John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Grand Theft & Attempted Auto Burglaries with Juvenile Suspect In-Custody
DATE/TIME:	10-2-02, 0550
LOCATION:	1700 block of Joanne Way, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	17-year old male juvenile, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Older model blue Honda 4-door (no further description)
LOSS:	(2) GPS devices, iPhone & iPod (recovered)
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Ken Klopman
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. Ken Klopman, (805) 385-7778

DETAILS:

On 10-2-10 at about 5:50 a.m., officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress to an automobile parked in the 1700 block of Joanne Way. When officers arrived, they found that a 17-year old male juvenile from Oxnard was being detained by several residents after the juvenile was seen jumping out of a back yard where he had attempted to hide until he was discovered by the family’s large watchdog prompting him to leave his hiding place. A second suspect, an Hispanic male in his 20’s (no further description), had fled the area prior to officers’ arrival in an older blue Honda 4-door and is still being sought.

The subsequent investigation determined that one parked vehicle had been entered and property removed and two other vehicles nearby had entry attempted. The juvenile was found to be in possession of property stolen for the vehicle that had been entered. He was lodged into Juvenile Hall for grand theft, attempted auto burglary, and possession of stolen property – all felony charges.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Multi location search warrants and arrests
DATE/TIME:	9/30/2010 1330 hours
LOCATION:	Various locations throughout the City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	28 year old male, Oxnard resident 17 year old female, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	S1: Jose Chavez, Oxnard resident S2: Hector Gutierrez, Oxnard resident S3: Male Juvenile 17 years old, Oxnard resident S4: Male Juvenile 17 years old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams (805) 486-6211 or email: christopherwilliams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Dan Whitmer (805) 385-7547 or email: danielwhitmer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 

On 9/04/10 at 0044 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the 4900 block of Petit Drive reference a stabbing victim. When officers arrived they located a victim that suffered four stab wounds and other injuries as a result of the suspects hitting him with bats and poles. The victim was transported to VCMC where he was treated for his injuries and later released. A 17 year old female, who was walking with the victim, was also assaulted and sustained several contusions to her arms and ribs.

During the course of the investigation, the Graffiti Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit identified several suspects. On 9/28/10 and 9/30/10, the Oxnard Police Department served search warrants at seven locations throughout the City of Oxnard in connection with this investigation. Two adults, Jose Chavez (3/27/92) and Hector Gutierrez (12/28/91), and two male juveniles were arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon for the violent assault of the two victims.

Investigators believe this crime was a result of an ongoing feud between taggers and gang members. If you have information on this crime please contact Senior Detective Dan Whitmer at (805) 385-7547 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 385-8255.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Felony Vandalism Arrest
DATE/TIME:	09/23/10 1530 hours
LOCATION:	Camarillo Police Department
VICTIM(S):	City of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Noe Jose Melendez, 19 year old Oxnard Residence
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams (805) 486-6211 or email: christopherwilliams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Dan Whitmer (805) 385-7547

DETAILS:

Graffiti Investigators, from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, conducted a two month investigation regarding an increase in graffiti vandalism by a particular graffiti vandal. During the course of the investigation, the suspect was identified as Noe Melendez (6/23/91). On 9/23/10 at approximately 1330 hours, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department contacted our investigators and informed them that they had arrested Melendez for additional graffiti vandalism charges.

Oxnard Police Department Graffiti Investigators responded to the Camarillo Police Department and interviewed Melendez. Based on Melendez’ statements to investigators he was arrested for fifteen counts of felony graffiti vandalism and forty seven counts of misdemeanor graffiti vandalism committed in the City of Oxnard. Melendez was booked into the Ventura County Jail.

The City of Oxnard spends over a million dollars a year to clean up graffiti in the city. We encourage the community to continue to report graffiti vandalism, by calling the police.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Burglary suspect arrested
DATE/TIME:	9-29-10 2114 hours
LOCATION:	2000 block of Almanor Street
VICTIM(S):	Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Charles Allen Munden, 03-01-86, of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):	n/a
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	n/a
LOSS:	Unk
PREPARED BY:	Detective Tom Payn
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Detective Luis Mancha 385-7664

DETAILS:

On 9-29-10, at 2114 hours, Oxnard Police Officers were sent to the 2000 block of Almanor Street to recover a stolen vehicle. Upon the Officers’ arrival they observed Munden standing next to the victim’s vehicle. When Munden observed the officers approaching, he fled into a nearby residence located on Almanor Street. The homeowner was outside at the time and told officers that he did not know the subject who had just entered his home. Officers searched the home, located Munden hiding in a bedroom closet, and arrested him without further incident. Munden was found in possession of the key belonging to the stolen vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Munden was in possession of stolen property from two recent residential burglaries that occurred in Oxnard.

Munden was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, resisting arrest and trespassing.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to remind residents to lock and secure their vehicles and make sure that valuables are not visible. When you are away from your home, lock and secure all doors and windows, keep photo records and record serial numbers of valuables, so that stolen property can be identified.

Anyone with information regarding burglaries in Oxnard are asked to contact Senior Detective Luis Mancha at (805) 385-7664, email luismancha@oxnardpd.org.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	SWAT Call out
DATE/TIME:	09-22-2010 0949 Hrs.
LOCATION:	3200 Block of Sycamore St.
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	William Stover, 43 of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Officer B.K.Ellison/David Keith PIO
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. Alex Rangel (385-7778)

DETAILS:

On 09-22-2010 at about 0949 hours officers received a call of a family dispute at 3285 Sycamore Street. While enroute to the location the dispatcher advised that the suspect William Stover (6-14-1967) was in the process of forcing entry to the locked door of the reporting parties’ bedroom. While units were responding code 3 to the location, officers were advised that the suspect was dousing the living room area with gasoline and threatening to set the residence on fire.

