News | Page 49 | Oxnard Police Department

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 14, 2023

SUBJECT: Oxnard Police Department “Shoulder Tap” Operation

LOCATION: Oxnard, California

CONTACT: Corporal Steven Ramirez II, F.A.C.T. Compliance Officer

(805) 385-3920 (Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm) | steven.ramirez@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard Police Department arrest two in Underage Drinking Enforcement Operation

The Oxnard Police Department arrested two individuals during a “Shoulder Tap” operation on April 14, 2023, in Oxnard for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.

A “Shoulder Tap” operation focuses on adults who purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 21. A minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol. The minor also indicates they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the underage person, they can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

This enforcement operation is designed to create awareness about the dangers of underage drinking throughout California and keep communities safe. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This operation was funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.

Anyone requesting information may contact Corporal Steven Ramirez II at (805) 385-3920 or via email at steven.ramirez@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 efficient way to reach the Investigator. Our Watch Commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 13, 2023

SUBJECT: DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint and DUI Enforcement Patrols

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7750 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | Mike.Wood@oxnardpd.org

Oxnard Police Department to hold DUI Checkpoint and use extra officers to patrol for suspected impaired drivers

The Oxnard Police Department and the California Highway Patrol – Ventura Office will have additional officers on patrol on Saturday, April 15, 2023, specifically looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In addition, the Oxnard Police Department and California Highway Patrol will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint at an undisclosed location within the city. The DUI Checkpoint and DUI patrols will be from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

DUI checkpoints and patrols are done in locations with a history of DUI-related collisions and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing.

In 2018, 1,069 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above). The Oxnard Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an operating heavy machinery warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or are taking medications that can affect your ability to drive, please take these precautions to avoid a DUI:

· Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab, or public transportation – to get home.

· Walking while impaired is also dangerous. Have someone sober walk you home or stay with you until a sober driver is available to pick you up.

· Report drunk drivers – Call 911.

· Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home.

A DUI arrest is not cheap. Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license and possible jail time.

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

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 13, 2023

SUBJECT: Oxnard Police release name of person shot by police, names of involved officers, and additional information

LOCATION: 2000 block of East Bard Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org (after hours)

This supplemental news release will provide information concerning those persons involved in an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred shortly after 6 P.M. on Friday, April 7, 2023. The incident occurred in the 2000 block of East Bard Road in the City of Oxnard.

On Friday, April 7, 2023, at approximately 6:00 P.M., the Oxnard Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center received 9-1-1 calls from residents in the 2000 block of East Bard Road. The callers reported that a man with a knife was threatening residents. One caller stated that the male had chased her husband with a knife.

The deceased subject from the incident has been identified as eighteen year-old Oxnard resident Christian Baltazar Torrez.

Sergeant Todd Johnson, and Officers Jarrod Sheffield, Dan Casse, Randi Vines, and Kyle Hay were the Oxnard Police Department personnel that responded to the call. Officer Sheffield was the one officer that discharged a firearm.

The involved officers' tenure is listed as follows:

● Sergeant Todd Johnson has been employed by the Oxnard Police Department since January 2003.

● Officer Dan Casse has been employed by the Oxnard Police Department since January 2002.

● Officer Randi Vines has been employed by the Oxnard Police Department since April 2017.

● Officer Jarrod Sheffield has been employed by the Oxnard Police Department since April 2021.

● Officer Kyle Hay has been an Oxnard police officer since July 2021. Prior to becoming an Oxnard police officer, he was a deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for almost three years.

All of the involved officers are assigned to the Oxnard Police Department’s Patrol Division. None of the involved officers have previously been involved in a fatal shooting incident.

At the time of this news release, Officer Sheffield is on paid administrative leave. This is standard procedure for officers that are involved in incidents such as this, and a date of his return to work is being developed. The remaining officers are currently in service in their respective assignments.

Per Oxnard Police Chief Jason Benites, the department now plans to release a critical incident community briefing video to the public during the week of April 17, 2023. The video will provide an overview of the incident, as well as show the involved officers’ body-worn camera videos at the time of the shooting.

Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident or has additional information to contact Detective Chip Buttell at (805) 385-7688 or charles.buttell@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: Friday, April 7, 2023

SUBJECT: Man brandishing knife at residents leads to officer involved shooting

LOCATION: 2000 block of East Bard Road, Oxnard

SUSPECT: 18-year old Hispanic male, Oxnard resident, name withheld

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

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

At approximately 6:00 P.M. on April 7, 2023, residents in the 2000 block of East Bard Road called the Oxnard Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center to report that a person was brandishing and threatening residents with a knife. Oxnard Police Officers responded to the location to investigate.

When officers arrived on scene, they located the suspect, an 18-year old Hispanic male inside a green truck. The truck belonged to a resident, who had not given the suspect permission to enter his vehicle. The officers gave the suspect several commands to exit the truck, and he did not readily comply.

After approximately five minutes, the suspect exited the truck, and began walking towards the officers. The officers saw that the suspect was holding a knife in his left hand. The suspect walked in the direction of the officers as the officers commanded the suspect to drop the knife.

There were four police officers and a patrol sergeant at the scene of this incident. Three of the officers drew their handguns, one officer had a “less lethal” shotgun, and the patrol sergeant drew their taser.

As the suspect continued to walk in the direction of the officers, the sergeant deployed their taser. The taser probes contacted the suspect but had minimal effect; the suspect was able to continue moving towards the officers. The officer with the less lethal shotgun fired one “bean bag” round at the suspect, which caused the suspect to fall to the ground. The suspect quickly got back on his feet, knife in hand, in close proximity to officers, when one police officer fired their Department-issued handgun at the suspect. The suspect fell to the ground after being shot.

The officers called for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and provided life saving efforts, including CPR, until EMS personnel arrived on scene. An ambulance transported the suspect to the Ventura County Medical Center, and he was pronounced deceased at approximately 7:00 P.M.

The victims who reported the initial brandishing of a knife by the suspect were interviewed by officers and detectives, and provided detailed statements.

The police officers' body-worn cameras captured the entire incident. The Oxnard Police Department will share this footage in a Community Critical Incident Debriefing video next week.

In accordance with standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, the involved officers have 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 to contact Detective Chip Buttell at (805) 385-7688 or charles.buttell@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 6, 2023

SUBJECT: Narcotic Sales / Gun Arrest

SUSPECTS: Edgar Vasquez Lopez, 20 year-old Oxnard Resident

LOCATION: 100 block North Garfield Avenue, Oxnard

CONTACT: Jose Velazquez, Sergeant

(805) 385-7620 (Tue-Fri 10AM-8PM) jose.velazquez@oxnardpd.org

During the month of March 2023, the Oxnard Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU), with the assistance of the Violent Crimes Unit, began an investigation into Edgar Vasquez Lopez being involved in the sale of narcotics. The investigation allowed DEU detectives to develop enough evidence to obtain a search warrant.

On April 6th, 2023, DEU detectives, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Neighborhood Policing Team, executed a search warrant at the residence of Mr. Lopez. The search of the residence yielded a large quantity of suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and “M30” fentanyl pills. In addition, investigators located a 9-millimeter Glock-style Polymer 80 semi-automatic handgun. Further evidence of narcotics trafficking was seized along with a large quantity of US Currency.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine, and 50 times more potent than heroin as a painkiller. Twenty-six percent of tablets tested in a DEA laboratory contained a lethal dose of fentanyl.”

Furthermore, Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms.

Mr. Lopez was charged with gun and narcotic sales related charges. He was booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing drug overdoses in the city of Oxnard. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers. at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

The Oxnard Police Department's Family Protection Unit found Ariadne Esquio. She was found safe and returned to her family. The Oxnard Police Department would like to thank the members of our community who reached out to aid in her safe return.

On Mon, Apr 3, 2023 at 11:44 PM Marquez, Rocky <rocky.marquez@oxnardpd.org> wrote:

  NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 3, 2023, 9:49 P.M.

SUBJECT:                           Missing juvenile

LOCATION: 432 E. Channel Islands Blvd., Oxnard

MISSING PERSON:            Ariadne Esquio, 11-year-old, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT:                          Scott Aaron, Sergeant

(805) 385-7756 (Tues-Fri 8AM-6PM) | Scott.Aaron@Oxnardpd.org

The Missing Persons Unit

(805) 385-7629

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the community's assistance in locating a missing juvenile. Ariadne Esquio is an 11-year-old Hispanic female, 5’2, 90 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Ariadne was last seen at her residence in Oxnard, today at 10:00 am. She was wearing a black sweater and black pants. Ariadne has not been in contact with her family.

