Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Multiple hit and run suspect arrested after pursuit
DATE/TIME:	10-30-2011 at 4:40 p.m.
LOCATION:	Rose Ave. north of Gonzales Rd.
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Servando Mendez, 45 years, of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Green Nissan Altima
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Tom Chronister, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Ohad Katzman, Police Officer II 805-385-7600 or [email protected]

DETAILS:  Oxnard police were dispatched to a call of a hit and run in the area of Rose Ave. and Gonzales Rd.  As officers arrived, they found three separate collision scenes in the area along Rose Ave. north of Gonzales Rd. to the US-101 freeway. Bystanders pointed out the suspect vehicle as it fled northbound on Rose Ave.
 
Officer Ohad Katzman attempted to stop the suspect vehicle but the driver fled over the 101 freeway overpass to Auto Center Drive where Officer Katzman initiated a pursuit of the vehicle by activating red lights and siren. Speeds reached 60 mph as the driver fled eastbound on Auto Center Drive.
 
Suddenly, the suspect vehicle’s hood flew open, blocking the driver’s view out the windshield. Officer Katzman immediately discontinued his pursuit. The driver, Servando Mendez, lost control of his car and collided with a Chevrolet Astrovan near the intersection of Auto Center Drive and Paseo Mercado. At this point—the location of the fourth crash—Mendez’s vehicle was rendered inoperable and he was taken into custody without further incident.
 
Two passengers in the Atrovan sustained minor injuries and did not require ambulance transport or treatment. Mendez was transported to a local hospital for a medical clearance prior to being booked into the Ventura County Jail on the following charges:
 
 

1. Felony drunk driving
2. Three counts of misdemeanor hit and run
3. Felony evading of a police officer with willful disregard for the safety of others

 
Mendez’s blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit. His bail stands at $50,000.
 
  DATE / TIME PREPARED:  10-30-2011 at 9:45 p.m.
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting
DATE/TIME:	10/28/11, 11:20 a.m.
LOCATION:	Eddie’s Recycling, 1610 Pine Street
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	H,M, Black Bandana, Blue Checkered Shorts, Dark Pants, 5′ 10″  210 lbs
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Red Mini -Van
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Robin Whitney
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Department Watch Commander 385-7746

DETAILS:
The victims went to the above business to sell back some recycled goods. They parked their vehicle on a driveway at the business. The above described suspect appeared in the north alley of Pine Street, displayed some gang signs with his hands, removed a firearm from his person, and discharged multiple rounds at the victims while they were inside their vehicle. The vehicle was hit multiple times however, the victims were not injured by gunfire. The suspect is believed to have entered a red mini-van and fled eastbound through the north alley of Pine Street.
 
An investigation is continuing. The incident is believed to be gang related. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jeff Long at 486-6228. 
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Murder suspect arrested
DATE/TIME	December 16, 2011 at 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION	800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura
VICTIM(S)	Steven Proefrock, 51, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT	Dominic Pinkard, 31, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY	Detective Bakari  Myers (805) 385-7686 [email protected]
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

On January 3, 2011, Oxnard police officers responded to a call of a family dispute at 300 Lafayette Drive. Officers arrived on scene and located the victim, Steven Proefrock, who was suffering from severe head injuries. Proefrock was taken to Ventura County Medical Center where he was placed on life support. Proefrock was eventually transferred to a long-term care facility in Santa Barbara where he remained until his death in September 2011.
 
The Santa Barbara coroner reviewed Proefrock’s medical records and determined that he died as a result of the injuries he sustained in January. Oxnard PD investigators identified Dominic Pinkard as the suspect who was responsible for Proefrock’s injuries. On December 16 Oxnard investigators arrested Pinkard for Proefrock’s murder. Pinkard was already in custody at the Ventura County jail on unrelated charges. 
 
No additional information related to this investigation will be released at this time as the investigation is continuing.
 
If anyone has any information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Bakari Myers at (805) 385-7686. 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 http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.
 
 
 

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DATE / TIME PREPARED:12/16/11 at 5 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	Avoid the 14 Ventura County DUI Campaign – Super Bowl Sunday
DATE/TIME	February 5, 2012
LOCATION	Oxnard
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

 

 
 

Oxnard, CA– The Avoid the 14 Ventura County DUI Campaign reminds football fans watching this year’s Super Bowl game to designate a sober driver. Law Enforcement joins with the national “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk” campaign from the National Football League (NFL), the California office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM) Coalition.
 
The Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force will deploy special roving DUI patrols on Sunday, February 5 in Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and several other communities throughout the area looking to stop and arrest drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs.
 
In 2010, more than 10,000 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 791 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver.
 
“We’re reminding everyone that real Super Bowl Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” said Commander Andrew Salinas of the Oxnard Police Department. “We are asking all party hosts and bar owners to take extra good care of designated sober drivers this year. Drafting a designated driver this weekend will be the correct play call for a sure win.”
 
The Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk message supports the league-wide designated-driver campaign called Responsibility Has Its Rewards.  Celebrating its ninth season in 2011, the campaign encourages fans to participate in designated-driver programs supported by beer and concessionaire companies at every NFL stadium nationwide. The Responsibility Has Its Rewards Super Bowl XLVI winners were randomly selected designated divers for the season from the AFC Champion and NFC Champion teams. They attend the 2012 Pro Bowl in Honolulu.

“We want everyone to make the right decision on Super Bowl Sunday,” said Chris Murphy, Director of the Californian Office of Traffic Safety.  “Having a designated sober driver should be an obvious call in everyone’s play book. Making sure designated sober drivers know how much we appreciate their responsible decision is what will make this year’s celebration extra special – and extra safe.”
 
The Avoid DUI Patrols are funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety who reminds everyone to please; Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1!  More information can be found on NHTSA’s Super Bowl XLVI page; Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk; and  OTS’s California Avoid DUI
 
If you are hosting a Super Bowl XLVI Party:
 

• Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers before kick-off or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers
• Find unique ways to recognize the designated drivers at your party
• Whatever non-alcoholic beverage they are drinking, make sure their glass is always full
• Make sure their cars are easy to access when it is time to start driving people home
• Serve plenty of food
• Offer a variety of non-alcoholic choices like non-alcohol beers, soft drinks, juice, and water
• Only serve alcohol to guests over 21 years of age
• Determine ahead of time when you’ll stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the end of the party or at the end of the third quarter of the game (just like NFL stadiums) and begin serving coffee and dessert
• Add the numbers of local cab companies into your phone so they are just one touch away
• Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired
• Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available

If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant
 

• Designate your sober driver before the party begins and leave your car keys at home if you plan to drink
• Cover the cost for parking or even pay for a tank of gas
• Pick up the tab for their food and drink
• Before you go out, add the numbers for local cab companies in your cell phone so if you find yourself in need of a ride, it is just one touch away
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
• Take appropriate steps to prevent anyone from driving while impaired. Remember, Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.
• Always buckle up – it’s your best defense on the road

 
For more information, please visit www.FansDontLetFansDriveDrunk.org or www.californiaavoid.org or http://www.nhtsa.gov/Impaired.
 
 
 
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Sobriety / driver’s license checkpoint
DATE/TIME	February 16, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
LOCATION	Rose Avenue just north of Lindsey Drive

(Oxnard, CA) On February 16, 2012 between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint in the southbound lanes of Rose Avenue just north of Lindsey Drive.
 
Officers screened 734 motorists who passed through the checkpoint and conducted two DUI investigations of drivers who had consumed alcohol. Of those investigations, one person was arrested for DUI. 
 
Citations were issued to six drivers for various drivers license violations. Thirty drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and two drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Seven vehicles were towed from the checkpoint. 
 
The Oxnard PD will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations. These DUI operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. If you see an impaired driver, call 911. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.
 
For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected]
 

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Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Commercial robbery
DATE/TIME	February 19, 2012 at about 9:40 a.m.
LOCATION	Gold & Jewelry Emporium 714 North Ventura Road, Oxnard
SUSPECT	Dark skinned Hispanic male, 5’9”-5’11”, athletic build, black hooded sweatshirt, black pants
PREPARED BY	Officer Robert Fuller
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager  / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

On February 19, 2012, at about 9:40 a.m., the victim arrived at Gold & Jewelry Emporium to open the business. The victim heard the sound of someone following him into the business. When the victim turned around he saw a Hispanic male holding a black semi-automatic handgun. The suspect pointed the gun at the victim and demanded money. The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry. The suspect is a Hispanic male, 5’9” to 5’11” with an athletic build. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD 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. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.
 

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DATE / TIME PREPARED:  2/19/12 at 1:15 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	Serious injury collision
DATE/TIME	Saturday, June 23, 2012 at about 9:30 a.m.
LOCATION	Channel Islands Boulevard & Victoria Avenue, Oxnard
VEHICLE 1	Black Harley Davidson motorcycle Motorcycle driver – David Umbaugh, 51, Washington state passenger – Karlene Umbaugh, 48, Washington state
VEHICLE 2	Black SUV driver – Stephen Moreno, 30, Ventura
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

(Oxnard, CA) On June 23, 2012 at about 9:30 a.m., a sport utility vehicle travelling westbound Channel Islands Boulevard collided into a motorcyclist who was travelling eastbound on Channel Islands Boulevard about to make a left turn onto Victoria Avenue. The motorcyclist and a passenger were ejected from the motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, 51-year-old David Umbaugh of Washington and the passenger, 48-year-old Karlene Umbaugh of Washington were transported to Ventura County Medical Center. The Mr. Umbaugh suffered minor injuries; and Karlene Umbaugh was listed in critical condition with head trauma. The driver of the SUV, 30-year-old Stephen Moreno of Ventura was not injured. It was not known at the time of this release if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision.
 
Anyone with information about this collision is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Officer Scott Aaronat (805) 385-7750. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call 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.
 
 

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