Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	10/26/13 2248 hours
LOCATION:	1100 block of South “L” Street
VICTIM(S):	49 year old Oxnard resident, name withheld pending notification of next of kin
SUSPECT(S):	17 year old Oxnard resident



PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Ken Tougas, (805) 200-5669 ken.tougas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 10/26/13 at approximately 2248 hours, officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of South “L” Street regarding a suspicious death. When officers arrived they located a male subject deceased inside the residence.

The victim was a 49 year old Oxnard resident. His name is being withheld until his family is notified. During the course of the investigation it was determined that the subject was a victim of homicide. Investigators were able to identify a suspect and make an arrest. Investigators are continuing their investigation and are still attempting to establish a motive for the attack. Investigators don’t believe this was a random act and both the victim and suspect know each other. Unfortunately because this is an active investigation, no further details will be released at this time.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Ken Tougas at (805) 200-5669. 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. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10/27/13, 1830 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gun in a Vehicle – Arrests
DATE/TIME:	11-7-13 / 0125 hours
LOCATION:	2^nd Street at Navarro Street
SUSPECT(S):	16 and 17-year old males
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org, (805) 207-7078

DETAILS:
On 11-7-13, at 0125 hours, officers were dispatched to the area of Colonia Road and Gloria Court regarding four subjects disturbing possibly challenging pedestrians. The subjects were reportedly in a white sedan.

Officers located a vehicle matching that description occupied by four subjects. The vehicle was stopped at 2^nd Street and Navarro Street. Officers located a loaded large caliber handgun in the vehicle.

A 16-year old male was arrested for 26100(a) PC, Driver Allowing Another Person to Bring a Firearm into a Motor Vehicle. A 17-year old male passenger was arrested for 25400(a)(2) PC, Carrying a Concealed Firearm, and 25850(a) PC, Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Motor Vehicle. Another male juvenile was cited for curfew. An adult male was released at the scene.

Officers credit the public’s quick reporting of this disturbance which led to the arrests that took a gun off the streets.

Officers are still attempting to determine whether this was a gang-motivated incident.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 11-8-13, 0335 hours

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:	November 12, 2013 / 9:18 P.M.
LOCATION:	Cooper Road / Garfield Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Male, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	2- Hispanic females, 17 years (one wearing white shirt and one wearing black shirt), One Hispanic male, 21 years (wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt)
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Alex Arnett, Detective Sergeant 805-486-6211 Alex.Arnett@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On November 12, 2013, at about 2118 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a victim of a carjacking in the area of Cooper Road and Garfield Avenue. The victim told the officers that he was driving his vehicle and had stopped for the stop sign at the intersection of Cooper Road and Garfield Avenue when he was approached by a female suspect. The suspect, approximately 17-years old, brandished a black handgun and told the victim to exit the car. The victim complied. The suspect entered the driver’s seat of the vehicle along with two additional suspects and drove away. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.

The vehicle was located later, unoccupied, at 0553 hours in the area of the 700 block of Aster Street.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 11/13/13 – 1000 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	12/14/13 1030 hours
LOCATION:	1500 block of Alturas Street
VICTIM(S):	Juan Carlos Garcia, 26 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
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 has identified the victim from yesterday’s homicide as 26 year old Oxnard resident, Juan Carlos Garcia. Investigators are still attempting to identify the person/s responsible and establish a motive for the incident. Juan Carlos Garcia’s family and investigators are strongly urging that anyone with information 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.

The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 12/14/13, 1030 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Dead Body
DATE/TIME:	01/17/2014
LOCATION:	Third Street @ B Street
VICTIM(S):	Held pending notification of relatives
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	D. Klug, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office

DETAILS:
On January 17, 2014 at about 1715 hours officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a subject not breathing in the area of “B” Street south of Third Street. Upon arrival officers located a 49 year old homeless person on a bench on the west side of “B” Street just south of Third Street. Emergency medical personnel attempted life saving measures, however were unsuccessful. The Medical Examiner’s Investigator responded and took over the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Search Warrant Served at Suspected Drug House / Post Release Offender (PRO) Arrest

DATE/TIME:

1/30/14 at approximately 7:30 A.M.

LOCATION:

400 block Ocotlan Way, Oxnard

SUSPECT(S):

Jaime Martinez, 48 years old, Oxnard resident
Jose Gutierrez, 30 years old, Oxnard resident
Thomas Eaves, 20 years old, Oxnard resident
Griselda Zaragoza, 36 years old, Oxnard resident
Marina Barcenas, 34 years old, Oxnard resident
Jonnie Gagliardo, 30 years old, Oxnard resident
Gilberto Placencia, 50 years old, Oxnard resident
Alexander Benavidez, 46 years old, Oxnard resident
Juan Soto, 31 years old, Oxnard resident
Matthew Hernandez, 31 years old, Oxnard resident

PREPARED BY:

Detective James Langford

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Detective James Langford, Narcotics Unit, 805-385-7638

DETAILS:On January 30, 2014, at about 7:30 A.M, members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Narcotics Unit, Property Crimes Unit, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team served a search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of Ocotlan Way in the Oxnard. The search warrant was a result of a year-long investigation of the residence being used for the purposes of selling and using narcotics.

