OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Motorcycle Safety Enforcement
DATE/TIME:	February 07, 2016 / 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:

Improving Motorcycle Safety Aim of Oxnard Police Department Operation

Careless motorists as well as riders get special scrutiny

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Sunday, February 7, 2016, in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes. They will be cracking down on both those operating regular vehicles and motorcycles who are violating traffic safety laws.

Motorcycle fatalities jumped dramatically in California by over 28 percent from a decade low of 352 in 2010. In 2013, 453 motorcyclists lost their lives, which is at a 5 year high. California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs by both riders and drivers alike.

Operations like this are aimed at curbing any more rises in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers back downward. Over the course of the past three years, motorcycle involved collisions within the City of Oxnard have resulted in five fatal collisions and 102 injury collisions.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to make everyone aware of precautions that can be taken to reduce the number and severity of collisions involving motorcyclists. Motorcyclists and drivers are reminded to be safe and follow these safety tips:

Safety tips for riders – See and Be Seen:
·         Use your lane position to increase visibility; change lanes only when there is ample room
·         Match your speed to surrounding traffic
·         Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and brightly colored, protective clothing
·         Ride with lights on during daylight hours

Safety tips for drivers – Share the Road:
·         Look twice for motorcyclists, especially when entering the roadway, turning or changing lanes
·         Motorcyclist are allowed in HOV lanes unless prohibited by signage

Riders are urged to get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com/ or 1-877 RIDE 411 (1-877-743-3411).

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: share in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.”

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 05, 2016 / 5:00 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Officer-Involved Shooting
DATE/TIME:	February 16, 2016 / Approx. 9:40 am
LOCATION:	3000 block of Saviers Road
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, (805) 385-7631 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Miguel Lopez, (805) 385-7631 [email protected]

DETAILS: On February 16, 2016, at approximately 9:40 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a report of a suspect threatening the public in the 3000 block of Saviers Road. Officers made contact with the subject, and an officer involved shooting took place. Preliminary reports indicate the subject received a non-fatal injury and was transported to a local hospital.

At the time of this release, the investigation is still ongoing and investigators are on scene. An updated news release will be forthcoming when additional information is gathered.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2/16/16 10:40 hrs.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Felony Vandalism
DATE/TIME:	01/26/08 at 1910 hours
LOCATION:
VICTIM/S:	City of Oxnard
SUSPECT/S:	15 year-old Oxnard resident
WITNESS/ES:
SUSPECT VEHICLE:
LOSS:	In excess of $1,000
PREPARED BY:	Officer Bakari Myers

DETAILS:

On 1/26/08, at 7:10PM a 15-year-old Oxnard juvenile was arrested for felony graffiti vandalism. The vandalism occurred in the Garden City Acres Park located at 5302 Cypress Rd. in Oxnard. The park is relatively new and has been clean of graffiti. The juvenile spray-painted the name of an Oxnard street gang on the wall. The juvenile also spray painted his “street name” as well as a companions “street name.” Graffiti Detective Sandra Kujawa determined the amount of graffiti on the wall qualified the crime as a felony and the clean up would cost the city in excess of 1,000 dollars. An on-duty Oxnard Police officer was patrolling the area and observed the graffiti as it was in progress. The juvenile was arrested without incident.

An investigation is continuing.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking/ Attempt Murder
DATE/TIME:	01/31/08
LOCATION:	900 block of Cedar Ct., Oxnard
VICTIM/S:	Marceleno R. Vasquez, 23 years, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT/S:	Two Hispanic males armed with a knife, no further description
WITNESS/ES:
SUSPECT VEHICLE:	Unknown
LOSS:	Multiple stab wounds wound to the upper body
PREPARED BY:	Fred Sedillos, Sergeant, Violent Crimes Unit

DETAILS:

