Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Fatal Traffic Collision

DATE/TIME:

February 12, 2013 / 1551 hours

LOCATION:

Victoria Avenue @ Wooley Road, Oxnard

DRIVER:

Isais Rodriguez-Amaya, 29, Ventura resident

DRIVER:

Dave Granados Medina, 59, Oxnard resident

VICTIM:

Female, 83, Oxnard resident
(Name withheld pending notification of next of kin)

VEHICLE:

Black 2004 Infinity FX35

VEHICLE

Silver 1997 Nissan Altima

PREPARED BY:

Senior Officer Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750
[email protected]

DETAILS:
On February 12, 2013, at about 3:51 P.M., officers and EMS responded to a traffic collision involving two vehicles at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Wooley Road. Upon arrival, officers found that a silver Nissan Altima and a black Infinity had collided in the intersection. Officers also found that an 83-year old female passenger in the Nissan was unresponsive. Officer started CPR until EMS arrived on scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Nissan, driven by Dave Granados Medina, was traveling southbound on Victoria Avenue towards Wooley Road. The Infinity, driven by Isais Rodriguez-Amaya, was traveling northbound on Victoria Avenue preparing to make a left turn onto westbound Wooley Road. The Infinity made the left turn in the path of the Nissan causing a head-on collision. The female passenger of the Nissan sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision and was pronounced dead at the Ventura County Medical Center. The Nissan’s driver, Medina, was transported to Ventura County Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. Driver Rodriguez-Amaya was not injured as a result of the collision.

Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this collision.

It is unclear whether the signal light was red or green when the Infinity made the left turn.
If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at
805-385-7750.

An investigation is ongoing.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 12, 2013, 6:30 p.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, March 7, 2013, 4:45 p.m.
LOCATION:	300 block of S. K St., Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Male employee of Oxnard Union High School District
SUSPECT(S):	Raymond Borjas, 43 years old, transient
PREPARED BY:	Ken Klopman, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Eduardo Miranda, Commander (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On 3/7/13 at about 4:45 p.m., an employee of the Oxnard Union High School District at 309 S. K St. notified the Oxnard Police Department that a subject loitering behind one of the district office buildings had just threatened and attempted to stab a custodian with a screwdriver. Two officers arrived minutes later and as they searched the area, they encountered the suspect, Raymond Borjas, when he jumped out from behind a building brandishing the officers with the screwdriver before fleeing on foot. The officers pursued the suspect from behind the building and onto K St. south of Second St. where the suspect stopped and again turned to confront the officers still brandishing the screwdriver. A slow, walking stand-off ensued with the suspect continuing to back away from the officers while still brandishing the screwdriver and ignoring officers’ commands to drop his weapon.

The suspect moved north on K St. and then east on Second St. until, approximately half a block later; he was contained with the assistance of additional officers who had arrived to assist. After several minutes of attempts to negotiate with the suspect, he continued to refuse to drop the screwdriver and officers were forced to deploy less-lethal force options that then allowed the officers to approach the suspect and take him into custody without further incident. Borjas was medically cleared at a local hospital before being booked into Ventura County Jail for 245(a)(1) PC – Assault With A Deadly Weapon (a felony), 148(a)(1) PC – Resisting Arrest, and 11364.1(a) – Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia. No officers or bystanders were injured during the incident.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/7/13, 7:20 p.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle Versus Pedestrian Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	March 12, 2013 / 2125 hours
LOCATION:	Channel Island Boulevard east of Paula Street,Oxnard
DRIVER:	Jose Carlos Flores-Zalauz, 22, Oxnard resident
PEDESTRIAN:	Hispanic male, 68, Oxnard resident (name withheld pending notification of next of kin)


VEHICLE:	Black 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On March 12, 2013, at about 2125 hours, officers and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian near the intersection of Channel Islands Boulevard and Paula Street. Upon arrival, officers found that a black Mitsubishi Lancer had collided with a pedestrian just east of Paula Street. Officers also found the Hispanic male pedestrian unconscious in the roadway.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Mitsubishi, driven by Jose Carlos Flores-Zalauz, was traveling westbound on Channel Islands Boulevard towards Paula Street. The pedestrian was crossing northbound across Channel Islands Boulevard just east of Paula Street. For unknown reasons, the pedestrian walked into the lanes of traffic in front of the Mitsubishi. Driver Flores-Zalauz then struck the pedestrian. The pedestrian was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he died from his injuries. Driver Flores-Zalauz was not injured as a result of the collision.

