News | Page 44 | Oxnard Police Department

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 29, 2023

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECTS: Carlos Velasquez, 19 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 4800 block of Olds Road

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7623 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) jose.velazquez@oxnardpd.org

The Oxnard Police Department Neighborhood Policing Team (NPT) were patrolling the area of the 4800 block of Olds Road when they observed Carlos Velasquez, a 19 year-old Oxnard resident discard a firearm into the front yard of an apartment complex.

A records check of the firearm revealed the firearm was previously reported stolen. Velasquez was arrested for gun related charges and booked in to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Pretrial Detention Facility.

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

Carlos Velasquez.JPG

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 28, 2023, at 12:00 P.M.

SUBJECT: Suspect Arrested for Murder

LOCATION: 700 block of Cooper Road, Oxnard

VICTIM: Oscar Rodriguez, 44-year-old Oxnard Resident

SUSPECT: Omar Romo, 34-year-old Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Jess Aragon, Sergeant

(805) 385-7632

Monday – Thursday 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.

| jess.aragon@oxnardpd.org

On July 12, 2023, at 1:14 A.M., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the call of a shooting victim in the north alley of the 700 block of Cooper Road. When officers arrived, they located a 44-year-old male, later identified as Oscar Rodriguez, suffering from several gunshot wounds. Officers began life-saving measures. Emergency medical personnel quickly arrived and transported Rodriguez to the Ventura County Medical Center.

Unfortunately, despite life-saving measures at the hospital, Rodriguez succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

After an eleven week-long investigation, investigators were able to obtain sufficient evidence that identified Omar Romo as the person responsible for the murder of Oscar Rodriguez. This was through the hard work of investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Investigation Services Bureau and officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit.

On September 28, 2023, at about 12:00 P.M., investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit arrested Omar Romo for the murder of Oscar Rodriguez. At the time of the arrest, Romo was in custody at the Ventura County Main Jail on unrelated charges. He is being held on a two-million-dollar bail for the charge of murder.

Investigators are still seeking any further information regarding this incident and are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Meagan Tobey at (805) 385-7755. Also, anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department's website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE/ TIME: 9/28/23, 12:00 P.M.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME: September 23, 2023 / 10:30PM

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECT: Manuel Lopez, 43 year old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 400 block of S. Ventura Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

Kevin.Baysinger@OxnardPD.org

(805) 385-7746 (Th-Sat 4PM-4AM)

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers contacted Lopez regarding an argument. During their contact with Lopez, officers learned he was in possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia. Lopez was also in possession of a backpack. During a search of the backpack, officers located a disassembled .223 caliber rifle, as well as a loaded magazine. Lopez, a convicted felon, was arrested for numerous firearms and drug violations.

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE/TIME: September 21, 2023 / 11:15PM

SUBJECT: Firearm Arrest

SUSPECT: Irma Garcia, 38 year old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: San Gorgonio Avenue & Featherstone Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

Kevin.Baysinger@OxnardPD.org

(805) 385-7746 (Th-Sat 4PM-4AM)

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers responded to the location regarding an illegally parked vehicle. Officers attempted to make contact with the lone occupant, Garcia, and in doing so observed a box of ammunition inside the vehicle. Garcia was escorted from the vehicle and officers learned that she was in possession of a loaded .38 caliber revolver. Garcia was arrested for multiple firearms violations.

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 20, 2023 (10:55 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Passenger in Possession of Firearm with Obliterated Serial Numbers

SUSPECTS: Louie Almanza, 25-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Riverpark Blvd. at Vineyard Ave., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | bakari.myers@Oxnardpd.org

On September 20, at approximately 10:55 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of Riverpark and Vineyard Ave. As officers approached the vehicle to make contact with the occupants, officers noticed open containers of alcoholic beverages in the vehicle. The occupants were removed from the vehicle and the vehicle was subsequently searched for additional open alcoholic beverages. During the search officers located a loaded 9-millimeter semi-automatic handgun hidden under the right front passenger seat. Upon further inspection of the handgun officers noted that the serial number to the handgun had been obliterated, a felony. The right front passenger, identified as Louie Almaza, was arrested for felony firearms violations and booked into Ventura County Jail. The 20-year-old driver was cited for allowing open alcoholic beverages in his vehicle.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 14, 2023

SUBJECT: Child Passenger Safety Week

CONTACT: Alvaro Pulido, Corporal

(805) 385-7749 (Mon-Thu 8AM-6PM) | alvaro.pulido@oxnardpd.org

Child Passenger Safety Week is Sept. 17-23

The Oxnard Police Department is joining public health departments and other community organizations to raise awareness about the importance of keeping children in the correct car seat for their age and size.

During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Oxnard Police Department wants to remind parents and caregivers to keep kids safe by securing children in the correct child safety seat. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused.

