Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Traffic Advisory – Street Closure for Criminal Investigation
DATE/TIME:	January 14, 2015, 5:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	5200 block of Perkins Road, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Commander Andrew Salinas, (805) 385-7756 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Martin Perez, (805) 385-7680 [email protected]

DETAILS: On January 14, 2015, at approximately 5:30 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a shots fired call in the 5200 block of Perkins Road. Upon arrival, officers located a male shooting victim in a vehicle. Fire and ambulance personnel attended to the victim who would ultimately succumb to his injuries. Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit are on scene and have shutdown down Perkins Road between Pleasant Valley Road and Clara Street. Investigators estimate the roadway should be open before 2:30 p.m. today. A press release with additional details will be made available later in the day.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Perkins Road between Pleasant Valley and Clara Street will be closed for the next 4-6 hours for a criminal investigation. The roadway is estimated to be opened at approximately 2:30 p.m.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:
January 14, 2015, 0945 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 of Wanted Person, Firearms Violations
DATE/TIME:	1/15/15 at approximately 1515 hours
LOCATION:	100 Block West Iris Street
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Mario Hernandez, 25 years old
PREPARED BY:	Alex Arnett, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 486-6211 [email protected]

DETAILS:On 1/15/15 at approximately 1515 hours, officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) observed a wanted person in a vehicle. The wanted person, 25 year old Mario Hernandez, had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. As the SEU officers attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle, Hernandez fled but was apprehended a short distance away. Hernandez discarded an object as he tried to flee from the officers. The object was recovered and was found to be a sawed off shotgun. Hernandez was arrested for the outstanding felony warrant related to a carjacking case, and he was also charged with firearms violations.

The Oxnard Police Department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crimes Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons within the city. The objective of this initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or you can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477.

You can also provide information by going to the Ventura County Crime Stoppers website, which is http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus

Mario Hernandez

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 1/15/15 at 1642 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspended Driver’s License Court Operation
DATE/TIME:	1-26-15, 0800 to 1000 hours
LOCATION:	Ventura County Courthouse, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	Not released
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Not released
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On Monday, January 26, 2015, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., officers from Traffic Unit conducted a special enforcement operation targeting drivers who appeared in court for cases involving imposed driver’s license suspensions. Each of the individuals appearing in court was informed by a judge that their driving privilege was suspended resulting from a previous driving under the influence arrest by a local law enforcement agency.

Of the six individuals leaving the courthouse this morning, three of them made the appropriate decision not to drive. Two of them sat in the passenger seat of a vehicle while another one walked to a nearby bus stop to board a bus. The remaining three chose to drive away from the courthouse and were stopped by officers. Officers arrested the three drivers for misdemeanor violations of driving with a suspended driver’s license. The vehicles were towed from the scene of the stop and potentially face a 30-day impound.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct operations like these to help make our community and roadways safer.

These operations are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

If anyone has information about traffic safety and enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at 805-385-7749 or via email at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: January 26, 2015 at 1345 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member in possession of a firearm
DATE/TIME:	February 8, 2015 / 9:00 pm
LOCATION:	100 block of Bernarda Ct. Oxnard, CA
SUSPECT(S):	Juvenile Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Tim Kelley
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Tim Kelley (805)385-8290

DETAILS:

On Sunday, February 8, 2015, at approximately 9pm, officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit contacted a juvenile suspect in the 100 block of Bernarda Ct. The juvenile suspect is an Oxnard resident and a documented gang member. The suspect has previously been served with the Colonia Chiques civil gang injunction and is currently on juvenile probation. When officers initially contacted the suspect, the suspect removed a sawed-off shotgun that was concealed in his pants and discarded the weapon in the front yard of a nearby residence. The shotgun was recovered and found to be loaded. The juvenile was taken into custody for several weapons violations, violation of the civil gang injunction and, violation of probation.

The Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang and firearms violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the City. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witness to a crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2/8/15 10:30pm

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspended Driver’s License Court Operation
DATE/TIME:	March 30, 2015 / 0800-1200 hours
LOCATION:	Ventura County Courthouse, 800 S. Victoria Avenue City of Ventura
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On Monday, March 30, 2015, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a special enforcement operation at the Ventura County Courthouse, in the City of Ventura, targeting drivers who appeared in court for cases involving imposed driver’s license suspensions. Each of the individuals appearing in court was informed or reminded by a judge that their driving privilege was suspended resulting from a previous driving under the influence arrest by a law enforcement agency.

Eight individuals were observed leaving the courthouse and five of them made the appropriate decision not to drive. The remaining three chose to drive away from the courthouse and were stopped by officers. Officers arrested those three drivers for misdemeanor violations of driving with a suspended driver’s license. One of the drivers, an 18 year-old male, was found to have an opened container of alcohol and a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle when contacted by officers. An investigation determined that this driver was not driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The three vehicles stopped were towed and potentially face a 30-day impound.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct operations like these to help make our community and roadways safer.

These operations are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

If anyone has information about traffic safety and enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at 805-385-7749 or via email at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 30, 2015 at 1400 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	April 3, 2015 / 1100 hours
LOCATION:	400 Block East Elm Street
VEHICLE:	Blue, 1999 Nissan
DRIVER:	Lucina Garcia, 35 years, Oxnard Resident
INJURED PARTY:	2 year old juvenile and 9 year old juvenile, Oxnard Residents

PREPARED BY:	Daniel Whitmer, Patrol Sergeant (805) 385-7600 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Songer (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On Friday, April 3, 2015, at approximately 11:00 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to the 400 block of east Elm Street in reference to an injury traffic collision involving two small juveniles.

