Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery
DATE/TIME:	11/28/10, 0230 hrs
LOCATION:	First St. and Harrison Ave
VICTIM(S):	25 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, approx. 25 years old, 6’0”, thin build, white baseball hat, white hooded sweatshirt, blue pants
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:	Wallet containing identification and currency
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Robin Whitney
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796

DETAILS:

The victim was walking in the area of First St. and Harrison Ave when he was confronted by the suspect who was brandishing a knife and demanding money. The victim refused to comply with the suspect’s demands, at which time the suspect physically assaulted the victim, then stabbed him once on the arm and once on the leg, causing minor wounds. The suspect then removed the victim’s wallet and cell phone from his pocket and then fled on foot.

An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Steve Funk at (805) 385-7796.

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Sexual Battery
DATE/TIME:	12/8/2010 0813 Hours
LOCATION:	Roosevelt Avenue and Colonia Road
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld per 293 PC 25 year old female Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Rios, Martin Hernandez (DOB 8-28-90) 20 year-old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Detective Denise Shadinger
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Denise Shadinger: 385-7662 deniseshadinger@oxnardpd.org Detective Rachel Burr: 385-7609 (Spanish Speaking) rachelburr@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 12/8/2010, at 0813 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the call of a sexual battery in the area of Roosevelt Avenue and Colonia Road. The victim and several witnesses chased the suspect in the neighborhood, but lost him before the police arrived. A perimeter was established and the area was searched. Officers located the suspect’s clothing and a cellular phone.

After follow-up investigation the suspect was identified as Martin Hernandez Rios, an Oxnard resident. Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department made contact with Rios’ family. Rios’ family members brought him to the Oxnard Police Department around noon. Rios was ultimately arrested for the sexual battery. Rios is currently on probation for a 2010 arrest.

If anyone witnessed the incident in the area of Roosevelt Avenue and Colonia Road; or feels they may have been a victim of a similar crime in that area, please contact Detective Denise Shadinger at 385-7662 or Detective Rachel Burr at 385-7609.

The booking photo of the suspect is being withheld until investigators attempt to locate additional witnesses or victims.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	6-10-11 at 4:11 PM
LOCATION:	700 Block Cuesta Del Mar (South alley)
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Bakari Myers (805) 385-7686 Bakari.Myers@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On June 10, 2011 at approximately 4:11 PM, officers responded to a call of a shooting victim in the area of Hueneme Road and “J” Street. When officers arrived they located the victim, who had sustained several gunshot wounds to his upper body. The victim was immediately transported to Ventura County Medical Center and was pronounced dead several hours later.

The victims name is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.

Investigators have no leads involving this incident. If anyone has information please contact Det. Bakari Myers at (805) 385-7686 or remain anonymous and call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1(800) 222-TIPS.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fireworks Enforcement and Fines
DATE/TIME:	June 20, 2011
LOCATION:	Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Commander Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078, martinmeyer@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	SAA

DETAILS:

Possession of fireworks in Oxnard is illegal. The Oxnard Police Department will continue its aggressive “no tolerance” fireworks enforcement this summer particularly during the 4th of July weekend. Possession of dangerous fireworks is prohibited by Oxnard City Ordinance Section 7-147.1(B)(A)(1) and possession of safe and sane fireworks is prohibited by OXO 7-147.1(B)(A)(2). The fine for possessing dangerous fireworks is $1,000 and fine for possessing safe and sane fireworks is $250.

When fireworks are observed or otherwise disturbing, residents are encouraged to call the City of Oxnard Police and Fire Emergency Communications Center at 385-7740 describing what is occurring, the location, and describing or naming who is disturbing with fireworks.

Note that the Fireworks Hotline was discontinued two years ago because few calls were made to that number.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Update
DATE/TIME:	6-16-13, 1158 hours
LOCATION:	4500 Block of Syracuse Drive
VICTIM(S):	Name Withheld, 39 years old, out of county resident
SUSPECT(S):	Eduardo Zarate Farias, 40 year old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, Major Crimes 805-385-7763, christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Ken Tougas, Major Crimes 805-200-5669 ken.tougas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 6/16/13, at 1158 hours, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 4500 Block of Syracuse Drive re: shots fired. Officers arrived and found a male shooting victim. That victim had been shot numerous times and was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. He is listed in stable condition and is expected to survive. Another male was found deceased inside a motorhome, next to the residence.

UPDATE:
During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that both subjects were cousins and for unknown reasons, Eduardo Farias shot his cousin multiple times as they were inside a friend’s motorhome. After shooting his cousin, Farias shot and killed himself. Investigators are still attempting to establish a motive. The firearm used in this incident has been recovered.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 6/18/13 / 1500 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	SUMMER/LABOR DAY AVOID DUI CAMPAIGN – SUNDAY UPDATE 2
LOCATION:	Ventura County
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
For Immediate Release August 18, 2013

Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

SUMMER/LABOR DAY AVOID DUI CAMPAIGN – SUNDAY UPDATE 2

DUI Arrests are unknown if they are Up or Down & DUI Fatalities Remain the same – No Fatalities

The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments overnight in Ventura County.