Upon arrival to the location officers learned that the victim and all parties that were inside the residence at the time of the incident, had fled outside. However, the suspect was now barricaded inside the residence threatening that if the police made entry into the home he would set the home on fire. At this point officers on scene saw smoke coming from the attic vents of the residence and asked that fire personnel respond to the scene.

Several attempts to communicate with the suspect via the public address system from a marked black and white police unit were made with negative results. The Oxnard Police SWAT team was then dispatched to the scene. After several failed attempts to establish compliance from the suspect, via the phone and public address system, entry at the residence was made and suspect Stover was taken into custody. Stover sustained minor injuries during the arrest and was medically cleared at St. Johns Medical Center.

When fire personnel entered the residence they confirmed there was evidence of an arson commited inside the residence. Suspect William Stover was arrested for 422 PC terrorist threats, 451 (b) pc Arson to an inhabited structure and 242 PC Battery. Suspect Stover was transported to Ventura County Jail and booked as per the above charges.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Wanted Murder Suspect / Reward Offered
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, September 30th 2010
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Adam Wittkins, Major Crimes / Homicide Unit: (805) 385-7649 / AdamWittkins@OxnardPd.org

DETAILS:

On August 17th 2010, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to a reported shooting in the area of San Jose Street at Halcon Street in the City of Oxnard. Upon arrival, officers located shooting victim Adrian Lerma. Lerma had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The subsequent investigation has determined Oxnard resident Rene Ramos, Date of Birth July 17th, 1985, is responsible for the Lerma murder. Ramos fled the area after the murder. A murder case has been filed by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office against Ramos and there is an active warrant for Ramos’s arrest for the murder.

The City of Oxnard has a long standing policy to offer a reward for the arrest and conviction of homicide suspects. That offer is extended to this case as well. Anyone who provides information on the whereabouts of Ramos which directly leads to his capture and arrest is eligible to share in a $10,000 reward. See the attached flyer.

Please direct all information to the Oxnard Police Departments Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, Detective Adam Wittkins at (805) 385-7649 or via e-mail at AdamWittkins@OxnardPd.org.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoints
DATE/TIME:	Friday, September 24th, 2010 1800-0200 Sunday, September 26th, 2010 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting two multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints this upcoming weekend. The first one is scheduled for Friday night, September 24th, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. The second one is set for Sunday, September 26th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. After this weekend, we will have conducted a total of 22 checkpoints since October 2009. Thirty-three DUI arrests were made during the 20 checkpoints conducted so far. At these checkpoints, officers also issued citations to 438 unlicensed drivers and 50 citations were issued to drivers with suspended driver’s licenses.

The Oxnard Police Department has arrested over 715 drivers for DUI since the beginning of 2010. In addition to this weekend’s checkpoints, additional officers will be deployed over the weekend to conduct DUI enforcement patrols throughout the city of Oxnard.

All of these DUI operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue its DUI enforcement efforts and is committed to improving traffic safety. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes in the city of Oxnard and to make our roadways and community safer.

We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. Please buckle up, drive sober, and drive safely!

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.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	CRIME FREE BUSINESS PROGRAM MEETING
DATE/TIME:	WEDNESDAY 10-20-2010 / 7:30-9:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT – 251 S. C Street (second floor), Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Officer Marty Ennis 385-8349
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Marty Ennis 385-8349

DETAILS:

On October 20, 2010, the Oxnard Police Department is hosting a business owners/managers meeting for the “Crime Free business program.”

This program is part of a nationwide study designed to lower crime and violence in small business establishments across the country. Some of the goals are achieved by networking the police department and businesses throughout the City of Oxnard. This meeting is recommended for business owners, managers, and employees. The program is free and joining can lead to lowered liability insurance rates. The program is open to all businesses.

This program has proven to be successful in lowering crime, making businesses less susceptible to criminal attack, and increasing profitability.

The meeting hours are from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. on the second floor of the Oxnard Police Department located at 251 S. C St., Oxnard.

If you have any questions or wish to sign up for the meeting please contact Detective Martin Ennis at (805) 385-8349 or e-mail him at martinennis@oxnardpd.org.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Narcotics Search Warrant
DATE/TIME:	September 23, 2010 / 1100 hours
LOCATION:	2700 block of Geronimo Drive, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Janet Pecatoste (8/28/77), resident of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Greg Hebert
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Greg Hebert, greghebert@oxnardpd.org 385-7636

DETAILS:

On September 23, 2010, the Oxnard Police Department’s Narcotics Unit served a search warrant on Janet Pecatoste at her residence in the 2700 block of Geronimo Drive in the City of Oxnard. The search warrant was the result of a 2 month investigation into Pecatoste for sales of methamphetamines.

Pecatoste was arrested at the residence without incident. A search of the residence revealed a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Pecatoste was booked into Ventura County Jail for possession of a controlled substance for sales and bail was set at $50,000.

Pecatoste was operating a “room and board” facility at the residence with many of the tenants being clients of Behavioral Health Services. Behavioral Health Services was contacted and will follow up with their own investigation into Pecatoste.

An investigation is ongoing.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, September 16th, 2010 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

In response to several alcohol-related collisions that have occurred on Thursday nights over the past several months, The Oxnard Police Department conducted a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Thursday, September 16th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. This checkpoint was held in the southbound lanes of Rose Avenue at Cesar Chavez Drive.

Officers screened 1,207 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted two DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol and one of them was arrested for DUI with a blood alcohol level of .14. One additional driver was arrested for outstanding misdemeanor warrants from San Bernardino County.

Thirty-one drivers were issued citations for various driver’s license violations. Fourteen drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and two drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Nine vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

These checkpoints are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA). The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting two additional sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints before the end of this month.

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.