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Press release – Fatal Traffic Collision

John Crombach
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME: 3-28-2010 / 1334 hours
LOCATION: 4901 S. “F” Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S): 3-year old male of Oxnard
11-year old male of Oxnard
DRIVER: Estella Cruz Lopez, 19 years of Oxnard
VEHICLE(S): 1994, Mercury Villager Van
PREPARED BY: Randy Latimer, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant
805-385-7749

DETAILS:

On March 28, 2010, at approximately 1334 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to 4901 S. “F” Street after receiving a call of a child that had been struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found that two children, a 3-year old male and an 11-year old male, had been struck by a vehicle driven by Estella Cruz. Both victims were transported to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center where the 3-year old succumbed to his injuries. The 11-year old was treated for a broken arm and was later released.

An investigation revealed that the driver of the van, Ms. Cruz, was pulling the vehicle onto the lawn to wash it. While driving onto the lawn, she inadvertently pressed the gas pedal causing the vehicle to lunge forward striking both children who were standing in the yard.

Alcohol was not a factor in the collision, however, the driver was found to be unlicensed.

An investigation is continuing.


John Crombach
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Commercial Burglary, Officer Involved Shooting
DATE/TIME: 05-24-2010, 0510 hours
LOCATION: 3400 block of W. Fifth St, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S): Timothy Chacon, 31 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY: Sergeant Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Jimseitz@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 5-24-2010 at approximately 0507 hours, two officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a call of an “audible alarm from a business” that is located in the 3400 block of W. 5th St. When the officers arrived they noticed a broken front window to the business. One of the officers moved to the rear of the building while the second officer covered the front. The officer who went to the rear of the building reported that he heard movement coming from inside of the business. Around this time, the second officer reported seeing a subject inside the front side of the business.

A door at the rear of the business suddenly opened and the suspect was confronted by the officer. The officer, who had drawn his weapon, ordered the suspect out of the business and to raise his arms. The suspect refused to comply with the officer’s commands, and went back into the business, closing the door behind him. The suspect opened the door several more times, continuing to refuse to comply with the officer’s orders to show his hands to the officer. It appears that once the suspect realized that the officer was by himself in this location, the suspect charged directly at the officer in an aggressive manner, rather than flee in a direction that would have better allowed him an opportunity to escape. Weighing the circumstances and fearing for his life, the officer shot the suspect. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No weapon was found in the suspect’s possession.

The officer, who was not injured, was placed paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure.


John Crombach
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:  Memorial Day Weekend “Avoid the 14” Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:  May 29th, 2010  1800 – 0030
LOCATION:  City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):  
SUSPECT(S):  
WITNESS(ES):  
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):  
LOSS:  
PREPARED BY:  
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		  Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator

(805) 385-7749

DETAILS: 

On May 29th, 2010, between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 12:30 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department, Port Hueneme Police Department, Ventura Police Department, Santa Paula Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, and California State University Channel Islands conducted a sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint in the city of Port Hueneme.   

 

The checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Ventura Road at Sunkist Street.

 

Officers screened 1211 motorists who passed through the checkpoint.  Officers conducted four DUI investigations that lead to the arrest of all four drivers for DUI.  One of the drivers traveling towards the checkpoint attempted to avoid it by turning around and driving in the wrong direction on Ventura Road against oncoming traffic.  Officers working at the checkpoint were successful in stopping this vehicle before a head-on crash was likely to occur.  The driver of this vehicle was found to have a blood alcohol level of .21, over twice the legal limit of .08.  

 

In addition to the DUI arrests, two warrant arrests were made and nine drivers were issued citations for various drivers’ license violations.  Seven drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and two drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.  Nine vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

 

During the remainder of the Memorial Day weekend, several officers and deputies will be conducting additional DUI saturation patrols in the cities of Oxnard, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, and Ventura.     

 

Avoid the 14 Ventura County will conduct several additional DUI checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols this year starting July 4th weekend.  These DUI operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer.  The public is reminded to dial 911 if a suspected drunken driver is seen.  These DUI operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

 

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

 

DATE / TIME PREPARED:  5/30/10, 0130 hours


John Crombach
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Gang Related Stabbing
DATE/TIME: 08-25-2010 at 2200 hours
LOCATION: 500-block of West Channel Islands Boulevard (Alley Way), Oxnard
VICTIM(S): 21 Year-old, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S): Several Hispanic males
PREPARED BY: Detective Roger Garcia
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Detective Alex Arnett (805) 486-6297 / Alexarnett@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 8-25-10, at approximately 2200 hours, Oxnard Police Officers responded to Saint John’s Hospital Regional Medical Center reference contacting the victim of an assault. Officers discovered the victim was walking in the alley way of the 500-block of West Channel Islands Boulevard when he was approached by several unknown Hispanic males. The suspects yelled out gang slogans and then stabbed the victim multiple times. The suspects fled the area on foot while the victim was being transported to Saint John’s Hospital by a friend. Victim is currently in stable condition.

The victim’s name is being withheld due to possible gang retaliation.

