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 Code Compliance and City Corps cleanup Halaco site
DATE/TIME:	October 21, 2013
LOCATION:	6200 Perkins Road, Oxnard, CA 93033
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, (805) 385-7631, miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Rob Silverstein, Code Compliance Manager, (805) 385-8263, rob.silverstein@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
(OXNARD, Calif)– Oxnard Police Code Compliance and City Corps members came together last week for an abatement cleanup of the Halaco site, in the process, showing the general public what a small group of dedicated people can do when they come together.

“This really is a labor of love. We cannot simply walk up and start cleaning up on a project like this. The process can be long and arduous, but we received an Abatement Warrant from the Superior Court, and started our cleanup efforts on Monday. By the weekend, our work at the site was complete,” said Oxnard Code Compliance Manager Rob Silverstein,

The old-Halaco Engineering Company was added to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund National Priorities List in 2007. The former Halaco Engineering Co. metals recycling facility off Perkins Road operated from 1965 to 2004, when the company shut down after filing for bankruptcy protection.

During its 40-years of operation, Halaco produced a large quantity of waste (i.e., slag) containing residual metals from the smelting process. From about 1965 to 1970, Halaco discharged waste into unlined settling ponds in or adjacent to the Oxnard Industrial Drain. From about 1970 to 2002, Halaco deposited wastes into unlined earthen settling ponds east of the smelter. More than 700,000 cubic yards of waste and radioactive material still remain on-site.

“The before and after are drastic,” says Miguel Lopez, Oxnard Police Community Affairs Manager. “Keeping up with their standard of hard-work and attention to every detail, Code Compliance and City Corps came in and got the abatement job done—cleaning up overgrown brush and providing overdue graffiti-removal safely. The team’s attitude, commitment, and hard-work needs to be recognized and commended,” Lopez added.

In 2006, after Halaco ceased its operations, the bankruptcy was converted to a Chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcy. Members of the Haack family retain ownership of the 11-acre smelter area, but in 2006, Alpha and Omega Development LLC purchased the 26-acre waste management area. The future use of the property remains uncertain.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to thank Code Compliance Manager Rob Silverstein, Officers Johanna Garcia and Christina Galindo; as well as, Efren Gorre, Maria Chavez, and the City Corps team who provided invaluable support. “We hope visitors to Ormond Beach are able to enjoy the beach and natural wetlands a little bit more, after our best efforts at a temporary cleanup,” said Silverstein.

[Note: small sample of before/after pictures attached. Additional photos will be uploaded to our Oxnard Police Facebook Page.]

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco1.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco2.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco3.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco4.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco5.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco6.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco7.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco8.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/Halaco10.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa1.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa2.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa4.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa6.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa8.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa13.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa16.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa18.jpg

https://www.oxnardpd.org/images/halaco/halacoa200.jpg

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT:	DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint Planned this Weekend
DATE/TIME:	11/22/2013
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Senior Traffic Officer Jamie Brown
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Traffic Officer Jamie Brown, 805-385-7749

DETAILS: Oxnard, CA – Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint on November 22, 2013 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely.

Nationally, the latest data shows nearly 10,000 were killed by impaired driving. “Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 6 lives and resulted in 211 injury crashes harming 298 of our friends and neighbors,” said Senior Officer Jamie Brown. During the same three year period, there were 1,699 persons arrested in Oxnard for driving while impaired.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

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.

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

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.

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:	December 10, 2013 / 1725 hours
LOCATION:	Gonzales Road at Oxnard Boulevard
PARTY 1:	Joe Cotton, 78 years, Oxnard resident
PARTY 2:	Monica Amezcua, 41 years, Oxnard resident
VEHICLE 1:	White, 1999 Plymouth Voyager van
VEHICLE 2:	Tan, 2010 Honda Accord

PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Traffic Officer Manuel Perez (805) 385-7600 manuel.perez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On December 10, 2013, at about 5:25 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to intersection of Gonzales Road and Oxnard Boulevard in reference to an injury traffic collision involving white Plymouth Voyager van and a tan Honda Accord.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Plymouth van, driven by Joe Cotton, was traveling westbound on Gonzales Road approaching Oxnard Boulevard when it rear ended the tan Honda Accord, driven by Monica Amezcua, as it was preparing to turn right onto Oxnard Boulevard. It is suspected that driver Cotton suffered a disabling medical condition just prior to the collision. Cotton was transported from the scene to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center where he later died.

