John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Chop Shop Operation & Recovered Stolen Vehicles
DATE/TIME:	3/18/10, 22:45
LOCATION:	400 Blk. E. Olive Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Thomas Cortez, age 47, Oxnard resident Mario Durazo, age 39, Oxnard resident Jose Esquivel, age 47, Oxnard resident Emmanuel Esquivel, age 22, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Det. Patrick Dolan, Auto Theft Investigator, (805) 385-7755
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Patrick Dolan, Auto Theft Investigator, (805) 385-7755

DETAILS:

On 3/18/10 at approximately 2245 hours, Oxnard officers responded to a possible theft of an auto tow dolly from the closed U-Haul rental yard at 3020 Saviers Rd., Oxnard. The suspects fled prior to the arrival of officers. Officers searching the area located the stolen tow dolly in the alley of the 400 block of E. Olive St. as Thomas Cortez and Mario Durazo tried to walk away. Cortez and Durazo were detained by officers and the subsequent investigation determined that a 1995 Nissan pick-up that the suspects had used to steal the tow dolly was also stolen in Oxnard on 3/17/10. Further, a 2002 Ford F-150 pick-up truck that they were attempting to load onto the stolen tow dolly in the alley was stolen in Oxnard on 3/12/10. Cortez was arrested for auto theft, a felony. Durazo was also arrested for auto theft as well for being in possession of a controlled substance (a felony) and being under the influence of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor).

Further investigation revealed that the Ford truck had been stripped of its major components including the engine, transmission, hood, and seats. These missing parts and numerous other car parts were located in and around the residence behind which Cortez and Durazo were detained. Investigators from the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force contacted the residents and determined that there was a chop shop operation in place at the residence. Two of the residents, Jose Esquivel and his son, Emmanuel Esquivel, were arrested for auto theft, possession of stolen property, conspiracy to commit a crime, and operating a chop shop – all felonies. All four suspects were booked into Ventura County Jail.

An investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Patrick Dolan at (805) 385-7755 or Crime Stoppers at (805) 385-8255.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT:	Every 15 Minutes(E15M) Program at Hueneme High School, this Thursday and Friday
DATE/TIME:	May 1st and 2nd, 2014, starting at about 11:30 a.m
LOCATION:	Hueneme High School 500 Bard Rd. Oxnard, CA 93030
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, (805) 385-7631, [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	School Resource Officer Ramiro Albarran, (805) 207-7492 [email protected]

DETAILS: Officers from the Oxnard Police Department will be coordinating the Every 15 Minutes (E15M) Program at Hueneme High School, 500 Bard Road, in Oxnard, this Thursday and Friday. Unique in its design and powerful in its impact, the E15M Program is an educational experience that reminds us all of the dangers associated with driving while impaired by alcohol and/or other drugs.

“We look for proactive, effective and powerful ways to drive deep-rooted messages to the core of our young individuals,’ said Sergeant Luis Mancha who oversees the Oxnard Police School Resource Officer Unit. “Today’s students and youth are not like any generations before. They are intelligent, at the same time still developing and very much impressionable. Our hope is that this production sparks conversations amongst friends, well after this program,” Mancha added.

Every 15 minutes in the U.S., someone is killed in a crash involving an impaired driver. The E15M program includes student participants being removed from their class every 15 minutes throughout the morning by an Oxnard Police Officer who acts as the Grim Reaper. An obituary is read to the class and the student participants later return to class as the “living dead”, complete with make-up. From that point on (since the victims are “dead”), they will not speak or otherwise interact with others for the remainder of the day except to be present in their regular classes.

Starting at about 11:25 a.m. on May 1, the OHS student body (all Juniors & Seniors) will assemble in the football stadium to witness a mock head-on crash scene and simulated rescue that will include a full emergency response by Oxnard Police, Oxnard Fire, Gold Coast EMS, Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office, and McCarty & Sons Towing.

At the end of the school day, instead of returning home, student participants made into the “living dead” or those who were “killed” in the crash, together with several adult chaperones, will be transported to a local hotel for an overnight student retreat, facilitated by a support staff of counselors and police officers. The participants will continue to be out of contact with their family and friends overnight to simulate their separation/death.

The E15M program will continue on May 2, 2014 with a mock “funeral” assembly in the Hueneme High School gym starting at 11:30 a.m. where participants and their parents will share personal and often very emotional letters they wrote to one another the previous evening that begin with “Dear Mom & Dad, Every 15 minutes in the United States, someone is killed in a crash involving an impaired driver. Today I died. I never had a chance to tell you…” This is arguably the most powerful, impactful, and emotional part of the 2- day program. While the crash was staged, the emotions of the funeral assembly are very real, and heart-wrenching.

“The impact I have seen at Channel Islands High School, Pacifica High School, and Oxnard High last year is huge. These students really come to realize what an impact they could have on their parents and loved ones if something was to happen to them. It hits some of these kids particularly hard for a number of reasons – for some, they have had a loved one die or impacted in a significant way due to a drunk driver,” Mancha added. “This program would not be possible or successful if not for the Oxnard Police School Resource Officers and responsible businesses in our community who work hard to organize this program and production,” he added.

