OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	March 26, 2016 / 2:40 PM
LOCATION:	300 Blk. Cuesta Del Mar
VICTIM(S):	32 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Robert Valenzuela, Detective [email protected] 805-385-7600
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Cody Collet, Detective [email protected] 805-486-6228

DETAILS: On March 26, 2016 at approximately 2:40 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the area of 300 Blk. Cuesta Del Mar regarding several calls reporting a victim of a shooting. Officers located a 32 year old Oxnard resident suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was listed in serious / critical condition.

Investigators are still working to determine a motive for the shooting. The investigation is still on-going.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative.If anyone has further information, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7547. 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.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang Member in Possession of Handgun/Recovery of Stolen Vehicle
DATE/TIME:	April 4, 2016/ 1:45 p.m.
LOCATION:	200 Block of Carmelita Court
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Mauricio Gomez (19) Oxnard resident Diego Espinoza (21 years) Oxnard resident Anthony Itxa (19 years) Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Bill Crisostomo
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Bill Crisostomo, 385-7644 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On April 4, 2016 at approximately 1345 hours Officers from the Special Enforcement Unit were working directed gang enforcement in the 200 block of Carmelita Court.

As SEU officers entered the area several subjects attempted to flee. Officers were able to contact Mauricio Gomez, Diego Espinoza and Anthony Itxa. All three subjects are members of an active street gang.

During the investigation a loaded handgun and a stolen vehicle were recovered.

Mauricio Gomez was arrested for weapons violations and violation of the gang injunction. Diego Espinoza was arrested for violation of parole and violation of the gang injunction. Anthony Itxa was arrested for being a minor in possession of alcohol.

The investigation regarding the stolen vehicle is continuing.

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 4, 2016/ 7:05 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Armed Robbery Arrest
DATE/TIME:	April 22, 2016 / 5:36 a.m.
LOCATION:	700 block South “G” Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Hispanic male, 43 year old Oxnard resident and a Hispanic male, 38 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Victor Gallegos, 18 year old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	– –
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	– –
LOSS:	– –
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Scott Coe
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Scott Coe, [email protected], (805) 385-7796

DETAILS:

On April 22, 2016, at approximately 5:36 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 700 block South “G” Street regarding an armed robbery that had just occurred.

When Officers arrived, they contacted the victim who was identified as a 43 year old Oxnard resident who told officers he had just been robbed at knife point. While conducting their initial investigation officers were contacted by a second victim who was identified as a 38 year old Oxnard resident. The second victim also stated he had just been robbed at knife point. Officers on scene believed the two robberies were related.

Officers located Victor Gallegos, an 18 year old Oxnard resident in the area. Gallegos was in possession of property from both robbery victims and was later identified as the suspect who committed the robberies.

The knife used during the robberies was recovered at the scene.

Gallegos was arrested for two violations of Penal Code section 211, armed robbery.

Gallegos was booked into Ventura County Jail and bail was set at $50,000.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery with Shooting
DATE/TIME:	April 24, 2016 / 2:13 a.m.
LOCATION:	Oxnard Donuts, 2510 Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	Name Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, 27-32 years old, 5-08, 200 lbs., black ball cap, black sweatshirt, black pants, and blue bandanna covering his face
LOSS:	Undisclosed
PREPARED BY:	David Walker, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Scott Coe, Detective (805) 385-7796 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On April 24, 2016 at approximately 2:13 a.m., a gunman entered Oxnard Donuts at 2510 Saviers Road, confronted an employee and demanded cash. During the incident at least one shot was fired injuring the employee. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash. He was last seen leaving the store and running north through the parking lot.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, 27-32 years old, 5-08, 200 lbs, wearing a black ball cap, black sweatshirt, black pants, and blue bandanna covering his face.

The victim was transported to a local hospital and is expected to recover.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Scott Coe at (805) 385-7796. 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: April 24, 2016 / 0415 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide Update
DATE/TIME:	May 14, 2016, 4:43 p.m.
LOCATION:	5400 block of Barrymore Drive, Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	Sinia Lemus, 35 year old Oxnard Resident Saul Lemus, 47 year old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Andrew Salinas, Investigations Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Edgar Fernandez (805) 385-7645 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On May 14, 2016 at approximately 4:40 p.m., officers responded to a call of two victim’s suffering from gunshot wounds inside a residence in the 5400 block of Barrymore Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered a male and female deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The two bodies were discovered by one of the decedent’s children who immediately reached out to a neighbor for assistance.

Today, autopsies were conducted on both parties to assist in confirming the cause of death. Based on evidence recovered at the scene and information gathered from the autopsy, the investigation is being classified and investigated as a murder/suicide. Saul Lemos shot his wife, Sinia Lemus, and then turned the gun on himself. The firearm was recovered from the scene. It is important to note that there are no outstanding suspects in this case. They leave behind two children, ages 12 and 18.

Based on the horrific circumstances of this case and limited family in the area, the Oxnard Peace Officers Association has started a gofundme account for the two school aged children. The OPOA immediately deposited $2,000 into the account and are seeking other ways to assist the family. The oldest child is scheduled to graduate from a local high school this June. The account can be located at: www.gofundme.com/lemusgirls.

Investigators could not locate any history of domestic violence in the household. This is being listed as the third homicide of the year in the City of Oxnard. The death
investigation which occurred in the 1700 block of Oxnard Blvd on May 4^th has not been classified pending further investigation.

