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News Release – Oxnard Police release Critical Incident Community Briefing video and additional information

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: May 9, 2023

SUBJECT: Oxnard Police release Critical Incident Community Briefing video and 

      additional information

LOCATION: 235 East Seventh Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 8AM-6PM) alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org (after hours)

The Oxnard Police Department is releasing a Critical Incident Community Briefing video of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred at approximately 12:15 A.M. on Friday, April 28, 2023.

The public can view the Critical Incident Community Briefing video on the Oxnard Police Department’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/rz2_jIvHBOM . The link to the Critical Incident Community Briefing video will also be available on the Oxnard Police Department’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Viewer discretion is advised.

Officer Manuel Garcia was the officer involved in the shooting. He has been employed by the Oxnard Police Department since April 2018 and is assigned to the Patrol Division. He is currently on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure for officers that are involved in incidents such as this. His return date is being established. Officer Garcia has not been involved in a previous shooting incident.

Chief Jason Benites stated: “The purpose of sharing this Critical Incident Community Briefing video is to provide an account of what occurred, including the sequence of events leading to the officer-involved shooting. Also, we hope that sharing this video will dispel any misinformation surrounding this incident. It is important to mention that the intent of this video is not to offer an opinion or analysis of what occurred. As part of our continued commitment to being transparent with our community, I believe it is important to share this video with you.”

The investigation is still ongoing. Detectives request that anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has additional information contact Detective Meagan Tobey at (805) 385-7755 or meagan.tobey@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           May 9, 2023

SUBJECT:    Serious Injury Hit and Run Arrest

LOCATION:  Kentia Street and Kumquat Street

CONTACT:   Officer Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

                        (805) 200-5668 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | Alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org

On December 25, 2022, at approximately 4:37 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to a call for service regarding a 13-year-old male bicyclist that was struck by a black Dodge Charger in the area of Kentia Street and Kumquat Street where the driver fled the area.  It was believed that the driver was already fleeing from another hit and run and was being followed by the victim vehicle from that incident.  The juvenile suffered significant injuries and was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for emergency care.

Initial investigation revealed that the driver of the black Dodge Charger may have been involved in additional crimes over the previous 24 hours.  Officers were able to locate a vehicle and driver matching the description of the hit and run. The driver who was identified as Alexander Henry (29 years) was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. The hit and run investigation was turned over to Investigators with the Traffic Unit. 

After over four months of investigating, investigators were able to obtain sufficient evidence to arrest Henry of felony hit and run causing injury.

On May 9, 2023 at approximately 7:00 A.M., officers with the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit served a search warrant at Henry’s residence. Henry was arrested at the residence without incident. Henry was turned over to Traffic investigators and was arrested for the felony hit and run and was booked at the Ventura County Jail facility.

Witnesses, or anyone with information regarding this collision, are urged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805) 200-5668 or via email at Alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

If the inquiry is outside of the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage the use of the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more effective way to reach the Investigator. Our watch commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and still can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778. 

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 NEWS RELEASE

DATE:         May 5, 2022

SUBJECT:  Motorcycle Safety Month

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal   

(805) 385-7749 (Mon-Thurs 7pm-5pm) | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

Check Twice for Motorcycles: May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Oxnard, Calif. — During May’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Oxnard Police Department reminds drivers to always look twice for motorcycles. Safe riding and driving practices, and a shared responsibility from all road users, will help everyone get to their destination safely.

Throughout the month, the Oxnard Police Department will conduct high visibility traffic operations.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

  • Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

  • Do not follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.

  • If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Be sure that the rider is turning before moving ahead.

Motorcyclists

  • Always wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet with eye protection.

  • Wear leather or other sturdy clothing such as a jacket, pants, boots with nonskid soles and gloves. Add reflective strips or decals to your clothing and motorcycle to make it easier for other drivers to see you.

  • Ride defensively. Don’t assume a driver can see you. Avoid riding in a driver’s blind spot. 

  • Always keep your lights on, even during the day.

Lastly, both drivers and riders should never drive/ride distracted or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

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:         May 4, 2022

SUBJECT:  Cinco de Mayo DUI Saturation Patrols

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal   

         (805) 385-7749 (Mon-Thurs 7pm-5pm) | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Responsibly

Oxnard, Calif. – The Oxnard Police Department encourages the public to celebrate Cinco de Mayo responsibly by planning ahead and designating a sober driver.


