Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police Department Memorial Ceremony
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, May 11th, at 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	Third Street/”C” Street, City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Commander Eric S. Sonstegard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant David Villanueva (805) 385-8300 davidvillanueva@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Wednesday, May 11th, the Oxnard Police Department will honor their seven (7) fallen officers with their 12th annual Oxnard Police Department Memorial Ceremony. Held in conjunction with the National Police Week each May, the ceremony pays tribute to Deputy Constable Andrew McNaughton, Constable William E. Kelley, Officer Albert Gasperetti, Officer Frederick John Clark, Senior Officer John Adair, Officer Jim O’Brien, and Officer James Jensen who all gave their lives in service to their community.

Law Enforcement fatalities have seen a marked increase in the first four months of 2011 as sixty-seven (67) officers have lost their lives across the country compared to fifty-seven (57) at the same time last year.

The public is welcome to attend the ceremony that will be held directly outside the Oxnard Police Department near the intersection of Third and “C” Streets. Those community members wishing to attend are asked to park in the parking garage located at the corner of Third and “B” Streets and arrive before 10:00 a.m.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Carjacking – Assault With A Deadly Weapon
DATE/TIME:	3-28-11/0150
LOCATION:	4500 block Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	Anthony Palacio – 30 year old Fillmore Resident  Maria Rodriguez – 27 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	S-1 – Hispanic Male, 20-25 years of age, 5’5” tall, 150 pounds  S-2 – Hispanic Male, 20-25 years of age, 5’5” tall, 150 pounds
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Charles Buttell (805) 385-7665 or charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Charles Buttell (805) 385-7665 or charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 3-28-11 at approximately 0150 hours, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Channel Islands Boulevard and Saviers Road in regards to a stabbing. Officers arrived and noticed that the victim had been stabbed in the arm as a result of an attempted carjacking.

The victims were sitting in a parked vehicle in the 4500 block of Saviers Road. The victims were approached by the two suspects and suspect one demanded the victim’s vehicle. A struggle ensued and Victim Palacio was stabbed during the altercation. Victim Palacio was able to retain possession of his vehicle during the incident. The suspects then fled on foot.

The victim was transported to Saint John’s where he was treated for his injury. The victim’s wound was not life threatening.
Any witnesses to the incident or anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Charles Buttell at 805-385-7665 or you may leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070. To give an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery (Handgun)
DATE/TIME:	3-22-2011/ 10:46 A.M.
LOCATION:	3465 Saviers Road-Delia’s Hair Fashion
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, dark complexion, 5’-5”, 185, wearing a black ski mask, sunglasses, black hooded sweatshirt, faded black pants, approximately 29-30 years of age.
WITNESS(ES):	Undetermined amount of coins.
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven Funk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeffery McGreevy  805-385-3982 or jefferymcgreevy@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 3-22-2011 at approximately 10:46 A.M. a subject entered Delia’s Hair Fashion’s located at 3465 Saviers Road. The suspect walked up to the lone hairdresser and demanded cash as he pointed a handgun at her. The victim told the suspect there was no cash in the business and the suspect ended taking a vase with an undetermined amount of U.S. coins inside.

The suspect exited the business and was last seen running on foot west bound towards “A” street. Oxnard Police Department detectives responded and continued the investigation.

If anyone has any information, please contact Detective Jeffery McGreevy of the Oxnard Police Department or call Crime Stoppers at 805-385-8255.

An investigation is continuing.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	245(a)(1) P.C Assault with a deadly weapon (Knife)
DATE/TIME:	05/03/2011, 2006 Hours
LOCATION:	5200 Block of Perkins Road
VICTIM(S):	34 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Suspect #1- Javier Jesus Lopez 31 year old Oxnard resident  Suspect #2- Apolinar Lopez 27 year old Ventura resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steve Funk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796 or steven.funk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
 
On 05/03/2011 at approximately 2006 hours the victim was in the passenger seat of his vehicle which was parked next to the suspect vehicle. Suspect Apolinar Lopez got into his vehicle and started to argue with the victim. Suspect Apolinar Lopez got out of his vehicle and started to assault the victim. Lopez’s brother identified as Javier Lopez assisted in the assault. During the altercation the victim sustained an approximate two inch stab wound to the right side of his lower stomach.

