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 Hit-And-Run Traffic Collision-Vehicle vs. Pedestrian
DATE/TIME:	9-20-13 / 2251 Hours
LOCATION:	Hemlock Street and Capstan Drive
Party 1:	Aida Reyes, 20 years, Oxnard resident
Party 2:	Unknown
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Silver 2003 Infinity G35
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, Traffic Collision Investigator, (805) 385-7750 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On September 20, 2013, at about 10:51 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a hit-and-run injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. Upon arrival, officers found that a pedestrian had struck by a silver compact vehicle at the intersection of Hemlock Street at Capstan Drive and fled the scene. Debris located at the collision indicated that the suspect vehicle was an unknown model Infinity.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Infinity, driven by an unknown subject, was traveling westbound on Hemlock Street towards Capstan Drive. The pedestrian, Aida Reyes was crossing Hemlock Street at a marked cross walk. For unknown reasons, the Infinity failed to yield to the pedestrian and struck Reyes. Witnesses to the collision stated that Infinity fled the area after the collision.

Pedestrian Reyes was transported to a local hospital where she is listed in critical condition.

Officers located the suspect vehicle in a nearby neighborhood but were unable to locate the driver.

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.

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

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Homicide
DATE/TIME:	09/22/13 2055 hours
LOCATION:	1200 block of Mercantile
VICTIM(S):	44 year old Oxnard resident, Name Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Ismael Godinez, 48 year old Oxnard resident



PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jess Aragon, (805) 385-7547 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 09/22/13 at approximately 2055 hours, officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Mercantile regarding a stabbing. When officers arrived they located a 44 year old male subject who had been stabbed multiple times. The victim was transported to VCMC and underwent emergency surgery. The victim is listed in critical condition.

Officers were able to locate and arrest the suspect, identified as 48 year old Ismael Godinez of Oxnard, in the 2400 block of Balboa Street. The motive for the attack is unknown at this time but investigators are talking to several witnesses in hopes of determining what caused the attack.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Jess Aragon at (805) 385-7547. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9/22/13, 2324 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Adult
DATE/TIME:	10-14-13 / 8:00 AM
LOCATION:	4450 Saviers Road, Oxnard
MISSING PERSON:	Jaime Espiritu, 78 Years Old
PREPARED BY:	Commander Randy Latimer
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Randy Latimer (805) 385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On 10/14/13 at 0800 hours, the Oxnard Police Department was notified regarding a critical missing adult, Jaime Espiritu. Mr. Espiritu is 78 years old and was last seen at approximately 0430 hours this morning at 4450 Saviers Rd, his residence.

Jamie Espiritu is a Filipino male, 6 feet tall, weighs 162 pounds and has black hair and dark brown eyes. He has a dark skin discoloration on his left cheek. He was last seen wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt, red and black checkered pants and black shoes. (photo attached).

Oxnard PD officers are checking possible known locations where Mr. Espiritu has been in the past.

Anyone with information regarding the missing adult is asked to contact the Oxnard Police Department (805) 385-7600.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10-14-13 / 0930 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 Saturation Enforecement, this Halloween Thursday
DATE/TIME:	THursday, October 31, 2013
LOCATION:	CIty of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, (805) 385-7750, [email protected] Sgt. Brian Woolley, (805) 385-7847, [email protected]

DETAILS: [Ventura County]— This Halloween,police, sheriff and CHP Officers will crack down on drunk and drugged drivers throughout the region with an aggressive Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement effort. The Avoid the 14 Ventura County DUI Task Force has given a fair warning to all partygoers: keep the party off the road.

“The most frightening part of Halloween is not the costumes or the pranks, it’s the impaired drivers. All too often, partygoers don’t plan ahead and choose to drive impaired, but acostume can’t disguise drunk driving,” said Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams.

The Avoid the 14 Ventura County DUI Task Force will be deploying additional patrols this Thursday, October 31^st in addition to routine patrols already scheduled to stop and arrest alcohol or drug impaired drivers.

Halloween is one of the deadliest holidays of the year on our roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), from 2007-2011, 52 percent of all national fatalities occurring on Halloween night involved a drunk driver. Males ages 21-34 comprised almost half of all drunk drivers who were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide during the 2011 Halloween period. It is the deadliest night for child pedestrians of any night of the whole year.

