Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Independence Day Weekend Avoid DUI Campaign-Satuday Update 3
DATE:	July 6, 2013
LOCATION:	Ventura County
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Avoid the 14 – Ventura County DUI Campaign

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release July 6, 2013

CONTACT: Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND AVOID DUI CAMPAIGN-SATURDAY UPDATE 3

DUI Arrests Up & No DUI Fatalities
The Independence Day Weekend Anti DUI crackdown is reporting DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County.

From 12:01 AM Wednesday July 3, 2013 through Midnight Friday July 5, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 39 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Last year, the holiday was a two-day campaign period which does not match the 5 day effort this year. Last year there were no DUI deaths reported.
(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

DUI arrest data collection will continue through midnight Sunday July 7, 2013. Law enforcement officials are continuing DUI efforts throughout the county and region. Additionally, CHP throughout the state have all available officers patrolling freeways and county roads throughout the weekend for their Maximum Enforcement period (MEP).

For Saturday July 6^th, extra DUI Saturation Patrols will be deployed in the cities of Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks. A DUI Checkpoint is deploying in the City of Moorpark. Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911. Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

MEDIA NOTE: Statistical data on the number of DUI arrests and DUI fatal crashes will be released from the previous day’s activities. The checkpoint locations will be available for media opportunities or ride-alongs each night.

Avoid programs, named for the number of police agencies in each county, also will concentrate crackdowns during the 18-Day August/Labor Day period. In recognition that summer season is among the deadliest time of the year, law enforcement agencies throughout the county will be making every effort to arrest drunk drivers before another life is lost.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery
DATE/TIME:	8/27/13 at 1955 hours
LOCATION:	3800 Block of Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	El Matador Meat Market
SUSPECT(S):	Tall, thin male, gray sweater with a blue bandana covering his face


LOSS:	Undisclosed amount
PREPARED BY:	Kevin Baysinger
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Department 805-385-7600

DETAILS:
On 8/27/13 at approximately 1955 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the El Matador Meat Market in the 3800 Block of Saviers Road reference a robbery. Officers learned that the suspect entered the business and demanded money. The employees believed the suspect may have had a handgun. The suspect took money from the register and fled the scene.

The suspect was described as a tall, thin male, unknown age, wearing a gray sweater. The suspect’s face was concealed with a blue bandana.

No one was injured during the incident and the suspect is still outstanding.

Persons with additional information are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at 385-7600. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

You may also visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08/27/13; 2250 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 Collision
DATE/TIME:	8-31-13 / 1518 hours
LOCATION:	Rose Avenue at Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):	Troy Lantaya, 26 years, Oxnard Richard Lappine, 66 years, Oxnard Caleb Lundy, 26 years, Port Hueneme
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):	Eric Rivas, 20 years, Miramar, California
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander, (805) 207-7078 martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On 8-31-13, at 1518 hours, officers responded to Rose Avenue at Pleasant Valley Road re: an injury collision. Officers found that three vehicles were involved.

The preliminary investigation suggests that a vehicle driven by Troy Lantaya, 26 years, Oxnard, was westbound on Pleasant Valley Road at Rose Avenue and entered the intersection on a red traffic light. Another vehicle, driven by Richard Lappine, 66 years, Oxnard, was southbound on Rose Avenue and had entered the intersection as the traffic signal it was facing cycled to green. The two vehicles collided. The vehicle driven by Lantaya was forced across the median into eastbound Pleasant Valley Road traffic where it struck a vehicle driven by Caleb Lundy, 26 years, Port Hueneme. Lundy’s vehicle had been eastbound on Pleasant Valley Road preparing to turn northbound on Rose Avenue.

Lantaya’s vehicle caught fire beginning in the engine compartment. Lundy and a witness, Eric Rivas, USMC (off-duty), 20 years, Miramar, California, rushed to the vehicle and removed Lantaya from danger. Once on scene, Oxnard Fire Department personnel extinguished the fire.

Lantaya was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated for moderate injuries.

Officers are investigating to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved. The investigation is continuing.

Caleb Lundy and Eric Rivas are to be commended for their actions.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:
DATE/TIME:
LOCATION:
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
Summer/Labor DAY AVOID DUI campaign – SUnDAY update 12
The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI update of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments in Ventura County are updated.

From 12:01 AM Friday August 16, 2013 through Midnight Saturday August 31, 2013 officers representing 14 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 197 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

There were no DUI deaths overnight, but there was a major injury collision the occurred in the City of Oxnard.