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol are a factor in the collision.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at
805-385-7750.

The investigation is ongoing.

###

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 13, 2013, 0115 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Multiple Arrests For Gun Possession
DATE/TIME:	3/16/13 to 3/21/13
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Christian Rodriguez (18 years old), Oxnard resident Sergio Zendejas (21 years old), Oxnard resident Alejandro Cabrera (23 years old), Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 486-6211 [email protected]

DETAILS:
Within the last week, the Oxnard Police Department arrested three Oxnard residents for weapons violations.

The first arrest took place on 3/16/13, at approximately 2245 hours. Uniformed patrol officers attempted to contact Christian Rodriguez and an acquaintance in the 1300 block of Colonia Road. Rodriguez and the acquaintance fled from officers but were apprehended a short distance away. During the chase, Rodriguez discarded a loaded firearm. Rodriguez was arrested for a weapons violation.

The second arrest occurred on 3/18/13, at approximately 2130 hours. Patrol officers stopped a vehicle in the 100 block of North Rose Avenue. The officers spoke to several occupants in the vehicle. One passenger, Sergio Zendejas, was found to be on probation. He was searched and a loaded handgun was found in his pants pocket. Zendejas was arrested for the gun violation.

The third arrest took place on 3/21/13, at approximately 2000 hours. Uniformed officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation when a passenger, Alejandro Cabrera, suddenly fled from the vehicle. Officers gave chase and quickly apprehended Cabrera. The officers also retrieved a loaded handgun that Cabrera tossed as he was trying to evade capture. Cabrera was arrested for an outstanding warrant and charged with weapons violations.

The Oxnard police department is committed to ensuring a safe community for the citizens of Oxnard.

If you wish to report criminal activity and remain anonymous, you can provide information by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. Or, contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. Visit the web site http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/22/13, 1940 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Kidnappings
DATE/TIME:	March 19, 2013, 5:30 AM & March 23, 2013, 5:50 AM
LOCATION:	J Street @ Oleander Drive J Street @ Redwood Street
VICTIM(S):	Female, 24yrs, Oxnard Resident Female, 26yrs, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic Male, 30s, 5’6”, medium build, dark colored/black hooded sweatshirt and jeans
PREPARED BY:	Detective Jaime Miranda
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jaime Miranda 805-385-7665 [email protected]

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is currently investigating two recent possible attempted kidnap incidents. The suspect descriptions in both incidents are similar and both incidents are believed to be related.

The first incident occurred on Tuesday, March 19^th, 2013 at about 5:30 AM. The female victim, a 24 year old Oxnard resident, was walking to her vehicle which was parked in the area of Oleander Drive and J Street when she noticed a Hispanic male, approximately 30 years old, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, with the hood covering his face and blue jeans walking behind her. The female victim got into her vehicle and quickly began to close the door. The male subject grabbed the top of the door to prevent her from closing it, but the female victim was able to close the door, quickly start her car and flee the area. The female victim was not injured.

The second incident occurred on Saturday, March 23^rd, 2013 at about 5:50 AM. The female victim, a 26 year old Oxnard resident, was waiting for her ride near the intersection of Redwood Street and J Street. This area is approximately one block south of where the first incident occurred. As she was waiting she noticed a Hispanic male subject approximately 30 years old, wearing a dark or black hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans carrying a miniature wooden baseball bat walking towards her. The female victim began to walk away, but was grabbed by the male subject. The male subject began pulling the female victim into a nearby alley, but the female victim was able to get away and call for help. The suspect was last seen running south on J Street. The victim in this incident complained of pain to her arm from being grabbed.

