Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

On January 31, 2011, a nine year old female Oxnard resident received unsolicited text messages on her cellular telephone from a person unknown to her. The text messages continued for several hours and the Suspect persuaded the Victim to send him a partially nude photograph of herself via text message. The Victim’s mother discovered the situation when she checked her daughter’s cell phone that night and reported the incident to the Oxnard Police Department. The Oxnard Police Department investigated the crime and detectives were able to identify the Suspect, who was an 18-year old Oxnard resident, Nicholas Ortega. Upon contact with the Suspect, he was found to be in possession of child pornographic images of a fourteen year old female Oxnard resident. The Suspect was arrested for several counts of child enticement and luring and possession of child pornography. The Suspect was booked into Ventura County Sheriff’s Department jail with a bail of $50,000.

Parents are reminded to monitor their children’s computer and cellular telephone usage. Children are reminded not to communicate with strangers online or on cellular telephones. Parents and children may find additional resources at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com or 1-800-843-5678. The investigation is continuing in relation to any other children who may have been persuaded to send the Suspect nude images of themselves with assistance from the local Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force members including investigators from the Oxnard Police Department, FBI, and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Contact Oxnard Police Department Detective Erica Escalante at (805) 385-7759.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Saturday, February 26nd, 2011, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. The checkpoint will be held throughout the City of Oxnard and is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

So far this year, officers have made 130 DUI arrests in the City of Oxnard. In comparison to 2008, the Oxnard Police Department’s continued efforts in DUI enforcement have resulted in a 50% reduction in the number of alcohol related fatal collisions and an 8% reduction in injury collisions involving an impaired driver.

How to Report a Drunk Driver

1. Call 911 and tell them you wish to report a suspected drunk driver. **You do not have to give your name.
2. Give a complete description of the vehicle, such as make, model, color and license plate number.
3. Give the exact location of the vehicle, including the name of the road, cross streets and the direction they’re traveling.
4. Describe the manner in which the vehicle is being driven.
5. Do not try to stop the car or detain the driver. Leave that to a law enforcement officer.

Please buckle up, drive sober, and drive safely in 2011.

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

DETAILS:

On March 30, 2011, the Oxnard Police Department is hosting the phase one training class of the “Crime Free Multi-Housing program”.

The Oxnard Police Department introduced this crime prevention program in November of 2005. This program has proven to be successful in lowering crime, making properties more profitable, and increasing the quality of life for many tenants.

This program has been very successful in the City of Oxnard. The reduction in crime in most apartment communities in the program is above 70 percent.

This class is open to all apartment community employees in the City of Oxnard. This class is recommended for all property owners, on site property managers, property management representatives, leasing agents and maintenance employees.

The hours of the class are from 8a.m.-5p.m. in the Fillmore room at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center at 800 South Hobson Way, in Oxnard.

If you have any questions or wish to sign up for the training please contact Detective Marty Ennis at (805) 385-8349 or e-mail him 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

DETAILS:

On February 13, 2011, at approximately 1547 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the intersection of Saviers Road and Wolff Street after receiving a call of an injury traffic collision involving an SUV and a motorcycle. Once on scene, officers found that a motorcycle, ridden by a male driver, 20 years old of Oxnard, had collided with a Chevy, Tahoe, driven by Maria Bernardino, 43 years old of Oxnard.

Based on a preliminary investigation, the SUV made a left turn from northbound Saviers Road to westbound Wolff Street in front of the motorcycle which was traveling southbound on Saviers Road. The motorcyclist was unable to stop in time and broadsided the SUV.

The motorcyclist sustained serious head injuries along with several broken bones and a partially severed leg. He was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he was immediately rushed to surgery and is listed in critical condition. The driver of the SUV and her passenger were transported to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

It has not been determined whether or not alcohol or speed was a factor in this collision. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the 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

DETAILS:

This morning at approximately 6:00 am more than twenty arrest warrants were served simultaneously at multiple locations in the cities of Oxnard, Ventura and Port Hueneme. More than a dozen law enforcement agencies took part in the execution of these warrants. This operation was one of the largest ever to be conducted in the city of Oxnard.

A press conference is scheduled at 11:00 am today at 300 West Third Street in Oxnard. Officals from the agencies involved, including the FBI, will be present at the press conference to outline and explain this morning’s operation.

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

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

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

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 [email protected].

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

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