DETAILS: 

On 1-8-2009, the Oxnard Police Department received a call from a witness reference a suspicious subject removing a speaker from the Morning Star Church of God which is located on the 400 block of N. Harrison Avenue.

The suspect was located by officers a block away from the church. A witness was able to identify the suspect.

The suspect was identified as 35 year old Oxnard resident Salvador Maldonado Arenas. Arenas was booked into Ventura County jail on burglary charges.

Additional pieces of stolen electronic equipment from the church have not been recovered.

Residents with additional information reference this crime are encouraged to contact the lead investigator Detective Tom Payn at (805) 385-7594.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 4/9/10 at about 2303 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a shooting victim in the 100 block of North D Street. Upon arrival, officers found the injured victim in the common hallway of an apartment complex. Witnesses advised the suspect had entered an apartment in the complex after injuring the victim and was armed with a handgun.

A perimeter around the apartment building was quickly established and emergency medical services personnel were escorted by officers into the hallway to extricate the victim. Nearby apartments were evacuated.

Several witnesses told officers the suspect had gotten into a fight with the victim during which the suspect pulled out a handgun, struck the victim with the handgun grip and fired the weapon either in the air or at the victim several times.

The suspect was located inside of one of the apartments and was positively identified by several witnesses. He was arrested without incident. The victim sustained minor head wounds in this incident. The suspect was eventually booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

If anyone witnessed this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Roger Garcia at 805-385-7788 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at
1-800-222-TIPS or text “BUSTED” plus your message to “CRIMES” (274637).

An investigation is continuing

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On April 22, 2010 at 10:20 PM, Gabriel Marquez and the victim, became involved in an argument in an automobile in the area of Ventura Road and Elm St. Marquez struck the victim in the face with a loaded handgun, causing an injury to the victims face. The victim came into the lobby of the Oxnard Police Department to report the incident.

Officers responded to Ventura Road and Elm St, and began a search utilizing both officers and an Oxnard Police Department K-9. At 11:15 PM the K-9 alerted, and Marquez was located hiding under a bush in a yard in the area. He was still in possession of the loaded firearm. Marquez was taken into custody without incident. Marquez has prior convictions for corporal injury and assault with a deadly weapon, and as such is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Any witnesses to the incident are urged to contact Domestic Violence Detectives at (805)385-7760, or the violent crimes hot line at (805)982-7070.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 5-17-10 at around 1115 hours, an Oxnard Police Department plain clothes officer observed subjects arguing in the 1400 block of Beverly Dr., in Oxnard. The officer observed the subjects get into separate vehicles and drive a short distance. The officer was in constant communication with Oxnard Police Dispatch, and uniformed officers were being sent to assist.

The officer then observed suspect Phillip Ortiz exit the vehicle he was in, and retrieve a baseball bat from the trunk. Ortiz then approached the victim with the bat in an attempt to assault the victim. Uniformed officers arrived prior to the suspect being able to assault the victim and took the suspect into custody. The suspect was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, and transported to county jail.

An investigation is continuing.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 08/28/10, at approximately 0225 hrs, Officers were dispatched to the above location reference a subject ramming a vehicle into the building. Upon arrival, officers detained the suspect.

Officers interviewed the suspect’s estranged wife and (3) teenaged children and determined the following: The suspect arrived at the above location, began yelling and banging on the windows, as the family slept inside. The children heard their father get into a vehicle and start it up. The children were in fear for their safety and quickly climbed out of their beds. Just as the children were exiting their bedroom, their father backed his van through the wall several times. The children’s beds were positioned directly behind the wall where the suspect rammed his vehicle through. The force of the impact pushed the beds inward and caused glass to come crashing down in the bedroom. Due to the children’s quick actions, they narrowly avoided being seriously injured.

The suspect was arrested for the above listed charges.

An investigation is continuing.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 8-29-10 at 6:42 PM officers received a call of a shooting at 1309 Saviers Rd (Mr Kwiks). When they arrived they located the victim inside the business where he died from his injuries. Witnesses told officers that the victim was involved in a fight with the suspects and during the fight he was shot. The victim then staggered into the business and collapsed. No employees inside the business were injured during the incident.

The suspects re-entered their vehicle and fled the area. Officers located the vehicle abandoned and impounded it for evidence. Investigators do not know the motive for the shooting; it does not to appear to be gang related. Investigators are asking for your assistance. If you know anything or had witnessed the shooting or fight please call Det. Jeff Kay at (805) 385-8174 or remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On October 12, 2010, at approximately 1905 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to Wooley Road east of Mercantile Avenue after receiving a call of a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Once on scene, officers and EMS personnel found that a 75 year old male pedestrian had been struck by a pickup that was driven by Victor Ulteras of Ventura. The pedestrian sustained major injuries as a result of being hit by the pickup and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the pedestrian was crossing northbound across Wooley Road just east of Mercantile Avenue and was not in a crosswalk. While crossing, he suddenly stepped into the path of the Ulteras’ vehicle which was traveling westbound on Wooley Road and was struck.

Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be factor in this collision nor was excessive speed a factor.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Senior Officer Maria Pena at 805-385-7750.

An investigation is continuing.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On November 13, 2010, at approximately 1848 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to Ventura Road and Hemlock Street after receiving a call of a traffic collision involving a mini van and a bicyclist. Once on scene, officers and EMS personnel found that a bicyclist, Rene Ambriz, 20 years old of Oxnard, had been struck by a van that was driven by Paul Castaneda, 42 years old of Oxnard. As a result of being hit by the van, Ambriz was thrown several feet and landed in the drainage canal that parallels Ventura Road. Ambriz sustained major injuries as a result of being hit and landing in the drainage canal. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Ambriz was riding his bicycle westbound in the eastbound lane of Hemlock Street against traffic. It was dark and his bicycle was not equipped with a headlight. He proceeded to cross Ventura Road against a red signal and was struck by the van driven by Castaneda who was traveling southbound on Ventura Road. Castaneda was proceeding through the intersection on a green signal and at normal speed.

It has not been determined whether or not alcohol was a factor.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at 385-7749.

An investigation is ongoing

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

Oxnard Police Officers responded to a call of possible shots fired inside a residence in the 1200 Block Domingo Place, Oxnard. Responding Officers encountered family members of Bonifasio Victor Tafolla outside the home. Bonifasio was inside the home with a firearm. He fired the weapon and was confronted by Officers who were standing outside the home. Shots were fired.

Bonifasio exited the home from a second floor window and was taken into custody by Officers without further incident. It appears that Bonifasio had sustained an injury to one of his hands from the shooting. The suspect was arrested and booked for assault with a deadly weapon and exhibiting a firearm in a threatening manner in the presence of a police officer. Investigators recovered several weapons from the residence.

The officer will be placed on administrative leave which is normal for such incidents.

An investigation is continuing.