According to the Violence Policy Center, Murder-suicides are a shockingly common form of gun violence in the United States — an estimated 11 such incidents each week. The Violence Policy Center has found that more than 1,200 Americans die in murder-suicides each year. Nine out of 10 murder-suicides involve a gun. In nearly three-fourths of all murder-suicides, an intimate partner of the shooter is among the victims.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 16, 2016/ 4:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Amgen Tour of California
DATE/TIME:	May 17, 2016 / 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM (approx.)
LOCATION:	Oxnard and Port Hueneme Roadways
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Commander [email protected] 805-385-7619

DETAILS:DETAILS:

Stage-3 of the Amgen Tour of California bicycle race will pass through Oxnard and Port Hueneme this afternoon as it makes its way up the California coastline.

The race is expected to reach the Oxnard city limits (Pacific Coast Highway and Hueneme Road) at approximately 12:30 pm. There will be several roadway closures along Hueneme Road, Ventura Road, Channel islands Boulevard, and Harbor Boulevard as the race passes through both cities.

Drivers should avoid these areas as there will be heavy traffic and significant delays.

Tour Route: East on Hueneme Rd; North on Ventura Rd; West on Channel Islands Bl.; North or Harbor Bl. to the city of Ventura.

You can follow the race by visiting: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/or by downloading the Amgen Tour App on your smartphone.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography
DATE/TIME:	May 18, 2016 at 8:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	5200 Block Chesebro Drive, Agoura Hills, CA
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Michael W. Smith, 35 years, Agoura Hills Resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Sharon Giles, Sexual Assault & Family Protection Unit [email protected] (805) 385-7620
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Kevin Adair, Sexual Assault & Family Protection Unit [email protected] (805) 385-7663

DETAILS:On 05/18/16, after a six month long investigation, investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit (FPU), members of the Southern California High Tech Task Force and officers from Naval Criminal Investigative Service served a search warrant at a residence in the 5200 block of Chesebro Drive in the City of Agoura Hills. During the subsequent investigation and search, Michael W. Smith, was identified as allegedly being in possession of child pornography as well as participating in the distribution of child pornography. Michael Smith lived in the City of Oxnard at the time of the crime and moved to the City of Agoura Hills in the past few months. He was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail with bail set at $50,000.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind the public that the possession of child pornography is a felony and can be punishable with imprisonment in State Prison. In addition to being captured in images, many children depicted in the images are often the victims of sexual assault, exploitation, or human trafficking. The Oxnard Police Department is committed to the continuing investigation of these acts and will vigorously pursue those that participate in child-related crimes.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public to be diligent in supervising their children’s activity online to ensure they are protected and safe. If anyone has information regarding the possible online exploitation of a child, they are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com or their local police department.
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: 5/18/16 5:15 P.M.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Motorcycle Safety Enforcement
DATE/TIME:	May 29, 2016 / 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION:
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
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:
Improving Motorcycle Safety
Aim of Oxnard Police Department Operation

Careless motorists, as well as riders, get special scrutiny

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Sunday, May 29, 2016, in an effort to lower collision-related deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on-duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes. Officers will be cracking down on both those operating regular vehicles and motorcycles who are violating traffic safety laws.

Motorcycle fatalities jumped dramatically in California by over 28 percent from a decade low of 352 in 2010. In 2013, 453 motorcyclists lost their lives, which is at a five-year high. California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning, and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs by both riders and drivers alike.

Operations like this are aimed at curbing any more rises in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers back downward. Over the course of the past three years, motorcycle-involved collisions within the City of Oxnard have resulted in five fatal collisions and 108 injury collisions.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to make everyone aware of precautions that can be taken to reduce the number and severity of collisions involving motorcyclists. Motorcyclists and drivers are reminded to be safe and follow these safety tips:

Safety tips for riders – See and Be Seen:
·         Use your lane position to increase visibility and change lanes only when there is ample room
·         Match your speed to surrounding traffic
·         Always wear a DOT-compliant helmet and brightly colored, protective clothing
·         Ride with lights on during daylight hours

Safety tips for drivers – Share the Road:
·         Look twice for motorcyclists, especially when entering the roadway, turning, or changing lanes
·         Motorcyclists are allowed in HOV lanes unless prohibited by signage

Riders are urged to get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com or 1-877 RIDE 411 (1-877-743-3411).

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: share in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.”

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 27, 2016 / 10:30 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	June 11, 2016 / 8:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Planned this Saturday

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely. DUI checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

In California, this deadly crime led to 867 deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver. Over the course of the past three years, Oxnard officers have investigated 598 DUI collisions, which have claimed 10 lives and resulted in another 399 injuries.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol. Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects.

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive.The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life-saving role. They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft, or Curb – all from one screen.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest for Prohibited Felon in Possession of a Loaded Gun, Resisting Arrest, and Violation of the Colonia Gang Injunction
DATE/TIME:	July 1, 2016 / 9:45PM
LOCATION:	100 Block of North Rose Ave (East Alley)
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Roberto Madrigal, 19 year old Oxnard Resident



PREPARED BY:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-8289
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant [email protected] 805-385-8289

DETAILS:

On July 1, 2016, at about 9:45 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) were conducting uniform gang enforcement in 100 Block of North Rose Ave in the East Alley. Officers noticed a group of subjects loitering in the alley and went to contact them.

When officers approached the subjects they quickly ran away in different directions. A short foot pursuit ensued and Madrigal ran west bound across Rose Ave. Madrigal discarded a loaded firearm during the foot pursuit. Madrigal was apprehended and the firearm was recovered. Madrigal also had 31 rounds of ammunition in his possession.

Madrigal was arrested for being a prohibited felon in possession of a firearm, resisting arrest, and for being in violation of the Colonia 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.

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.

You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.apx to submit at tip via text or email.