Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Graffiti Vandalism/ Gun Possession
DATE/TIME:	Wednesday, April 13, 2011/ 9:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	Mariposa Street at Camelia Street
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Justin DeSantiago, 22 year old Oxnard resident Jonathan Griggs, 19 year old Ventura resident
LOSS:	Over $400 in damage
PREPARED BY:	Detective Mike Thomas
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Mike Thomas, Detective 805-385-7660 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On April 13, 2011 at approximately 2100 hours, officers were dispatched to Mariposa and Camelia Street in regards to two subjects spray painting in the area. When officers arrived, the two subjects fled and officers observed one of the subjects discard a loaded firearm and a spray can. Both subjects were taken into custody without further incident. The subjects were identified as Justin DeSantiago and Jonathan Griggs.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to remind residents of the dangers involved with graffiti vandalism. It is not a simple crime of writing on the wall. Graffiti vandals will often arm themselves with weapons similar to gang members. Do not attempt to contact a suspect that is tagging. Be a good witness and call 911. Provide a detailed description of the suspect and any vehicles involved to assist officers in locating them.

The City of Oxnard spends over a million dollars a years to clean graffiti vandalism. The City of Oxnard has teamed up in the fight against graffiti vandalism with the Ventura County Probation Agency and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Oxnard’s zero tolerance approach to dealing with graffiti vandals stems from the costly frustration of trying to keep our community free of illegal graffiti and to encourage our young people to find a productive use of their time. The City of Oxnard has a multifaceted campaign to stop illegal graffiti. Our three-pronged approach addresses prevention, intervention and enforcement methods to discourage and eliminate graffiti vandalism.

If you have information which will aid in the arrest of a graffiti vandal contact an Oxnard Police Department Graffiti Detective or call Crime Stoppers at 385-TALK (385-8255) and you may be awarded up to $1000 for an anonymous tip. To report in progress graffiti vandalism, call 911. Please call G.A.P (Graffiti Action Program) at 385-8010 to report graffiti that needs to be cleaned up.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	211 P.C Robbery (Business)
DATE/TIME:	04/13/2011 0401 Hours
LOCATION:	205 W. Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):	Terry’s Donuts
SUSPECT(S):	Suspect 1: H, M, 5’6 to 5’7, 140 to 150, wearing a dark colored sweatshirt with a hood, with a semi-automatic handgun Suspect 2: H, M, 5’6 to 5’7, 160 to 170, small mustache; black sweatshirt with a hood
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Newer model, white or grey Chevrolet Tahoe
LOSS:	Undisclosed amount of cash
PREPARED BY:	Sr. Officer F. Johnson, 4410
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steve Funk (805) 385-7796 [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 04/13/2011, two subjects entered Terry’s Donuts, located at 205 West Pleasant Valley Road. Both suspects had their faces covered. One suspect brandished a handgun, while the other suspect opened the cash register and removed the money. The suspects fled the area in a light grey or white, newer model SUV. The suspect vehicle was last seen northbound on C Street.

If you have any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Detective Funk.

Jeri Williams
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 Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	June 11, 2011
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday, June 11, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

The checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Rose Avenue @ Lindsay Drive.

Officers screened 523 motorists who passed through the checkpoint and conducted one DUI investigation with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. No DUI arrests were made as the driver was found to have an alcohol level below the legal limit of .08.

Citations were issued to 44 drivers for various drivers’ license violations at the checkpoint. Thirty drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and six drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Fifteen vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

Following the checkpoint, officers conducted a DUI saturation patrol from 10:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. and arrested four (4) drivers for DUI.

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct several more 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 [email protected].

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery and Assault
DATE/TIME:	5/31/11 0700 hours
LOCATION:	600 block of West Kamala
VICTIM(S):	40 year old, Oxnard resident (Name Withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, 25-30 years old, mustache, wearing dark clothing
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Christopher Williams (805) 486-6211 or [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeff McGreevy (805) 385-3982 or [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 5-31-11 about 0700 hours, Oxnard PD units were dispatched to the 600 block of W. Kamala regarding an assault victim. During the investigation, it was revealed that the victim was asleep when he was attacked with a metal object by a male acquaintance. The victim was able to escape and the suspect fled on foot with property stolen from the victim.

The 40 year old Oxnard resident was attacked by an acquaintance that he had allowed to sleep in his home and it appears the attack was unprovoked. The suspect has been described as a male Hispanic 25-30 wearing dark clothing. He has a mustache and was unshaven. The Oxnard Police Department is actively investigating this case and attempting to identify the suspect. The victim was treated for non life threatening head injuries.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Hit and Run Collision resulting in Serious Injury
DATE/TIME:	May 26, 2011 / 0510 hours
LOCATION:	Saviers Road north of Laurel Street
BICYCLIST:	H/M, 37 years of Oxnard (name withheld pending notification of next of kin)
DRIVER:	Male
VEHICLE:	Possible Gray, Nissan, Versa, two-door (Vehicle should have moderate to major damage to the front end)
PREPARED BY:	Maria Peña, Traffic Investigator

DETAILS:

On May 26, 2011, at approximately 0510 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 2100 block of Saviers Road reference a man down next to a bicycle. Once on scene, officers and EMS personnel found an injured 37 years old male sitting on the curb. Officers noticed major damage to the bicycle.