On August 31, 2013, at about 10:29 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a collision involving two vehicles near the intersection of Rose Avenue and Cesar Chavez Drive. Upon arrival, officers found that the two vehicles involved were a white Ford Expedition and a silver 2004 BMW 325ci.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Ford Expedition, driven by Joel Tapia, a 25 year-old resident of Oxnard, was traveling northbound on Rose Avenue towards Cesar Chavez Drive. The BMW, driven by Leonardo Medina, a 23 year-old Oxnard resident, was traveling southbound on Rose Avenue towards Cesar Chavez Drive. As the Ford passed the intersection of Cesar Chavez drive, it failed to negotiate a bend in the roadway. The Ford struck the center median and several trees. The impact into a tree caused Driver Tapia to be ejected from the Ford and land in the roadway near the Ford. Debris from the Ford struck the BMW causing moderate damage. Witnesses stated that the Ford was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the collision. Driver Medina was uninjured during the collision. Driver Tapia sustained serious injuries as result of the collision and was transported to a local hospital where he listed in critical condition. Alcohol is suspected to be involved in this collision.

For the final hours of the Labor Day Holiday weekend, extra DUI Saturation Patrols will be deployed in the cities of Ventura, Simi Valley, Port Hueneme, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Oxnard. All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts. The CHP is deploying all available officers onto freeways and county roads during their Maximum Enforcement Period until midnight Monday. Multiple/DUI Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are set region wide during 18 day Summer/Labor Day Campaign.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DUI arrest data collection will continue through Labor Day midnight Monday, September 2, 2013.

MEDIA NOTE: The checkpoint locations and saturation patrols will be made available for media opportunities or ride-a-longs each night.

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:	10-26-2013 / 0645 hours
LOCATION:	Shell gas station, 1901 North Rose Avenue
MISSING PERSON:	Farhoud Asgarifateh, 23 years, Encino resident
PREPARED BY:	Officer Jonathan Martin
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Jonathan Martin, (805) 385-7600, jonathan.martin@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

A family member of Farhoud Asgarifateh, 23 years, arrived at the Oxnard Police Station to report him missing. Asgarifateh was last seen by family members on the night of October 24, 2013. Asgarifateh was later seen at the Shell gas station at the intersection of North Rose Avenue and Gonzales Road early in the morning on October 26, 2013. Family members indicated that Asgarifateh suffers from Schizophrenia and Asperger syndrome.

Officers are searching for Asgarifateh and are asking for the public’s help in locating him.

Asgarifateh was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and blue jean pants, carrying a gray backpack. Asgarifateh has a full beard.

Persons with information regarding Asgarifateh’s whereabouts should call the Oxnard Public Safety Communications Center at (805) 385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10-26-2013 / 1000 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery (with a baseball bat)
DATE/TIME:	11/16/13 at 0356 hours
LOCATION:	2201 E. Channel Islands Blvd.
VICTIM(S):	7-11 Convenience Store
SUSPECT(S):	Male, mid-twenties
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:	Undisclosed amount of currency
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Daniel Shrubb
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Steven Funk, Senior Officer (805) 385-779 steven.funk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 11-16-13, at 0356 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 7-11 located at 2201 E. Channel Islands Boulevard reference a robbery that had just occurred. The suspect concealed his face with a red bandana, brandished a purple or blue baseball bat, and demanded money from the cashier. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of currency and fled on foot through the parking lot toward the 2700 block of El Dorado Avenue. This incident marks the 3^rd occurrence of this type within the last four (4) days.

The suspect is described as a male, possibly mid-twenties, 5’-7”, medium build, wearing a dark colored baseball hat, black jacket, and tan pants.

If anyone has information about this incident(s), they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department 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.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Teacher arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault on a child
DATE/TIME:	November 27, 2013, 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	Alameda County, California
VICTIM(S):	Minor
SUSPECT(S):	Jason Christopher Griego, 38
PREPARED BY:	Sr. Detective Luis McArthur, Investigative Services Bureau (805) 385-7662, luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Sergeant Sharon Giles, Investigative Services Bureau (805) 385-7620, Sharon.giles@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

(OXNARD, Calif), On Friday, October 11, 2013, detectives with the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit provided assistance to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) with an investigation into Jason Christopher Griego, 38 years of age from Port Hueneme. The detectives had previously received information about Griego indicating that he was possibly involved in lewd acts with minors.