Anyone who witnessed the assault take place is asked to contact Detective Alex Arnett at 805-486-6297 or you may leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070. To give an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

An investigation is continuing.


John Crombach
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Weekend Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME: Friday, September 24th, 2010 1800-2400
Sunday, September 26th, 2010 1800-2300
LOCATION: City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department conducted two multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints this weekend. The first one was held on Friday from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. The second one was held on Sunday night from 6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

The checkpoints were held in the following locations:

1. S/B Rose Avenue @ Emerson Avenue
2. S/B Rose Avenue @ First Street

Officers screened 1,833 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted four DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol and two drivers were arrested for DUI. One of the drivers had a blood alcohol level of .16 while the other had a level of .20. A third driver was arrested for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant while another driver was arrested for possession of over three ounces of marijuana.

Eighty-two drivers were issued citations for various driver’s license violations. Forty-eight drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and four drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Twenty-one vehicles were towed from the checkpoints.

The Oxnard Police Department has conducted 22 sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints since the October of 2009. All of these checkpoints combined resulted in 35 drivers arrested for DUI, 486 unlicensed drivers were issued citations, and 54 additional drivers were found to be driving with a suspended driver’s license.

All of these DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA).

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Downtown Oxnard Holiday Parade
DATE/TIME: Saturday, December 4, 2010 1000-1200
LOCATION: City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator
(805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

On Saturday, 12-4-10, the Downtown Oxnard Merchant’s Association will be hosting its annual Downtown Holiday Parade. The event will begin at 10:00 am and conclude at 12:00 pm. This will be followed by the 2010 Tamale Festival to be held in Plaza Park.

These events are expected to draw large crowds and traffic delays should be expected. The Oxnard Police Department will be handling traffic control to expedite the flow of traffic surrounding the event site. Starting at 9:00 am, all intersections on ‘C’ St from Second Street to Fifth Street, and ‘A’ St. from Fifth Street to Wooley Rd. will be closed to through traffic.

There will be “NO PARKING” signs posted on and around the parade route. The recommended parking area for persons attending the parade and other downtown events is the downtown parking structure located at Third Street @ ‘B’ Street.

These traffic flow modifications are taking place to assist in relieving the traffic congestion from this event in a timely and orderly fashion, with caution for pedestrians.

Please have a safe holiday season and enjoy watching the parade.

For any questions related to parking and traffic flow during the parade, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:  

Cops for Tots-Oxnard Police Department
DATE/TIME:  

Monday, December 20 to Thursday, December 23, 2010
LOCATION:  

6 Toy give away sites:

Rose Park Neighborhood at Rose Avenue School, 220 S. Driskill St.

Oxnard Mobile Home Lodge at 1301 Commercial Avenue

La Colonia Neighborhood at Ramona School, 801 Cooper Road

Southwinds Neighborhood at Southwinds Police Storefront, 330 W. Clara St.

Police Activities League at P.A.L. Gym, 340 S. K Street

Pleasant Valley Mobile Home Park at 250 E. Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):  
SUSPECT(S):  
WITNESS(ES):  
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):  
LOSS:  
PREPARED BY:  

Commander Eric S. Sonstegard
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		  

Sr. Officer Luis McArthur (805) 385-8104

DETAILS: 
Police Activities League Co-Director and Oxnard Senior Police Officer Luis McArthur has organized the annual Oxnard Police Department’s Cops for Tots program this year, an event dating back to 1996 where the Police Department partners with community businesses and residents to help less fortunate families to bring a bit of joy to their children during the holiday season with a toy giveaway program. What started as a small toy giveaway program in the Colonia neighborhood, a former Weed and Seed site, has now amassed to six (6) large toy giveaway sites in the low-income, high crime areas of the City.  Volunteers from Future Leaders of America, P.A.L. Soccer, Pacifica High School Mecha, P.A.L. Youth Development Council, Oxnard Boy Scouts and Police Explorers pre-register families and ensure they meet the criteria to receive gifts. The families then return the day of the toy giveaways with the children and ticket in hand for free toys and time with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  This year, over 5,100 children will have received a toy.

 
Cops for Tots functions solely on a volunteer basis and depends on its community partners for support.  This year, the City of Oxnard, Harbor View Farms, Berry Farms, Driscoll’s, El Concilio, Viejitos Car Club, Cruisers, Naval Base Ventura County, Q104.7, Oxnard City Corps, and the Oxnard Elementary School District provided the support and resources to make these events possible.  Several donors took part in helping to distribute toys alongside Assistant Police Chiefs Jason Benites and Scott Whitney to the hundreds of families that endured the weather by lining up for up to five (5) hours to receive a toy for their children.   It was very much a festive event at these sites right in their own neighborhood as the police department’s Mobile Command Post provided light to the otherwise dark streets, residents interacted with their local police officers, enjoyed music, and the free food provided by local caterers.  The children were even treated to the City of Oxnard’s own Santa Float Tour which made a brief appearance at each location.
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  Thursday, December 23, 2010
 

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Super Bowl Weekend DUI Enforcement Activities
DATE/TIME: Friday, February 4th, 2011 1800-0300
Saturday, February 5th, 2011 2000-0300
Sunday, February 6th, 2011 1500-2200
LOCATION: City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator
(805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk
Make the right play to save your life and others.

