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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On November 15, 2010, at approximately 1906 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department, along with EMS personnel, responded to the 1000 block of Offshore Street after receiving a call of a single vehicle collision that had rolled over in the intersection of Offshore Street and Navy Lane. Upon arrival officers found that the vehicle, a Blue 1987 Ford Ranger Pick-up, had collided with a street sign and tree located in the center of the roundabout within the intersection. The driver of the Ford, Chris Larsen and his female passenger, Loriann Alsdurf, 42 years old of Oxnard, were observed standing in the vehicle which was found on its side. EMS personnel extricated Larsen and his passenger from the vehicle.

An investigation revealed that Larsen was driving eastbound on Offshore Street towards the intersection of Navy Lane. Witnesses stated that they observed Larsen operating the motor vehicle at a high rate of speed just south Sea Air Park. The Ford was observed colliding with the roundabout and rolling over until it stopped 15 feet east of the intersection. Larsen exhibited signs and symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. Larsen was later transported to V.C.M.C. for treatment of minor injuries. Larsen was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol (D.U.I) His passenger was released at the scene.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 11-15-10, at approximately 1815 hours, officers responded to the 200-block of Cuesta Del Mar reference shots being fired in the area. A reporting party reported seeing a silver sports utility vehicle leaving the area. Officers in the Special Enforcement Unit located the vehicle a short distance away and initiated a traffic stop. A 17 year-old occupant fled from the vehicle and was arrested a short distance away. Officers observed him throw an object as he was fleeing from uniformed officers.

The officers recovered that object and it was determined to be a firearm. There were items located inside the vehicle that led investigators to believe this was possibly a gang related shooting. There were no outstanding victims located and no one was injured during the shooting.

An investigation is on going.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Alex Arnett at (805) 486-6297, e-mail alexarnett@oxnardpd.org, 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).

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

The Oxnard Police Department has been awarded a new traffic safety grant for a year-long anti-DUI program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways. Additional enforcement measures in place to combat impaired driving are coming as a result of recent grants awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety to the City of Oxnard in the amount of $305,000. The Oxnard Police Department is dedicated to keeping our streets safe through both enforcement and education.

Oxnard Interim Chief of Police Scott Whitney said, “We appreciate the partnership and support that we receive from the California Office of Traffic Safety. We have focused much effort on traffic safety and are proud of our results, however there is still much more work to be done. We will continue to look for opportunities at improving the safety of our roadways and this grant will assist us in that effort.”

The special DUI Enforcement and Awareness grant is to assist in efforts to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug related collisions in the community. The grant activities will specifically target impaired driving offenders as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. This will be done through the use of DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, warrant searches and stakeouts for repeat DUI offenders, saturation patrols, court stings where DUI offenders with suspended or revoked driver licenses get behind the wheel after leaving court and community outreach on the dangers of impaired drivers.

Impaired driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. In 2009, over 10,839 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. California data for 2009 shows that 950 died in Alcohol Impaired Collisions, a 7.6 percent reduction in deaths from 2008.

“Everyone in California should be heartened with these figures,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). “But as encouraging as this is, we can’t let up on the efforts to promote and enforce traffic safety. Far too many are still losing their lives or being severely injured on our roadways.” “These figures represent more people making it home safely and alive each day,” said Murphy. “But to keep this trend going, we will continue to strive to meet our vision – Toward zero deaths, every 1 counts.”

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

With the holidays upon us and millions of Americans hitting the roads, The Oxnard Police Department wants everyone to arrive safely at their destinations. Drivers and passengers need to know that officers will be out in force sending the strong message to “Click It or Ticket”.

“No one wants to start the holidays off wrong with a ticket,” said Assistant Chief Scott Whitney, from the Oxnard Police Department.

While seat belt use is at a record high of 83 percent nationwide, 45 million Americans still fail to buckle up when they get in a motor vehicle. Even though in California 96.2 percent use their restraints, it still means that over 1.5 million Californians don’t buckle up. Oxnard police officers issued 429 motorists citations for failing to buckle up during the last Click It or Ticket campaign held earlier this year in May.

During the holiday period, over 35 vehicle occupants who are not buckled up will be killed in motor vehicle crashes each day nationwide. Statewide, overall traffic deaths declined by 23 percent, from 3,995 in 2007 to 3,081 in 2009 due in part to the increased use of seat belts. Total traffic fatalities are at their lowest levels in six decades.

“Sadly, the holidays, are one of the deadliest times of the year for our motorists,” said Chief Whitney.

“Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes,” said Christopher J. Murphy Director of the California Office of Traffic safety. “Law enforcement estimates indicate that over 1300 Californians survived by buckling up last year. Sadly however, about 150 others will not be gathering with families during the holidays because they choose not to use their seat belts.”

National statistics also show that those least likely to buckle up are teens, young adults, males, nighttime riders, motorists traveling on rural roads, and individuals traveling in pickup trucks.