California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Parents are encouraged to keep your child in rear- and forward-facing seats as long as possible. Children 8 and older or who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be wearing a properly fitted safety belt.

To search for car seat programs in your county, visit the Office of Traffic Safety website. You may also contact your local CHP Area Office to schedule a free child safety seat inspection.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 15, 2023

SUBJECT: Illegal Gun Possession / Narcotic Sales Arrest

SUSPECT: Daniel Ruiz, 35 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: Oxnard Boulevard and Gonzalez Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7620 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) jose.velazquez@oxnardpd.org

During the month of September 2023, the Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) assisted the Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) with an investigation into the alleged narcotic sales committed by Daniel Ruiz, a 35 year-old Oxnard resident.

Ruiz is a documented Oxnard criminal street gang member who is prohibited from owning and/or possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, including a prior conviction of illegally possessing a firearm.

Once DEU assumed control of the investigation, detectives gathered sufficient evidence allowing them to secure a search warrant for Ruiz and his residence. With the assistance of the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), detectives located and detained Ruiz allowing for detectives to execute the search warrant at Ruiz’s residence, located in the 1900 block of Ginger Street in the city of Oxnard.

During the search of the residence, detectives located an unregistered loaded 9 mm semi-automatic handgun, a large quantity of methamphetamine and fentanyl possessed for sales, over 600 “M30” fentanyl pills, and a significant amount of U.S. currency believed to be proceeds from drug sales. Ruiz was booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Pretrial Detention Facility for narcotic sales and gun related charges.

The amount of suspected fentanyl seized allows for the consumption of over 1,200 doses. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, and 50 times more potent than heroin as a painkiller.”

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit is composed of detectives who have been federally deputized as Task Force Officer(s) by the Federal of Bureau of Investigation. These Task Force Officer(s) are assigned to the Ventura County Criminal Investigation Division and are in charge with the duties of investigating violations of the drug and criminal laws of the United States of America.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses in the city of Oxnard. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 14, 2023

SUBJECT: Narcotic Sales Arrest

SUSPECT: Brandon Flores, 41 year-old Ventura Resident

LOCATION: Oxnard Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7620 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) jose.velazquez@oxnardpd.org

On September 14, 2023, the Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), Violent Crimes Unit (VCU), and the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) conducted directed enforcement into suspected narcotic tracking occurring within the city of Oxnard.

The directed enforcement resulted in the arrest of Brandon Flores, a 41 year-old Ventura resident. When contacted by officers with the SEU, Flores was in possession of a half-pound of suspected methamphetamine and over an ounce of suspected fentanyl both packaged for sales. Flores has numerous felony conviction for narcotic sales. Flores was booked at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Pretrial Detention Facility for narcotic related charges.

The amount of suspected fentanyl seized from Flores allows for the consumption of over 600 doses. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, and 50 times more potent than heroin as a painkiller.”

The Oxnard Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit, Violent Crimes Unit, and the Special Enforcement Unit are comprised of officers and detectives who have been federally deputized as Task Force Officer(s) by the Federal of Bureau of Investigation. These Task Force Officer(s) are assigned to the Ventura County Criminal Investigation Division and are in charge with the duties of investigating violations of the drug and criminal laws of the United States of America.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 13, 2023 (8:49 p.m.)

SUBJECT: Driver and Passenger Arrested for Firearms Violations

SUSPECTS: Abel Mendozacruz, 19-year-old Oxnard resident

Raymond Moreno, 29-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 2000 blk. E Pleasant Valley Rd., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | bakari.myers@Oxnardpd.org

On September 13, at approximately 8:49 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 2000 blk. of E. Pleasant Valley Rd. As officers approached the vehicle to make contact with the driver, a handgun was observed in plain view on the back seat. None of the occupants claimed ownership of the handgun. Officers removed the occupants from the vehicle and confiscated the firearm, a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. Mendozacruz, a rear passenger in the vehicle, was arrested for possessing the handgun.

Officers continued to search the vehicle and located a loaded Glock .45 caliber handgun that was concealed in the vehicle. The driver, Raymond Moreno, was arrested for possessing the loaded and concealed Glock handgun. Moreno and Mendozacruz were both arrested for firearms violations and booked into Ventura County Jail.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: September 9, 2023

SUBJECT: DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Saturation Results

CONTACT: Jose Diaz, Sergeant

(805) 385-7847 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org

Six impaired drivers arrested during DUI checkpoint and saturation.

On September 8, 2023, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint on Rose Avenue, south of Tiesa Lane. The operation resulted in six arrests for impaired driving, two arrests for driving on a suspended license for DUI, and twenty-four citations.

Checkpoint locations are based on a history of crashes and DUI arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

Funding for this checkpoint and DUI enforcement patrols was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.