DETAILS: 

At 2:23 AM on 12/18/2009 Oxnard Police Department officers responded to a call of a robbery that just occurred at the Circle K Food Store, located at 2323 North Oxnard Boulevard, in Oxnard. The suspect was described as wearing all black clothing and a cloth mask. He was also described as wielding a large knife.

The description of the suspect matched that from a string of robberies that have been occurring in Oxnard during the past sixteen months. Oxnard Police Department Detectives Paul Knapp and Ed Baldwin had been investigating these robberies and had been developing suspect information.

Sergeant Robin Whitney, who was in the vicinity, spotted a white Nissan Altima leaving the area. This vehicle matched the suspect vehicle description from previous robberies, and he conducted a traffic stop. Property from the robbery was recovered in the vehicle. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, Barry Sanchez of Oxnard, was arrested for the robbery.

Further investigation determined that Sanchez was also responsible for 14 robberies of 7-11 Food Stores in Oxnard that occurred from August 2008 to present.

At the time of this press release, Sanchez is in custody at the Ventura County Jail, his bail set at $900,000.

The investigation is continuing.

Video surveillance of the robbery is available for viewing and was also included in this press release. Please contact David Keith at (805) 385-7631 or at [email protected] for further information.

DETAILS:

On 12-26-09 about 2004 hours, an Oxnard Police Officer initiated a contact with a man in the 1900 block of North Ventura Road in Oxnard. Juan Carlos Contreras, age 37, fled on foot and the officer followed. After a short foot pursuit, Contreras was tackled by Oxnard Police Officer Guy Hartson. Officer Hartson tried to arrest Contreras but Contreras assaulted him by punching him in the face. During the struggle, Contreras grabbed at Officer Hartson’s sidearm and tried to remove it from his holster. Officer Hartson was able to hold onto his weapon until additional Oxnard Police Officers arrived. Contreras was booked into the Ventura County Jail for two Felony charges, assault on a Peace Officer causing injury and attempting to remove a firearm from a Peace Officer. Anyone who witnessed the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Roger Garcia at (805) 385-7688 or the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070

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

DETAILS:

During the early morning hours of 1/13/2010, law enforcement officers from around Ventura County conducted seven search warrants throughout Oxnard. These warrants stemmed from the recent increase of gang incidents within the City. During these incidents a specific Oxnard gang was named as being involved. Its members and associates residences were served with several gang association search warrants.

During the warrants, investigators seized gang paraphernalia, ammunition, replica weapons, and narcotics. The above listed persons were arrested during the warrants for charges ranging from Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Narcotics violations, and Warrants.

The Oxnard Police Department was assisted by members of the Ventura County Sherriff’s Department, Ventura Police Department, and Ventura County Probation during the service of the search warrants and arrests of the above listed people.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to respond with a zero tolerance approach towards gang violence within our community. We will continue to serve search warrants and arrest those responsible for committing gang violence within our community. We will continue our partnerships with the community and with those groups within the community that provide alternatives to the gang lifestyle. The Oxnard Police Department deeply appreciates our partnership with other Ventura County Law Enforcement agencies who continue to assist us in curbing the scourge of gang violence within our community.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 2-2-10, Oxnard Police Officer Robert Valenzuela was patrolling the 600 block of Ibiza Lane when he observed a suspicious vehicle travelling down the street. As the officer started to follow the vehicle, he observed that the vehicle was following a male subject who had been looking through the windows of several parked vehicles. The male subject eventually entered the vehicle and it began to drive away.

As the officer stopped the vehicle at a cul-de-sac the male passenger fled. The vehicle was determined to be stolen and 28 year old, Oxnard resident Cherie Marie Chavira, was arrested for driving a stolen vehicle.

After a search of the area 40 year old, Oxnard resident Rodney Ray Yanez was apprehended and arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest.

Residents are reminded to remove valuables from their vehicles and to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately. Residents with additional information reference this crime are encouraged to contact Detective Luis Mancha at (805) 385-7664.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On February 7th, 2010, between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI saturation patrol for Super Bowl Sunday. Officers patrolled the City of Oxnard with an emphasis on impaired drivers and traffic enforcement.

During the operation, officers conducted 90 traffic stops and conducted 12 DUI investigations. These investigations led to the arrest of 7 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol. Two of the drivers arrested for DUI had a blood alcohol level that was nearly twice the legal limit. One of the seven arrested drivers was under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level of over twice the legal limit. A fourth driver was arrested after found to be driving under the influence of prescription medications and was involved in a traffic collision.