From 12:01 AM Friday August 16, 2013 through Midnight Saturday August 18, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 24 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2012 it is unknown how many DUI arrests occurred during the same 48 hour time period, the data will be provided on a future press release.

Last year there were no DUI deaths reported.
(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

On August 17^th, 2013, between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M., Avoid the 14 conducted a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Simi Valley. The checkpoint was conducted in the 2700 block of Tapo Canyon Road. Officers from Simi Valley PD, Moorpark PD, Port Hueneme PD, Ventura PD, Cal. State University of Channel Islands, and Oxnard PD screened 420 motorists who passed through the checkpoint. NO DUI investigations were conducted on any of the driver. Citations were issued to 9 drivers for various Vehicle Code violations. Five drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license, no drivers was cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license, two juveniles were issued citations for having an open (alcoholic) containers in a vehicle, and no vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

For Sunday night, August18^th there are no special operations planned. All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DUI arrest data collection will continue through Labor Day midnight Monday, September 2, 2013. Avoid programs, named for the number of police agencies in each county, Multiple/DUI Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are set region wide during 18 day Summer/Labor Day Campaign.

MEDIA NOTE: The checkpoint locations and saturation patrols will be made available for media opportunities or ride-a-longs each night.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	AVOID THE 14 WINTER HOLIDAY DUI CAMPAIGN – SUNDAY UPDATE 6
DATE/TIME:	12/22/2013
LOCATION:	Ventura County
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, Oxnard Police
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
Winter Holiday AVOID DUI campaign – SUNDAY update 6
DUI Arrests Up & No DUI Fatalities
The Winter Holiday Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments overnight in Ventura County.

From 12:01 AM Friday December 13, 2013 through Midnight Saturday December 21, 2013 officers representing Ventura county law enforcement agencies have arrested 108 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2012, 80 DUI arrests occurred during the same nine (9) day time period.

Last year and this year there are no DUI deaths reported.
(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

On Saturday night, December 21^st 2013, between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M., Avoid the 14 conducted a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Ventura. The checkpoint was conducted in the eastbound lanes of Thompson Boulevard at California Street. Officers from Ventura PD, Moorpark PD, Thousand Oaks PD, Oxnard PD and Camarillo, Port Hueneme, and Ojai PD screened 328 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. 14 DUI investigations were conducted and five (5) of those drivers were arrested for driving while under the influence. Citations were issued to 37 drivers for various Vehicle Code violations. Six (6) drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license, three (3) were issued for driving with a suspended driver’s license, and six (6) vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

Also on Saturday night, December 21^st 2013, between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M., Avoid the 14 conducted a Multi-Agency DUI Task Force in the City of Thousand Oaks. Officers from Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley PD, Moorpark PD, Camarillo PD, Oxnard PD and Port Hueneme conducted 103 traffic stops. Eight (8) DUI investigations were conducted and seven (7) of those drivers was arrested for driving while under the influence. Citations were issued to 41 drivers for various Vehicle Code violations. Ten (10) drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license, one (1) was issued for driving with a suspended driver’s license, and nine (9) vehicles were towed from the checkpoint. During the Trask Force operation, there were three DUI traffic collisions. No persons were injured at the DUI collisions.

There are no special operations planned until next weekend, all regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts.

All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts.

Multiple DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are all part of this region-wide crackdown during the 20 day Winter Holiday Campaign.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911! Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DUI arrest data collection will continue through New Year’s Weekend, midnight Sunday, January 1, 2014.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Launch New Crime Prevention Seminar Series, Part of Operation Safer and Stronger
DATE/TIME:	February 20, 2014 6:00-7:30pm
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard, Activity Room, 300 W. Third Street, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Crystal Walker (805) 385-7668 or crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department is proud to announce it is hosting a series of Crime Prevention Seminars available to the public. This effort is part of our on-going “Operation Safer and Stronger” initiative launched by the Chief at the start of the year, aimed to further engage and inform our larger community on trends and crime prevention efforts citywide.

Every other month, a new seminar will be presented on a variety of topics. “This is another great opportunity for our community to get involved and informed on challenges we may be experiencing as a city. I encourage the public to make time to meet neighbors and new friends, and help build a safer and stronger community,” said Jeri Williams, Oxnard Chief of Police.

