.

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OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Driving under the influence of alcohol (23152(a) CVC; Firearm concealed in a vehicle (25850(c)(3), 25850 & 25400 PC)
DATE/TIME:	04/04/2017
LOCATION:	Oxnard Blvd. @ Garonne Street
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Kevin Henry (29-year-old Oxnard resident)
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Grey 2012 Toyota Tacoma
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant David Klug
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda [email protected]

DETAILS:

On April 04, 2017, at about 1551 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a hit-and-run collision in the area of Oxnard Blvd. and Garonne St. The hit-and-run suspect vehicle was observed leaving the area by an Oxnard police detective. The vehicle was eventually stopped at the intersection of Gonzales Rd. and Harbor Blvd. The vehicle’s right rear tire had deflated and come off the rim, and the rim was worn down to the diameter of the brake drum.

The driver of the vehicle, Kevin Henry, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. During a search of the vehicle prior to towing, a loaded firearm was located hidden in the center console.

The victim of the hit-and-run did not wish prosecution.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 04, 2017 @ 6:55 pm

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 [email protected] 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant [email protected] 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.

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.

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 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

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 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

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

[email protected]

CONTACT INFO:

Detective Miguel Serrato (805) 385-7688

[email protected]

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 [email protected]

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

[email protected] (805) 385-7796

CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:

Detective Cody Collet

[email protected]; (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