Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	*Operation Safer and Stronger*-Firearms Strike Team (FAST) and Directed Patrol Efforts
DATE/TIME:	August/September 2014
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Eric S. Sonstegard, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Eric S. Sonstegard (805) 385-7801 Eric.Sonstegard@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: At the beginning of 2014, 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 in the city. The objective of the initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.

During the month of August, the Oxnard Police Department seized twenty (20) firearms through directed patrols, probation and parole searches, and the services of search warrants. Eight (8) of those firearms were seized from persons being arrested.

On August 11, 2014, Albert Salazar, a 21-year old Oxnard resident, was contacted by Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) officers and found to be in possession of a .32 caliber handgun. Salazar was arrested for numerous firearms violations including being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm (He is currently on probation and has been served with the Colonia gang injunction).
On August 18, 2014, Alexandro Valadez, a 26-year old Oxnard resident, was contacted by patrol officers in the 500 block of Hill Street. He was found to be in possession of a 9mm handgun. Valadez was arrested for numerous firearms violations including being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On August 26, 2014, Cesar Reyes, a 26-year old Oxnard resident, was contacted by SEU officers during a probation search of his residence in the 700 block of Teakwood Street. Reyes was found to be in possession of a .45 caliber handgun. Reyes was arrested for numerous firearms violations including being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Since January 1^st, Oxnard officers have made seventy-two (72) firearms-related arrests. The Oxnard Police Department has seized one-hundred and seventy-five (175) firearms year-to-date and we will continue to focus our efforts on prohibited persons in possession of firearms.

As an additional component of the Oxnard Police Department’s Operation Safer and Stronger initiative, the Department continued to increase its special patrols in the months of August and September. These additional patrols augmented our normal patrol staffing and were focused on contacting individuals that may be responsible for committing a high number of crimes including a series of street robberies occurring in the Southwinds neighborhood in south Oxnard.

On September 13, 2014, investigators from our Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) were conducting directed patrol in South Oxnard in response to recent a series of street robberies when they conducted a vehicle stop in the area of Clara Street and South “J” Street. A 25-year old passenger in the vehicle was contacted during a probation search and found to be in possession of a .22 caliber handgun. The subject was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle.
On September 15, 2014, VCU investigators conducted several compliance checks throughout the city of Oxnard. The compliance checks were directed at those subjects who are prohibited from owning firearms and have a firearm(s) registered to them. In addition, investigators conducted several compliance checks on Post-Release Offenders (PRO). During the checks, two (2) PRO offenders were arrested on various charges.

Officers will continue these focused enforcement efforts throughout the coming months as we know a small number of offenders are responsible for a disproportionately high amount of the city’s criminal activity.

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 the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: September 23, 2014 1600 hrs.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	January 17, 2015 / 2000-0300 Hours
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a multiple location DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking driver’s for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. Specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

The Oxnard Police Department wants all drivers to think before you drive and if you choose to drink, don’t drive. In 2014, Oxnard Police officers arrested over 500 drivers for driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs. Officers also investigated 174 alcohol-related collisions causing the tragic and preventable deaths of three people.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 16, 2015 / 1555 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	February 20, 2015 / 2000-0300 Hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a multiple location DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, February 20, 2015 at undisclosed locations within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking driver’s for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. Specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

In 2014, the Oxnard Police Department investigated nearly 200 preventable collisions that involved a driver who was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Of those collisions, over 140 people were injured. Tragically, three of those collisions resulted in the death of two motorists and one bicyclist. Oxnard Police officers also arrested over 500 DUI drivers in 2014.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

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.

  DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 19, 2015 / 1445 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Elder Financial Abuse, Fraud and Theft
DATE/TIME:	March 2015 – October 2015
LOCATION:	Ventury County
VICTIM(S):	Deceased (Undisclosed)
SUSPECT(S):	Mangubat, Gerard Paul Cruz Romero, Ryan
LOSS:	In excess of $60,000
PREPARED BY:	Detective Erica Escalante, Oxnard Police Department
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Erica Escalante, Oxnard Police Department, Financial Crimes & ID Theft Unit (805) 385-7661 Detective Tim Lohman, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Financial Crimes & ID Theft Unit (805) 947-8255

DETAILS:After a six-month long investigation, the Oxnard Police Department and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Financial Crimes Units arrested Gerard Paul Cruz Mangubat, 32 years old, and Ryan Romero, 27 years old, both Oxnard residents, for elder financial abuse, check fraud, credit card fraud, and Identity Theft crimes. During 2015, Mangubat and Romero worked as in-home caregivers for terminally ill elders and used their positions to access the victims’ financial and identity information to commit thefts and fraud crimes, totaling over $60,000 in losses. The investigation was aided by the cooperation of several banks that absorbed the financial losses.