Driver Amezcua was uninjured during the collision but two passengers in her vehicle suffered minor injuries. They were treated at the scene and released.

Alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Traffic Officer Manuel Perez at 805-385-7600. 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:	Recovered Vehicle from Homicide
DATE/TIME:	12/15/13 1400 hours
LOCATION:	Nyeland Acres area
VICTIM(S):	Juan Carlos Garcia, 26 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown

VEHICLE(S):	Black 1997 Nissan Truck, California license 5P25941 (similar to photo below)

PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Martin Perez, (805) 385-7680 Martin.Perez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department located the black 1997 Nissan truck (CA license 5P25941) belonging to Juan Carlos Garcia. The vehicle was unoccupied and recovered.

Investigators are continuing to investigate and establish a motive in this case. Investigators don’t believe this incident is gang related. Juan Carlos Garcia’s family and investigators are strongly urging that anyone with information to contact Detective Martin Perez at (805) 385-7680 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arson Arrest / Combative Suspect
DATE/TIME:	12-21-13, 1040 hours
LOCATION:	1600 Block of East 5th Street
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Eduardo Hernandez, 40 years
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Commander Andrew Salinas
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police and Fire Communications Center (805) 385-7740

DETAILS:

On 12-21-13, at about 1040 hours, an officer was on uniformed patrol along the 1600 Block of 5th Street when he observed a male subject, later identified as Eduardo Hernandez, fanning a fire along the tree line by the railroad tracks. It appeared to the officer that the subject was assisting the fire as opposed to extinguishing the flames. The officer reported the fire and attempted to make contact with the subject who was now walking away from the fire. The suspect became uncooperative and ultimately became combative. Following a lengthy struggle, the suspect was apprehended by a Police K9 Unit.

The suspect was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. No officers were injured during this incident. The suspect has an extensive drug history and was recently arrested for arson in the City of Oxnard. Suspect Eduardo Hernandez will be charged with resisting arrest, threatening a police officer, and arson.

If anyone has information about this incident or witnesses the incidient, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740.

Date / Time Prepared: 12-21-13 / 1600 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest: Stolen Vehicle and Loaded Firearm
DATE/TIME:	1-13-14 / 0300 hours
LOCATION:	4000 Block of South “C” Street
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Cancino, 21-year old Oxnard resident 16-year old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant David Walker
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Martin Meyer, (805) 385-7600, martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 1-13-14, at approximately 0300 hours, officers located a stolen vehicle being driven in the 4000 Block of South “C” Street. The driver was a 16-year old Oxnard resident and the passenger was identified as Jose Cancino, a 21-year old Oxnard resident. Both were taken into custody without incident.

During a search of the vehicle, a loaded .22 caliber revolver was recovered. A small quantity of methamphetamine was also recovered. The juvenile was arrested for driving a stolen vehicle and possession of narcotics. He was booked into Ventura County Juvenile Hall. Cancino was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle and booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Date / Time Prepared: 1-13-14 / 0650 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Hot Prowl into a residence
DATE/TIME:	3/18/14 0320 hours
LOCATION:	2400 Block of East Pleasant Valley Road, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	8 year old female
SUSPECT(S):	Male subject – no further description provided
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Sharon Giles, Investigative Services Bureau (805) 385-7620, Sharon.Giles@Oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Sharon Giles, Family Protection Unit 805-385-7620

DETAILS: On March 18, 2014 at 0332 hours, officers responded to the Colony Mobile Home Park located in the 2400 Block of East Pleasant Valley Road regarding a prowler.

Officers learned a male suspect had entered a mobile home through an open bedroom window. The screen to the window was cut to gain entrance. Once inside the bedroom, the suspect placed a rag over an eight-year old female’s mouth. The female woke up and began to scream for her parents. The suspect fled out the opened bedroom window. The victim was not injured.

Oxnard Police continue to remind residents to exercise caution and continue to utilize the crime prevention tips we have been sharing this year. These tips have been shared weekly as a part of our ongoing Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, via news release, on our Department website, Facebook Page, and on Nextdoor.com.

