John Crombach 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:	February 12th, 2010 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Division conducted two Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints on February 12th, 2010, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Vineyard Avenue @ Forest Park Boulevard.

The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard @ Fifth Street.

Officers screened 859 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted five DUI investigations that lead to the arrest of two drivers for DUI. Both of these drivers were under the age of 21.

Three additional drivers were arrested for possession of marijuana and one additional driver was cited for possession of an opened container of alcohol.

44 drivers were issued citations for various drivers’ license violations. 29 vehicles were towed and the owners of those vehicles will face a minimum tow fee of $494.00. 25 drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and 3 drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year including two additional DUI checkpoints this month. These DUI 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. The checkpoints are funded by a grant 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 [email protected].

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	03-24-2010 / 0630 Hours
LOCATION:	700 Block Mobil Ave, Camarillo
VICTIM(S):	Michael Wade
SUSPECT(S):	Brian Starks, 35 years, Ventura County resident
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	[email protected]

DETAILS:

Brian Starks, a 35 year old resident of Ventura County was arrested for murder early this morning in connection with the November 9, 2009 homicide of Michael Wade. Ventura County Sheriff’s Department S.W.A.T. along with S.W.A.T. officers from the Oxnard Police Department served simultaneous search warrants in Camarillo and Oxnard this morning. The warrant service was in response obtaining an arrest warrant for Starks yesterday afternoon. Starks was found at a relative’s house located in the 700 block of Mobil Ave in Camarillo. He was taken into custody without incident.

Starks is suspected of shooting Michael Wade, 49 years old during a botched robbery attempt last November. That homicide took place in the 1400 Block of S. “E” St. in the City of Oxnard. Starks is being held on murder charges.

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Cinco de Mayo DUI saturation patrols
DATE/TIME:	Friday, April 30th, 1900-0200 Saturday, May 1st, 1700-0300 Sunday, May 2nd, 1800-0200 Wednesday May 5th, 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

Cinco de Mayo has become a traditional time for many to celebrate California’s rich cultural history. But it is also a night out with expected dangers when someone chooses to drink alcohol and drive. The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will have several officers patrolling the streets of Oxnard searching for DUI drivers this weekend starting Friday night, April 30th at 7:00 P.M. There will be ten officers conducting DUI enforcement Friday night until 2:00 A.M. The following night, May 1st, additional officers will be deployed to conduct DUI enforcement.

On Sunday, May 2nd, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M., deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the Ventura Police Department and Santa Paula Police Department will join forces with the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit during an allied agency DUI saturation deployment. At least 16 officers will be patrolling the City of Oxnard with the specific goal of stopping impaired drivers. These officers and deputies will be stopping vehicles and checking for the signs of intoxication, conducting field sobriety tests and arresting those who are intoxicated.

On Wednesday May 5th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight, additional Oxnard Police officers will be deployed to conduct DUI enforcement in the City of Oxnard.

DUI related crashes have dropped in California thanks to increased sobriety checkpoints and special DUI enforcement campaigns. However, the number one killer on our highways remains impaired driving, with 1,029 dead in 2008 and another 28,457 injured in alcohol involved collisions.

The Oxnard Police Department encourages you to celebrate responsibly by designating a sober driver and to call 911 if you see an impaired driver.

All of these DUI operations are an effort to reduce the amount of alcohol related crashes and to make our community and roadways safer. They are also funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Safety 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 [email protected].

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery with a handgun
DATE/TIME:	08/09/10, 0145 hrs
LOCATION:	600 W. Hueneme Road
VICTIM(S):	2 adult victims- names withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Suspect 1- Black male, 25 years, 5-8, 160 lbs. Suspect 2- Black male, 25 years, 6-5, 180 lbs.
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	Personal property and currency
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Whitney
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Funk

DETAILS: 

On 08/09/10, at approximately 0145 hrs., two adult males were walking in the 600 block of Hueneme Rd. when they were confronted by the 2 above described suspects. One of the suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the victims’ property. After obtaining the property, while the suspects were fleeing W/B on Hueneme Rd. near J Street, one of the suspects fired one round into the air.

An investigation is continuing.

For further information contact Detective Funk at 385-7796.

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Police crack down on railroad trespassers
DATE/TIME:	September 2, 2010 6:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard railroad tracks
PREPARED BY:	Officer James Langford
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer James Langford, 805-385-7650

DETAILS:

On September 2, 2010, from the hours of 10:00 AM to 1: 00 PM, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department teamed with Special Agents from Union Pacific Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Homeland Security for a selective enforcement sweep of the railroad tracks running through the City of Oxnard from Camarillo to Montalvo. The goal was to look for trespassers on the private railroad property belonging to Union Pacific Railroad. Also, all vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists who failed to yield the right-of-way or obey train crossing signs/warnings for the train at grade crossings.

