OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member in possession of handgun
DATE/TIME:	April 3, 2016/2045
LOCATION:	3200 Merced Place
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Alvarez (24 years) Oxnard resident Ray Fernandez (19 years) Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Bill Crisostomo
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Bill Crisostomo, 385-7644 [email protected]

DETAILS: On April 3, 2016 at approximately 2045 hours Officers from the Special Enforcement Unit were working directed gang enforcement in the Lemonwood/Diamond Bar area of the city. This is the same area where a gang member shot at an Oxnard Police Officer last week.

While patrolling the area SEU officers contacted Juan Alvarez, Ray Fernandez and a third male subject in a parked vehicle in the 3200 block of Merced. Ray Fernandez is on probation with search terms. Fernandez was searched during which narcotics paraphernalia was located. During the search of the vehicle a loaded handgun was also located.

Juan Alvarez was arrested for several weapon violations and Ray Fernandez was arrested for narcotics violations. The third subject was released at the scene.

Alvarez and Fernandez are both associated with a criminal street gang.

The Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members 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: April 3, 2016/2210

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Body-Worn Camera Deployment
DATE/TIME:	June 3, 2016
LOCATION:
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Mike Adair, Commander (805) 385-7600 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Mike Adair, Commander (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:

DETAILS:
Today, the Oxnard Police Department completed phase one of their efforts to equip officers with body-worn cameras. The Department has purchased and assigned 50 camera systems from Taser International, Inc. to officers who normally work uniformed patrol. The officers who will be wearing the cameras completed their training this week and began working the streets with this new equipment. Each camera has the ability to capture high definition video and audio of the various events they encounter.

Body-worn cameras have been shown to enhance the effectiveness of Law Enforcement while promoting professional accountability and aiding in event documentation. A goal of our program is to increase transparency, officer accountability, and enhance the public’s trust and confidence in the Oxnard Police Department. These systems have also been proven to deter violence or other negative behavior by individuals who may otherwise choose to assault a victim or an officer.

Each of the videos captured throughout the officers’ day will be stored in a cloud based storage solution called Evidence.com. The system has the capability to store digital evidence such as videos, photos, and audio files. All of our body-worn camera video files will be stored for a minimum of 3 years and comply with the rules of evidence set by law.

The Department’s body-worn cameras are supported through grant funding and asset forfeiture proceeds. We hope to expand the system in the near future so that all of our patrol officers are outfitted with camera systems.

Two photos are attached: One showing the camera being worn by an officer. The other photo is a screen shot from a body-worn camera video captured last week. The incident was a subject with a gun call at the Ocean-Aire Mobile Home Park on Pleasant Valley Rd. Officers contacted the suspect and the rifle seen in the photo was later determined to be a pellet gun. The suspect was arrested for an unrelated misdemeanor warrant.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: June 3, 2016 / 10:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Dependent Adult
DATE/TIME:	6/5/16, 1230 hours
LOCATION:	100 block of W. Guava St.
VICTIM(S):	Ricardo Lopez, 42 years-old
SUSPECT(S):	n/a
WITNESS(ES):	n/a
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	n/a
LOSS:	n/a
PREPARED BY:	Marc Amon, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	[email protected]

DETAILS: On 6/5/16 at approximately 12:30 p.m., Ricardo Lopez walked away from his home. He was reported missing by his mother who also informed the officers that he is a dependent adult that suffers from dementia, deafness and is an insulin-dependent diabetic.

The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Lopez. If he is seen please contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740 or 911.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Possession of a loaded and concealed firearm
DATE/TIME:	June 9, 2016/ 1620
LOCATION:	Juniper St. @ ‘M’ St
SUSPECT(S):	Esteban Corona (20 year- old Oxnard resident)
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Gray Infiniti G35
PREPARED BY:	Tim Kelley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Tim Kelley (805)385-8289

DETAILS:
On June 9, 2016, at approximately 4:20 pm, officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit were patrolling in the area of Juniper St. and ‘M’ St. in response to a recent shooting. Officers witnessed a gray Infiniti G35 commit a traffic violation and stopped the vehicle. One of the occupants was discovered to be on probation and is a member of a local tagging crew. A probation search was conducted and a loaded 9mm handgun was found hidden underneath the driver’s seat of the car. The driver, 20 year-old Oxnard resident Esteban Corona, was arrested for possession of a loaded and concealed firearm.

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 witness to a crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: June 9, 2016/ 1700 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gun in Vehicle with Arrest
DATE/TIME:	July 13, 2016 / 7:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	Lark Street @ Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Daniel Gutierrez (39 year-old Oxnard resident)
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Silver Chevy Monte Carlo
PREPARED BY:	Alex Rangel, Sergeant (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Alex Rangel, Sergeant (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On July 13, 2016 at approximately 7:30 a.m. an Oxnard police officer stopped a silver Chevy Monte Carlo for a traffic violation in the area of Lark Street and Saviers Road.
During the traffic stop the front passenger, Daniel Gutierrez, was found to be a convicted felon and was on probation. A probation search was conducted and a loaded handgun was located near Gutierrez. Gutierrez was arrested for various weapons and drug related violations.

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 County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 13, 2016 / 11:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation
DATE/TIME:	August 22, 2016 / 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On Monday, August 22, 2016, between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department will be deploying officers throughout the city limits to conduct bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to make everyone aware of precautions that can be taken to reduce the number and severity of collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians are reminded to obey regulatory traffic signs and only travel in areas where it is permitted and safe to walk. Bicyclists should follow all traffic laws and wear an appropriate helmet at all times to minimize injuries in the case of a collision or fall.