• Lock all windows and doors at night and when you leave your residence or vehicle unattended.
• Close all of the windows – thieves can open vehicle and access homes through the smallest of openings.
• Don’t forget to set your residential alarm if you have one.
• To avoid obstruction, keep landscape trimmed.
• The best crime prevention tool ever invented is A GOOD NEIGHBOR! One of the best crime fighting teams are neighbors working in conjunction with the police department, and reporting all suspicious activity
• Report any suspicious activity or persons to the Oxnard Police Department, 805-385-7740.

Especially as the weather continues to be warmer, Oxnard Police encourage residents to secure doors and windows at night and when one is away from home.

Detectives are still investigating the case and request that if anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Oxnard P.D. at (805) 385-7620. 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 18, 2014.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle Pursuit / Weapons (Gun) Arrest
DATE/TIME:	3-30-14, 2019 hours
LOCATION:	“J” Street at Wooley Road
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Manuel Tejeda, 21 years old, Oxnard resident Raymond Suarez, 22 years old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Blue 2005 Nissan Sentra
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Dan Whitmer, Sergeant, (805) 385-7600 daniel.whitmer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 3-30-14, at 2019 hours, members of the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) were working in the area of “J” Street and Wooley Road. SEU officers attempted to stop a blue Nissan Sentra when they observed a wanted subject, identified as Manuel Tejeda. After attempting to stop the vehicle a short pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, a passenger identified as Raymond Suarez, discarded a loaded .22 caliber handgun from the vehicle which was immediately recovered by officers. Suarez and Tejeda were apprehended after they fled from the vehicle on foot. A third unidentified subject also fled from the vehicle but was never located.

Suarez was arrested for several weapons charges and gang injunction violations. Tejeda was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant, gang injunction violations, and vehicle evading.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740, or if you wish to remain anonymous, the Violent Crimes Hotline, (805) 982-7070, or Ventura County Crime Stoppers, (800) 222-8477, www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx to submit a tip via text or e-mail.

Date / Time Prepared: 3-31-14 / 0123 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Street Racer Enforcement Detail
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, April 3, 2014 8:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Daniel Shrubb, Traffic Sergeant (805) 200-5670 daniel.shrubb@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Senior Officer (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On April 3, 2014, between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 2:00 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted its third enforcement detail targeting street racing within a 3 week period. During recent months, the Oxnard Police Department has received several complaints regarding motorists and their vehicles creating nuisances related to “street racing” at selected locations throughout the city. The focus is to not only reduce collisions as a result of this behavior, but to discourage this type of activity amongst motorists and keep our city streets safe.

In addition to today’s detail, the first enforcement detail was held on March 13^th, and the second on March 27^th, 2014 – both between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. During these enforcement dates, drivers were stopped for various vehicle code violations and citations were issued to 44 drivers. Officers arrested a total of eight drivers related to “speed contest” violations where in most cases, vehicles were observed racing in excess of 80 miles per hour on city streets. A total of 10 vehicles were towed and these driver’s vehicles will be impounded for a period of 30 days for their involvement in street racing.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct these enforcement operations during the year. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of speed related crashes and make our roadways and community safer. We remind people that if they see this type of activity to call 911. These 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 about this enforcement detail, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking
DATE/TIME:	May 24, 2014 / 10:12 P.M.
LOCATION:	900 block of Cooper Road
VICTIM(S):	Male, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	#1 Hispanic male, 20s, wearing a gray sweatshirt, black shorts, armed with a handgun #2 Hispanic male 20s, bald, wearing a black sweatshirt
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Green Mazda Van 4PJH482 (recovered)
PREPARED BY:	Denise Shadinger, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Communications 385-7740

DETAILS:
On May 24, 2014, at about 2212 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 900 block of Cooper Road to contact a carjacking victim. The victim told officers he was sitting in his vehicle, a green, 1997, Mazda van, when he was approached by the above-listed suspects. The suspects ordered him out of his vehicle at gunpoint. The suspects then fled in the victim’s vehicle. The victim was not injured during the incident.

The victim’s vehicle was located, unoccupied, by officers a short time later in the area of Gisler Avenue and Olive Street, Oxnard. Both suspects are still outstanding.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740. 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. If you happen to find the vehicle, call 911 immediately.