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it is also one of the Nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving. On Super Bowl Sunday 2009, there were 105 alcohol-related injury collisions in California with 11 fatalities. Last year, there were 79 alcohol-related injury collisions with four fatalities.

The Oxnard Police Department is reminding football fans to drive safely and drive sober this weekend. Several officers will be deployed over the weekend to conduct strict enforcement of impaired driving. The enforcement starts Friday night, February 4th, with a driver’s license and sobriety checkpoint. The checkpoint is scheduled to start at 6:00 P.M. and end at approximately 2:00 A.M. During and after the checkpoint, several more officers will be dedicated to DUI enforcement until 3:00 A.M.

The weekend enforcement will continue on Saturday night as additional officers will be deployed to search for impaired drivers. On Super Bowl Sunday, several officers will be patrolling the streets of Oxnard conducting DUI saturation starting at 3:00 P.M. Over the 2010 Super Bowl weekend, the Oxnard Police Department arrested 16 drivers for DUI. Seven of those drivers were arrested on Sunday following the game. Fortunately, there were no DUI related collisions over that same weekend and we want this year to have the same result.

Enjoy the game but remember, impaired driving crashes can be prevented. Designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone’s Super Bowl party list. Oxnard PD is dedicated to arresting impaired driving; to help, we ask everyone; ‘Report Drunk Drivers, Call 911!’”

These DUI enforcement activities are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

California Alcohol Involved Collisions and Victims
On Super Bowl Sunday
DATE Total Collisions Fatal Collisions Injury Collisions PDO* Collision Victims Killed Victims Injured
1/28/2001 201 4 85 112 4 133
2/03/2002 224 5 103 116 5 180
1/26/2003 229 2 93 134 2 132
2/01/2004 256 7 90 159 10 126
2/06/2005 218 3 88 127 3 121
2/05/2006 242 5 106 131 7 154
2/04/2007 221 4 86 131 5 119
2/03/2008 264 9 111 144 12 167
2/01/2009 249 8 105 136 11 163
2/7/2010 194 4 79 111 4 119

• Alcohol Involved Collisions – Any Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision where a driver, pedestrian or bicyclist had been drinking (HBD).
• *Property Damage Only

 


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:  Multiple Armed Robberies
DATE/TIME:  6/23/11 0450 hours and 0540 hours
LOCATION:  1500 Block Graves Ave. and 1900 Block North “C” Street
VICTIM(S):  Names withheld, Oxnard residents
SUSPECT(S):  Hispanic Male, 20-27 years old, 5’5, heavy build, short buzzed haircut.
WITNESS(ES):  None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):  Unknown
LOSS:  Cellular phones, US Currency
PREPARED BY:  Det. Ed Baldwin
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		  Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796 or steven.funk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
 
On 6-23-2011 in the early morning hours two separate armed robberies had occurred. The first one was in the 1500 Block of Graves Avenue. The victim was approached from behind and the suspect demanded all of their property. The suspect was possibly in possession of a shotgun. The second robbery occurred in the 1900 Block of North “C” street. In this incident the suspect was also possibly in possession of a shotgun.

During the investigation the suspect descriptions were similar. It is unknown if they were committed by the same suspect. The first robbery was reported shortly after the incident however the second robbery victim waited a significant amount of time before reporting the crime.

The public is reminded to always be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious behavior or activities to the police as soon as possible. Delays in reporting incidents greatly reduce the chances that a suspect will be located fleeing the scene.

If you have any additional information regarding these incidents or any other robberies, please contact Detective Steven Funk or you may also leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:  Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:  Friday, July 8, 2011 6:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M.
LOCATION:  City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		  Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, July 8, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to 12:00 A.M. The checkpoint will be held within the City of Oxnard and is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the first six months of 2011, the Oxnard Police Department has investigated nearly 100 alcohol-involved collisions. This is a 13% reduction compared to the first six months of 2010. Although we are pleased with this reduction, over 390 DUI drivers have been arrested this year in the City of Oxnard. The Oxnard Police Department is committed to improving traffic safety and reducing the number of alcohol related crashes to make our roadways and community safer. We will continue to conduct DUI checkpoints, DUI saturation patrols, and DUI warrant operations this year.

How to Report a Drunk Driver

  1. Call 911 and tell them you wish to report a suspected drunk driver. **You do not have to give your name.
  2. Give a complete description of the vehicle, such as make, model, color and license plate number.
  3. Give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road, cross streets and the direction they’re traveling.
  4. Describe the manner in which the vehicle is being driven.
  5. Do not try to stop the car or detain the driver. Leave that to a law enforcement officer.

As a reminder, the fines, fees and attorney costs associated with a first time DUI conviction in Ventura County can reach over $10,000. Driver’s license suspension and an increase in vehicle insurance premiums are also potential consequences.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.