News | Page 54 | Oxnard Police Department

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 29, 2023

SUBJECT: Distracted Driving Awareness Month

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7749 (Mon-Th 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Get Off Your Apps: April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Oxnard, Calif. – April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Oxnard Police Department will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law.

According to the 2022 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly 72% of drivers surveyed said that distracted driving because of texting was their biggest safety concern. In 2021, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued nearly 56,000 citations for distracted driving.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

If you have an important phone call, text, email, or in a situation with other distractions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Other distractions can be eating, grooming, reaching for something that fell on the floor, putting on or taking off clothing, talking with passengers, or children in the back seat.

Funding for distracted driving enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 29, 2023

SUBJECT: Double Fatal Collision Arrest

LOCATION: Fifth Street and Portofino Place, Oxnard

SUSPECT Sharbel Touma (19 years)

VEHICLES 2020 Honda Civic and 2022 Hyundai Sonata

CONTACT: Officer Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator | (805) 200-5668 | [email protected]

On February 12, 2023, at approximately 12:07 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call for service of an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Fifth Street and Portofino Place.

Upon arrival, officers located the two vehicles involved in the traffic collision. One of the vehicles involved was a 2020 Honda Civic and the other vehicle was a 2022 Hyundai Sonata. EMS quickly responded and attempted to extricate two trapped occupants in the Honda Civic to perform life-saving measures. An adult male was contacted in the vehicle but was pronounced deceased at the scene. The adult male was later identified as Samuel Jose Castro (31 years). An adult female was also contacted in the Honda Civic. The adult female who was later identified as Annette Viviana (44 years) was transported to VCMC but subsequently succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

The solo occupant and driver of the 2022 Hyundai Sonata remained at the scene. Traffic investigators responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The driver was identified as Sharbel Touma (19 years). Touma was interviewed and released at the scene pending further investigation. Based on the initial investigation, Investigators believe speed/reckless driving was a contributing factor to the collision.

After over a month of investigating, investigators were able to obtain sufficient evidence to arrest Touma of gross vehicular manslaughter.

On March 29, 2023, at approximately 5:00 P.M., Touma was arrested by Traffic Investigators and charged with two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and was booked at the Ventura County Jail facility.

Street racing and other forms of reckless driving are dangerous and can lead to serious injury collisions on our roadways. The Oxnard Police Department is committed to ensuring traffic safety within our communities and will continue the zero tolerance enforcement efforts to curb these dangerous driving behaviors.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805) 200-5668 or via email at [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 29, 2023 / 7:40 PM

SUBJECT: Carjacking involving a Handgun

VICTIM: Name Withheld

LOCATION: Rose Avenue and Fifth Street, Oxnard, CA

CONTACT: Roger Ramirez, Detective

(805) 288-3289 [email protected]

On March 29^th at about 7:40 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a report of a carjacking involving a firearm in the 200 block of Everest St. in Oxnard. The victim’s vehicle description was broadcasted to responding units, who located it driving in the area of Rose Ave. and Emerson Ave. The vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued for approximately 2 minutes before the suspect vehicle was involved in a traffic collision at the intersection of Rose Ave. and Fifth St. Several adult and juvenile male occupants were detained, and a loaded handgun was recovered.

The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Roger Ramirez at 805-288-3289 or [email protected].

The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department's website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 22, 2023

SUBJECT: California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

“Holiday Enforcement” Operation

LOCATION: Oxnard, California

CONTACT: Steven Ramirez II, F.A.C.T. Compliance Officer

(805) 385-7600 | [email protected]

Oxnard Police Department Holiday Enforcement Operation

The Oxnard Police Department cited two and arrested four individuals during St. Patrick’s Holiday Enforcement Operation on March 17, 2023, in Oxnard.

The Holiday Enforcement Operation is focused on addressing alcohol related crimes and quality of life issues near establishments which sell alcohol. During the operation, officers arrested several individuals who were involved in narcotics related activity in close proximity to where families and minors frequent.

This enforcement operation is designed to create awareness about alcohol related crimes throughout California and keep communities safe.