Officers also issued 27 traffic citations for various vehicle code violations. 13 of the drivers stopped were unlicensed and one of those drivers was driving with a suspended driver’s license. Officers towed 8 vehicles and the owners of the towed vehicles will face a minimum release fee of $494.00.

Tonight’s DUI saturation patrol was in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes specifically on Super Bowl Sunday. California statistics show that Super Bowl Sunday has one of the highest alcohol related collision rates of the year. The Oxnard Police Department is dedicated to making our community and roadways safer though these enforcement operations. 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 [email protected].

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On March 10, 2010, at about 8:20 PM, Oxnard Police Officers Terry Dobrosky and Juanita Suarez observed a vehicle speeding near Anita and Colonia Rd in Oxnard. The officers observed the car stop, and the occupants contacting two individuals who were walking. The officers learned that the two persons observed walking had just attempted to rob by force a 20 year old Oxnard resident, who was in the car. The robbery was interrupted by a relative of the victim, and the occupants of the car were attempting to locate the suspects when the officers observed them.

Gutierrez and the juvenile were arrested without further incident. The victim received minor injuries as a result of the attempted robbery.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 4/14/10 at approximately 1930 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to an armed robbery that occurred in the 1400 block of Doris Avenue. The victim was not injured.

The victim stated he was in the 1400 block of Doris Avenue when he was contacted by several Hispanic males. The Hispanic males demanded property from the victim. When the victim refused to hand over his property the one of the suspects brandished a firearm. The suspects took the property and then fled.

Witnesses to the incident or anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Roger Garcia at (805) 385-7688. If you have information and wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

The investigation is ongoing.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

An Oxnard man was arrested this morning for a hit and run, battery on one of the victim drivers, and a later, attempted kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon and drunk driving.

This morning at 0831 hours, Oxnard police received a call of a hit and run at the intersection of Vineyard Ave. and Oxnard Blvd. A black Honda Civic (suspect vehicle) rear-ended a Cadillac Escalade (Victim #1), pushing the Escalade into a third vehicle, a Toyota Sequoia (Victim #2). The driver of the Escalade got out of his vehicle to make contact with the driver of the Civic. The driver of the Civic (Suspect Bibian) punched Victim #1 in the face and fled southbound on Oxnard Blvd.

At 0838 hours, Bibian was southbound on C Street and came to a stop at the intersection of Doris Ave. A green Volkswagen Beetle (Victim #3) pulled up behind the Civic at the stop sign. Bibian got out of his car and approached the Beetle with a metal flashlight. Bibian broke out the driver’s side window with the flashlight and unlocked the door. The driver of the Beetle slid across to the front passenger seat. Bibian ran around the car and broke out the passenger side window. Witnesses heard Bibian tell the female motorist, “You’re not going anywhere!” There is no relationship between Bibian and the victim.

Seeing this, a father-son team of Good Samaritans, David Stratmann, Sr. and David Stratmann, Jr., intervened during this attack. While attempting to subdue Bibian, Stratmann, Sr. was struck in the jaw with the flashlight by the suspect (resulting in the charge of assault with a deadly weapon). Both men tackled and held Bibian until the arrival of police.

Neither driver in the hit and run collision required medical attention for injuries sustained in the crash or the battery. Both vehicles suffered moderate damage and were driven from the scene.

Stratmann, Sr. did not require medical treatment for his injury; the female driver of the Beetle was also not injured in the attack.

Suspect Bibian was transported by ambulance to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the crimes he committed and during his detention.

Bibian will be booked into the Ventura County Jail later today on charges of misdemeanor hit and run, misdemeanor battery, attempted kidnapping, false imprisonment, felony assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor drunk driving. Bail will be set at a later time.

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

DETAILS: 

On 9/04/10 at 0044 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the 4900 block of Petit Drive reference a stabbing victim. When officers arrived they located a victim that suffered four stab wounds and other injuries as a result of the suspects hitting him with bats and poles. The victim was transported to VCMC where he was treated for his injuries and later released. A 17 year old female, who was walking with the victim, was also assaulted and sustained several contusions to her arms and ribs.

During the course of the investigation, the Graffiti Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit identified several suspects. On 9/28/10 and 9/30/10, the Oxnard Police Department served search warrants at seven locations throughout the City of Oxnard in connection with this investigation. Two adults, Jose Chavez (3/27/92) and Hector Gutierrez (12/28/91), and two male juveniles were arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon for the violent assault of the two victims.

Investigators believe this crime was a result of an ongoing feud between taggers and gang members. If you have information on this crime please contact Senior Detective Dan Whitmer at (805) 385-7547 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 385-8255.