“If you celebrate with alcohol, you don’t belong behind the wheel.” Chief Williams said. “A sober and safe ride after the party is the best treat you can give yourself and everyone else on the road this Halloween.”

To keep safe this Halloween, the Avoid the 14 Ventura County DUI Task Forcerecommends these tips:
·         Beforethe Halloween festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
·         Always designate a sober driver.
·         If you are impaired, take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
·         Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
·         Use your community’s sober ride program.
·         If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
·         If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make safe travel arrangements to where they are going. If you think you have to ask if they are okay to drive, you already know they’re not.

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

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 offer a list of 25 tips for a safe Halloween
DATE/TIME:	October 31, 2013
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police offer a list of 25 tips for a safe Halloween.

1.     Children should watch out for cars and carry a glow stick or flashlight to ensure they are seen by motorists and others.
2.     Drivers should also be extra vigilant for children, who may dart out into the street from between parked cars or other places.
3.     Children should never be allowed to go out alone on Halloween.
4.     Children should never eat any treats until they have been examined.
5.     Advise children that they should never enter strangers’ homes.
6.     Never invite children into your home.
7.     Children should never accept rides from strangers.
8.     Children should never take shortcuts through backyards or alleys.
9.     Set a specific time limit for your children to be out on Halloween night.
10. Instruct children not to stray from their group.
11. A responsible adult should escort children while trick-or-treating.
12. Adult escorts (and children if possible) should carry flashlights.
13. Don’t leave your home unattended on Halloween night.
14. Keep pets inside your home, or other safe place on Halloween night.
15. Children should walk, not run, during their trick-or-treat activities.
16. Parents should know what route their children will be taking.
17. Children should wear proper fitting, comfortable costumes and shoes.
18. Props such as toy guns or swords should be made of pliable material.
19. Realistic replica firearms should never be used.
20. Masks should not be worn if they impair vision.
21. Wigs should be fireproof and should not restrict vision.
22. Children should always use sidewalks, not the street, for walking.
23. Children should look in all directions before crossing the street.
24. Those who cannot accompany their children on Halloween night should make sure they are chaperoned or in a large group of friends and relatives.
25. Leave early and return home early, and set a deadline to be home.

Let’s have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	11/17/13 at approximately 2012 hours
LOCATION:	200 Block of Chester Way, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	19 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown

PREPARED BY:	Kevin Baysinger, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police and Fire Communications Center 805-385-7740

DETAILS:

On 11/7/13 at approximately 2012 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to the 200 Block of Chester Way reference a shooting victim. The victim, a 19 year old male, was shot multiple times in the back and legs. He was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center by ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.

Officers canvassed the area but were unable to learn anything about the number of suspects or their descriptions.

The investigation is continuing.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Oxnard P.D. at (805) 385-7665. 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: 11/17/13 2130 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gunshots Fired After an Attempt Theft From a Vehicle
DATE/TIME:	December 9, 2013 / 2108 hours
LOCATION:	300 Blk. E. Fir Avenue
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male in his 20’s, 5’-11”, thin build, wearing a white beanie and gray t-shirt with white long sleeves.
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Dark Older Model Acura Integra
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Daniel Shrubb, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Commander 805-385-7600 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On December 9, 2013, at about 9:08 P.M., officers responded to the 300 block of East Fir Avenue after receiving a call of an interrupted auto burglary where the suspect was in possession of a handgun. When officers arrived, they learned that the victim had confronted the suspect who was attempting entry into his vehicle. The suspect fled on foot and the victim gave chase. A second suspect was also seen fleeing the scene with this suspect. While running from the victim, the suspect (#1) produced a handgun and fired one shot into the air. The victim immediately stopped chasing the suspect. No one was struck by the gunfire.

Suspect (#1) is described as an Hispanic male in his 20’s, 5’-11”, thin build, wearing a white beanie and gray t-shirt with white long sleeves.

The victim and witnesses told officers that a dark colored older model Acura Integra with three (3) subjects was seen fleeing the area shortly thereafter. It was not confirmed, however, if the vehicle was involved or not.

