John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Subject Rescued From Burning Vehicle
DATE/TIME:	3/26/10 at 2140 hours
LOCATION:	Oxnard Blvd. south of Spur Dr.
VICTIM(S):	William Page, 58 years, Oxnard
VICTIM VEHICLE(S):	1993 Toyota Camry
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Paul Cumming
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	[email protected]

DETAILS:

On Friday, March 26, 2010 at 9:40 p.m., Senior Officer Steven Funk was on patrol traveling southbound on Oxnard Blvd. at Spur Dr. when he observed a Toyota Camry stopped at the side of the road. This vehicle was on fire with flames coming from inside the engine compartment. Senior Officer Funk saw a subject, later identified as William Page, inside the vehicle sitting in the driver’s seat but making no attempt to get out. The victim was conscious but unresponsive to the instructions of the officer. Senior Officer Funk approached the car which now had smoke and flames beginning to enter the passenger compartment. Senior Officer Funk opened the driver’s door and dragged the victim to safety.

The Oxnard Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire. The vehicle had significant fire damage.

The victim was transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center and treated for smoke inhalation. Senior Officer Funk was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation.

The actions of the officer likely prevented serious injury or death of the victim.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Juveniles Arrested for Multiple Boat Burglary Counts
DATE/TIME:	03-27-2010 at 2358 hours
LOCATION:	4000 block of Harbor Island Lane, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Two 16-year-old male juveniles, both from Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):
VICTIM VEHICLE(S):	11 electric-powered boats owned by various victims
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Tom Chronister, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Aaron Zavala

DETAILS: 

On Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 11:58 P.M., Oxnard police received a call about a found duffle bag in the 1400 block of Windshore Way. When officers arrived, the bag was found to be full of beer cans, wine and liquor bottles.

A short time later, officers located two unescorted male juveniles on bicycles in the same area. An investigation determined the two 16-year-olds had broken into boats docked in the 4000 block of Harbor Island Lane and stole bottles and cans of alcohol from each of 11 boats.

Both juveniles were arrested without incident and transported to the Oxnard Police Department for booking. Both were released to their parents and face 11 counts of burglary each.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	3-28-2010 / 1334 hours
LOCATION:	4901 S. “F” Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	3-year old male of Oxnard 11-year old male of Oxnard
DRIVER:	Estella Cruz Lopez, 19 years of Oxnard
VEHICLE(S):	1994, Mercury Villager Van
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant 805-385-7749

DETAILS:

On March 28, 2010, at approximately 1334 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to 4901 S. “F” Street after receiving a call of a child that had been struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found that two children, a 3-year old male and an 11-year old male, had been struck by a vehicle driven by Estella Cruz. Both victims were transported to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center where the 3-year old succumbed to his injuries. The 11-year old was treated for a broken arm and was later released.

An investigation revealed that the driver of the van, Ms. Cruz, was pulling the vehicle onto the lawn to wash it. While driving onto the lawn, she inadvertently pressed the gas pedal causing the vehicle to lunge forward striking both children who were standing in the yard.

Alcohol was not a factor in the collision, however, the driver was found to be unlicensed.

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:	Shooting
DATE/TIME:	March 28, 2010 9:57 PM
LOCATION:	1900 Block of Sanford St
VICTIM(S):	18 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	H/M
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Dark compact
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Violent Crimes Unit Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Thomas (805) 385-7660

DETAILS:

On 3-28-10 at 9:57 hours, officers responded to a call of a shooting at the in the 1900 block of Sanford St. Upon their arrival they contacted several witnesses that said the victim had been transported by private vehicle to St John’s Regional Medical Center. Assisting officers responded to the hospital and contacted the victim. The victim was suffering from a single gunshot wound to the face.

The victim said he was near his residence when a vehicle drove up and passenger exited the car. The passenger challenged the victim and then pulled out a handgun and fired once at the victim. The victim was then driven to the hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

Investigators feel the incident is possibly tagger related and are not releasing the victims name for fear of retaliation. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Mike Thomas at (805) 385-7660 or remain anonymous and call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS

The 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:	Narcotic Arrest
DATE/TIME:	3/28/10 @ 2350 hours
LOCATION:	Gonzales Road @ C Street
VICTIM(S):	Officer Floriano Officer Stevens
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Gil, 39, Port Hueneme Resident
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	1996 Toyota Camry
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Steven Moore
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	David Keith, PIO

DETAILS: 

At 2350 hours on 3/28/10 Officer Floriano and Officer Stevens were on patrol in a black and white police unit. They observed a Toyota Camry driving near Gonzales Road and Oxnard Boulevard with an inoperative rear light. The officers initiated a traffic stop but the suspect vehicle did not stop immediately. The suspect vehicle made two right turns eventually stopping on C Street north of Gonzales Road. As the officers approached the driver, Jose Gil, they observed him remove some objects from beside the driver seat and place these objects into his mouth. Gil was removed from the vehicle and placed into a prone position on the roadway. Gil eventually spit the objects out which turned out to be .4 grams of narcotics. Additional narcotics were also located inside the vehicle. Gil was arrested for transporting narcotics, under the influence of narcotics, evading police and resisting and/or delaying a police officer.

