Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	2/8/2011 @ 0718 hours
LOCATION:	C Street at Fifth Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Robert Cox, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Randey Latimer, Oxnard PD Traffic Unit, 805-385-7847

DETAILS:

On 2/8/2011, at about 0718 hours, the Oxnard Police Department responded to a report of a traffic collision involving a SCAT Bus. The collision occurred in the intersection of C Street and Fifth Street, Oxnard. The vehicles involved were a silver sedan and a SCAT Bus. There were no fatalities. The intersection will be closed for about two hours. Traffic will be diverted from the intersection during that time.

A more detailed press release will follow as more facts from the investigation unfold.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	February 8, 2011 / 0718 hours
LOCATION:	Fifth Street @ C Street, Oxnard
DRIVER:	Richard Cormac, 57 years of Oxnard
DRIVER:	Adrian Gutierrez, 32 years of Oxnard
VEHICLE:	Silver, 2006, Buick LeSabre
VEHICLE:	White, Gold Coast Transit Bus
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Brian Woolley
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, Traffic Investigator, 385-7750

DETAILS:

On February 8, 2011, at approximately 0718 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded with EMS personnel to the intersection of Fifth Street and C Street after receiving a call of an injury traffic collision involving a Gold Coast Transit bus and a passenger car. Once on scene, officers found that a silver 2006 Buick LeSabre had collided into the rear of a Gold Coast Transit bus driven by Adrian Gutierrez.

Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate the driver of the Buick, Cormac, as he was trapped inside. Cormac was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for his injuries. As a result of the crash, Cormac sustained broken bones in both of his legs. There were 26 passengers on the bus and four of them sustained minor injuries. Three of the injured passengers were transported to the hospital for treatment.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Buick LeSabre was traveling eastbound on Fifth Street approaching the intersection of C Street. The bus was also traveling eastbound on Fifth Street and was stopped in the left turn pocket for a red light. For an unknown reason, the Buick failed to stop and collided into the rear of the bus.

It has not been determined whether or not alcohol was involved in this collision.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Pena at 385-7750.

An investigation is ongoing.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Super Bowl Weekend DUI Enforcement Results
DATE/TIME:	February 4 to February 6, 2011
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

Over the 2011 Super Bowl Weekend, the Oxnard Police Department conducted additional DUI enforcement. The weekend started with a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, February 4, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard at Third Street. The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard at Fifth Street.

Officers screened 984 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Fortunately, no DUI arrests were made. One driver was arrested for failing to have a court ordered ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle. This driver had three prior DUI arrests and was also driving with a suspended driver’s license.

At the checkpoint, citations were issued to 29 drivers for various drivers’ license violations. Twenty-four drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and three drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Six vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

During and following the checkpoint, additional officers patrolled the City of Oxnard searching for impaired drivers until 3:00 A.M. This enforcement resulted in the arrest of four drivers for DUI.

On Super Bowl Sunday, the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit conducted another DUI saturation patrol. After several traffic stops were made, one driver was arrested for DUI. This driver was located by officers after he fled the scene of an injury collision. The driver was unlicensed and his blood alcohol level was found to be .18, over double the legal limit of .08. He was booked into county jail on suspicion of felony drunk driving. The injured driver in the other vehicle was transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Over the weekend, a total of 14 drivers were arrested in Oxnard for DUI.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These DUI operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our roadways and community safer. We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

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:	Reward for information on murder
DATE/TIME:	March 8, 2006 9:00 PM
LOCATION:	3400 Block Jackson Street
VICTIM(S):	Carlos Prado
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):	Unknown
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Major Crimes / Homicide Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Jeff Kay (805) 385-8174 or at JeffKay@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

During the evening hours of March 8th, 2006 Carlos Prado was seen by friends leaving on his bike in the area of Channel Islands and “J” St. Minutes later after some type of confrontation Carlos was chased to the 3400 block of Jackson St. The suspect(s) then shot the victim and fled the area.

We are coming up on the 5 year anniversary for this incident. By all accounts from family members Carlos had no ties to any gangs, he has lived in Oxnard for years. Investigators have no idea what the motive was for this senseless shooting. The city is offering a $10,000.00 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for this act.

Please contact Det. Jeff Kay at (805) 385-8174 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

Reward flyer

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Super Bowl Weekend DUI Enforcement Activities
DATE/TIME:	Friday, February 4th, 2011 1800-0300 Saturday, February 5th, 2011 2000-0300 Sunday, February 6th, 2011 1500-2200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk
Make the right play to save your life and others.

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it is also one of the Nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving. On Super Bowl Sunday 2009, there were 105 alcohol-related injury collisions in California with 11 fatalities. Last year, there were 79 alcohol-related injury collisions with four fatalities.

The Oxnard Police Department is reminding football fans to drive safely and drive sober this weekend. Several officers will be deployed over the weekend to conduct strict enforcement of impaired driving. The enforcement starts Friday night, February 4th, with a driver’s license and sobriety checkpoint. The checkpoint is scheduled to start at 6:00 P.M. and end at approximately 2:00 A.M. During and after the checkpoint, several more officers will be dedicated to DUI enforcement until 3:00 A.M.

The weekend enforcement will continue on Saturday night as additional officers will be deployed to search for impaired drivers. On Super Bowl Sunday, several officers will be patrolling the streets of Oxnard conducting DUI saturation starting at 3:00 P.M. Over the 2010 Super Bowl weekend, the Oxnard Police Department arrested 16 drivers for DUI. Seven of those drivers were arrested on Sunday following the game. Fortunately, there were no DUI related collisions over that same weekend and we want this year to have the same result.

Enjoy the game but remember, impaired driving crashes can be prevented. Designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone’s Super Bowl party list. Oxnard PD is dedicated to arresting impaired driving; to help, we ask everyone; ‘Report Drunk Drivers, Call 911!’”