If anyone has information about this incident, 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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2013

CONTACT: Senior Officer Maria Pena, (805) 385-7750, [email protected]
Sgt. Brian Woolley, (805) 385-7847, [email protected]

AVOID THE 14 COUNTY DUI TASK FORCE IS CRACKING DOWN ON DRUNK DRIVERS
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

[Oxnard, CA]— This holiday season, Police, Sheriff and CHP will be out in force cracking down on drunk drivers throughout the region with aggressive Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement. From Dec. 13, 2013, to Jan. 1, 2014, state and local law enforcement will be watching for drunk drivers to help keep roads safe for holiday travelers.

The Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force will be aggressively looking fordrunk drivers this holiday season with plans in place for two DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints, a Multi-Agency Strike Team, over 20 local roving DUI Saturation Patrols, a DUI Warrant/Probation Sweep and a DUI Court Sting targeting suspended drivers who were ordered by the judge not to drive. (**See attached Schedule of Operations for the 20 Day Mobilization for dates and city locations)

The Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force is giving fair warning to all partygoers. “You’ll see us making plenty of stops during this highly visible enforcement period. If we suspect anyone is driving while intoxicated, officers will show zero tolerance for drunk driving,” said Chief Jeri Williams, Oxnard Police Department.
Unfortunately, the excitement and celebrations of the holiday season can lead to terrible decisions– and serious legal consequences.
Data shows that the holiday season is a particularly deadly time due to the increased number of drunk drivers on the roads, and every law enforcement agency in the county is prepared to stop and arrest any drunk driver they see to keep roads safe.
Nationally in the four years from 2007 to 2011 there were 4,169 people killed during the month of December in crashes that involved drivers with Blood Alcohol Concentrations (BAC) of .08% or higher. In California during those same five Decembers, 505 were killed and thousands seriously injured.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32,367 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes across the nation in 2011, and 31 percent (9,878) of those fatalities occurred in drunk-driving-related crashes. Californians witnessed at total of 2,835 deaths with 774 killed in DUI crashes on their streets and highways.

“The December holiday season is the ‘most wonderful time of the year,’ and we are going to keep our roads safe for travelers heading to visit friends and family,” said Chief Williams. “This holiday, we will show zero tolerance for impaired drivers on the road. If you choose to drive drunk, we will be looking for you, we will stop you, and you will be arrested.”

Drunk drivers often face jail time, the loss of their driver licenses, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, to lost wages due to time off from work. Even worse, a drunk driver can cause a traffic crash that claims someone’s life, or their own.
Please follow these tips to keep the holidays safe and happy:

·         Even one drink can impair your judgment and increase the risk of getting arrested for driving drunk—or worse, the risk of having a crash while driving.
·         If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving. Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins.
·         If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, phone a sober friend or family member or use public transportation. Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.
·         If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

Remember, it is never safe to drink and drive: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that reminds everyone: Report Drunk Drivers! Call 9-1-1.

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 Update
DATE/TIME:	12/20/2013 0430 hrs.
LOCATION:	Entrada Drive/Briana Circle
MISSING PERSON:	Nicholas Penaloza, 19 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Robert Flinn, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Robert Flinn, Sergeant [email protected] (805) 385-7600

DETAILS: Missing person Nicholas Penaloza was located by officers this morning at 0430 hours. He was unharmed and transported back to his family.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 12-20-2013/ 0500 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suicidal Subject and Officer-Involved Shooting
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, 2/5/14 at approximately 12:25 PM
LOCATION:	Del Sol Park (Rose Avenue and Camino Del Sol – City of Oxnard)
INVOLVED PERSON:	42 year-old female Oxnard resident (name withheld)
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeff Kay ([email protected]) (805) 385-8174

DETAILS: This news release is a follow up from one that was released on Wednesday, 2/5/14.

Further investigation revealed that the suicidal woman who was shot by Oxnard Police Department officers on 2/5/14 in Del Sol Park was in possession of two replica firearms. The replica firearms that were involved in the incident are pictured below.

The Oxnard Police Department emphasizes that replica firearms are a hazard to public safety when brandished or used in a threatening manner. Persons who have information about this incident are encouraged to call Detective Jeff Kay at (805) 385-8174.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2/6/14 12:15 PM