When officers arrived on scene they found that one vehicle had struck two juveniles. Emergency medical personnel were on scene and delivering medical aid to the juveniles. Both juveniles were awake and responsive but sustained numerous contusions and lacerations. The driver remained on scene and gave a statement to the officers. The driver was uninjured.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Nissan was traveling west bound on east Elm Street at which time the two juveniles entered the roadway and the collision occurred.

The juveniles were transported from the scene to the Ventura County Medical Center where they were treated for their injuries.

Alcohol and or drugs were not a factor in this collision. The collision is still under investigation.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Officer Songer at 805-385-7600 or via email at [email protected].

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault
DATE/TIME:	4-19-15 / 1022 Hours
LOCATION:	400 Block of West Juniper Street
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	19-year old male (name withheld)
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078, [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 4-19-15, an Oxnard Police Department sergeant on routine patrol in the area of Juniper Street and “C” Street saw a male subject in possession of, and possibly brandishing, what appeared to be a rifle. It was later learned this was a BB gun. The male immediately fled into a nearby residence. Officers responded to the area. Traffic was re-routed on “C” Street while officers attempted to contact the subject.

Officers learned that another male subject had been struck by a BB and sustained a minor injury. However, the victim did not want prosecution.

Officers determined a 19-year old Oxnard resident (name withheld) is the suspect. Officers are no longer on scene. The investigation regarding the related misdemeanor crimes is continuing.

Date Prepared: 4-22-15, 1400 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Traffic Collision – DUI / Possession of Firearm Arrest
DATE/TIME:	5/3/2015 at 2205 hours
LOCATION:	Victoria Avenue south of Fifth Street
SUSPECT(S):	David Friedman, 68 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	White 2012 Ford Transit Van
PREPARED BY:	Officer Mike Wood Traffic Unit
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Mike Wood [email protected] (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:
On Sunday, May 3^rd, 2015 at 10:05 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and emergency medical personnel responded to a single vehicle traffic collision on Victoria Ave south of Fifth St.

Preliminary investigation indicates a white Ford Transit Van which was driven by 68 year-old David Friedman was traveling southbound Victoria Ave when for unknown reasons swerved into the raised center median and collided with a light pole. There was significant damage to both the light pole and Friedman’s vehicle.

Alcohol appeared to be a factor in this collision. Officers also located a concealed loaded .38 caliber revolver in the vehicle Friedman was driving.

Friedman was treated at a local hospital and was ultimately arrested for driving under the influence and weapons violations.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Officer Mike Wood at (805) 385-7600 or via e-mail at [email protected]

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 05-04-15 @ 0138 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Juvenile Update
DATE/TIME:	05/14/15 3:15PM hours
LOCATION:	Juan Soria Elementary School 3121 Dunkirk Drive, Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	Alfredo Cortes, 9 year old male juvenile
SUSPECT(S):	Jeanette Zuniga, 33 year old female
PREPARED BY:	Detective Tenille Chacon
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Tenille Chacon (805)906-0732 [email protected]

DETAILS: On 5/13/15 at approximately 4:30 pm, officers responded to a call of a missing juvenile. The father reported that his 9 year old son, Alfredo Cortes, had not returned home from school. The school reported that the child was dismissed from school at 2:50 pm. Alfredo is described as a Hispanic male, 4 feet 6 inches tall, 93 pounds, and was wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans. He was last seen by classmates walking away from the school with a Hispanic female wearing a pink flowered shirt.

After further investigation, it was determined that the female was the non-custodial parent, Jeanette Zuniga. She is described as a Hispanic female, 33 years, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 110 pounds. Pursuant to a court order, Zuniga is not to have any contact with Alfredo.

It is believed that Jeanette Zuniga and Alfredo Cortes are still in the Oxnard Area. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805)385-7740.

Update:

On 5/14/15, at approximately 1030 hours, Jeanette Zuniga voluntarily drove to the Oxnard Police Department and returned her son, Alfredo Cortes III. Cortes was returned safe and unharmed. Zuniga was released without charges. An investigation to the alleged parental abduction 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:	Oxnard Police Warns of U.S. Treasury Scam Targeting Oxnard Residents
DATE/TIME:	May 22, 2015
LOCATION:	Citywide
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Detective Crystal Walker
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Crystal Walker (805) 385-7668 or [email protected]

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department has been informed that residents are receiving scam phone calls involving the Department of the Treasury. Individuals are being told that they have won a grant or similar award but have to provide personal information or send a sum of money for the “award” to be released. In some cases, the caller has become aggressive and threatening.

This is a scam. The Department of the Treasury does not have this type of program nor would they threaten a member of the public if they are not provided with money or information. Similarly, any person calling and claiming to be from a government agency would not demand or threaten a member of the public.

Scams such as this have been circulating for some time and on previous occasions, the Oxnard Police Department has received reports of the callers purporting to be from Southern California Edison, the IRS, the Sheriff’s Department and miscellaneous law offices. Remember, there are many variations of these scams but all end with the victim losing their money or property with the promise of gain. Below are some tips to avoid becoming a victim.

·         Do not give your personal identifying information to anyone that you do not know or did not solicit their services.
·         Do not respond to any request that you send money or information to someone because you “won” a prize or a lottery.
·         Do not respond to anyone asking you to send money by “wire” transfer (you are sending cash – you won’t get it back), “Western Union” or “Green Dot”, etc.

What to do if you are a victim of a scam or identity theft:

·Accumulate all of the paperwork showing that you have been a victim and contact your local police agency to initiate a report.

·If the scam was not completed, you are not a victim. However, if you would like to report the scam to authorities, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov, https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or call (202) 326-2222.

Other informational links:

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 05-22-15/1442 hours