The topics being covered will include: “What is Suspicious?” Reporting Crimes in our city, Identity theft, child safety, burglary prevention, cyber safety (including bullying), robbery, self-defense (our Oxnard Police RADD program), as well as scams and other crimes targeting the elderly, graffiti/gangs, and others. We are sure that people – young and old – will find information and details helpful and invaluable. “In fact, we encourage parents to bring their age-appropriate children to also get involved and learn from the information being presented,” said Williams.

“Too often, residents witness a crime or suspicious activity in the days or moments leading up to a crime – something does not look, sound, or feel right – and never contact us. For some, they may be a victim of a crime, maybe a robbery, and do not report it. We need our community to be informed and engaged to help prevent crime,” said Miguel Lopez, Oxnard Police Community Affairs Manager.

This new series of seminars is keeping with the Chief of Police’s New Year’s communication, “Working Toward a Safer, Stronger Community.” Along with the seminars, the Oxnard Police Department has put together some tips to assist everyone who lives, visits, and works in Oxnard to help prevent crime. These tips will be released on a monthly basis and will address current trends occurring citywide. The last such public safety announcement was distributed to our press and media contacts on January 29, 2014.

Who: Open to the public
What: Operation Safer and Stronger: Crime Prevention Seminar
Where: City of Oxnard, Activity Room, 300 W. Third Street (Convenient parking at the Downtown Parking structure across the street from this meeting room.)
Time: 6:00-7:30pm
Topics: “What is Suspicious?” (Reporting Crime), Auto theft prevention and Scams.
Why: To further engage and inform our larger community on trends and crime prevention efforts, and help build a safer and stronger Oxnard.

The next two seminars are also scheduled:
April 17, 2014, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location TBA – Topic: TBA

June 19, 2014, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Location TBA – Topic: TBA

“We have had tremendous success from residents who have called to report suspicious activity thus far this new year, and hope to engage and empower more members of our community to do the same,” says Lopez.

Thus far this year, calls from neighbors and residents about suspicious activity have helped to arrest ten persons who were located in a residence along with narcotics, narcotics paraphernalia, stolen property, and a loaded short barrel shotgun; the apprehension and later a separate arrest of another suspect of burglaries of garages; and, calls of reported street racing which resulted in a driver that was driving on the wrong side of SR-1 (Oxnard Blvd) and was arrested for DUI.

“Folks cannot sit back and just watch as things like this happen – the public needs to understand that crime and crime prevention does not start and end with just your Oxnard Police Department, it is a responsibility we all share. If you are a victim of a crime, report it. If you see a suspicious person or any suspicious activity, call us. Our non-emergency line is 385-7740, and translators are available,” Lopez added.

We are in the process of spreading these seminars to different areas around the city, in hopes of building community amongst and across neighborhoods in our city. These locations will be announced for the April and June seminars.

Space is limited! To make a reservation, contact Detective Crystal Walker at (805)385-7668 or crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org. Please leave your name, best contact, and she will return your messages to confirm Tuesday, February 18.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 02-12-14/1130 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 Investigation – Guns Located in Vehicle
DATE/TIME:	11-8-14 / 0104 hours
LOCATION:	1400 Block of South Oxnard Boulevard
SUSPECT(S):	Luis Ochoa, 26 years, Oxnard resident Melissa Estrella, 30 years, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	2002 Pontiac Grand Am
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078 martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 11-8-14, at 0104 hours, officers stopped a vehicle driving erratically. While conducting a DUI investigation officers saw a handgun and shotgun in the vehicle. The driver, Luis Ochoa, was arrested for DUI. One of the vehicle’s passengers, Melissa Estrella,was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm.

Increases in firearms-related crimes prompted the Oxnard Police Department to launch the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crime 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 Oxnard Police Department, (805) 385-7740, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Persons can also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 11-8-14 / 0500 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 Results
DATE/TIME:	Friday, March 27, 2015 8:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Thomas Martin, Traffic Unit, (805) 385-7748 thomas.martin@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:On Friday, March 27, 2015, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted two DUI/Driver’s license checkpoints in the City of Oxnard. The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Saviers Road south of Bryce Canyon and the second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard south of Wagon Wheel. These locations were chosen to provide increased DUI deterrence and in response to recent alcohol related arrests and/or DUI collisions.

The checkpoints resulted in the following:

·         620 vehicles through
·         456 drivers screened
·         Three DUI investigations
·         Two DUI alcohol arrests
·         One criminal arrest (an individual arrested for an outstanding warrant)
·         13 citations issued to unlicensed drivers
·         One citations issued to a driver with a suspended/revoked license
·         20 total citations issued
·         6 vehicles towed
Two of the three DUI investigations occurred at the checkpoint on Saviers Road. One subject was found to be under the influence of alcohol while the second was not arrested. The one other DUI arrest took place at the checkpoint on Oxnard Boulevard.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 03/28/15, 0235 hours