During the operation, officers witnessed 60 various violations. As a result, 4 persons were arrested for trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property and 20 motorists were issued citations for various railroad related violations. Violators face fines and penalties ranging from $200.00 to $500.00 and possibly even jail time.

California was ranked # 2 in the United States for Highway-Rail grade collisions in 2009 with a total of 121 collisions. Out of the collisions, 91 were fatalities, 61 were trespass-related collisions with fatalities and 42 were trespass-related collisions with injuries.

The public is reminded that trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property, or any railroad property, is a misdemeanor offense. It is also life-threatening endeavor considering the speed and size of any train. Any one found trespassing on railroad property is subject to arrest. In addition, it is illegal for any pedestrian, bicyclist or vehicle to travel around or under a railroad arm once the red warning lights and alarm are activated and the gate arm is closed or closing.

Listed below is some general rail safety information:

• Freight trains do not travel on a predictable schedule; schedules for passenger trains change. Always expect a train at every highway-rail intersection.
• Train tracks are private property, no matter which railroad owns them. Trains have the right of way 100% of the time — over ambulances, fire engines, cars, police and pedestrians.
• If there are rails on the railroad ties, assume that the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks “rusty.”
• A typical locomotive weighs approximately 400,000 pounds or 200 tons. When 100 railcars are added to the locomotive, the train can weigh approximately 6,000 tons. The weight ratio of an automobile to a train is proportional to a soda can and an automobile.
• A train may extend three feet or more outside the steel rail, which makes the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the rails themselves.
• Trains cannot stop quickly. It is a simple law of physics: the huge weight and size of the train and the speed of the train dictate how quickly it can stop under ideal conditions. A 100-car freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour will need more than a mile to stop — that’s approximately 18 football fields — once the train is set into emergency braking.
• Trains can move in either direction at any time. Trains are sometimes pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled. This is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
• Modern trains are quieter than ever, with no telltale “clackety-clack.” Also, an approaching train will always be closer and moving faster than you think.
• Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
• Never walk down a train track; it’s illegal and it’s dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
• Remember: Rail and recreation do not mix!

Funding for this enforcement is provided to the Union Pacific Police Department by Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit organization to educate the public about railroad safety and making the community safer. More information about railroad safety can be found by go to: www.oli.org.

 

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Expected Road Closures For The Fiestas Patrias Parade
DATE/TIME:	September 12, 2010 1030 to 1300 hours
LOCATION:	Downtown Oxnard – C Street from Wooley Road to Second Street
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS: 

On Sunday, September 12th, 2010, Mexico’s independence from Spain will be celebrated during the annual Fiestas Patrias Parade held in downtown Oxnard. Over 60 entries are expected to participate in this year’s parade. The parade is scheduled to start at 11:00 A.M. and is expected to end at approximately 1:00 P.M.

The parade will start at the intersection of C Street and travel northbound to Second Street where it ends in the parking lot of Oxnard’s City Hall. The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be handling the traffic control along the parade route and some of the nearby streets.

Starting at 10:30 A.M., all intersections on C Street between Wooley Road and Second Street will be closed for the parade. Two additional street closures for the parade’s staging area will be Ninth Street between C Street and A Street and A Street between Wooley Road and Eighth Street. Spectators arriving to watch the parade are urged to park their vehicles in the multi-level parking structure located at the corner of Third Street and B Street.

For questions related to the parade, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Robbery – Carjacking
DATE/TIME:	10/24/10/ 1630 hrs.
LOCATION:	400 block of Grant Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Two Hispanic males, 18-19 years, no further description
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
VICTIM VEHICLE:	Gray colored, 4 door, 1992 Saturn, CA license #6BBG391
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Robin Whitney
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk- Violent Crimes Unit (805) 385-7796

DETAILS: 

On 10/24/2010, at approximately 1630 hours, (2) suspects approached the victim in the 400 block of Grant Avenue and asked for a ride. The victim agreed. The suspects directed the victim to pull over and stop in an alley. Upon stopping, the suspects assaulted the victim, causing minor injuries. One of the suspects held a knife to the victim and demanded money. The victim fled on foot, leaving his vehicle behind. The suspects reentered the victim’s vehicle and drove off.

The Oxnard Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating the above described vehicle. An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Steve Funk at 385-7796.