If anyone has information about these incidents, or they are a victim of a similar crime that hasn’t been reported to the police, they are encouraged to call Detective Jaime Miranda at (805) 385-7665. If you wish to remain anonymous you, may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

Event:	Every 15 Minutes (E15M) Program at Oxnard High School (OHS)
DATE/TIME:	May 1, 2013, starting at about 11:25 a.m
LOCATION:	Oxnard High School 3400 W. Gonzales Rd. Oxnard, CA 93036
??PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, (805) 385-7631, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	School Resource Officer Tenille Chacon, (805) 385-7600 [email protected] and Sergeant Ken Klopman, (805)385-7625 [email protected]

DETAILS:

(OXNARD, Calif)– Tomorrow, Wednesday May 1, 2013, officers from the Oxnard Police Department will be coordinating the Every 15 Minutes (E15M) Program at Oxnard High School (OHS). Unique in its design and powerful in its impact, the E15M Program is an educational experience that reminds us all of the dangers associated with driving while impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs.

“We look for creative and meaningful ways to engage and drive deep-rooted messages to the core of our young individuals,’ said Tenille Chacon who serves as the School Resource Officer at Oxnard High School. “Students are amongst the most creative, and dynamic people in our community, at the same time amongst the most impressionable. Our hope is that this program sparks conversations amongst friends, and reaffirms tenets of responsibility and accountability,” she said.

Every 15 minutes in the U.S., someone is killed in a crash involving an impaired driver. The E15M program includes student participants being removed from their class every 15 minutes throughout the morning by an Oxnard Police Officer who acts as the Grim Reaper. An obituary is read to the class and the student participants later return to class as the “living dead”, complete with white face make-up. From that point on (since the victims are “dead”), they will not speak or otherwise interact with others for the remainder of the day except to be present in their regular classes.

Starting at about 11:25 a.m. on May 1, the OHS student body (all Juniors & Seniors) will assemble in the football stadium to witness a mock head-on crash scene and simulated rescue that will include a full emergency response by Oxnard Police, Oxnard Fire, Gold Coast EMS, Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office, and McCarty & Sons Towing.

At the end of the school day, instead of returning home, student participants made into the “living dead” or those who were “killed” in the crash, together with several adult chaperones, will be transported to a local hotel for an overnight student retreat, facilitated by a support staff of counselors and police officers. The participants will continue to be out of contact with their family and friends overnight to simulate their separation/death.

The E15M program will continue on May 2, 2013 with a mock “funeral” assembly in the Oxnard High School gym starting at 11:30 a.m. where participants and their parents will share personal and often very emotional letters they wrote to one another the previous evening that begin with “Dear Mom & Dad, Every 15 minutes in the United States, someone is killed in a crash involving an impaired driver. Today I died. I never had a chance to tell you…” This is arguably the most powerful, impactful, and emotional part of the 2- day program. While the crash was staged, the emotions of the funeral assembly are very real!

“This is the first year I have been a part of E15 at OHS,” says Chacon. “The last time OHS participated in E15 was in 2008. The impact I have seen at CIHS at PHS is huge. You see some of the toughest students break down during the retreat after the first day. These students really come to realize what an impact they could have on their parents and loved ones if something was to happen to them. Similarly, I have witnessed students left in the stands crying after our mock funeral and presentation. It hits some of these kids particularly hard because they have had a loved one die or impacted in a significant way due to a drunk driver.”

This powerful no cost educational program, funded by community donations and sponsored by the Oxnard Police Foundation, will challenge teenagers and others to think about the responsibility of making mature decisions when lives are involved.

This year Oxnard High School participants are:

Amelia Veronica
Benito Moran
Andrea Resendiz
Meagan Contreras
Ashley Klug
Jelani Legohn
Devin Babuata
Jesse Godinez
Roy Cervantes
Sergio Esquivel
Adam Espinosa
Rukiah Cotton
Ashley Molina
Marissa Felix
Kelly Albers
Andres Cardona
Officer Greg Harasymowycz (as the Grim Reaper)

##

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 30, 2013, 9:45 AM

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Officer Involved Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	May 2, 2013 / 2120 hours
LOCATION:	Wooley Road @ C Street, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On May 2, 2013, at about 9:21 P.M., Sergeant Jack Kujawa was responded to an emergency call with the lights and siren activated on his police unit. He was traveling westbound on Wooley Road. As Kujawa neared the intersection of Wooley Road and C Street, he slowed for a red traffic signal and proceeded through when the intersection appeared clear. As he drove through the intersection, a Chevy Camaro, driven by Daniel Ramos, failed to yield to Kujawa’s police unit. The Camaro then broadsided the police unit. The Camaro had been traveling southbound on C Street prior to the collision.