On 01/31/08 Patrol officers received a call of an injury accident in the 900 block of Elm Ct. Upon their arrival they discover the victim’s vehicle abandoned in the front yard of a private residence. The vehicle had collided with a chain link fence. An additional call was received of a battery victim at 920 Cedar Ct. Patrol officers discovered the victim suffering from stab wounds. He was transported to SJRMC by ambulance. The subsequent investigation revealed that the victim was assaulted in the 900 block of Cedar Ct while attempting to park his vehicle. The victim stated he was approached by two suspects. The suspects stabbed the victim and then stole his vehicle. For reasons unknown the suspects drove around the block to Elm Ct. where they crashed the vehicle and then fled. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds and his condition was described as serious.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT DET. Ken Peeples @ 486-6297. CALLERS CAN ALSO REMAIN ANONYMOUS BY CALLING 982-7043

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

At 5:30 this morning seven Oxnard traffic officers set out to find people who had left their vehicles running and unattended. This continues to be an on-going problem in the city of Oxnard. In fact, approximately 1/3 of all cars reported stolen in Oxnard are stolen when left running and unattended.

Between 5:30 and 8:00 am these seven officers wrote 28 citations – each costing the perpetrator a fine of $65.

We have done these types of sweeps in the past and will continue to do them in the future. The last two such operations yielded more than 60 citations each so we are hopeful that Oxnard residents are getting the message that this type of behavior is unacceptable.

David Keith, Spokesperson

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fight Involving Gun – Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	01/18/2009 @ 2127 hours
LOCATION:	1300 block of Commercial Avenue, Oxnard
VICTIM/S:	Leonel Madrigal, 26 years, of Oxnard
SUSPECT/S:	Filiberto Mata, 19 years, of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Officer Edward Idukas

DETAILS:

Oxnard police received a call of a large fight involving a knife in the 1300 block of Commercial Avenue on Sunday (January 18) night at 9:27 p.m. A total of ten Oxnard officers responded to this incident. Upon arrival, officers located a large group standing around an injured subject in the roadway with several unspent rounds of ammunition strewn about him. What officers quickly determined was that the injured party was the suspect in an assault with a deadly weapon, not the victim.

According to statements obtained by officers from parties on scene, Victim Madrigal and Suspect Mata have had an ongoing feud of some type. Tonight, Suspect Mata walked to the residence of Victim Madrigal and pulled out a small caliber handgun.

Due to either his inability to properly handle the weapon or his obviously drunken state, Suspect Mata pulled the loaded handgun from his waistband and pointed it at his intended victim, but Mata was unable to effectively deal with an apparent malfunction of the handgun and ejected several live rounds from the weapon onto the ground. Victim Madrigal quickly disarmed Mata of his handgun.

Mata then pulled out a knife but Madrigal was also able to wrestle the knife away. During the knife disarming, Madrigal sustained a superficial cut to his hand from the knife blade. After this confrontation, Mata was restrained by a crowd of nearby residents who held the suspect until the arrival of police. Police quickly recovered the loaded handgun and knife used by Mata without incident.

During his detention by bystanders, Mata suffered several contusions to his face and head. He was treated for his injuries at Ventura County Medical Center and was later booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a loaded firearm and drawing/exhibiting a firearm in a threatening manner. His bail was set at $25,000.

Victim Madrigal did not require medical treatment for his injury. An investigation is continuing.

DATE: 01/19/2009 at 0340 hours.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

Last night (4/13/09) at the Knights of Columbus annual “Public Safety Night Dinner” Oxnard officers made an arrest in a felony battery.

At approximately 9:00 pm last night several Oxnard officers attending dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall (at 6th and D St) were alerted by someone in the back of the hall about an assault taking place in an alley adjacent to the building. Two Oxnard officers, Assistant Chief Jason Benites and Commander Eric Sonstegard immediately ran outside to offer assistance.

As they arrived outside a few seconds later they saw a victim down on the ground and an individual running from the scene. The individual running was identified by witnesses as the perpetrator of the assault. Assistant Chief Benites and Commander Sonstegard, who were both in uniform, gave chase and quickly scaled a fence in the area. The chase went for approximately two blocks and lasted approximately two minutes. At that point Commander Sonstegard caught up with the suspect near the intersection of 5th and C Streets. The suspect was taken into custody by Commander Sonstegard at that location.