During the search warrant, ten (10) persons were located at the residence along with narcotics, narcotics paraphernalia, stolen property, a loaded short barrel shotgun, and ammunition.

All ten persons located at the residence were arrested for the following offenses:

Jaime Martinez, arrested on suspicion of maintaining a place for the use or sales of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia
Jose Gutierrez, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
Thomas Eaves, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
Griselda Zaragoza, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
Marina Barcenas, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
Jonnie Gagliardo, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
Gilberto Placencia, arrested on suspicion of providing false information to a peace officer, a parole violation, and three outstanding warrants
Alexander Benavidez, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
Juan Soto, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and three outstanding warrants
Matthew Hernandez, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of prescription scripts, and possession of a short barrel shot gun. Hernandez was also found to be a suspect in an unrelated case and was also arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of a stolen and forged script

Hernandez is currently in the Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – which was effective October 1, 2011. This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious (irrespective of priors) or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent committing offense. Prior convictions arenot considered.

This case would not have been possible if not for the several anonymous tips we received during the original investigation. The Oxnard Police Department encourages anyone with information on this case to call Detective Langford at (805) 385-7638. We also encourage anyone with narcotic related information to call our Narcotic Hotline at (805) 982-7084 and leave an anonymous tip. The investigation is ongoing.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 30, 2014, 4:30 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:	Shooting Victims / Homicide
DATE/TIME:	2/17/14; 1838 hours
LOCATION:	2000 Block of Mariposa Street
VICTIM(S):	2 males; identities being withheld pending notification
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown



PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Miguel Serrato, (805) 385-7688 Miguel.Serrato@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 2/17/14 at about 1838 hours, officers responded to the 2000 Block of Mariposa Street regarding a call of shots fired. When officers arrived they located two male shooting victims. One subject, an 18 year old male was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition. A second male subject was also located with a gunshot wound; despite emergency responders’ efforts to save the subject, he died as a result of his injuries.

At this time investigators don’t know the motive and are attempting to establish what occurred. The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Miguel Serrato at (805) 385-7688. 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. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2/17/14; 2320 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery with Handguns
DATE/TIME:	4-3-14 / 2134 hours
LOCATION:	900 Block of S. Victoria Av
SUSPECT(S):	#1- HM 17-18 years, 6-02, gray sweater, dark pants #2- HM 17-18 years, 5-09, blue plaid t-shirt, blue hooded sweat shirt, dark pants
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Communications 385-7740

DETAILS:
On 4/3/14, at approximately 2134 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a robbery involving a firearm in the 900 Block of S. Victoria Av.

The victims told officers that they were walking southbound on Victoria Av. near Pier Walk when they were approached from behind by the above listed suspects. Both suspects pointed black semi-automatic pistols at the victims and demanded property. The suspects took cash and cellphones and fled the area on foot. No one was injured during the robbery.

The investigation is on-going.

Persons with information regarding this crime are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at 385-7740. Persons may also contact the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or e-mail.

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:	April 11, 2014 / 2332 Hours
LOCATION:	Doris Av @ G St, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Male Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, 6-02, 160, wearing a red flannel shirt
VICTIM VEHICLE(S):	Green Toyota 4-Runner lICENSE pLATE #6RJY309
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Communications 385-7740

DETAILS:

On April 11, 2014, at about 2332 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the corner of Doris Avenue and “G” Street to contact a carjacking victim. The victim told officers that he was sitting in his vehicle, a green, 1996, Toyota 4-Runner, when he was approached by the above-listed suspect. The suspect punched him in the face and then attempted to stab him with a knife. The suspect told the victim to get out of the vehicle, at which time, he surrendered his vehicle. The suspect then fled in the victim’s vehicle.

The victim sustained minor cuts and bruising as a result of being punched. He was not stabbed. He did not require medical treatment.

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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 4/12/14 – 0120 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Marijuana extraction lab
DATE/TIME:	4-16-14 1600 hours
LOCATION:	2101 Vineyard Avenue (Residence Inn)
SUSPECT(S):	Julian Berman 24 years of age
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Charles Woodruff
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Robert Valenzuela 805 385 7637

DETAILS: On 4-16-14, at about 1600 hours, officers responded to the Residence Inn at 2101 Vineyard Avenue reference suspicious circumstances. They contacted the hotel staff and were directed to a room in the hotel. It was there that they discovered what looked to be an active Marijuana extraction lab. An extraction lab is a process where chemicals and tools are used to remove the THC from Marijuana and become a substance similar to “honey” which is a street term. The chemicals in the process are extremely flammable and have been known to cause fires and in some cases even explosions.

Officers were able to contact the renter of the room later identified as Julian Berman. Berman was arrested for the manufacturing of Marijuana extract and booked into Ventura County Jail.

A special lab team was requested from the California Department of Justice along with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department to help with the cleanup of the scene and disposal of the chemicals. The teams were on scene for over 8 hours assisting in the cleanup.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 4-17-14 0230 hours