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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

The Oxnard Police Department has been awarded a new traffic safety grant for a year-long anti-DUI program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways. Additional enforcement measures in place to combat impaired driving are coming as a result of recent grants awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety to the City of Oxnard in the amount of $305,000. The Oxnard Police Department is dedicated to keeping our streets safe through both enforcement and education.

Oxnard Interim Chief of Police Scott Whitney said, “We appreciate the partnership and support that we receive from the California Office of Traffic Safety. We have focused much effort on traffic safety and are proud of our results, however there is still much more work to be done. We will continue to look for opportunities at improving the safety of our roadways and this grant will assist us in that effort.”

The special DUI Enforcement and Awareness grant is to assist in efforts to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug related collisions in the community. The grant activities will specifically target impaired driving offenders as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. This will be done through the use of DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, warrant searches and stakeouts for repeat DUI offenders, saturation patrols, court stings where DUI offenders with suspended or revoked driver licenses get behind the wheel after leaving court and community outreach on the dangers of impaired drivers.

Impaired driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. In 2009, over 10,839 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. California data for 2009 shows that 950 died in Alcohol Impaired Collisions, a 7.6 percent reduction in deaths from 2008.

“Everyone in California should be heartened with these figures,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). “But as encouraging as this is, we can’t let up on the efforts to promote and enforce traffic safety. Far too many are still losing their lives or being severely injured on our roadways.” “These figures represent more people making it home safely and alive each day,” said Murphy. “But to keep this trend going, we will continue to strive to meet our vision – Toward zero deaths, every 1 counts.”

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

UPDATE:
Fire and police have cleared the incident on Mercantile. A press release will be issued later today once the investigation has concluded.

Oxnard police and fire units are on scene of a traffic stop conducted by Oxnard police around 0800 hours in the 1200 block of Mercantile Street. Officers located an unidentified substance inside of the vehicle. As a precautionary measure, the area surrounding the vehicle in question has been cordoned off and Oxnard Fire Hazardous Materials Unit was dispatched. This incident is underway and the substance has yet to be identified. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to stay clear of the area as road closures are in effect in the surrounding area.

Updates will be provided via press release as they become available.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

On 1/8/11 at approximately 0123 hours, Oxnard Police Department officers were dispatched to the 7-11 store located at 1955 Patterson Rd. concerning an armed robbery. The suspect entered the store and produced a handgun that was initially concealed under his sweatshirt. The suspect demanded all of the cash from the clerk. After obtaining the cash the suspect fled the store southbound to Hemlock Street to a waiting black Cadillac CTS. The vehicle was last seen west bound on Hemlock Street.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Steve Funk at 385-7796 or e-mail at stevefunk@oxnardpd.org or call the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070. To give an anonymous tip you can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

The investigation is continuing.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 2/24/11 at approximately 1356 hours, Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to the 500 block of South Oxnard Blvd in regards to a stabbing victim. When officers arrived they contacted the victim who had sustained a stab wound to his right hand and stomach.

During the course of the investigation, Raymond Godina was identified as the suspect. Godina was located a short distance from the crime scene and arrested. The weapon used in the attack was also located and recovered. Investigators are still attempting to determine a motive for the attack.

The victim was transported to VCMC for treatment and is listed in stable condition.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On March 10, 2011, at approximately 0447 hours, the Oxnard Police Department responded to a burglary and sexual assault in the 5200 block of South J Street.

Officers learned from the victim that a Hispanic male approximately 22 year old with dark hair, 5-7 and a thin build entered her apartment. The suspect was armed with a handgun. The suspect sexually assaulted the victim before fleeing the residence.

The suspect was wearing a long sleeve black shirt and black pants. The suspect had a piercing above his right eye and possibly one on his lower lip.

The victim was able to provide information for a sketch of the suspect. Anyone with information about the crime or the suspect identity are asked to contact Senior Detective Denise Shadinger at (805)385-7662 or at denise.shadinger@oxnardpd.org.

Residents are reminded to lock their doors and windows before going to sleep at night.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 6/22/11 at 10:00pm, an Oxnard resident was driving home and saw two subjects, Raymond Osuna and a 17 yr old male, walking at 1100 block of Patricia St. The resident saw Osuna walking on the sidewalk while the juvenile was walking on the street. Osuna was acting as a look-out while the juvenile was pulling on the door handles of at least 6 parked vehicles. The subjects found an unlocked vehicle. The juvenile reached into the vehicle, took a woman’s purse and both suspects fled prior to police arriving.

The resident continued to search the surrounding residential area and found the subjects. The police were called and the two subjects were detained in the area of Ventura Road and Devonshire Dr. The witness positively identified both subjects during an in-field show-up. Both Osuna and the juvenile were arrested for 182 PC Conspiracy (felony) and 484 PC Petty Theft (misdemeanor).

Residents are encouraged to call the police when they see suspicious activity. If you see suspicious persons or activity call the Oxnard Police Department. You may remain anonymous if you wish. The police also remind everyone not to leave valuables in plain view in their automobiles, and to lock their car doors.

Additional witnesses are asked to contact Detective Estrada at 805-385-7687.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On July 28, 2011, at approximately 0730 hours, officers and EMS personnel responded to the area of Gonzales road and Gallatin Way after receiving a call of a vehicle collision involving multiple vehicles. Upon arrival, Officers found a Ford Explorer had rolled over and a Nissan Altima and Acura Legend had also been involved.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the initial impact happened eastbound on Gonzales road at Patterson road. Two vehicles remained stuck together for a short distance before the Ford Explorer broke free. The Ford Explorer continued and then collided with a block retaining wall at Gonzales road and Gallatin, eventually coming to rest on its side on the center median. Three people were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Alcohol was not a factor in the collision.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Officer Greg Utter 805-835-7600

An investigation is continuing.