On May 5, Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.


The Oxnard Police Department wants to warn the community that alcohol is not the only substance that can cause impairment. Driving under the influence of any substance is illegal. Do your research and understand how cannabis consumption, prescription medications or over-the-counter-drugs may affect your driving ability.


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:         May 4, 2022

SUBJECT:  National Bicycle Safety Month

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal  

                   (805) 385-7749 (Mon-Thurs 7pm-5pm) | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

 

Share the Road and Look Out for One Another During Bicycle Safety Month

 

Oxnard, Calif. —May is National Bicycle Safety Month and the Oxnard Police Department is encouraging more people to get active and safely take bike rides.

 

To help keep people biking or walking safe, the Oxnard Police Department will conduct a traffic safety operation throughout the month of May focused on driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield right of way, and stop sign/red light running.

 

The Oxnard Police Department suggests the following safety tips for bicyclists and drivers:

Drivers

  • Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful traveling through intersections.
  • Look carefully for bicyclists and pedestrians before making a turn or opening a car door near streets or bike paths.
  • Be patient when traveling behind a bicyclist and give them space when passing. California law requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists.
  •  Never drive distracted or impaired.

Bike Riders

  • Use lights at night.
  • Although not required for riders 18 and older, always wear a properly secured helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the chance of a head injury in the event of a crash.
  • Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
  • Yield to pedestrians, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.  

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:           May 4, 2023

SUBJECT:    Injury Traffic Collision Involving a Vehicle and Motorcycle

LOCATION:  Ventura Road and Bay Boulevard

VEHICLE:     2003 Chevrolet Express 3500 Van

MOTORCYCLE: 2003 Yamaha Motorcycle

CONTACT:   Officer Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

                        (805) 200-5668 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | Alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org

On May 4, 2023, at approximately 4:55 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call for service of an injury traffic collision on Ventura Road and Bay Boulevard involving a vehicle and a motorcycle. 

Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle and motorcycle involved in the traffic collision. The vehicle involved was a 2003 Chevrolet Express 3500 van and the motorcycle was a 2003 Yamaha. EMS quickly responded and contacted the driver of the motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was an adult male who was treated at the scene and transported to VCMC. The motorcyclist is currently listed in critical condition. The solo occupant and driver of the 2003 Chevrolet Express 3500 van remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

The initial investigation determined that the 2003 Yamaha motorcycle, driven by the adult male was traveling northbound on Ventura Road approaching Bay Boulevard. The 2003 Chevrolet Express 3500 van was stopped southbound Ventura Road at Bay Boulevard in the left turn pocket. The 2003 Chevrolet Express 3500 van attempted to make a turn and the collision occurred.   

Investigators are still investigating the cause of the collision and whether speed or impairment were a factor. Witnesses, or anyone with information regarding this collision, are urged to contact Traffic Investigator Arellano at (805) 200-5668 or via email at Alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org.

If the inquiry is outside of the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage the use of the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more effective way to reach the Investigator. Our watch commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and still can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778. 

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 30, 2023

SUBJECT: Person shot by police dies, name released

LOCATION: 235 East Seventh Street, Oxnard

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 8AM-6PM) alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org (after hours)

An Oxnard man who was shot by an Oxnard police officer on April 28, 2023, has succumbed to his injuries. The decedent has been identified as 24-year-old Michael Owens. Owens was declared deceased at approximately 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, April 29, at the Ventura County Medical Center. 

The incident occurred in Oxnard on April 28, 2023, at approximately 12:15 A.M., at 235 East Seventh Street. Owens was reported to be hallucinating. Oxnard Fire Department personnel responded to the location to provide Owens with aid. Upon arrival, fire personnel saw that Owens was on the second floor of the building and was in possession of a knife and cutting himself.  Fire personnel requested the police department respond to assist.

During the incident, Owens retreated into, then emerged from a community bathroom on the second floor with a knife in his hand, and walked directly toward an Oxnard Police Department officer, who was standing at an upper stair landing. The officer gave commands to Owens, but Owens ignored the commands. An officer-involved shooting occurred.

After the shooting, Owens received medical treatment from the fire department and EMS personnel that were already on scene. He was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center by ambulance for further treatment.