The bicyclist was subsequently transported to Ventura County Medical Center for additional medical treatment. The bicyclist sustained head injuries and several fractured bones. He is currently listed in stable condition.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the bicyclist was traveling northbound on Saviers Road towards Laurel Street. The suspect vehicle was also traveling northbound on Saviers Road towards Laurel Street behind the bicyclist. For unknown reasons, the suspect vehicle struck the rear of the bicyclist causing the rider to be ejected several feet. The suspect vehicle fled the scene of the collision after striking the bicyclist.

Witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a possible grey Nissan Versa two-door. The suspect driver was described as a short male. The suspect vehicle should have sustained moderate to major damage to the front end.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Senior Officer Maria Pena at 805-385-7750

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:	RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY AND ARREST OF SUSPECT
DATE/TIME:	04/02/11 at 1800 HOURS
LOCATION:	2600 BLOCK OF KENTIA STREET, OXNARD (LOCATION OF BURGLARY) 2400 BLOCK OF HILLROSE PLACE, OXNARD(LOCATION OF ARREST)
SUSPECT(S):	NAME WITHHELD, MALE 17 YEARS, OF OXNARD
PREPARED BY:	DETECTIVE PATRICK DOLAN
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	DETECTIVE PATRICK DOLAN (805) 385-7755

DETAILS:

On 04-02-11 at approximately 1800 hours, a burglar entered an unoccupied residence in the 2600 block of Kentia Street. The suspect possibly entered the residence through an unlocked door, for the purposes of committing a burglary. The suspect removed several valuable items which included jewelry and electronics.

A day after the burglary occurred, Oxnard patrol officers developed information that lead them to a possible suspect residence located on the 2400 block of Hillrose Place.

On 04-04-11, Oxnard Police detectives with the assistance of patrol officers conducted a search of the residence located on Hillrose Place and located the stolen property. A 17 year old male, was arrested for committing the burglary along with possession of stolen property and for illegally possessing shotgun. The victims were instrumental in the recovery of the property having provided serial numbers for the stolen electronics.

The suspect was booked into juvenile hall. The suspect was not known to the victims.

Residents are reminded to lock and secure windows and doors. Residents are also encouraged any suspicious activity to the police. Anyone with additional information can contact Detective Pat Dolan (805) 385-7755.

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) PC- Assault with Deadly Weapon (Knife) 664/211 PC- Attempted Robbery 422 Terrorist Threats 136.1 PC-Dissuading Victim or Witness
DATE/TIME:	4-3-2011 @ 0555 hours
LOCATION:	Colonia Ave & Hayes Ave
VICTIM(S):	Male, 44 years old, Oxnard (Name Withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	S-1 – Hispanic Male, 18 years, thin build, short hair, clean shaven, wearing a gray or white “T” shirt and black shorts S-2 – Hispanic Male, early 20’s, tall and thin build, wearing a brown “T” shirt and black shorts.
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven Funk (805) 385-7796 or [email protected]
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steven Funk (805) 385-7796 or [email protected]

DETAILS:

On 4-3-2011 at approximately 0555 hours the victim was walking south bound from his residence in the 300 block of North Hayes Ave to the Panderia Lupita so that he could meet a friend to take him to work as a field laborer.

The victim was in the area of Hayes Ave and Colonia Ave when he was approached by two subjects. The first subject pointed a knife at the chest of the victim and demanded money from him while telling him not to move. The victim was able to grab the knife and break off the blade without injuring himself. The second subject struck the victim in his face causing a minor laceration.

The victim was able to run towards his residence where he was again confronted by the suspects who told him not to contact police. The suspects were last seen running north bound on Hayes Ave in the 300 block.

The victim was transported to Saint John’s hospital with minor injuries.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Steven Funk at 805-385-77965 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).
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:	Road Closures for the 28th Annual California Strawberry Festival
DATE/TIME:	May 21st and 22nd 2011, 0800 – 2000 hours
LOCATION:	College Park, Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Brian Woolley Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The City of Oxnard will host the 28th annual California Strawberry Festival this weekend, May 21st and 22nd, at College Park. The festival will open each day at 10:00 A.M. Over the past several years, the festival has experienced crowds totaling 70,000 over the two day event.

In an attempt to accommodate the anticipated attendance at this year’s Strawberry Festival, the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit will have officers and additional traffic control personnel assigned to several intersections surrounding the festival site. There will be some road closures and detours in place to allow for safe and efficient vehicular and pedestrian travel to and from the festival.