John Crombach Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	November 2, 2010 / 0753 hours
LOCATION:	Victoria Ave. North of Channel Islands Blvd.
DRIVER #1:	Humberto Moncada, 50 years of Oxnard
DRIVER #2:	Jody Campbell, 54 years of Oxnard
DRIVER #3:	Ronald Ruckstuhl, 46 years of Oxnard
VEHICLE #1:	White Ford Pickup
VEHICLE #2:	White Jeep Grand Cherokee
VEHICLE #3:	Blue Dodge Intrepid
PREPARED BY:	Jason Coleman, Traffic Officer
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jason Coleman, Traffic Officer 797-6109 or [email protected]

DETAILS:

On November 2, 2010, at approximately 0753 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to Victoria Ave. north of Channel Islands Blvd. after receiving a call of a rollover traffic collision involving three (3) vehicles. One vehicle had struck the wall on the west side of Victoria Ave., and one had rolled over. A third vehicle was also struck during the collision. Two of the drivers were transported to St. John’s hospital, one with serious medical problems.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a white Ford Pickup, driven by Moncada, was driving southbound on Victoria Ave. towards Channel Islands Blvd. The driver of that vehicle lost consciousness and veered into a white Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Campbell, causing it to collide with a blue Dodge Intrepid, driven by Ruckstuhl, and then roll over. The Ford pickup continued westbound and collided with a masonry wall.

Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be factor in this collision nor was excessive speed a factor.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Traffic Officer Jason Coleman at 805-797-6109.

An investigation is continuing.

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	New Year’s Eve DUI Enforcement Results
DATE/TIME:	December 31st, 1800-0400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted three sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints on Friday, December 31st, 2010, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the northbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard @ Second Street. The second one was in the southbound lanes of Saviers Road @ Laurel Street. The last checkpoint was in the southbound lanes of Ventura Road @ Devonshire Drive.

Officers screened 776 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers also conducted three DUI investigations, however, no DUI arrests were made.

Citations were issued to 19 drivers for various drivers’ license violations. Eleven drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and three drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license. One individual was arrested for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. Four vehicles were towed from the checkpoints.

Following the checkpoints, traffic officers patrolled the City of Oxnard searching for impaired drivers. This enforcement resulted in the arrest of 10 DUI drivers within three hours.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These DUI 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) 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 [email protected].

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Railroad Crossing Enforcement Operation
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, March 16, 2011 1600-1900
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator  (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

On March 16, 2011, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit joined forces with special agents from the Union Pacific Police Department and deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department during an aggressive enforcement operation targeting railroad crossing violations. The operation also targeted violations of pedestrians trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property between intersections.

During the operation, officers observed over 60 violations. Officers issued citations to 64 drivers who violated various railroad crossing violations. Of those violations, 25 vehicles were observed stopping on the tracks, most for significant amounts of time. Several additional vehicles were observed driving over the railroad tracks, under the descending railroad arms, while trains were approaching. Fifteen of the drivers cited did not have a valid driver’s license. Three pedestrians were arrested for trespassing on railroad property.

In 2009, California was ranked #2 in the United States for highway-rail grade crossing collisions, with a total of 121 collisions. Out of the collisions, 91 were fatalities, 61 were trespass-related collisions with fatalities and 42 were trespass-related collisions with injuries. The Oxnard Police Department investigated two railroad crossing collisions in 2010. Fortunately, there were no deaths as a result of those collisions. On average across the United States, a collision between a train and a vehicle or pedestrian occurs every two hours.

The public is reminded that trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property, or any railroad property, is a misdemeanor offense. It is also life-threatening endeavor considering the speed and size of any train. Anyone found trespassing on railroad property is subject to arrest. In addition, it is illegal for any pedestrian, bicyclist or vehicle to travel around or under a railroad arm once the red warning lights and alarm are activated and the gate arm is closed or closing.

Listed below is some general rail safety information:

• Freight trains do not travel on a predictable schedule; schedules for passenger trains change. Always expect a train at every highway-rail intersection.
• Train tracks are private property, no matter which railroad owns them. Trains have the right of way 100% of the time — over ambulances, fire engines, cars, police and pedestrians.
• If there are rails on the railroad ties, assume that the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks “rusty.”
• A typical locomotive weighs approximately 400,000 pounds or 200 tons. When 100 railcars are added to the locomotive, the train can weigh approximately 6,000 tons. The weight ratio of an automobile to a train is proportional to a soda can and an automobile.
• A train may extend three feet or more outside the steel rail, which makes the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the rails themselves.
• Trains cannot stop quickly. It is a simple law of physics: the huge weight and size of the train and the speed of the train dictate how quickly it can stop under ideal conditions. A 100-car freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour will need more than a mile to stop — that’s approximately 18 football fields — once the train is set into emergency braking.
• Trains can move in either direction at any time. Trains are sometimes pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled. This is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
• Modern trains are quieter than ever, with no telltale “clackety-clack.” Also, an approaching train will always be closer and moving faster than you think.
• Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
• Never walk down a train track; it’s illegal and it’s dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
• Remember: Rail and recreation do not mix!

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct these types of operations to educate the public about railroad safety. More information about railroad safety and Operation Lifesaver can be found at www.caol.us or www.oli.org.
For any questions related to traffic enforcement or these types of operations, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].