On October 14, 2015, detectives arrested Mangubat and Romero at their home and seized various items of Identity Theft from their home pursuant to a search warrant authorized by the Ventura County Superior Court. The investigation was supported by the Elder Abuse Unit of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Criminal charges were filed against Mangubat and Romero as they were booked into the Ventura County Main Jail. Mangubat has a bail of $750,000 while Romero has his bail set at $50,000. Arraignments for Mangubat and Romero were scheduled for this afternoon, October 16, 2015.

Neither Mangubat nor Romero had any known criminal history and both worked during 2015 for various employers. Anybody with additional information regarding these crimes should contact Detective Erica Escalante of the Oxnard Police Department’s Financial Crimes and ID Theft Unit at (805) 385-7661 or Detective Tim Lohman of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department’s Financial Crimes and ID Theft Unit at (805) 947-8255.

It is important for everyone to protect their Personal Identifying Information by keeping it safe and secure. In addition, family members and caretakers should also protect the Personal Identifying Information of their incapacitated family members. All incidents of suspected Identity Theft may be reported to the local law enforcement agency where a victim lives or works, pursuant to California Penal Code Section 530.6. In addition, reports can be made to the FTC at www.ftc.gov and FBI at www.ic3.gov. Additional Identity Theft prevention strategies can be found with those Federal government agencies.

Anybody facing the difficult choices of care providers for their elderly relatives may inquire with the Oversight Office at the California Department of Public Health.

California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

CDPH – Licensing & Certification Division is responsible for licensing Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and providing inspections to ensure compliance with licensing standards. CDPH, Licensing and Certification Division has District Offices throughout the state.
Contact CDPH, Health Facilities Consumer Information System:
Phone: (916) 558-1784
https://hfcis.cdph.ca.gov/
CDPH – Aide and Technician Certification Section (ATCS) has primary responsibility in the certification of Nurse Assistants, Home Health Aides and/or Hemodialysis Technicians.

Contact ATCS:
Please note that the Interactive Voice Response Unit (IVRU) is an automated phone number (916) 327-2445, which accommodates a heavy volume of calls. You may leave a voicemail with the message center at (916) 552-8811. It is preferable to FAX information to the CNA/HHA/Certification Unit, FAX (916) 552-8785, or send an email to the CNA email address cna@cdph.ca.gov
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 997416, MS 3301
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377

DATE / TIME PREPARED: October 16, 2015/1430 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Threatening with a gun
DATE/TIME:	December 17, 2009 1432 hours
LOCATION:	1400 block Magnolia Av
PREPARED BY:	Ron Whitney, Sergeant

DETAILS:

On December 17, 2009 at 2:32 PM, the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 1400 block of Magnolia Av reference a subject threatening his family with a gun. Officers, including members of the Special Weapons and Tactics team, responded to the home. The subject was taken into custody and detained for mental health issues. The individual’s name is not being released.

It was determined that no gun was involved in the incident, and no one was injured. Fremont Junior High School was locked down for approximately 20 minutes during the incident as a precautionary measure.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	New Year’s Eve DUI Saturation Patrol
DATE/TIME:	December 31st, 2009
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

On December 31, 2009, between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI saturation patrol. Officers patrolled the City of Oxnard with an emphasis on impaired drivers and traffic enforcement.

During the operation, officers conducted 70 traffic stops and conducted 12 DUI investigations leading to the arrest of 9 drivers for DUI. One additional driver was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Officers also issued 26 traffic citations for various vehicle code violations. Eight of the drivers stopped were unlicensed and three of those drivers were driving with a suspended driver’s license. Officers towed six vehicles and the owners of the towed vehicles will face a minimum release fee of $494.00.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue conducting DUI saturation patrols on various nights of the week and holidays in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our community and roadways safer. These operations are funded through grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) though the National Highway Transportation Safety 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.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Man Arrested for Impersonating Police Officer
DATE/TIME:	03/12/2010 / 1600 hours
LOCATION:	300 block of Vanderbilt Drive, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Brian Faber, 25 years, of Oxnard
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Black 2003 Toyota pick-up
PREPARED BY:	Officer Jon Ballow

DETAILS:

On 1622 hours, Oxnard police received a call of a subject driving a black pick-up equipped with flashing red and blue lights and a siren in the 300 block of Vanderbilt Drive. The caller reported the pick-up driver attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the caller’s vehicle by illuminating the red and blue lights and sounding the siren. The caller believed the pick-up was an undercover police vehicle so he pulled to the right and stopped. The driver of the pick-up did not make direct contact with the caller but slowly passed by the caller’s vehicle.