The recommended method of transportation to the Strawberry Festival is via the free shuttle bus service. Shuttle buses will be picking up festival goers at the following locations:

Camarillo Premium Outlets, 740 E. Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo
Channel Islands Harbor, 3400 block South Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Centerpoint Mall, 2655 Saviers Road, Oxnard
Oxnard Transportation Center, 201 E. Fourth Street, Oxnard
The Palms (Oxnard Outlet Mall), 2000 Outlet Center Drive, Oxnard

The following roadways will be affected by this weekend’s festival:

Rose Avenue
Rose Avenue, between Channel Islands Boulevard and Bard Road, will be closed to all non-festival traffic from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on both festival days. The northbound lanes of Rose Avenue between Gary Drive and Raiders Way will be closed from Friday, May 20th, at 6:00 A.M. to Monday, May 23rd, at 12:00 P.M.

Pleasant Valley Road between Highway 1 and Bard Road
Pleasant Valley Road, between Highway 1 and Bard Road will be affected by heavy traffic from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on both festival days.

Bard Road between Pleasant Valley Road and Rose Avenue
Bard Road, between Pleasant Valley Road and Rose Avenue, will be affected by heavy traffic from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on both festival days.

Gary Drive
Gary Drive, between Boston Way and Rose Avenue, will be closed to all traffic from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on both festival days.

In addition to these road closures, traffic surrounding the festival site will be heavy. Local residents are encouraged to use alternate routes for trips in and out of the city.

For further information regarding road closures, contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at 385-7749. For further information regarding the 2011 California Strawberry Festival go to: www.strawberry-fest.org.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Ventura County Law Enforcement Joins State-Wide Crack Down on Cell Phone Use and Texting
DATE/TIME:	Month of April
LOCATION:	County of Ventura
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

In an effort to reduce state-wide collisions resulting from distracted driving habits, the California Office of Traffic Safety has identified the month of April as “Distracted Driving Month.” As part of California’s first Distracted Driving Awareness Month, law enforcement in Ventura County will be holding zero tolerance days for cell phone use and texting. A ticket for violating either the hands free or no texting law costs a minimum of $159, and subsequent tickets cost $279.

Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk, joining speeding and alcohol as leading factors in fatal and serious injury crashes. As a result, law enforcement across the state is increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting. Starting April 4th and throughout the month, local agencies including the Oxnard Police Department, Ventura Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and Santa Paula Police Department will join police departments across the state plus 103 CHP Area Commands conducting zero tolerance enforcements.

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver’s reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.

“We recognize that convincing drivers to refrain from using cell phones or texting while driving isn’t easy,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy. “It’s very difficult to resist the urge to check an incoming text or answer a cell phone call. That’s why we are stepping up enforcement and public awareness efforts. Convincing California drivers to wear seat belts 20 years ago wasn’t easy either, but in 2010 more than 96 percent buckled up and thousands of lives were saved.”

Studies show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in “inattention blindness” which occurs when the brain isn’t seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers’ focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road.

There are simple measures drivers can take to minimize distractions in the vehicle:

Turn your phone off or put it out of reach before starting the car.
Alert callers that you are unable to take calls when driving by changing your voicemail message.
Make it a point not to call or text anyone who may be driving, such as during the commute to and from work or school, especially parents calling teen drivers.
If you do need to make an important call or respond to a text message, pull over to a safe place to do so.
If going cold turkey is too much of a stretch and you just can’t turn your phone off, consider using one of the available mobile phone apps that holds calls and incoming texts.

“We just want drivers to use some common sense when they’re behind the wheel and focus on driving,” said Murphy. “Think about the vast majority of calls and texts you send or receive every day. Were any really worth a $159 ticket – or worse, a crash, injury or death? It’s just not worth it.”

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 [email protected].

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle Pursuit
DATE/TIME:	05-09-11 / 1942 hours
LOCATION:	Victoria Ave at Hemlock St to Hemlock St at Ventura Rd
DRIVER:	Kyle Jacob Snow, Male, 22 years, Oxnard
VEHICLE(S):	Black, 2007, Yamaha motorcycle
PREPARED BY:	Officer James Crilly
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Brian Woolley, Traffic Unit, 385-7749

DETAILS:

On May 9, 2011, at approximately 1940 hours, an officer of the Oxnard Police Department was driving in a marked black and white patrol car southbound on Victoria Ave approaching Wooley Rd. He saw a motorcycle travelling southbound on Victoria Ave south of Wooley Rd that was travelling at a high rate of speed and making numerous lane changes without signaling. The motorcyclist stopped at the red light at Hemlock St.

The officer pulled in behind the motorcyclist and initiated a traffic stop for the various vehicle code violations. The motorcyclist turned around and looked at the officer and then immediately fled eastbound on Hemlock St from Victoria Ave with the officer in pursuit. The motorcyclist ran the red light at Hemlock St and Patterson Rd. The motorcyclist then collided with a stopped vehicle at Hemlock St and Ventura Rd. The motorcyclist was identified as Kyle Snow.

Snow was transported by ambulance to VCMC to receive treatment for injuries resulting from the traffic collision. Snow’s blood alcohol content was found to be 0.17%, which is just over twice the legal limit. Snow was cited for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, evading, hit and run, and being an unlicensed driver.

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

An investigation is ongoing.