John Crombach 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 Traffic Division conducted two Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints on January 15th, 2010, from 7:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the northbound lanes of Oxnard Boulevard @ Second Street.

The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard @ Fifth Street.

Officers screened 966 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted six DUI investigations that lead to the arrest of four drivers for DUI. Three of those drivers arrested had a blood alcohol level that was over twice the legal limit. One of the drivers was arrested for his fourth DUI since 2003 and had previously served a prison sentence for multiple DUI convictions.

Two additional drivers were arrested for outstanding misdemeanor warrants.

27 drivers were issued citations for various drivers’ license violations. 24 vehicles were towed and the owners of those vehicles will face a minimum tow fee of $494.00. 16 drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and three drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year including two additional DUI checkpoints this month. 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. The checkpoints are funded by a grant 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 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

DETAILS:

On 1/15/2010, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the area of Devonshire Ave and “F” Street regarding a stabbing victim. Officers located the victim; he had sustained several stab wounds. The victim was transported to St John’s Regional Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.

The victim told officers that he was in the area of 700 block of West Robert Avenue when he was approached by a Samoan male and a Hispanic male, both in their late teens. The victim could not provide any further description of the suspects or their clothing. An argument ensued and they began to fight. During the fight the victim sustained the stab wounds and ran a short distance away. The suspects fled in an unknown direction. Investigators do not know the motive for the stabbing.

Anyone with information regarding the assault is urged to contact Detective Mike Thomas at (805) 385-7660 or remain anonymous by calling 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

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, January 15, 2010, from 7:00 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.

Between December 18th, 2009 and January 2nd, 2010, there were 352 DUI arrests in Ventura County. 54 of those arrests were made by the Oxnard Police Department. As a reminder, the total cost for a first time DUI conviction in Ventura County is approximately $13,500.

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department will be conducting more DUI enforcement operations this month including two additional checkpoints. These DUI operations are part of our 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.

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

DETAILS:

During the early morning hours of 1/13/2010, law enforcement officers from around Ventura County conducted seven search warrants throughout Oxnard. These warrants stemmed from the recent increase of gang incidents within the City. During these incidents a specific Oxnard gang was named as being involved. Its members and associates residences were served with several gang association search warrants.

During the warrants, investigators seized gang paraphernalia, ammunition, replica weapons, and narcotics. The above listed persons were arrested during the warrants for charges ranging from Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Narcotics violations, and Warrants.

The Oxnard Police Department was assisted by members of the Ventura County Sherriff’s Department, Ventura Police Department, and Ventura County Probation during the service of the search warrants and arrests of the above listed people.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to respond with a zero tolerance approach towards gang violence within our community. We will continue to serve search warrants and arrest those responsible for committing gang violence within our community. We will continue our partnerships with the community and with those groups within the community that provide alternatives to the gang lifestyle. The Oxnard Police Department deeply appreciates our partnership with other Ventura County Law Enforcement agencies who continue to assist us in curbing the scourge of gang violence within our community.

DETAILS: 

On 1-8-2009, the Oxnard Police Department received a call from a witness reference a suspicious subject removing a speaker from the Morning Star Church of God which is located on the 400 block of N. Harrison Avenue.

The suspect was located by officers a block away from the church. A witness was able to identify the suspect.

The suspect was identified as 35 year old Oxnard resident Salvador Maldonado Arenas. Arenas was booked into Ventura County jail on burglary charges.

Additional pieces of stolen electronic equipment from the church have not been recovered.

Residents with additional information reference this crime are encouraged to contact the lead investigator Detective Tom Payn at (805) 385-7594.

DETAILS:

On 01/07/10 at 8:40 AM City of Oxnard Parks employees were working at Southbank Park when they discovered a suspicious package with a note. Police were notified and as a precautionary measure the park was evacuated and the Rio Del Norte Elementary School was locked down. An assessment of the package dictated members from the Oxnard Police Violent Crimes Unit and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad to be dispatched.

During the investigation the owner of the package was found and the package was deemed not to be a threat. The investigation lasted for approximately an hour and a half.

DETAILS:

On 1-4-09 at 9:13 AM officers responded to a call of a robbery alarm at the County Commerce Bank. Prior to officers arriving they were updated that it was an actual robbery and the suspect had fled the bank on foot towards Rice Ave.

Investigators were told the suspect entered the bank holding a possible weapon, he demanded all the customers and employees to the floor. He then approached several tellers and demanded money; he fled the bank within a minutes. The suspect got an undetermined amount of currency.

Investigators and local FBI are requesting assistance, if anyone saw a suspicious vehicle parked on Rice Ave South of Gonzales Rd around 9:00 AM. Please contact Detective Charles Buttell at (805) 385-7665. You can remain anonymous by calling Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477). The investigation is continuing.

DETAILS:

On December 31, 2009, between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a DUI saturation patrol. Officers patrolled the City of Oxnard with an emphasis on impaired drivers and traffic enforcement.

During the operation, officers conducted 70 traffic stops and conducted 12 DUI investigations leading to the arrest of 9 drivers for DUI. One additional driver was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Officers also issued 26 traffic citations for various vehicle code violations. Eight of the drivers stopped were unlicensed and three of those drivers were driving with a suspended driver’s license. Officers towed six vehicles and the owners of the towed vehicles will face a minimum release fee of $494.00.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue conducting DUI saturation patrols on various nights of the week and holidays in an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes and to make our community and roadways safer. These operations are funded through grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) though the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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.

DETAILS:

On December 31st, between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and 4:00 A.M., several officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting DUI saturation patrol. These officers will patrol the City of Oxnard with an emphasis on impaired drivers and traffic enforcement.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind those people who choose to celebrate New Year’s Eve with alcohol to drink responsibly. Designate a sober driver, call a friend, or call a taxi cab to get you home. The average fine amount for a first time DUI arrest in Ventura County is $13,500.

“OVER THE LIMIT, UNDER ARREST” is all around the state. If you choose to Drink and Drive on New Year’s Eve, expect to welcome 2010 behind bars.

The Oxnard Police Department has conducted several DUI enforcement operations this holiday season including DUI checkpoints, DUI warrant services, and court operations targeting drivers who became unlicensed following a DUI arrest. These operations are funded through grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) though the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). All of these 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.

For any questions related to DUI enforcement and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at brianwoolley@oxnardpd.org.