Oxnard Police detectives, NCIS special agents, and investigators with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office spent hundreds of hours looking into the allegations. Oxnard detectives authored a search warrant for his person, his vehicle and his classroom. Griego worked as a 7th and 8th grade math teacher at St. Anthony’s School in Oxnard.

The investigation found sufficient evidence that assisted the Denton Police Department in Texas to obtain an arrest warrant for Griego for two counts of aggravated sexual assault on a child. The crimes occurred in Texas between 2008 and 2011. Griego was arrested on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 in the City of Alameda, located in northern California.

Oxnard detectives have not yet identified any victims in Ventura County. The investigation is on-going.

Griego is currently being held in Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County and has no bail. He is in the extradition process back to Texas. Anyone with any further information or questions may contact Detective Sergeant Sharon Giles from the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7620.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: November 27, 2013, 9:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision (Vehicle vs. Pedestrian)
DATE/TIME:	12-9-13 / 1812 hours
LOCATION:	“C” Street at Magnolia Avenue
PARTY 1:	Juan Rivas, 81 Years, Oxnard Resident
PARTY 2:	Nicolas Montanez, 30 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Blue, 1996 Dodge Caravan
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, (805) 385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 12-19-13, at about 1812 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the intersection of “C” Street at Magnolia Avenue in reference to an injury traffic collision involving a blue Dodge Caravan and a pedestrian.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Dodge van driven by Nicolas Montanez was traveling southbound on “C” Street from Magnolia Avenue. Prior to the collision, pedestrian Juan Rivas, was seen standing at the curb on the west side of the roadway mid-block between Magnolia Avenue and First Street. For an unknown reason, Rivas entered the roadway and walked into the path of the southbound Dodge van where Rivas was struck. Rivas was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he later died.

Driver Montanez and three passengers in the Dodge van were uninjured as a result of the collision.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision. In addition, excessive speed does not appear to be a factor.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Pena at (805) 385-7750. The investigation is on-going.

Date / Time Prepared: 12-19-13, 2100 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Person – Update
DATE/TIME:	12-19-13 / 1806 hours
LOCATION:	600 Block of Rosalinda Drive
MISSING PERSON:	Nicholas Penaloza, 19 years, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org, (805) 207-7078

DETAILS:

Officers are continuing their search for missing person, Nicholas Penaloza.

Family members would like the public to know that Nicholas is autistic and are concerned that at this late hour on this cold night, that he has not been located.

Date / Time Prepared: 12-19-13 / 2300 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release December 20, 2013

Sergeant Brian Woolley, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7847, brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
Senior Officer Maria Peña, Oxnard Police, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

Winter Holiday AVOID DUI campaign – FRIDAY update 4

DUI Arrests Up & NO DUI Fatalities

The Winter Holiday Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments during the past several days in Ventura County.

From 12:01 AM Friday, December 13, 2013 through Midnight Thursday, December 19, 2013, officers representing Ventura county law enforcement agencies have arrested 71 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2012, 51 DUI arrests occurred during the same seven (7) day time period.

Last year, there were no DUI deaths reported. There were no DUI deaths overnight, but there was a fatal traffic collision in the City of Oxnard.

On December 19, 2013, at about 6:12 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to intersection of C Street and Magnolia Avenue reference an injury traffic collision involving a blue Dodge Caravan and a pedestrian.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Dodge van, driven by Nicolas Montanez, was traveling southbound on C Street from Magnolia Avenue. Prior to the collision, Pedestrian Juan Rivas was standing at the west curb of C Street just south of Magnolia Avenue. For an unknown reason, Pedestrian Rivas entered the roadway and walked into the path of the Dodge and was struck. Pedestrian Rivas was transported from the scene to the Ventura County Medical Center where he later died as a result of the injuries he sustained.

Driver Montanez and the three passengers in the Dodge van were uninjured during the collision.

Diver Montanez was evaluated and showed no signs or driving while impaired. In addition, excessive speed does not appear to be a factor.

(**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

For the second weekend of the campaign a DUI Checkpoint will be conducted in the City of Ventura, extra local DUI Saturation Patrols will be deployed in the cities of Moorpark, Camarillo, Port Hueneme, and Simi Valley. A Multi-Agency DUI Task Force is deploying in the City of Thousand Oaks.

All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts. Multiple DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints, Multi Agency DUI Task Force operations and local Roving DUI patrols are all part of this region-wide crackdown during the 20 day Winter Holiday Campaign.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911! Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DUI arrest data collection will continue through New Year’s Weekend, midnight Sunday, January 1, 2014.