Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Persons Prohibited From Possessing Firearms Arrested for Weapons Violations
DATE/TIME:	2/26/15 1200 hours
LOCATION:	Motel in the City of Ventura
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Enrique Castellanos, 22 year old Oxnard Resident David Varela, 28 year old Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Cody Collet (805) 486-6228 [email protected]

DETAILS: Investigators assigned to the Oxnard Police Department’s Firearms Task Force(FAST) concluded an investigation today on a person who was identified as being prohibited from owning or possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction. The prohibited person, 22 year old Enrique Castellanos, was located at a motel in Ventura. The investigation was a joint operation, which involved investigators from the Ventura Police Department and Oxnard Police Officers assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

At approximately noon today, Oxnard SWAT officers served a search warrant at a motel room in the City of Ventura, which was occupied by Castellanos. Castellanos was found in the room along with a loaded firearm, firearm parts, and approximately 400 rounds of ammunition. Castellanos was arrested for weapons violations, which included felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition. Also inside the motel room was 28 year old David Varela. Varela was found to be in possession of a concealed firearm when officers contacted him. Varela, himself a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, was arrested for weapons violations. Both Castellanos and Varela are documented Oxnard gang members.

In an effort to address recent increases in firearms-related crimes, the Oxnard Police Department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crimes Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons within the city. The objective is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention and enforcement.

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 you can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477. You can also provide information by going to the Ventura County Crimes Stoppers website, which is www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Burglary with Arrest
DATE/TIME:	March 23, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	200 block South G Street
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Edmundo Velasco, 25 years, Oxnard resident Jose Hernandez, 37 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Officer David Ford
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer David Ford, (805) 385-7600, [email protected]

DETAILS:
On March 23, 2015, at approximately 2:00 p.m. a concerned citizen called police reference a suspicious person in the alley of the 200 block of South G Street. The person was described as a Hispanic male, 20’s, wearing an orange construction vest.

Upon officers’ arrival, they contacted two people sitting in the front seats of a silver color van. The person matching the description was sitting in the front passenger seat. He was identified as Edmundo Velasco. The person sitting in the driver seat was identified as Jose Hernandez. Initially, Hernandez was arrested for misappropriation of found property and Velasco was arrested for warrants.

As officers continued their investigation they found Velasco had burglarized a residence next to where the van was parked. The stolen property was still in the van and was later positively identified by the victim. Further investigation revealed the two were working in concert to burglarize the residence. The added charges were burglary and conspiracy.

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 you can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477.

You can also provide information by going to the Ventura County Crime Stoppers website, which is http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus

Lock all windows and doors at night when you leave your residence or vehicle unattended. Close all of your windows-thieves can open vehicles and access homes through the smallest of openings. Don’t forget to set your residential alarm if you have one. To avoid obstruction, keep your landscaping trimmed. The best crime prevention tool ever invented is a good neighbor! One of the best crime fighting teams are neighbors working in conjunction with the police department and reporting all suspicious activity. Report any suspicious activity or person to the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 03/23/15 at 11:40 p.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Possession of Child Pornography Oral Copulation of a minor Sexual Penetration of a minor
DATE/TIME:	04/01/15 1:30 P.M.
LOCATION:	3200 Block of Lanier Place, Thousand Oaks
VICTIM(S):	State of California 17 year old female – name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	George Burditt, 63 year old male
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Sharon Giles, Sexual Assault & Family Protection Unit (FPU) [email protected] 805-385-7620
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Kevin Adair, Sexual Assault & Family Protection Unit (FPU) [email protected] 805-385-7663

DETAILS: On 4/1/15, after a month long investigation, detectives from the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit (FPU) arrested George Burditt. He was identified as allegedly being in possession of child pornography as well as engaging in sexual acts with a minor. These acts were committed in the City of Oxnard with a 17 year old female that he met on-line. Burditt was booked into Ventura County Jail with bail set at $50,000.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind the public that the possession of child pornography is a felony and can be punishable with imprisonment in State Prison. In addition to being captured in images and videos, many children depicted are often the victims of sexual assault, exploitation, or human trafficking.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to protecting the safety of our youth and the continuing investigation of these crimes against children will be vigorously investigated and prosecuted.

Anyone with information regarding George Burditt or the possession of child pornography is encouraged to contact Detective Kevin Adair with the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7663. For additional information on how to report child pornography, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com.
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. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 04/01/15 9:00 P.M.

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:

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	June 27, 2015 / 0610 hours
LOCATION:	Vineyard Avenue @ Walnut Drive
DRIVER 1:	Young Ok Yi, 53 years, Fillmore Resident
VEHICLE 1:	White, 2004 Lexus RX300
DRIVER 2:	Manuel Martinez Hernandez, 42 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2 (motorcycle):	Burgundy, 2001 Suzuki SVS650
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Traffic Officer Manuel Perez (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On Saturday, June 27, 2015, at about 6:10 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Vineyard Avenue and Walnut Drive in reference to an injury traffic collision involving two vehicles, one being a motorcycle.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Lexus RX300, driven by Young Yi, was traveling southbound on Vineyard Avenue in the left turn pocket at Walnut Drive. The motorcyclist, Manuel Hernandez, was traveling northbound on Vineyard Avenue approaching the intersection. The collision occurred when the Lexus turned left in the path of the motorcycle.

Driver Hernandez, who was wearing a motorcycle helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained serious injuries including a broken leg. He was transported from the scene to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is currently listed in serious condition. Driver Yi was not injured during the collision.

Alcohol, drugs and excessive speed do not appear to be factors in this collision. The collision is still under investigation.