More than 100 local law enforcement agencies statewide and the CHP will be participating in this year’s Click It or Ticket mobilization. Funding to support California’s Click It or Ticket campaign was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

Early Saturday evening, Oxnard police responded to a call of a stabbing just occurred in the alley of the 100 block of N. Grant Ave. The victim told police he was approached by three men while walking in the alley. The suspects asked the victim if he had any money. When the victim answered “no,” the suspects began rifling through the victim’s pockets. A friend of the victim (listed as Victim #2) came to his aid. One suspect (listed above as Suspect #1) stabbed the second victim in the torso. The trio of suspects fled on foot from the alley.

The stabbing victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his injury.

Anyone with additional information on this crime is encouraged to contact Ventura County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-222-TIPS or online at http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On November 13, 2010, at approximately 1848 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to Ventura Road and Hemlock Street after receiving a call of a traffic collision involving a mini van and a bicyclist. Once on scene, officers and EMS personnel found that a bicyclist, Rene Ambriz, 20 years old of Oxnard, had been struck by a van that was driven by Paul Castaneda, 42 years old of Oxnard. As a result of being hit by the van, Ambriz was thrown several feet and landed in the drainage canal that parallels Ventura Road. Ambriz sustained major injuries as a result of being hit and landing in the drainage canal. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Ambriz was riding his bicycle westbound in the eastbound lane of Hemlock Street against traffic. It was dark and his bicycle was not equipped with a headlight. He proceeded to cross Ventura Road against a red signal and was struck by the van driven by Castaneda who was traveling southbound on Ventura Road. Castaneda was proceeding through the intersection on a green signal and at normal speed.

It has not been determined whether or not alcohol was a factor.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at 385-7749.

An investigation is ongoing

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 11-10-2010 at approximately 12:09 A.M., Oxnard Police Officers contacted the victim of a carjacking at the corner of El Dorado Ave. and Channel Islands Blvd. The victim stated that he met the suspect at this same corner and she initially asked the victim for a ride to an unknown location in Oxnard. Victim Vasquez drove the suspect to the west alley of El Dorado and San Benito where suspect Garcia physically assaulted him and took his vehicle. Victim Garcia did not require any medical attention.

A stolen report was taken on victim Vasquez’s van and was relayed to officers throughout the county. A Ventura County Sheriff’s deputy observed the van in the area of Wells Rd. and Hwy. 126 in the city of Saticoy. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle but suspect Garcia failed to yield and a short pursuit was initiated. The pursuit ended in the city of Santa Paula where suspect Garcia pulled over at 10Th Street and Harvard Street. Suspect Garcia was taken into custody without further incident. For further information reference the Ventura County Sheriff’s pursuit refer to their press release on the incident.

Oxnard Police Officers took custody of suspect Garcia in Santa Paula and she was returned to Oxnard and charged with carjacking and transported to the Ventura County Jail.

Anyone with further information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Steven F. Funk at (805) 385-7796, e-mail stevenfunk@oxnardpd.org 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).

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

On 11-9-10 at 2:47 PM officers from the Oxnard Police Department were sent to assist the Oxnard Fire Department with a burn victim. During an investigation it was learned the victim was transient and had fallen asleep while smoking a cigarette next to a building hidden from public view. The blanket covering the victim ignited causing 2nd degree burns to his face and right hand.

An unidentified citizen observed the smoke and quickly distinguished the fire and notified a nearby business to call 911. The victim was transported to Ventura County Medical Center and later air lifted to a trauma burn center in the Los Angles area. The condition of the victim is unknown.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On 11-7-2010 at approximately 07:55 A.M., Oxnard Police officers contacted the victim of a home invasion robbery in front of his residence in the 400 block of N. Harrison Ave., Oxnard. The male victim said that on 11-7-10 sometime after 1:00 A.M., he was inside of his residence watching television when he heard someone inside of his home. The front door to his residence was unlocked and open.

Three suspects, who the victim confronted in his kitchen, battered the victim causing him to lose consciousness. When the victim regained consciousness at about 5:00 A.M., his apartment had been ransacked and several items of property were missing. The victim contacted a neighbor who then drove him to a relative’s house and, upon returning back to the victim’s residence, the victim and relative contacted the police. The victim sustained moderate injuries to his face, upper body, and legs. He was transported by private vehicle to Ventura County Medical Center where he was treated and later released.

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department canvassed the apartment complex and the surrounding neighborhood for witnesses.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Steven F. Funk at (805) 385-7796, e-mail stevenfunk@oxnardpd.org 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).

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On November 6, 2010, at approximately 1434 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to the 3100 block of Sturgis Road after receiving a call of a single vehicle collision that had struck an electrical pole. Upon arrival, officers found that the Nissan Altima had been torn into two pieces and the single occupant had been ejected. The driver of the Nissan, Robert James Musgrove was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the Nissan, Mr. Musgrove, was traveling eastbound on Sturgis Road towards Del Norte at a high rate of speed. Witnesses stated that they observed the Nissan aggressively trying to pass vehicles. Once the Nissan was able to pass a few cars, it sped away at a high rate of speed. For unknown reasons, the Nissan lost control and collided with a large electrical pole. The impact caused the Nissan to be torn into two pieces and for Mr. Musgrove to be ejected. Mr. Musgrove sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision.

An investigation is continuing.