The Oxnard Police Department plans to release a critical incident community briefing video to the public, tentatively scheduled for sometime during the week of May 8, 2023.  The video will provide an overview of the incident and will include some footage from the involved officer’s body-worn camera, footage from a nearby security camera, and provide the name of the involved officer.

Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has additional information contact Detective Meagan Tobey at (805) 385-7755 or meagan.tobey@oxnardpd.org.


NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           April 30, 2023

SUBJECT:    Double Fatal Collision Involving Single Vehicle

LOCATION:  Arcturus Avenue and McWane Boulevard

DRIVER:       Adult Male (name withheld pending next of kin notification)

VEHICLE:     2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Sedan

CONTACT:   Corporal Andrew Pinkstaff, Traffic Investigator

                     (805) 385-7750 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | Andrew.pinkstaff@oxnardpd.org

On April 30, 2023, at approximately 7:08 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call for service of an injury traffic collision involving a single vehicle at the intersection of Arcturus Avenue and McWane Boulevard.

Upon arrival, officers located a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt sedan that collided into an electrical pole. Four adult males were found to be trapped inside the vehicle. The fire department quickly responded and extricated all four adult males from the vehicle using the “Jaws of Life.” Two of the adult males were transported to VCMC and are currently in stable condition. EMS immediately performed life-saving measures on the other two adult males but they both succumbed to their injuries at the scene. The driver of the vehicle is believed to be one of the adult males that succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed the driver was travelling westbound on McWane Boulevard approaching Arcturus Avenue when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with the electrical pole. Traffic Investigators are currently investigating the cause of the traffic collision. Investigators believe speed/reckless driving and alcohol were contributing factors to the collision. Witnesses, or anyone with information regarding this collision, are urged to contact Corporal Andrew Pinkstaff at (805) 385-7750 or via email at andrew.pinkstaff@oxnardpd.org.

If the inquiry is outside of the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage the use of the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more effective way to reach the Investigator. Our watch commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and still can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778. 


NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 28, 2023, at approximately 12:15 A.M. 

SUBJECT: Man with knife shot by Police

LOCATION: 235 East Seventh Street, Oxnard

SUSPECT: 24-year-old male, Oxnard resident, name withheld

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 8Am-6PM) alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org (after hours)

At approximately 12:15 A.M. on April 28, 2023, Oxnard police officers responded to 235 East Seventh Street to assist the Oxnard Fire Department regarding an uncooperative subject requiring medical attention. It was initially reported that the subject was hallucinating.  Fire department personnel advised that the subject was on the second floor, was in possession of a knife, and had been cutting himself.  

The subject went into a community bathroom on the second floor.  The first police officer on the scene took a position at the top of the stairs.  The subject emerged from the bathroom with a knife in his hand and then advanced directly toward the officer.  The officer gave commands to the subject, and he did not comply.  An officer-involved shooting occurred. 

EMS personnel that were already on scene rendered aid to the subject, and then transported him to the Ventura County Medical Center. He is currently listed in critical condition. 

The police officer was not injured.

The police officer's body-worn camera captured the entire incident, as did a nearby security camera.  The Oxnard Police Department will share footage in a Community Critical Incident Debriefing, with a release date yet to be determined.

In accordance with standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave as the investigation progresses. 

The Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, in conjunction with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, is investigating the incident. Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has additional information contact Detective Meagan Tobey at (805) 385-7755 or meagan.tobey@oxnardpd.org.




UPDATE – NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:                                   April 27, 2023

SUBJECT:                            Shooting Victim

LOCATION:                         600 Block Pacific Avenue, Oxnard 

VICTIM:                               29-Year-Old Male Oxnard Resident

CONTACT:                          Detective Ricardo Vega  

                                                (805) 385-8291 | ricardo.vega@oxnardpd.org

UPDATE: The 29-year-old victim died of his injuries at approximately 5:13 A.M., at the Ventura County Medical Center.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Ricardo Vega (refer to the original news release below for further information).

 

On April 27th at approximately 8:00 PM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to the 600 block of Pacific Avenue regarding multiple calls of a gunshot heard and a subject down in the parking lot. Officers and EMS personnel arrived on scene and located a 29-year-old male suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound to the stomach. The subject was immediately transported to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery and is listed in critical condition.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit assumed responsibility for the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Ricardo Vega at 805-385-8291 or by email at ricardo.vega@oxnardpd.org.

Information can be reported online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and click on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous and still provide valuable information by calling Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.