This powerful no cost educational program, funded by community donations and sponsored by the Oxnard Police Foundation, will challenge teenagers and others to think about the responsibility of making mature and responsible decisions when lives are involved.

Oxnard Police would like to thank the following businesses and individuals:
·         Camino Del Sol Funeral Home
·         American Medical Response
·         Hometown Buffet
·         GrandStay Residential Suites
·         Luners Professional Sound & Lighting
·         McCarthy & Sons Towing
·         Oxnard Fire
·         Oxnard Union High School District
·         Pete Ryeberg, Santa Clara Church
·         St. John’s Regional Medical Center
·         Ventura County District Attorney’s Office
·         Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office
·         Ventura County Honorable Judge Kevin McGee

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 29, 2014, 5:00 PM

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:	November 19, 2014 / 0946 hours
LOCATION:	Camino del Sol @ Kohala Street
DRIVER 1:	Donald Mitsuo Nagata, 82 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Green 1994 GMC Sonoma pick-up truck
DRIVER 2:	Justin Daniel McMurrey, 20 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2:	White 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
DRIVER 3:	Robert Rubio, 28 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 3:	Bronze 2008 Nissan Altima
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 Wednesday, November 19, 2014, at about 9:45 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Camino del Sol and Kohala Street in reference to an injury traffic collision involving three vehicles.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Chevrolet Cobalt was traveling northbound on Kohala Street through the intersection while the Nissan Altima was traveling southbound through the intersection. The GMC pick-up truck was traveling westbound on Camino del Sol and according to witnesses, it failed to stop for a red light. As the GMC crossed the intersection, it collided with the other two vehicles causing it to flip onto its passenger side and slide for several feet. Donald Nagata, the driver of GMC, was not wearing a seatbelt and the collision caused him to be partially ejected out of the passenger window. When EMS arrived at the scene, Driver Nagata was pinned between his vehicle and the roadway.

Driver Nagata was transported from the scene to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition. He suffered significant head trauma, fractured ribs and a broken right clavicle as a result of the collision. The drivers of the other vehicles were uninjured.

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

The investigation is continuing.

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

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 Traffic Unit Conducts Distracted Driver Operation
DATE/TIME:	April 28, 2015 / 1500-2000 hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On Tuesday, April 28, 2015, between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit conducted an enforcement operation targeting distracted drivers in the area of Oxnard Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue. This operation was part of a month long distracted driving enforcement campaign across the country and State of California. The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the month of April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Over 200 law enforcement agencies across California have participated in the campaign that began on April 1^st.

The intersection of Oxnard Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue was specifically chosen for this operation due to the high volume of traffic in the area and the recent increase of reported traffic collisions caused by a variety of factors.

The results of this five hour operation are listed below:
·        54 vehicles stopped
·        45 total citations issued
·        Two drivers found to be driving with suspended driver’s licenses
·        43 citations issued to distracted drivers (using cell phones in a non-hands free mode)
·        Two vehicles towed

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct these types of enforcement operations this year make our roadways and community safer. These operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: April 29, 2015 / 1700 hours

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

This morning officers responded to calls of several car burglaries on Terrace Avenue.

Sometime between 9:00 pm last night and 6:00 am this morning a total of ten cars were burglarized or vandalized by an unknown person or persons. The crimes occurred between the 4600 and 4900 block of Terrace Avenue.

In total – 10 cars were affected – 6 cars were broken into (window broken) and had the stereo systems taken, two cars were entered through an unlocked door and the stereo systems taken and two cars had their windows broken but nothing taken.

No one in the area heard or saw anything suspicious.

Anyone with information is asked to call Oxnard Police at 385-7600 or they may call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 385-TALK.

David Keith, Spokesperson

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 Collides with Oxnard Police Patrol Vehicle
DATE/TIME:	August 25, 2015 / 1904 hours
LOCATION:	Rose Avenue at Mountain View Avenue
DRIVER 1:	Armando Lomeli Rico, 49 years, Fillmore Resident
VEHICLE 1:	White, 2005 Chevrolet Colorado pick-up truck
VEHICLE 2:	Oxnard Police Department patrol vehicle
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant, (805) 385-7847 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Traffic Officer Jesus Sedeno (805) 385-7749 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at about 7:04 p.m., two Oxnard police officers were traveling northbound on Rose Avenue near the intersection of Mountain View Avenue. At this time, they were transporting a prisoner in the rear seat of the patrol vehicle. When the officers stopped for the red light at Fifth Street behind several other stopped vehicles, their patrol vehicle was suddenly rear ended by a white, 2005 Chevrolet Colorado pick-up truck driven by Armando Lomeli Rico.

