John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Vehicle Collision
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, April 29, 2010 @ 1505 hours
LOCATION:	Kamala Street and Lassen Street
VICTIM(S):	6 year old male, Resident of Oxnard
DRIVER:	Omar Robles Venegas, 27 years of age, Resident of Oxnard
VEHICLE #1:	Blue 2002 Ford SUV
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator

DETAILS:

On Thursday, April 29, 2010, at about 1505 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to a vehicle versus a pedestrian injury collision, at the intersection of Kamala Street and Lassen Street. When officers arrived, they discovered that a blue 2002 Ford Explorer had collided with a 6 years old boy. Upon making contact with the child, officers found that he, had sustained head injuries as a result of the collision. He was transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center and later transported to Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

The preliminary investigation showed that the blue Ford SUV, driven by Mr. Omar Venegas, was traveling westbound on Kamala Street towards Lassen Street. The 6 year old pedestrian was on the north curb of Kamala Street in the area of Lassen Street. For unknown reasons, the child ran southbound into the street directly in front of the Ford SUV. Mr. Venegas swerved in an attempt to avoid striking the child but was unable to avoid the collision.

Investigators suspect that the pedestrian may have been running across the street where an ice cream truck was located.

The driver sustained no injuries as a result of the collision. The 6 year old child sustained a fractured skull, internal bleeding, damage to the spleen, multiple contusions and abrasions, and possible bruising to the brain,. The 6 year old child was listed in critical condition.

The Oxnard Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance. If you witnessed the collision or have any additional information, please contact the traffic investigator, Senior Officer Maria Peña, at 805-385-7750.

An investigation is continuing.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Brandishing of a firearm, Resisting Arrest
DATE/TIME:	April 30, 2010 1:15 PM
LOCATION:	2981 Ventura Bl.
VICTIM(S):	Owl Towing
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Carlos Guerrero (28 years)
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Brown Nissan 280z License:1PIZ512
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Mike Van Atta
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Ed Baldwin 486-7386

DETAILS:

On 4-30-10 at around 1:45 PM, Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to Owl Towing, 2981 Ventura Bl. reference a subject standing in front of the business threatening employees and brandishing a shotgun. Investigation revealed the identity of the subject as 28-year old Juan Carlos Guerrero who fled prior to officers’ arrival in a brown Datsun 280z license: 1PIZ512.

Guerrero was at the towing company for the purpose of retrieving property from a vehicle that had previously been towed from him. He specifically told employees that he was there to retrieve a gun from the vehicle. When he was denied access, Guerrero became agitated and made threats that he would return at a later time to burn down the business. Guerrero then got inside his vehicle which was parked in front of the business. An employee exited the business and began writing down the license plate of Guerrero’s vehicle when Guerrero brandished a shotgun at employees of the business. Guerrero then fled the scene.

Oxnard Police Officers began searching for Guerrero. At about 2:45 PM, Guerrero was located at a storage facility in the 2700 block of Cawelti in Camarillo by Sergeant Terry Burr of the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit. Deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department responded to assist along with officers from the Oxnard Police Department. Guerrero initially refused to surrender himself to officers and refused to comply with the direction of officers. After a brief standoff at gunpoint, Guerrero was taken into custody without incident.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI Saturation Patrol Results
DATE/TIME:	Friday, April 30th, 1900-0200 Saturday, May 1st, 1700-0300 Sunday, May 2nd, 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator

DETAILS:

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted DUI saturation patrols on Friday, April 30th and Saturday, May 1st, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M. During these patrols, officers stopped 78 drivers, conducted 25 DUI investigations, and arrested nine drivers for DUI. One of the drivers arrested for DUI was under the age of 21 and had a blood alcohol level of .12. Officers also issued 35 citations to drivers for various vehicle code violations.

On Saturday, May 1st, at approximately 2:00 A.M., Oxnard Police officers were dispatched to an injury collision involving a DUI driver in the 1000 block of West Robert Avenue. This driver was traveling at a high rate of speed when his vehicle collided into two parked vehicles. The force of the impact caused one of the parked vehicles to be forced 80 feet into the front lawn of a residence. The driver sustained serious injuries and was later arrested from the hospital for DUI.

On Saturday, May 1st, at approximately 2300 hours, Oxnard Police officers pursued a vehicle to the intersection of Rose Avenue and Fifth Street where it collided into other vehicles that were stopped for the red light. This driver was also found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and arrested at the scene of the collision.

On Sunday, May 2nd, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight, deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the Ventura Police Department and Santa Paula Police Department joined forces with the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit during an allied agency DUI saturation deployment. 16 officers searched the City of Oxnard for impaired drivers. These officers stopped 123 vehicles, conducted 15 DUI investigations, and arrested four drivers for DUI. One of the drivers had a blood alcohol level of .24, three times the legal limit.

