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

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Person
DATE/TIME:	6-20-15 / 1200 Hours
LOCATION:	St. John’s Hospital
MISSING PERSON:	Kenneth Caspary, 79 years
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
MISSING PERSON’S VEHICLE(S):	Silver 2006 Acura TL 5UND428
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Officer Jonathan Martin, (805) 385-7600, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander, [email protected] , (805) 207-7078 Lynette Fenton, Missing Person Specialist, [email protected] , (805) 385-7646

DETAILS:

(OXNARD, Calif) – The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Kenneth Caspary, 79 years. Kenneth left Saint John’s Hospital on 6-20-15, at 1200 hours after visiting a relative. He was going to go home and then return later to the hospital. It is unclear if he went to his residence and he did not return to St. John’s Hospital.

Mr. Caspary is believed to be driving a silver 2006 Acura TL, license plate 5UND428. Kenneth is described as a Caucasian male, 6’00”, 175 lbs, brown hair, and hazel eyes. Kenneth was last seen wearing a blue and white button-up shirt and blue jeans.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: June 21, 2015 1215 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Narcotics fugitive located and arrested for: Possession for Sales of a controlled substance Maintaining a place for drug use/sales Felony warrant for possession for sales of a controlled substance and possession of a high capacity magazine
DATE/TIME:	July 14, 2015, 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	300 Block East Yucca Street
SUSPECT(S):	Armando Galindo Celis, 27 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective James Langford 805-385-7638 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective James Langford 805-385-7638 [email protected]

DETAILS: On April 29, 2015, narcotics detectives from the West County Narcotics Street Team and Special Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a search warrant service at a residence in the 300 block of East Yucca Street in the City of Oxnard. The search warrant was a result of a four month long investigation into the sales of methamphetamine.

During the service of the search warrant, it is believed that the suspect, Armando Celis, fled from the residence. The search at the residence yielded nearly two pounds of methamphetamine, 3 handguns, several hundred rounds of ammunition, indicia of drug sales, and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.

As a result of the items located, a felony arrest warrant was issued for Celis. Celis was believed to be on the run to avoid arrest since April.

On July 14, 2015, narcotics detectives observed Celis in the front yard of the residence on Yucca Street. Members from the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) assisted and apprehended Celis for the arrest warrant. Narcotics detectives served another search warrant at the residence and nearly a pound of methamphetamine and indicia of drug sales was located.

Celis was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sales and maintaining a place for drug use/sales in addition to the arrest warrant. Celis is currently in custody at the Ventura County Jail with bail set at $250,000.00 for each case.

The West County Narcotics Street Team is made up of detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Paula Police Department, and the Oxnard Police Department working cooperatively in the investigation of narcotics offenses occurring in the western portion of Ventura County.

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 the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 16, 2015, 12:00PM

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Weapons Arrest
DATE/TIME:	8-1-15 / 2239 hours
LOCATION:	4500 Block of Beaumont Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Three adults, names withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Christian Rodriguez, 24-year old Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Lincoln sedan
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078, [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 8-1-15, at 2239 hours, officers responded to the 4500 Block of Beaumont Avenue re: the brandishing of a handgun. While on scene interviewing one of the three victims, the suspect vehicle, a Lincoln sedan, passed. Officers immediately followed and stopped the vehicle. The driver, Christian Rodriguez, a 24-year old Oxnard resident, was identified as the suspect who brandished a handgun. A loaded handgun was subsequently located in the vehicle.

The victims reported two or three other males were involved.

Rodriguez was charged with brandishing, 417(a)(1) PC, a misdemeanor, driving on a suspended license, 14601(a) CVC, a misdemeanor, possession of a handgun with an altered or removed serial number, 23900 PC, a felony, possession of a loaded firearm, 25850(a) PC, a felony, and prohibited person in possession of a firearm, 29800(a)(1) PC, a felony. An investigation is continuing.

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for persons with additional information may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. They can also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

Date Prepared: 8-2-15, 0300 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stolen vehicle pursuit leads to arrest
DATE/TIME:	August 11, 2015 / 1033
LOCATION:	Rose Avenue at Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Navarro 25 year old, resident of Oxnard.
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Released to the registered owner.
PREPARED BY:	Detective Enrique Alvarez
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Enrique Alvarez, (805) 385-7650 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On August 11, 2015 at approximately 1033 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department located an occupied stolen vehicle in the area of Rose Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road in the city of Oxnard. Officers observed Juan Navarro driving a 1993 Ford Explorer, which had been reported stolen to the Oxnard Police Department minutes earlier. As officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated.

During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle was involved in a non-injury traffic collision. Additionally, at the end of the pursuit, the suspect exited the vehicle while it was still in motion, causing it to collide into a parked vehicle in the 200 block of S. Roosevelt. The suspect fled from the vehicle and was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.

Suspect Navarro was arrested for operating of a stolen vehicle with a prior conviction for the same charge, felony evading, hit and run, along with various other offenses.

The Oxnard Police Department Auto Theft Task Force, asks residents to help prevent auto theft in our community by never leaving your keys in your vehicle.

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 the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 11, 2015/1500 hours