Officers at the scene contacted Driver Rico and arrested him on suspicion of driving while under the influence of alcohol. He was not injured as a result of the collision.

Both officers and the prisoner sustained minor injuries and were transported from the scene to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center for treatment. Driver Rico was later booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges of felony DUI causing injuries and for driving with a suspended driver’s license resulting from several prior DUI convictions. Driver Rico had also been court ordered to install an ignition interlock device in his vehicle but one was not found in the truck.

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

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 25, 2015 at 2140 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearms Arrests
DATE/TIME:	12/17/14; 1730 hours & 1800 hours
LOCATION:	1600 Block East First Street; 500 Block N. McKinley Avenue

SUSPECT(S):	17 year old male juveniles; names withheld



PREPARED BY:	Kevin Baysinger
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	[email protected]; 385-8290

DETAILS:

At 1730 hours, officers from the Special Enforcement Unit were conducting enhanced enforcement due to the recent violence when they contacted a 17 year old juvenile in the 1600 Block of East First Street. Officers located a loaded firearm in the immediate area of the juvenile. The juvenile, a known gang member, was arrested for firearms-related charges, and ultimately transported to the Juvenile Justice Center.

At about 1800 hours, Special Enforcement Unit officers contacted another 17 year old juvenile in the 500 Block of North McKinley Avenue. Officers located a firearm during a search pursuant to the juvenile’s probation terms. This juvenile, also a gang member, was arrested for firearms-related charges and transported to the Juvenile Justice Center.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to provide enhanced enforcement efforts citywide over the next several weeks to help reduce gang violence, and to keep the community and its residents safe.

Any persons with any information related to either of these arrests are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at 385-7600. If someone with information regarding the incident wishes to remain anonymous, they should contact the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. Persons may also contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, or visit the web site
http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:
12/17/14; 2145 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	July 15, 2015 / 1244 hours
LOCATION:	Ventura Road @ Wagon Wheel Road
DRIVER 1:	Sven Ericsson, 47 years, Bakersfield Resident
VEHICLE 1:	White, 2007 Saturn Aura
PASSENGER (SATURN):	Carlos Ramirez, 54 years, Bakersfield Resident
DRIVER 2:	Lorena Cervantes, 22 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2:	Black, 2015 Kia Optima
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 [email protected]

DETAILS:
On Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at about 12:45 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Ventura Road and Wagon Wheel Road in reference to an injury traffic collision involving two vehicles.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the black Kia Optima, driven by Lorena Cervantes, was traveling northbound on Ventura Road approaching Wagon Wheel Road. The white Saturn Aura, driven by Sven Ericsson, was traveling southbound on Ventura Road in the left turn pocket at Wagon Wheel Road. For an unknown reason, the Saturn turned left into the direct path of the Kia causing a broadside collision. Carlos Ramirez, who was seated in the right front passenger seat of the Saturn, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The airbags in both vehicles deployed. Drivers Ericsson and Cervantes sustained minor injuries and were transported from the scene to local hospitals.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs are factors in the collision. The collision is still under investigation.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at 805-385-7750 or via email at [email protected].

DATE / TIME PREPARED: July 15, 2015 at 1820 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 Person
DATE/TIME:	9-10-15 / 1800 hours
LOCATION:	400 Block of Douglass Avenue, Oxnard
MISSING PERSON:	Jose De Jesus Aceves, 64 years, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	N/A
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Greg Harasymowycz, Senior Police Officer Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander, [email protected], (805) 207-7078

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department is looking for the public’s assistance in locating Jose De Jesus Lopez Aceves, 64-year old Oxnard resident, who was reported missing from the 400 block of Douglas Avenue, Oxnard. Aceves is 5’8”, 225 pounds, with black/grey hair and brown eyes. Aceves was last seen in the 400 block of Douglas Avenue, on 9-9-15, at approximately 10:30 PM. Aceves was wearing a yellow polo shirt, grey pants and brown shoes.

If located, please call the Oxnard Police Department dispatch center at: 805-385-7740, or 9-1-1.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9-10-15 / 1830 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspicious Circumstances
DATE/TIME:	9/22/15 at 8:40 am
LOCATION:	La Canada Ave. and San Simeon Ave., Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	14-year-old female, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, late 30s, 5’10, medium build, short dark hair, and thin beard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Light gray four door vehicle
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Inglehart
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. Inglehart, 805-385-7746

DETAILS:

On 9/22/15 at 8:40 am officers responded to the area of La Canada Avenue and San Simeon Avenue in response to the report of a female being assaulted. Officers contacted a 14-year-old girl who stated that while she was walking to school, an adult male drove up and attempted to make contact with her. When the girl ignored the subject, he got out of his car and attempted to assault her. The girl yelled for help and a nearby witness intervened. The male subject then fled in a light gray four door vehicle.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, late 30s, 5’10, medium build, short dark hair, and thin beard.

Anyone with any information related to this or similar events is requested to contact the Oxnard Police Department.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9/22/2015 at 8:23 pm