Suspects Javier Lopez and Apolinar Lopez were arrested at the scene. The victim was transported to Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries.

If you have any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Steven Funk or you may also leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI Saturation Patrol and Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	Sunday, March 20, 2011 1400-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator  (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Sunday, March 20, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. The checkpoint will be held throughout the City of Oxnard and is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition to the checkpoint, several officers will be conducting a DUI saturation patrol before and during the checkpoint. Checkpoints are just one strategy used by the Oxnard Police Department to promote the public awareness of DUI enforcement and education. Saturation patrols are used as an aggressive approach to locate and arrest impaired drivers.

According to our statistics, there has been an increase in DUI related collisions occurring on Sundays. In 2010, the Oxnard Police Department investigated 56 DUI collisions on Sundays. So far in 2011, there have been 13 DUI related collisions on Sundays in the City of Oxnard. Five of those crashes alone occurred on Super Bowl Sunday. Two additional DUI collisions occurred this past Sunday with one of the impaired drivers colliding into a marked police car.

Oxnard Police Department DUI arrests by day of week, January 2010 to the present:

Sunday – 294
Monday – 98
Tuesday – 62
Wednesday – 74
Thursday – 85
Friday – 204
Saturday – 327

So far this year, Oxnard Police officers have arrested 179 drivers for DUI.

Please buckle up, drive sober, and drive safely in 2011.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Railroad Crossing Enforcement Operation
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, March 16, 2011 1600-1900
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator  (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

On March 16, 2011, from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit joined forces with special agents from the Union Pacific Police Department and deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department during an aggressive enforcement operation targeting railroad crossing violations. The operation also targeted violations of pedestrians trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property between intersections.

During the operation, officers observed over 60 violations. Officers issued citations to 64 drivers who violated various railroad crossing violations. Of those violations, 25 vehicles were observed stopping on the tracks, most for significant amounts of time. Several additional vehicles were observed driving over the railroad tracks, under the descending railroad arms, while trains were approaching. Fifteen of the drivers cited did not have a valid driver’s license. Three pedestrians were arrested for trespassing on railroad property.

In 2009, California was ranked #2 in the United States for highway-rail grade crossing collisions, with a total of 121 collisions. Out of the collisions, 91 were fatalities, 61 were trespass-related collisions with fatalities and 42 were trespass-related collisions with injuries. The Oxnard Police Department investigated two railroad crossing collisions in 2010. Fortunately, there were no deaths as a result of those collisions. On average across the United States, a collision between a train and a vehicle or pedestrian occurs every two hours.

The public is reminded that trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property, or any railroad property, is a misdemeanor offense. It is also life-threatening endeavor considering the speed and size of any train. Anyone found trespassing on railroad property is subject to arrest. In addition, it is illegal for any pedestrian, bicyclist or vehicle to travel around or under a railroad arm once the red warning lights and alarm are activated and the gate arm is closed or closing.

Listed below is some general rail safety information:

• Freight trains do not travel on a predictable schedule; schedules for passenger trains change. Always expect a train at every highway-rail intersection.
• Train tracks are private property, no matter which railroad owns them. Trains have the right of way 100% of the time — over ambulances, fire engines, cars, police and pedestrians.
• If there are rails on the railroad ties, assume that the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks "rusty."
• A typical locomotive weighs approximately 400,000 pounds or 200 tons. When 100 railcars are added to the locomotive, the train can weigh approximately 6,000 tons. The weight ratio of an automobile to a train is proportional to a soda can and an automobile.
• A train may extend three feet or more outside the steel rail, which makes the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the rails themselves.
• Trains cannot stop quickly. It is a simple law of physics: the huge weight and size of the train and the speed of the train dictate how quickly it can stop under ideal conditions. A 100-car freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour will need more than a mile to stop — that’s approximately 18 football fields — once the train is set into emergency braking.
• Trains can move in either direction at any time. Trains are sometimes pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled. This is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
• Modern trains are quieter than ever, with no telltale "clackety-clack." Also, an approaching train will always be closer and moving faster than you think.
• Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
• Never walk down a train track; it’s illegal and it’s dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
• Remember: Rail and recreation do not mix!