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ariadne. If you have any information about the disappearance of Ariadne Esquio, we ask that you contact the Oxnard Police Department dispatch immediately at (805) 385-7740.

The intersection of Victoria Ave. and Teal Club Road has been closed in all directions due to a traffic collision. Please consider using alternate routes until further notice.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 5, 2023

SUBJECT: Fatal Traffic Collision

LOCATION: Victoria Avenue and Teal Club Road

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

Vehicles: 1993 Toyota Corolla and 2020 Chevrolet pick-up truck

CONTACT: Officer Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

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

On April 5, 2023, at approximately 5:09 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call for service of an injury traffic collision at Victoria Avenue and Teal Club Road.

Upon arrival, officers located two vehicles involved in the traffic collision. The two vehicles involved were a 2020 Chevrolet pick-up truck and a 1993 Toyota Corolla. EMS quickly responded and made contact with the driver and sole occupant of the 1993 Toyota Corolla. EMS immediately performed life-saving measures but the adult male driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

The driver of the 2020 Chevrolet pick-up truck remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

The preliminary investigation revealed the driver of the 2020 Chevrolet pick-up truck was travelling northbound Victoria Avenue approaching Teal Club Road. The driver of the 1993 Toyota Corolla was travelling westbound Teal Club Road approaching Victoria Avenue. When the driver of the Toyota Corolla entered the intersection the traffic collision occurred. Traffic Investigators are currently investigating the traffic collision. Investigators do not believe that alcohol was a contributing factor to the collision. Witnesses, or anyone with information regarding this collision, are urged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805) 718-3234 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.

Missing older adult found safe, Silver Alert discontinued

A missing older man, Isaac Marron, 77 years old, has been found. Marron had been missing since 2 p.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023, from Oxnard. Marron had dementia and required medication.

A Silver Alert was issued early Sunday morning and a motorist in Ventura spotted Marron near the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Ventura Harbor.

Marron was found safe and in good spirits. He was taken to Community Memorial Hospital for a medical check up.

Thank you,

Luis Mc Artur, Cmdr.,

Cell (805) 207-4762

Forwarded message –
From: Baysinger, Kevin <kevin.baysinger@oxnardpd.org>
Date: Sat, Apr 1, 2023 at 9:00 PM
Subject: At Risk Missing Person
To: DL – Press Releases <dl-pressreleases@oxnardpd.org>

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 1, 2023, 8:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: At-Risk Missing Person

LOCATION: 800 block La Vida, Oxnard

MISSING PERSON: Isaac Marron, 77-year-old, Oxnard Resident

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander (Thursday-Saturday 4PM- 4 AM)

(805) 385-7741 | Kevin.Baysinger@OxnardPD.Org

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the community's assistance in locating an at-risk missing adult. Isaac Marron is a 77-year-old Hispanic male, 5’9, 190 lbs., with white hair and brown eyes. Mr. Marron was last seen leaving his residence on foot in Oxnard, today at 3:00 pm. He was wearing a blue baseball hat, prescription glasses, grey jacket, dark pants, and black shoes. Mr. Marron needs medication.

The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Mr. Marron. If you have any information about the disappearance of Mr. Marron, we ask that you contact the Oxnard Police Department dispatch immediately at (805) 385-7740.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: April 3, 2023

SUBJECT: Single Vehicle Fatal Collision

LOCATION: 2500 block of North Ventura Road

DRIVER/VEHICLE: Adult Female (name withheld pending next of kin notification)

2002 Ford pick-up truck

CONTACT: Corporal Andrew Pinkstaff, Traffic Investigator

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

On April 2, 2023, at approximately 11:14 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call for service of an injury traffic collision at the 2500 block of North Ventura Road.

Upon arrival, officers located a 2002 Ford pick-up truck in the center median and an adult female driver who had been ejected from the vehicle. EMS immediately performed life-saving measures but the adult female driver succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed the driver was travelling southbound Ventura Road when it first collided into the center median before hitting a light pole. Investigators are currently investigating the cause of the traffic 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.