News | Page 36 | Oxnard Police Department

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 25, 2024

SUBJECT: Narcotic Sales / Illegal Gun Possession Arrest

SUSPECTS: Michael Silerio, 56 year-old Oxnard Resident

Monica Silerio, 50 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 1300 block of Edgewood Way, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7623 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) [email protected]

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) completed an investigation into the alleged narcotic sales committed by Michael Silerio, a 56 year-old Oxnard resident. During the course of the investigation, DEU detectives gathered sufficient evidence allowing them to secure a search warrant for Silerio’s residence.

On January 25, 2024, the Oxnard Police Department’s DEU, with the assistance of the Violent Crimes and K9 units executed the search warrant at Silerio’s residence. The search warrant resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of illegal narcotics possessed for sales and two illegally possessed handguns. Silerio has a prior felony conviction which prohibits him from owning or possessing any firearms. He was arrested for numerous narcotic and firearms-related offenses and booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Pre-Trial Detention facility.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit is comprised of detectives who have been federally deputized as Task Force Officer(s) by the Federal of Bureau of Investigation. These Task Force Officer(s) are assigned to the Ventura County Criminal Investigation Division and are in charge with the duties of investigating violations of the drug and criminal laws of the United States of America.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses in the city of Oxnard. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 24, 2024 (5:36 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Police Service Dog “Joey” Locates Concealed Handgun, Documented Gang Member / Prohibited Person Arrested

SUSPECTS: Rudy Ordonez, 20-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 1200 blk. Felicia Ct., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On January 24th, at approximately 5:36 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a foot patrol in the 1200 blk. of Felicia Ct. During the foot patrol they contacted Rudy Ordonez, a documented criminal street gang member with prior firearms convictions. The officers located Ordonez as he was attempting to hide near a parked vehicle.

Officers were aware of Ordonez’ prior firearm conviction and were aware of his search terms. K9 Officer Coronel responded with his partner, Police Service Dog “Joey” to assist with a search of the area where Ordonez was observed hiding. Joey, who has been trained in detecting the presence of firearms and ammunition, conducted a search where Ordonez was seen hiding and located a loaded Glock 9-millimeter handgun that was concealed near the wheel well of the vehicle.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 25, 2024 (7:29 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Documented Gang Member / Prohibited Person, in Possession of P80 Handgun

SUSPECTS: Victor Lara, 18-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 2500 blk. El Dorado Ave., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On January 25, at approximately 7:29 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) were conducting a foot patrol in the 2500 blk. of El Dorado Ave. reference gang activity. Officers made contact with three individuals that appeared to be smoking marijuana in public. As officers made contact with the subjects, they attempted to flee but were quickly apprehended.

One subject, later identified as Victor Lara, was observed discarding an object near the north side of a residence. Officers checked the area and located a loaded handgun. Upon further inspection of the firearm, officers determined the handgun to be a loaded 9-millimeter, Glock-style, Polymer 80, un-serialized, semi-automatic handgun. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. Lara was arrested for possessing the P80 handgun.

Lara is a documented criminal street gang member who has prior convictions for firearm possession. Due to Lara’s convictions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Firearm prohibition is also a specific term of his probation.

Officers are on scene of a traffic collision at Stroube Street and Vineyard Avenue. Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route until the scene is cleared.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 23, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian

LOCATION: Vineyard Avenue at Stroube Street

DRIVER: Albert Betkouchar, Santa Clarita Resident

VEHICLE: 2014 Honda Accord

BICYCLIST: Unidentified Male, 30-to-40 years old

CONTACT: Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

(805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

On January 23, 2024, at approximately 7:04 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian that occurred at the intersection of Vineyard Avenue and Stroube Street. The pedestrian, an unidentified male in his thirties, sustained major injuries and was transported to a hospital. He was pronounced deceased a short time later. The driver of the vehicle, Albert Betkouchar, remained on scene and was uninjured.

Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that Betkouchar was driving northbound Vineyard Avenue when he struck the pedestrian, who had been crossing Vineyard Avenue at the intersection of Stroube Street. Investigators did not believe that alcohol and/or drugs were contributing factors to the collision. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)200-5668 or via email at [email protected].

All officers have cleared the scene. Thank you for your patience.

On Tue, Jan 23, 2024 at 8:02 PM Baysinger, Kevin <[email protected]> wrote:

Officers are on scene of a traffic collision at Stroube Street and Vineyard Avenue. Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route until the scene is cleared.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 20, 2024

SUBJECT: Fatal Train Collision Involving a Pedestrian

LOCATION: Gonzales Road and Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard

PEDESTRIAN: 64-year-old male of Oxnard, CA

CONTACT: Michael Gens, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

On January 19, 2024 at approximately 12:54 p.m., Oxnard Police Officers, Oxnard Fire Department personnel and EMS responded to collision involving a train and pedestrian in the area of Gonzales Road and Oxnard Boulevard. Based on preliminary investigation, it was determined that an Amtrak Train was traveling northbound when it collided with a pedestrian who was on the tracks. The collision occurred north of Gonzales Road, along a stretch of the track that has no designated crossing for pedestrians or vehicles. It is unknown why the pedestrian was on the tracks. The pedestrian succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 19, 2024 (4:11 PM)

SUBJECT: Juvenile (16yrs) Arrested for Firearms Possession

SUSPECTS: Juvenile (16yrs)

LOCATION: 4700 Block of Olds Road

CONTACT: Martin Cook, Sergeant

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

On January 19, 2024, at approximately 4:11 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Patrol Division were conducting a foot patrol in the 4700 block of Olds Road due to recent gang-related activity in the area and subjects loitering in the alleyways. The officers located a sixteen-year-old male subject loitering in the alleyway. The subject was found in possession of nicotine products and a search was conducted. The juvenile was found to have a loaded semi-automatic 9-millimeter Glock-style Polymer 80 handgun concealed on his person. The juvenile was arrested for various felony firearms-related charges. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are commercially sold as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

Commander Steve Trickle

Oxnard Police Department

Patrol Watch Commander

805-385-7600

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 19, 2024 (9:24 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Passenger Arrested for Possessing Concealed Handgun

SUSPECTS: Devin Knapp, 29-year-old Gardena resident

LOCATION: A St. at Fifth St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On January 19th, at approximately 9:24 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of A St. and Fifth St. During the contact officers learned the driver did not have a valid driver’s license. The officers began removing the occupants from the vehicle.

One of the passengers, later identified as Devin Knapp, admitted to being in possession of a concealed handgun. Officers confiscated the handgun and Knapp was taken into custody for firearms violations.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: January 13, 2024

SUBJECT: Serious Injury Traffic Collision

VEHICLE: 2002 Chevy Avalanche

DRIVER: Hector Lopez, 48-yr-old Oxnard resident

PEDESTRIAN: Thomas Fernandez, 35-yr-old Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Alvaro Pulido, Corporal

(805) 385-7749 (Mon-Th 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

On January 13, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a call for service regarding a traffic collision involving a vehicle striking a pedestrian at Wooley Road and Oxnard Boulevard.

Upon arrival, officers located a pedestrian in the roadway suffering from significant injuries. The pedestrian, later identified as Thomas Fernandez, was quickly transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Hector Lopez, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

Investigators believe the Chevy Avalanche was traveling westbound on Wooley Road when it struck Fernandez. Investigators do not believe speed or impairment are a contributing factor to the collision however the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Corporal Alvaro Pulido at (805) 385-7749 or via email at [email protected]. Also, anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600.

If the inquiry is outside of the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage the use of the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more effective way to reach the Investigator. Our watch commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and still can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778.