15 drivers have been arrested for DUI in the City of Oxnard during the first three days of May. As a reminder, additional officers will be deployed for DUI saturation patrol on Wednesday, May 5th, for the Cinco de Mayo holiday.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue its no-tolerance approach to drunk driving by conducting several additional DUI operations this year. These operations are 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 [email protected].

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Cinco de Mayo DUI saturation patrols
DATE/TIME:	Friday, April 30th, 1900-0200 Saturday, May 1st, 1700-0300 Sunday, May 2nd, 1800-0200 Wednesday May 5th, 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

Cinco de Mayo has become a traditional time for many to celebrate California’s rich cultural history. But it is also a night out with expected dangers when someone chooses to drink alcohol and drive. The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will have several officers patrolling the streets of Oxnard searching for DUI drivers this weekend starting Friday night, April 30th at 7:00 P.M. There will be ten officers conducting DUI enforcement Friday night until 2:00 A.M. The following night, May 1st, additional officers will be deployed to conduct DUI enforcement.

On Sunday, May 2nd, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M., deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the Ventura Police Department and Santa Paula Police Department will join forces with the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit during an allied agency DUI saturation deployment. At least 16 officers will be patrolling the City of Oxnard with the specific goal of stopping impaired drivers. These officers and deputies will be stopping vehicles and checking for the signs of intoxication, conducting field sobriety tests and arresting those who are intoxicated.

On Wednesday May 5th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight, additional Oxnard Police officers will be deployed to conduct DUI enforcement in the City of Oxnard.

DUI related crashes have dropped in California thanks to increased sobriety checkpoints and special DUI enforcement campaigns. However, the number one killer on our highways remains impaired driving, with 1,029 dead in 2008 and another 28,457 injured in alcohol involved collisions.

The Oxnard Police Department encourages you to celebrate responsibly by designating a sober driver and to call 911 if you see an impaired driver.

All of these DUI operations are an effort to reduce the amount of alcohol related crashes and to make our community and roadways safer. They are also funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Safety 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].

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Shooting)
DATE/TIME:	April 27, 2010 7:22 PM
LOCATION:	100 Block of Hill Street
VICTIM(S):	Female 13 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, 20’s, thin build, wearing a black shirt and pants.
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Green SUV.
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Violent Crimes Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Thomas (805) 385-7660

DETAILS:

On 4-27-10 at around 7:22 PM officers were dispatched to a call of two shooting victims in the 100 block of West Hill Street. Upon officers arrival they located one victim suffering from a minor injury to her head. The second victim was located during a search of the neighborhood but had sustained no injuries. The injured victim was transported to St John’s Regional Medical Center where she is listed in stable condition.

The victim was hanging out in the area when a vehicle drove up and the passenger exited the SUV. The suspect yelled something and fired several shots into the group of people. The victim was struck with two pellets. Due to the victim’s age her name is being withheld.

Investigators suspect the shooting was possibly tagger related. If anyone has information on this shooting they are requested to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS or Det. Mike Thomas at (805) 385-7660.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member in possession of firearm
DATE/TIME:	April 26, 2010/2000
LOCATION:	Pleasant Valley and Jefferson Square
VICTIM(S):	None
SUSPECT(S):	Eric Hartman, 31 year old male, Oxnard resident Audree Urango, 24 year old female, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Bill Crisostomo

DETAILS:

On April 26, 2010, at approximately 1600 hours, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 1991 Honda Accord in the area of Pleasant Valley Road and Jefferson Square.

During the investigation, Police Service Dog, “Cody” was used to assist in searching the car. Cody indicated that there was possible contraband in the vehicle and during the subsequent search, a loaded 380 caliber machine pistol and a small amount of controlled substance were located.

Eric Hartman and Audree Urango were arrested for a variety of weapon charges. Hartman was additionally charged with drug charges and violation of the gang injunction.

Hartman and Urango were booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Eric Hartman is a known gang member.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	211 PC – Robbery 182(a)(1)PC – Conspiracy
DATE/TIME:	4-26-10/0345 Hours
LOCATION:	1600-block of South Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	40 year-old, Oxnard resident 32 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Dante Payne, 23 year-old, Oxnard resident David Lumas, 21 year-old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	22 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Silver 4 door vehicle, In custody
LOSS:	Unknown amount of currency
PREPARED BY:	Detective Roger Garcia
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Roger Garcia (805) 385-7688

DETAILS:

On 4-26-10, officers were patrolling the 1600-block of South Oxnard Boulevard when they saw a silver 4 door vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle recently used in several robberies which occurred over the weekend. The suspects driving this silver vehicle were described as 2 African American males in their mid 20’s. Officers eventually contacted the solo driver, Dante Payne, and during the course of the investigation, officers located several large knives in Payne’s vehicle. Payne was later taken into custody for possessing a deadly weapon and the vehicle was impounded.

As the investigation continued, investigators discovered Payne associates with David Lumas, who also matched the description of the recent robbery suspects. Photographic line up’s were shown to the victims and witness and they were able to identify Payne and Lumas as the suspects in the robberies from over the weekend. Payne was charged with 2 counts of robbery and conspiracy while Lumas was charged with 1 count of robbery and conspiracy.