If anyone has additional information about this collision, please contact Traffic Officer Manuel Perez at 805-385-7749 or via email at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: June 27, 2015 at 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:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	July 19, 2015 / 1700-0000 Hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a multiple location DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at undisclosed locations within the city limits between the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking driver’s for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. Specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to remind all drivers to think before you drive and if you choose to drink, don’t drive. In 2014, Oxnard Police officers arrested over 500 drivers for driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs. Officers also investigated 174 alcohol-related collisions causing the tragic and preventable deaths of three people.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to The Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 18, 2015 / 1300 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang Member in possession of a (Firearm)
DATE/TIME:	08-12-15 / 1:34 PM
LOCATION:	1800 Block Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Manuel Guerra III, 31 year old, Port Hueneme resident
PREPARED BY:	Officer M. Perez
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer M. Perez (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:
On 8/12/15, at about 1334 hours, a traffic officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a male driver for a seatbelt violation. During search of the vehicle, a loaded .38 revolver was located inside of the vehicle. The driver is a documented gang member and is a prior convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing any guns.

In an effort to address the recent increase in firearms-related crimes, the Oxnard Police Department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crime Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons within the city. The objective of this initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.

If anyone has further information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7796. 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. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08-12-2015 / 1600 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 Victim Stabbed
DATE/TIME:	August 15, 2015 / 0248 hours
LOCATION:	1300 block East Channel Island Boulevard
VICTIM(S):	Jeffery Rodriguez, 28 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Five males and one female
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Tan colored vehicle
LOSS:	Personal property
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Edgar Fernandez (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:NEWS RELEASE

On 8/15/145 at approximately 0248 hours, an Oxnard Police Officer was patrolling the 1300 block of East Channel Island Boulevard when he noticed a suspicious tan vehicle illegally parked on the street. As the officer went to investigate, the officer observed several males run from the vehicle, and a female quickly drive the vehicle away from the scene. The officer then observed an assault victim laying on the sidewalk bleeding heavily. The victim had been stabbed numerous times and robbed. The officer rendered first aid and called for EMS. The victim was transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical center with life threatening injuries.

If you witnessed this incident or have information to assist with the investigation, you are encouraged to call Detective Edgar Fernandez at (805) 385-7600. You can also provide information anonymously by calling the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:August 15, 2015 at 0600 Hours

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 Department Receives Grant for Special Traffic Enforcement and Crash Prevention
DATE/TIME:	October 8, 2015
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant, (805) 385-7847 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
The Oxnard Police Department has been awarded a $275,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of special enforcement and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries. The Oxnard Police Department will use the funding as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe and improve the quality of life through both enforcement and education.

“We are grateful for the support we received from the State to maintain our commitment on traffic safety throughout Oxnard” said Police Chief Jeri Williams. “This critical funding allows us to continue our focus on distracted drivers, drunk and drugged driving, as well as our commitment to working with the public on an education campaign and moving towards our goal towards zero-traffic related deaths,” Williams added.

After falling dramatically between 2006 and 2010, the number of persons killed and injured in California traffic collisions saw slight increases in 2011 and 2012.    Particularly alarming are recent increases in pedestrian and bicycle fatalities, the growing dangers of distracting technologies, and the emergence of drug-impaired driving as a major problem. This grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these and other devastating problems such as drunk driving, speeding and crashes at intersections.

“Overall, California’s roadways are among the safest in the nation,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “But to meet future mobility, safety, and accessible transportation objectives, we have to reverse this recent trend in order to reach our common goal – zero deaths on our roadways. The Office of Traffic Safety and the Oxnard Police Department want to work with everyone to create a culture of traffic safety across the City of Oxnard and the state.”

Activities funded by the grant will include:
•              Educational presentations
•              DUI checkpoints
•              DUI saturation patrols
•              Motorcycle safety enforcement
•              Distracted driving enforcement
•              Speed, red light and stop sign enforcement
•              Seat belt and child safety seat enforcement
•              Pedestrian and bicycle safety and enforcement program
•              Warrant service operations targeting offenders with multiple DUI convictions
•              Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets,” identifying worst-of-the-worst DUI offenders
•              Specialized DUI and drugged driving training such as Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE)
•              Court “sting” operations to cite individuals driving from DUI court after ignoring their license suspension or revocation
•              Stakeout operations to observe the “worst-of-the-worst” repeat DUI offender probationers with suspended or revoked driver licenses

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10/08/15, 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:	Gang Member in Possession of Loaded Handgun
DATE/TIME:	10-16-15 / 2300 Hours
LOCATION:	First Street at McKinley Street
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Ernesto Viveros, 24 years, Oxnard resident Luis Aguilar, 19 years, Oxnard resident Arturo Suarez, 20 years, Oxnard resident Miguel Ruiz, 19 years, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Officer Todd Johnson
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	[email protected], (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:
On October 16, 2015, at approximately 2300 hours, officers from the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) and K9 Unit were conducting gang enforcement near First Street and McKinley Street when officers attempted to contact a group of known gang members.

Ernesto Viveros was in possession of a loaded .40 caliber handgun and arrested. Several other subjects fled into a nearby yard. An area search was conducted and Arturo Suarez Jr, Luis Aguilar, and Miguel Ruiz were located hiding in surrounding yards. Suarez had outstanding warrants, Aguilar was arrested for gang injunction violations, and Ruiz was in violation of his probation.

The Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and related violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Residents are reminded to report suspicious activity or otherwise witness crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: October 17, 2015 / 0100 hours