These DUI enforcement activities are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

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.

California Alcohol Involved Collisions and Victims On Super Bowl Sunday
DATE	Total Collisions	Fatal Collisions	Injury Collisions	PDO* Collision	Victims Killed	Victims Injured
1/28/2001	201	4	85	112	4	133
2/03/2002	224	5	103	116	5	180
1/26/2003	229	2	93	134	2	132
2/01/2004	256	7	90	159	10	126
2/06/2005	218	3	88	127	3	121
2/05/2006	242	5	106	131	7	154
2/04/2007	221	4	86	131	5	119
2/03/2008	264	9	111	144	12	167
2/01/2009	249	8	105	136	11	163
2/7/2010	194	4	79	111	4	119

• Alcohol Involved Collisions – Any Motor Vehicle Traffic Collision where a driver, pedestrian or bicyclist had been drinking (HBD).
• *Property Damage Only

 

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Theft of Auto Parts – Wheels
DATE/TIME:	December 2010 – January 2011
LOCATION:	Throughout Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Various
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown
LOSS:	Over $15,000 estimated loss
PREPARED BY:	Detective Hannah Estrada
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Hannah Estrada (805)385-7687

DETAILS: 

Since December 2010 the Oxnard Police Department has received several reports regarding vehicle tampering and wheel thefts citywide. Victims have found their vehicles on blocks with all four wheels missing. The thefts have been occurring during nighttime hours. Residents are asked to call 911 if they observe any suspicious activity.

If you have any information regarding the thefts, please contact Detective Hannah Estrada at (805) 385-7687. An anonymous tip can also be made with Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805)385-8255.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery with a Knife
DATE/TIME:	January 28, 2011 @ 1726 hours
LOCATION:	Victoria Ave. and Wooley Rd.
VICTIM(S):	Juvenile, 15 years of age/Name Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male juveniles both 16 years of age/ Names withheld
PROPERTY:	Cell phone
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven Funk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steven Funk 805-385-7796 or stevenfunk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On January 28th, at approx. 5:26 P.M., Oxnard Police Officers were called to the area of Victoria Ave. and Wooley Road reference a robbery with a knife. Upon their arrival, they found that the juvenile victim had been confronted by two suspects while he was seated at the bus bench. The two suspects approached the victim and demanded his cell phone. One suspect was holding a knife as the other suspect grabbed the victim’s cell phone from his hands. Both suspects fled eastbound on Wooley Road towards Offshore Street.

Several witnesses who observed the robbery started chasing the suspects. One suspect was arrested a short distance away without incident. The second suspect, who was later identified, was arrested at his residence several hours later.

The victim did not sustain any injuries during the robbery.

Investigation is ongoing.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	422 PC criminal threats, 136.1 PC dissuading a witness / victim, 11359 HS possession of marijuana for sales, 273a(b) PC cruelty to a minor
DATE/TIME:	1-30-11 / 0815 hours
LOCATION:	3400 block of Frankfort Court, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	17 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Daniel Donn Collins, 41 year old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Greg Hebert, 805-385-7636
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	greg.hebert@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 1/30/11, at about 0825 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a residence in the 3400 block of Frankfort Court reference a 911 hang up call. Officers contacted the residents and learned that Collins had made threats to harm the victim. When the victim attempted to call the police, Collins tried to take the phone from him.

During the investigation, officers saw several weapons, a quantity of marijuana and other paraphernalia in the bedroom of Collins. A search warrant was authored for the residence.

During the search, nine rifles, one shotgun, three handguns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, marijuana and other paraphernalia were located in the bedroom of Collins. Collins was arrested for the above listed charges. Collins was booked into Ventura County Jail with a bail increase requested for $300,000.

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

Chief Jeri Williams comes to Oxnard with 22 years of experience in the City of Phoenix Police Department where, in her role as the Assistant Chief of the Southern Division, she was responsible for 1,000 sworn and civilian personnel and over half of the city’s 500 plus square miles.

Chief Williams brings with her extensive community policing experience which will serve to complement and enhance our City’s efforts in that area that go back nearly three decades.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving the City of Oxnard," said Chief Williams. "The City’s Mayor and Council, together with the City Manager and the men and women of the Police Department have welcomed me and shown great support as we continue making the City of Oxnard police department one of the best in the nation."

Contributing to Chief Williams’ strong leadership and organizational management style is a broad educational background. Williams holds a BS Degree from Arizona State University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, where she has also completed her Comprehensive Examinations in pursuit of her Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Chief Williams is well known as approachable, sincere, with a natural command presence upon which members of the community and department can rely to "get the job done" with integrity, hard work and dedication.

On a personal note, Chief Williams has been married to her husband, Judge Cody Williams (South Phoenix Justice of the Peace) for nearly 21 years and has two sons Alan (17) and Cody (16).

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Trespass Arrest
DATE/TIME:	January 27, 2011
LOCATION:	2100 block of Avila Pl, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
PREPARED BY:	Commander Ron Whitney (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On January 27, at about 10:00 AM, Oxnard Police Officers were called to the 2100 block of Avila Pl reference a trespass. Officers learned that previous occupants had been evicted from the residence by Ventura County Sheriff’s officials on January 19th. The owner of the residence told officers that an attorney representing the former occupants was trespassing. The attorney told officers that he had filed additional paperwork with the Ventura County Court and that he was there to take possession of the home.

Officers forwarded paperwork from each of the involved parties to the Oxnard City Attorney’s office. The city attorney reviewed the documentation from each party and determined that the party who had been evicted no longer had a right to the residence.

At about 2:30 PM the attorney for the former resident returned to the property. The owner of the property placed the attorney under arrest for trespass. The attorney was cited and released at the scene.