This operation was funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 22, 2023 / 13:30 p.m.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 24th, 2023 (6:02 PM)

SUBJECT: Documented Criminal Street Gang Member / Prohibited Person Arrested with Short-Barreled Rifle

SUSPECTS: Juan Sauceda, 23-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 500 Blk. E. Third St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On March 24th, at approximately 6:02 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 500 blk. of East Third St. The driver, Juan Sauceda, was found to be driving on a suspended license. Sauceda and his passengers were removed from the vehicle. During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers located a short-barreled rifle and a magazine with 5.56 ammunition that was concealed in the vehicle.

Sauceda is a documented criminal street gang member with prior felony convictions for firearms violations and previous felony assaults. Due to Sauceda’s previous felony convictions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 24, 2023 / 8:00PM

SUBJECT: Firearm arrest

SUSPECTS: 16 year old male juvenile, Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 500 block of Cuesta del Mar, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

(805) 385-7746 (Thur-Sat, 4PM-4AM)

[email protected]

On the above date/time, Oxnard Police officers responded to a call of about 10 to 15 potential gang members blocking the entrance to the apartments in the 500 block of Cuesta del Mar. When officers arrived, all subjects fled the area. Officers located one subject who was in the immediate area of where a loaded firearm had just been discarded underneath a vehicle. This male juvenile was arrested for firearms violations and lodged in Juvenile Hall.

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email. Booking photographs for adult felony arrest available on the department website: www.oxnardpd.org under crime & safety, and booking / call logs.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 18, 2023 / 9:15PM

SUBJECT: Firearm arrest

SUSPECTS: Ernesto Banderas, 36 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 700 block of Cooper Road, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

(805) 385-7600 [email protected]

On the above date & time, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a business in the 700 block of Cooper Road reference graffiti in progress to the wall of the business. On arrival, the officer observed a subject spray painting the business. The suspect fled upon seeing the officer. The officer chased the suspect and detained the suspect. During the detention, the suspect was found to be in possession of a loaded, unregistered 9mm firearm. The suspect had spray painted gang-related graffiti to the wall of the business. Ernesto Banderas, 36 years, was arrested for firearms violation, felony graffiti vandalism, a gang enhancement, and resisting/delaying/obstructing an officer.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 18, 2023, at 10:04 P.M.

SUBJECT: Man Stabbed During Fight, Dies in Oxnard

LOCATION: 2701 Riverpark Boulevard, Oxnard

VICTIM: Kareem Medina 19 Year- Old, Lompoc Resident

SUSPECT: Unknown

CONTACT: Jess Aragon, Sergeant

(805) 385-7632 | [email protected]

On March 18, 2023, at about 10:04 P.M., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a stabbing victim on the first floor of the parking structure at The Collection in Riverpark. Upon arrival, officers located a 19-year-old male later identified as Kareem Medina suffering from a stab wound. Emergency medical personnel quickly arrived, began life-saving measures and transported Medina to the Ventura County Medical Center. Unfortunately, once at the hospital Medina succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The Oxnard Police Department Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene and has took over the investigation.

Investigators are encouraging anyone who has any information, may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Kaya Boysan (805) 385-7645. The City of Oxnard offers a reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within the City.

Also, anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department's website:www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE/ TIME: 03/19/23 / 4:30 A.M.

Sergeant Jess Aragon

Oxnard Police Department

Major Crimes

Office (805)385-7632

Cell (805)207-9097

[email protected]

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 19, 2023

SUBJECT: Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety Enforcement

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7749 | [email protected]

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct a traffic safety operation on March 20, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

The Oxnard Police Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

Pedestrians

Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.
Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.
Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.
Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

Follow the speed limit and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.
Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.
If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.
Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 17, 2023 / 6:35PM

SUBJECT: DUI & Firearm arrest

SUSPECTS: Renaldo Sanchez-Lopez, 25 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Perkins Road and Clara Street Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

(805) 385-7600 [email protected]

On the above date & time, an Oxnard Police Department motor officer conducting enhanced DUI enforcement stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation at Perkins Road and Clara Street. While speaking with the driver, Sanchez-Lopez, the officer suspected he had consumed alcohol, and conducted field sobriety exercises on Sanchez-Lopez. At the conclusion, he was arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Sanchez-Lopez admitted to having a firearm in the vehicle. During a search, officers located a loaded 9mm firearm. Sanchez-Lopez was also arrested for firearms violations.