Oxnard police located the black pick-up parked in the area. Officers could see the red and blue lights mounted in the cab of the pick-up. The vehicle was impounded as part of the investigation.

At 2037 hours, the owner of the pick-up, Brian Faber, contacted police to determine the whereabouts of his truck. After interviewing Mr. Faber, he was arrested without incident for impersonating a police officer.

A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered emergency vehicle equipment (red and blue lights and a siren) along with several hundred rounds of ammunition.

“Offenses like this are not taken lightly,” said Officer Jon Ballow of the Oxnard Police Department. “We are very concerned about the ultimate intent of someone driving around with their personal vehicle equipped with red lights and a siren.”

Faber was booked into the Ventura County Jail on misdemeanor charges of impersonating a police officer.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	211 PC – Robbery 182(a)(1)PC – Conspiracy
DATE/TIME:	4-26-10/0345 Hours
LOCATION:	1600-block of South Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	40 year-old, Oxnard resident 32 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Dante Payne, 23 year-old, Oxnard resident David Lumas, 21 year-old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	22 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Silver 4 door vehicle, In custody
LOSS:	Unknown amount of currency
PREPARED BY:	Detective Roger Garcia
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Roger Garcia (805) 385-7688

DETAILS:

On 4-26-10, officers were patrolling the 1600-block of South Oxnard Boulevard when they saw a silver 4 door vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle recently used in several robberies which occurred over the weekend. The suspects driving this silver vehicle were described as 2 African American males in their mid 20’s. Officers eventually contacted the solo driver, Dante Payne, and during the course of the investigation, officers located several large knives in Payne’s vehicle. Payne was later taken into custody for possessing a deadly weapon and the vehicle was impounded.

As the investigation continued, investigators discovered Payne associates with David Lumas, who also matched the description of the recent robbery suspects. Photographic line up’s were shown to the victims and witness and they were able to identify Payne and Lumas as the suspects in the robberies from over the weekend. Payne was charged with 2 counts of robbery and conspiracy while Lumas was charged with 1 count of robbery and conspiracy.

Both suspects were booked at Ventura County Main Jail Facility and their bail is set at $500,000.00.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Detective Roger Garcia at 805-385-7688 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:	Brandishing of a firearm, Resisting Arrest
DATE/TIME:	April 30, 2010 1:15 PM
LOCATION:	2981 Ventura Bl.
VICTIM(S):	Owl Towing
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Carlos Guerrero (28 years)
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Brown Nissan 280z License:1PIZ512
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Mike Van Atta
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Ed Baldwin 486-7386

DETAILS:

On 4-30-10 at around 1:45 PM, Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to Owl Towing, 2981 Ventura Bl. reference a subject standing in front of the business threatening employees and brandishing a shotgun. Investigation revealed the identity of the subject as 28-year old Juan Carlos Guerrero who fled prior to officers’ arrival in a brown Datsun 280z license: 1PIZ512.

Guerrero was at the towing company for the purpose of retrieving property from a vehicle that had previously been towed from him. He specifically told employees that he was there to retrieve a gun from the vehicle. When he was denied access, Guerrero became agitated and made threats that he would return at a later time to burn down the business. Guerrero then got inside his vehicle which was parked in front of the business. An employee exited the business and began writing down the license plate of Guerrero’s vehicle when Guerrero brandished a shotgun at employees of the business. Guerrero then fled the scene.

Oxnard Police Officers began searching for Guerrero. At about 2:45 PM, Guerrero was located at a storage facility in the 2700 block of Cawelti in Camarillo by Sergeant Terry Burr of the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit. Deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department responded to assist along with officers from the Oxnard Police Department. Guerrero initially refused to surrender himself to officers and refused to comply with the direction of officers. After a brief standoff at gunpoint, Guerrero was taken into custody without incident.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Stabbing)
DATE/TIME:	6-12-2010 / 2300 hours
LOCATION:	Bard Rd. and J St
VICTIM(S):	Juvenile male, 17 years
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male 17 years, 5’8”, medium build
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:	Minor Laceration
PREPARED BY:	Detective Mike Marostica
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Mike Thomas 385-7660

DETAILS:

On 6-12-10 at around 2300 hours, Oxnard police officers responded to an assault victim at St. John’s Regional Medical Center. The victim told officers he was confronted by the suspect who was in the company of approximately 10 subjects at Bard Rd. and J St. The suspect assaulted the victim by stabbing him once. The victim was transported by private vehicle to St. John’s Regional Medical Center with a non-life threatening injury.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Mike Thomas at (805) 385-7660 or Ventura County Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 6-13-10 0155 hours.

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