Both suspects were booked at Ventura County Main Jail Facility and their bail is set at $500,000.00.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Detective Roger Garcia at 805-385-7688 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 continuing.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon (handgun), felon in possession of a deadly weapon, corporal injury (domestic violence)
DATE/TIME:	April 22, 2010 10:20 PM
LOCATION:	Ventura Road at Elm St, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	29 year old female resident of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Gabriel Marquez, 46 years, of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Ron Whitney, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:

DETAILS:

On April 22, 2010 at 10:20 PM, Gabriel Marquez and the victim, became involved in an argument in an automobile in the area of Ventura Road and Elm St. Marquez struck the victim in the face with a loaded handgun, causing an injury to the victims face. The victim came into the lobby of the Oxnard Police Department to report the incident.

Officers responded to Ventura Road and Elm St, and began a search utilizing both officers and an Oxnard Police Department K-9. At 11:15 PM the K-9 alerted, and Marquez was located hiding under a bush in a yard in the area. He was still in possession of the loaded firearm. Marquez was taken into custody without incident. Marquez has prior convictions for corporal injury and assault with a deadly weapon, and as such is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Any witnesses to the incident are urged to contact Domestic Violence Detectives at (805)385-7760, or the violent crimes hot line at (805)982-7070.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspicious Circumstances
DATE/TIME:	#1. April 17, 2010, 4:25 pm #2. April 21, 2010, 3:30 pm
LOCATION:	#1. 2000 block of North Ventura Road #2. Intersection of Cabrillo Street and Gallatin Street
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	#1. Black male, unknown age, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with black pants and black glasses. He also had on black slip-on Vans Tennis shoes #2. Black male in his mid 30’s, dark hair and eyes, with a shaved head and wide nose. He was wearing a white t-shirt
WITNESS(ES):	Unknown
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	#1. Black 2001 Mercedes E320, two-door, unknown license plate. #2. Grey newer four door Honda, unknown license plate.
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	TW Lumas, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:

DETAILS:

In the past few days there have been two incidents in which young children were contacted by an individual while walking down the street.

The first incident occurred April 17th at 4:25 pm and involved a 12 year old girl who was approached in the 2000 block of North Ventura Road. The suspect approached her on foot and asked her to come with him. She declined to do so and the suspect returned to his vehicle and drove away. The suspect was described as a black male, unknown age, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with black pants and black glasses. He also had on black slip-on Vans Tennis shoes. The vehicle was described as a black 2001 Mercedes E320, two-door, with an unknown license plate.

On April 21st at 3:30 pm an eight year old boy was playing near the intersection of Cabrillo and Gallatin when he saw a four door vehicle with dark windows, driver side window rolled down parked along the road. The driver asked if he wanted a ride home. The victim replied no and ran home. The victim described the suspect as a black male in his mid 30’s, dark hair and eyes, with a shaved head and wide nose. He was wearing a white t-shirt and driving a newer four door Honda, grey in color with an unknown license plate.

Parents are encouraged to remind their children to avoid contact with strangers and to report such incidents to their parents, police, and school officials (if it occurs while the student is walking to or from school).

Oxnard patrol officers and school resource officers are being extra diligent in keeping an eye out for such incidents.

Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact Oxnard Police Department 385-7740 and or Crime Tip Hotline, 805-486-8362.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest of a wanted subject in a vacant apartment
DATE/TIME:	4/23/10 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	4600 block of Cloyne St.
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	David Espinoza, 26 year-old Oxnard resident and 17 year-old juvenile (name withheld)
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Stolen Honda Accord
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marc Amon, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Lucy Buttell

DETAILS:

On 4/23/10 at approximately 3:00 p.m. Senior Officer Felice Thompson, Senior Officer Jose Silva and Officer Mike Wood were conducting a check of an unsecured vacant apartment complex in the 4600 block of Cloyne Street. While conducting their check they encountered two trespassers in one of the apartments. The subjects attempted to hide from officers inside the apartment but both were located and arrested.

The adult was later identified as 26 year-old Oxnard resident, David Espinoza. Espinoza was wanted for several domestic violence related offenses including domestic battery, criminal threats and kidnapping. It was also discovered that Espinoza was traveling in a stolen late 80’s model Honda Accord that was parked nearby.

The realtor representing the bank owned vacant apartment complex responded to the complex and immediately approved what is known as an “Agent Authorization” for the police department. The Agent Authorization form allows for police officers to act as the agent for the vacant property in order to enforce any trespassing laws in the absence of an owner since trespassing is normally a misdemeanor offense requiring a victim’s desire to make an arrest of a perpetrator. In other words, the Agent Authorization preauthorizes a misdemeanor arrest of a trespassing suspect.

Anyone with information about the domestic violence incident is asked to contact Detective Lucy Buttell at 805-385-3983. Inquiries about agent authorizations can be answered by your respective Beat Coordinator at www.oxnardpd.org.