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:	Murder Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	03-25-2010 / 1:30am
LOCATION:	Barstow Ca
VICTIM(S):	Michael Wade, 49
SUSPECT(S):	Terrance Morrow, 29 years, Resident of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	[email protected]

DETAILS: 

A second suspect was arrested in connection with the November 9, 2009 murder of Michael Wade Thursday morning. Terrance Morrow, 29 years of Oxnard was taken into custody without incident early Thursday morning by the Barstow Police Department.

Investigators believed Morrow may have been trying to leave the area after several search warrants were executed Wednesday morning related to the investigation. Information was developed leading detectives to believe Morrow may have boarded a bus that was due to stop in Barstow at 1:30 a.m. Thursday. Barstow Police Department was contacted minutes before the bus arrived in Barstow. Officers responded to the bus depot and took Morrow into custody without incident.

Morrow was transported back to Ventura County Thursday Morning where he was booked on a number of charges including murder. Detectives are not releasing any further information relating to Morrows involvement in the homicide.

The table below shows the crime statistics for Oxnard for 2008 and 2009. The statistics from 1992 have also been added to show the decline.

	1992	2008	2009	2008-2009 % CHG	2008-2009 NUM DIFF	1992-2009 % CHG	1992-2009 NUM DIFF
Homicide	14	14	13	-7.1%	-1	-7.1%	-1
Rape	75	21	25	19.0%	4	-66.7%	-50
Robbery	569	452	384	-15.0%	-68	-32.5%	-185
Aggr Assault	965	330	350	6.1%	20	-63.7%	-615
Burglary	2134	895	704	-21.3%	-191	-67.0%	-1430
Auto Theft	1109	528	454	-14.0%	-74	-59.1%	-655
Larceny	5145	2876	2929	1.8%	53	-43.1%	-2216
Arson	47	54	10	-81.5%	-44	-78.7%	-37
TOTAL	10058	5170	4869	-5.8%	-301	-51.6%	-5189

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspect arrested for vehicle burglary
DATE/TIME:	March 23, 2010
LOCATION:	Channel Islands Blvd. / Statham Blvd.
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Efrain Hernandez
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	Property valued at approximately $200
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Marc Amon
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Luis Mancha (805) 385-7667

DETAILS:

On 3-23-10 at approximately 4:40pm, officers from the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit identified a wanted subject walking in the area of Channel Islands Boulevard and Statham Boulevard. The subject was identified as 25 year-old Oxnard resident Efrain Hernandez who was wanted for a vehicle burglary that occurred in February 2010.

Hernandez was identified by a fingerprint he left at the scene that was later compared with the statewide database. Hernandez is believed to have been responsible for several other vehicle burglaries in the south Oxnard area however the investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Luis Mancha (805) 385-7667.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Auto Burglars Arrested
DATE/TIME:	3/24/10, 12:04 AM
LOCATION:	700 Block West Channel Islands Blvd
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Dangelly Rivera, 19-year old, Oxnard resident. 17-year old male, Oxnard resident.
WITNESS(ES):	Withheld
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	NA
LOSS:	Car Stereo, recovered
PREPARED BY:	Sgt David Villanueva, 385-7650
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt David Villanueva, 385-7650, Report# 10-06372

DETAILS: 

An alert citizen reports a car alarm sounding in the carports of the 700 Block of West Channel Islands Blvd. He goes to investigate, and is confronted by two males, one of which brandishes a butterfly-type-knife. Another concerned resident waves down a responding police cruiser, and the suspects flee on foot. Officers Robert Valenzuela and Jaime Miranda capture both suspects after a short foot chase, and the stolen car stereo is recovered.

Investigation revealed that the two entered the vehicle through the car’s convertible top and stole the car’s in-dash stereo. The adult was booked into Ventura County Jail for vehicle burglary, brandishing a deadly weapon, and obstructing officers in their duties, and is being held on $10,000 bail. The juvenile was released to his parents on a citation for vehicle burglary and obstructing officers in their duties. The car stereo was returned to the grateful owner.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	03-24-2010 / 0630 Hours
LOCATION:	700 Block Mobil Ave, Camarillo
VICTIM(S):	Michael Wade
SUSPECT(S):	Brian Starks, 35 years, Ventura County resident
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	[email protected]

DETAILS:

Brian Starks, a 35 year old resident of Ventura County was arrested for murder early this morning in connection with the November 9, 2009 homicide of Michael Wade. Ventura County Sheriff’s Department S.W.A.T. along with S.W.A.T. officers from the Oxnard Police Department served simultaneous search warrants in Camarillo and Oxnard this morning. The warrant service was in response obtaining an arrest warrant for Starks yesterday afternoon. Starks was found at a relative’s house located in the 700 block of Mobil Ave in Camarillo. He was taken into custody without incident.

Starks is suspected of shooting Michael Wade, 49 years old during a botched robbery attempt last November. That homicide took place in the 1400 Block of S. “E” St. in the City of Oxnard. Starks is being held on murder charges.