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct these types of operations to educate the public about railroad safety. More information about railroad safety and Operation Lifesaver can be found at www.caol.us or www.oli.org.
For any questions related to traffic enforcement or these types of operations, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.

 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Bank Robbery (Update)
DATE/TIME:	3-14-11/1310
LOCATION:	1700 E. Gonzales Rd. Oxnard, Ca.
VICTIM(S):	Wells Fargo Bank
SUSPECT(S):	White male, blue “LA” baseball cap, blue or black hooded sweat jacket, blue jeans, mustache and sunglasses approximately 45-50 years of age.
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Charles Buttell (805) 385-7665 or charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steven Funk (805) 385-7796 or steven.funk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 

On 3-12-11 at approximately 10:15 am, officers responded to a bank robbery at the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 1700 E. Gonzales Road in Oxnard. Below is a photograph of the suspect. Investigators are seeking the public’s help in identify the suspect. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Steve Funk at (805) 385-7796 or Special Agent Patrick Conley of the FBI at (310) 629-9553. You may also leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Burglary / Sexual Assault
DATE/TIME:	3-10-2011/ 0447 hours
VICTIM(S):	Withheld per 293 Pc
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic Male 22 years old dark hair, 5-7 thin build
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
PREPARED BY:	Randey Cole, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Detective Denise Shadinger  denise.shadinger@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7662

DETAILS:

On March 10, 2011, at approximately 0447 hours, the Oxnard Police Department responded to a burglary and sexual assault in the 5200 block of South J Street.

Officers learned from the victim that a Hispanic male approximately 22 year old with dark hair, 5-7 and a thin build entered her apartment. The suspect was armed with a handgun. The suspect sexually assaulted the victim before fleeing the residence.

The suspect was wearing a long sleeve black shirt and black pants. The suspect had a piercing above his right eye and possibly one on his lower lip.

The victim was able to provide information for a sketch of the suspect. Anyone with information about the crime or the suspect identity are asked to contact Senior Detective Denise Shadinger at (805)385-7662 or at denise.shadinger@oxnardpd.org.

Residents are reminded to lock their doors and windows before going to sleep at night.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	3-8-2011 2020 Hours
LOCATION:
VICTIM(S):	Miguel Gonzales 30 years old, Oxnard Resident  Martin Gonzales 23 years old, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Jesus Perez 39 years, Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	M. Marostica
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Chip Buttell 385-7665  charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On the above date and time, Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to a shooting victim in the 700 Block of West Pleasant Valley Road. Upon arrival they found Miguel Gonzales, who had sustained a gunshot wound. The victim was treated at the scene by emergency personnel and released.

The suspect, who was still at the scene, was later arrested for assault with a firearm. Officers learned that the two victims and the suspect were involved in a fight. During the fight, the suspect pulled out the gun and fired several rounds. One of the rounds fired grazed the victim. The suspect was transported to St. Johns Hospital where he was treated for his injuries that resulted from the altercation and was later transported to county jail.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department R. Jason Benites Assistant Chief Scott Whitney Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY AND ARREST OF SUSPECT
DATE/TIME:	03/03/11 at 0745 HOURS
LOCATION:	100 BLOCK OF NAVARRO STREET, OXNARD
SUSPECT(S):	EVARISTO SANTOS PAREDES, 21 YEARS, OF OXNARD
PREPARED BY:	SENIOR DETECTIVE LUIS MANCHA
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	SENIOR DETECTIVE MANCHA (805) 385-7664

DETAILS:

On 03-03-11 at 7:45 A.M., a burglar entered an occupied residence in the 100 block of Navarro Street. The suspect removed security bars on a window to gain entry for the purposes of committing a burglary. An adult female victim was asleep in the same room where the suspect made his entry. The suspect, who was wearing a mask, became involved in an altercation with the victim before fleeing. Responding patrol officers located Paredes in the 1300 block of E. Third Street where he was discarding tools and clothing. He was arrested without incident.

Several items of evidence were located on Navarro and Third Streets. These items eventually led to the identification of the suspect Paredes. The victim in this case, a 25 year-old female, received minor injuries that did not require medical treatment.

Paredes (pictured to the right) was booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges of battery and burglary. Bail was set at $50,000.

Anyone with additional information can contact Senior Detective Luis Mancha (805) 385-7664.