The suspect has been identified as Aaron Lee Hart (age 41, transient). He was arrested and is facing felony battery charges.

The victim, identified as Alex George Urratio (age 46, transient), received numerous cuts to his face, and lost at least one tooth in the battery.

It is unclear at this time what motivated the battery.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Bank Robbery
DATE/TIME:	January 4, 2010 (0913 hours)
LOCATION:	2400 East Gonzales Rd
VICTIM(S):	County Commerce Bank
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic, male, 5-08 to 5-09, 140 to 170 lbs, wearing a hooded sweatshirt, black beanie, surgical mask, gloves, and tan pants.
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown
LOSS:	Undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency
PREPARED BY:	Violent Crimes Unit Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Charles Buttell (805) 385-7665

DETAILS:

On 1-4-09 at 9:13 AM officers responded to a call of a robbery alarm at the County Commerce Bank. Prior to officers arriving they were updated that it was an actual robbery and the suspect had fled the bank on foot towards Rice Ave.

Investigators were told the suspect entered the bank holding a possible weapon, he demanded all the customers and employees to the floor. He then approached several tellers and demanded money; he fled the bank within a minutes. The suspect got an undetermined amount of currency.

Investigators and local FBI are requesting assistance, if anyone saw a suspicious vehicle parked on Rice Ave South of Gonzales Rd around 9:00 AM. Please contact Detective Charles Buttell at (805) 385-7665. You can remain anonymous by calling Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477). The 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

INCIDENT:	DUI Saturation Patrol
DATE/TIME:	January 24th, 2010 1800 – 0100 hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator

DETAILS:

On January 24th, 2010, between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 1:00 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI saturation patrol. Officers patrolled the City of Oxnard with an emphasis on impaired drivers and traffic enforcement.

During the operation, officers conducted 108 traffic stops and conducted 10 DUI investigations. These investigations led to the arrest of seven drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol. Four of the drivers arrested for DUI had a blood alcohol level that was over twice the legal limit.

Officers also issued 31 traffic citations for various vehicle code violations. 17 of the drivers stopped were unlicensed and two of those drivers were driving with a suspended driver’s license. Officers towed 11 vehicles and the owners of the towed vehicles will face a minimum release fee of $494.00.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue conducting DUI saturation patrols on various nights of the week and holidays in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our community and roadways safer. These operations are funded through grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) though the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at [email protected].

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking arrest
DATE/TIME:	02/01/2010 1615 hrs
LOCATION:	First Street and Eliza Court
VICTIM(S):	36 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	S-1 Lorraine Lopez, 27 yr old Oxnard resident S-2 Teresa Failauga, 26 yr old Oxnard resident S-3 White female, 20-30 yrs, thin build Two additional suspects only described as Hispanic males in their early 20’s
PREPARED BY:	Detective Paul Knapp
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Paul Knapp 805-385-7796

DETAILS:

On 2/1/2010, officers from the Oxnard Police Department located a stolen vehicle in the area of First Street and Eliza Court. The vehicle was being driven by Teresa Failauga and the passenger was identified as Lorraine Lopez, both of Oxnard. Failauga was arrested and charged with driving a stolen vehicle.

It was reported that the vehicle was stolen during a robbery and carjacking that occurred on 1/31/2010. The victim told officers that a Hispanic female and a white female asked him for a ride. He was directed to an unfamiliar area of the city when two Hispanic males approached the vehicle. The two males pulled the victim out and pushed him into the rear seat where they held him against his will. The Hispanic female entered the driver’s seat and the white female sat in the front passenger seat. He was driven around the city before being taken to an alley in the area of Woolley Road and ‘J’ Street. The female stopped the vehicle and the two males demanded money from the victim. After taking an undisclosed amount of money, the two males assaulted the victim and pulled him out of the vehicle. The four suspects then fled the area in the victim’s vehicle. A subsequent investigation was conducted and Lorraine Lopez was positively identified as the Hispanic female suspect involved in the carjacking and robbery.

The additional described suspects are still outstanding. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Paul Knapp at 805-385-7796 or Crime Stoppers at 805-385-8255.