Sergeant Kujawa was transported to St. John’s Hospital and is listed in stable condition. Mr. Ramos refused medical treatment.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at
805-385-7750. The investigation is ongoing.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Collision
DATE/TIME:	June 1, 2013 / 1620 hours
LOCATION:	Ventura Road and Hill Street
DRIVER 1:	Ronald Finch, 45 years, Oxnard Resident
DRIVER 2:	Alvaro Diego Juarez, 28 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Blue 1995 Chevrolet Pick-up
VEHICLE 2:	Tan 2005 Chevrolet Silverado
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On June 1, 2013, at about 4:20 P.M., officers and EMS responded to an injury traffic collision involving two pick-up trucks at the intersection of Ventura Road and Hill Street. Upon arrival, officers found that a blue Chevy pick-up truck had collided with a tan Chevy Silverado and then struck a light pole. Officers also found an unconscious male in the blue Chevy.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the blue Chevy truck, driven by Ronald Finch, was traveling southbound on Ventura Road towards Hill Street. The tan Chevy Silverado, driven by Alvaro Diego Juarez, was stopped in the left turn lane of southbound Ventura Road at Hill Street. Witnesses stated that the blue Chevy quickly veered to the left just before Hill Street, striking the rear of the Silverado. The blue Chevy continued forward and collided into a light pole.

Driver Finch was transported for further treatment and is currently listed in critical condition. Driver Juarez and his passengers, Janet Olguin (24 years) and Luis Diego (22 years), were also transported and are currently listed in stable condition.

A witness advised police personnel that the blue Chevy had collided into a traffic control box at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Wooley Road several minutes before colliding with the Silverado.

It is suspected that drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at 805-385-7750. The investigation is ongoing.

###

DATE / TIME PREPARED: June 1, 2013, 9:20 P.M.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Murder
DATE/TIME:	06-11-2013 – 10:40 am
LOCATION:	1500 Block Crawford St, City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Adult male Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Andres Rene Rodriguez, 29 year old Oxnard resident (photo attached)
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Detective Mike Johnson
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Mike Johnson (805) 385-7645 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On 6/11/2013, at about 10:40 am, Oxnard Police Department officers were dispatched to a call of a shooting victim in the 1500 block of Crawford St, City of Oxnard. Officers arrived and located a single shooting victim with a gunshot wound to his arm. The victim was immediately transported to the local hospital where the victim was treated for his non-life-threatening wounds.

During the course of the investigation Andres Rene Rodriguez, a 29-year old Oxnard resident, was identified as the suspect. Rodriguez was released from custody in April of 2013 under the Post Release Offender Program, a program which releases non-violent, and non-serious offenders from prison pursuant to Assembly Bill 109. Rodriguez is currently at large and has multiple felony warrants for his arrest. Rodriguez should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS. If Rodriguez is observed, please do not attempt to contact him and call police immediately.

Anyone with further information regarding the attempt murder or Rodriguez’ whereabouts please contact Detective Mike Johnson with the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit at (805) 385-7645. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 18, 2013, 10:50 a.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	459 PC Vehicle Burglary
DATE/TIME:	8/24/13 at 4:30 AM
LOCATION:	Kipling Place and Terrace Ave
VICTIM(S):	Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Two Juveniles, both Oxnard residents Albert Torres, 18 years old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	Personal Property
PREPARED BY:	Officer G. Utter
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda / 805-385-7600

DETAILS:
On 8/24/13, at approximately 4:30 AM, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the area of Kipling Place and Terrace Ave reference suspicious subjects possibly casing for burglaries in the area. Officers located three suspects who were in the process of burglarizing a vehicle. All three suspects were taken into custody without incident and were arrested for vehicle burglary and conspiracy. Albert Torres was also found to be in possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

Citizens are reminded to take the following steps to avoid becoming a victim:

Please do not leave any valuable possessions in your vehicles.
Please make sure to lock your vehicles and remove the keys.
Please be certain to secure windows and doors to your homes.

If you see suspicious activity, please report it to the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740, or dial 911.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/24/13 / 6:25 AM