Drivers are also reminded to share the road and watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists as they travel on our roadways. Extra caution should be used near schools and crosswalks. California law requires drivers to maintain a distance of three feet when passing bicyclists. If a driver is unable to give a bicyclist three feet, due to traffic or road conditions (including the weather and width of the highway), the driver must slow to a reasonable speed and pass when it would not endanger the bicyclist.

Funding for this operation is provided to the Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 19, 2016 / 3:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Felon Arrested for Possession of Handgun
DATE/TIME:	September 12, 2016 / 0010 hours
LOCATION:	300 Block W. Wooley Road Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Rodriguez, 36 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Brian Woolley (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Brian Woolley (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On September 12, 2016, at approximately 12:10 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a reported vandalism in progress near the intersection of Wooley Road and C Street. During the investigation, two suspects, who had been observed spray painting a wall in the 1100 block of South C Street, ran from responding officers. During the foot chase, officers also observed suspect Jose Rodriguez in the 300 block of W. Wooley Road. Rodriguez ran from officers and was quickly apprehended. Officers located a loaded handgun on the ground where Rodriguez was taken into custody. The two vandalism suspects eluded capture.

Rodriguez is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. He was charged with felony weapons violations and booked into the Ventura County Jail. It was determined that Rodriguez was not involved in the vandalism.

This incident is another example of how members of the public assist the Oxnard Police Department by calling 911 to report suspicious individuals and crimes in progress.

In an effort to address the increase in firearms-related crimes, the Oxnard Police Department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crimes Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons within the city. The objective of this initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.

Persons with additional information may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 12, 2016 / 0530 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stolen Vehicle
DATE/TIME:	September 12, 2016 / 0800 hours
LOCATION:	Channel Islands High School, 1400 Raiders Way, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Jeffrey Chambers, 26 year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective Charles Buttell
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Charles Buttell, (805) 385-7664 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On September 12, 2016 at approximately 8:00 a.m., an Oxnard patrol officer observed a stolen green pickup truck driving in the area of Channel Islands Boulevard and Concord Drive. When the officer started to follow the vehicle the suspect drove into the parking lot of Channel Islands High School. Detectives from the Auto Theft Task Force came in to assist.

The driver, later identified as 26 year-old Oxnard resident Jeffrey Chambers, was detained and arrested in the parking lot of the school without incident. Chambers is facing charges of being in possession of a stolen vehicle, stolen property, burglary tools, drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine. Chambers has a separate stolen vehicle case pending and was convicted of robbery last month.

The Oxnard Police Department launched the Oxnard Auto Theft Task Force (OATTF) in early 2015. Detectives assigned to this task force proactively locate and arrest those responsible for committing auto thefts in Oxnard. The objective of the OATTF is to reduce the number of stolen vehicles in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement. Anyone with information related to stolen vehicles is encouraged to call 385-7664 or email[email protected] and can remain anonymous. Residents are reminded to lock and secure their vehicles.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 12, 2016 / 1105 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member in possession of handgun, Child Endangerment, Drug possession
DATE/TIME:	September 13, 2016/ 0841 Hours
LOCATION:	1100 Block of South H Street
VICTIM(S):	State of California, 1 year old juvenile
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Salas, 26 year old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Officer David Castillo
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Jeff McGreevy, Neighborhood Policing Team Supervisor, [email protected], (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:On September 23, 2016 at approximately 8:41 a.m., PROS Officers and Neighborhood Policing Team West District Officers went to a home in the 1100 block of South H Street to locate and arrest Jose Salas. Salas had several Felony arrest warrants . Officers were searching the home on found Salas hiding in the roof rafters of the detached garage. He was taken into custody for the Felony warrants and resisting arrest without incident.

During a search of the garage, officers located a loaded firearm behind a bed where Salas’ one year old child sleeps. Officers also located methamphetamine in a bag adjacent to the same bed. Salas is a documented member of a criminal street gang and has previously been convicted of Felony Burglary (2013) and Felony Robbery (2009). Because of these Felony convictions he is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm.

Salas was booked into the Ventura County Jail for the Felony arrest warrants, Felony possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, Felony Child Endangerment and Misdemeanor drug violations. A report was also filed with the county child protection agency. A photo of the suspect and the firearm has been included.

The Oxnard Police Department Neighborhood Policing Team focuses on crime and quality of life issues at the neighborhood level with a focus on Community Policing and Problem Solving. The Oxnard Police Department will continue to monitor this residence and work closely with the Kamala Park community and neighborhood council.
DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 13, 2016/1100 Hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Residential Burglary
DATE/TIME:	September 15, 2016; 4:49 a.m.
LOCATION:	300 block Erica Place, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown, two male subjects
LOSS:	Undisclosed Property Loss
PREPARED BY:	Detective Chip Buttell, Property Crimes Unit
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Chip Buttell (805) 385-7755 [email protected]

DETAILS: On September 15, 2016 at 4:49 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a residential burglary in the 300 block of Erica Place. The residence was being fumigated at the time of the burglary and surveillance video was obtained. The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public’s help identifying the subjects in the video. Please contact Detective Chip Buttell at the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7755 with any information about the burglary.

The Oxnard Police Department encourages residents to remove their valuables from their residence if they are having it tented and fumigated. Residents can also contact the Oxnard Police Department for frequent patrols while your residence is being fumigated. Residents are also encouraged to notify their neighbors if their residence is being fumigated and to have them contact the Oxnard Police Department to report any suspicious activity.