News | Page 59 | Oxnard Police Department

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 15th, 2023 (6:14 PM)

SUBJECT: Driver Arrested for Carrying Concealed P80 Semi-automatic Firearm

SUSPECTS: Brandon Hernandez, 19-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: H St. at Second St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

On March 15th, at approximately 6:14 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of H St. and Second St. The officers could smell a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. The driver, identified as Brandon Hernandez, was removed from the vehicle so that officers could conduct the search. Officers searched the vehicle and located a 9-millimeter Glock-style Polymer 80 semi-automatic handgun underneath the driver’s seat. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. Hernandez was arrested for possessing the handgun. Officers inspected the weapon and found it to be loaded.

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 15th, 2023 (9:23 PM)

SUBJECT: Juvenile Passenger Arrested for Carrying Concealed P80 Semi-automatic Firearm

SUSPECTS: 16-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Oxnard Blvd. at Deodar Ave., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On March 15th, at approximately 9:23 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the intersection of Oxnard Blvd. and Deodar Ave. for a suspected traffic violation. The driver was unlicensed. The occupants were removed so that the vehicle could be searched prior to being towed. Officers located a loaded 9-millimeter Glock-style Polymer 80 semi-automatic handgun underneath the passenger’s seat during the inventory search. Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. Officers inspected the weapon and found it to be loaded. The juvenile was arrested for felony handgun possession and transported to the Oxnard Juvenile Justice Center.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 16, 2023

SUBJECT: St. Patrick’s Day DUI Enforcement

CONTACT: Mike Wood, Corporal

(805) 385-7749 | [email protected]

Be a Saint on St. Patrick’s Day. Plan Ahead and

Celebrate Responsibly with a Designated Sober Driver

Don't push your luck this St. Patrick's Day by letting impaired drivers drive. The Oxnard Police Department will be on alert for suspected impaired drivers and reminds the community to celebrate responsibly by not driving under the influence.

Additional officers will be on patrol March 17 from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on our nation’s roads. In 2020, more than 11,000 people in the U.S. died in drunk-driving crashes.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind the community that alcohol is not the only substance that can cause impairment. Marijuana, prescription medications, or over-the-counter drugs may also impair. Do your research and understand how certain drugs may affect your driving ability.

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 16th, 2023 (5:36 PM)

SUBJECT: Driver Arrested for Possessing Stolen Handgun; Passenger Arrested for Possessing Concealed Handgun

SUSPECTS: Timothy Cortez, 28-year-old Oxnard resident

Aiden Orozco, 19-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Perkins Rd. at Clara St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Bakari Myers, Sergeant

(805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On March 16^th, at approximately 5:36 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a suspected traffic violation at Perkins Rd. and Clara St. While contacting the driver, identified as Timothy Cortez, officers could smell a strong odor of burnt marijuana and also observed a marijuana pipe with burnt marijuana residue in the vehicle. As officers opened the driver door to remove Cortez from the vehicle, officers observed a semi-automatic handgun in the map pocket of the driver door. Cortez was arrested for possessing the concealed handgun. Officers conducted a record check on the serial number to the handgun and learned that it had been reported stolen in the city of Ventura. Officers removed the right front passenger, Aiden Orozco, from the vehicle to complete the vehicle search. Officers found a second semi-automatic handgun concealed underneath the right front passenger seat. Orozco was also arrested for firearms possession.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 17, 2023
SUBJECT: Oxnard Police release Critical Incident Community Briefing video of officer involved shooting incident, and additional information
LOCATION: 100 Block of West Fourth Street, Oxnard
SUSPECT: Adam Barcenas, Hispanic Male, 60-year-old Oxnard Resident
CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander | (805) 385-7620 | [email protected]

The Oxnard Police Department has released a Critical Incident Community Briefing video of the officer involved shooting incident that occurred at approximately 6:00 A.M. on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

The public can view the Critical Incident Community Briefing video on the Oxnard Police Department’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/8IHy6iYPh2w . The link to the Critical Incident Community Briefing video will also be available on the Oxnard Police Department’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

Immediately preceding the shooting incident, three Oxnard Police Department officers were conducting a DUI investigation on the north side of the 100 block of West Fourth Street, between ‘A' Street and Oxnard Boulevard. Officers Shayn Schwartz, Alexus Santos, and Bryce Parker were finishing up the investigation. Officer Santos was standing on the sidewalk with a member of the public when the suspect, Adam Barcenas, quickly approached from the west. Barcenas was not involved with the DUI investigation. Barcenas was yelling at the officers, repeatedly stating that he hated them. Barcenas was wielding a steel bar, approximately five feet in length, with both hands. Barcenas continued to yell at the officers as he advanced towards them. Officers Santos and Parker drew their tasers, and Officer Schwartz drew his service firearm. The member of the public was directed to move away from the danger, and the officers commanded Barcenas to put the bar down. Barcenas ignored the officers’ commands and continued to advance towards the officers in an aggressive and threatening manner.

Barcenas advanced on Officer Schwartz, and Officer Schwartz fired four shots from his firearm. Three of the four bullets struck Barcenas. Barcenas was shot in the inner thigh of his right leg, his left hip and his left upper torso. Simultaneously, Officer Santos fired her taser. The taser probes struck Barcenas, but embedded in Barcenas’ clothing and did not penetrate his skin. Officer Parker did not fire his taser.

Following the shooting, the officers rendered first aid until EMS personnel arrived on scene. Barcenas was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center, and was pronounced deceased at approximately 8:30 A.M.

Witnesses at the scene provided statements to detectives.

The officers, as well as the members of the public who were present at the scene, were not harmed during the incident.

All three officers are assigned to the department’s Patrol Division. At the time of this news release, the officers are on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

Officer Schwartz has been a police officer with the Oxnard Police Department since April 2022. Prior to becoming an Oxnard police officer, Officer Schwartz was employed as a police officer with the Burbank Police Department from August 2018 through March 2022.

Officer Santos has been a police officer with the Oxnard Police Department since April 2020.

Officer Parker has been an Oxnard police officer since April 2022, but was employed as a deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department from October 2019 through March 2022 before joining the Oxnard Police Department.

None of the involved officers have previously been involved in a shooting incident.

Oxnard Police Chief Jason Benites commented on the process of investigating fatal officer-involved incidents: “Whenever there is an officer-involved shooting, or the officers are otherwise involved in a fatal incident, three separate investigations are set into motion:

First, the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Investigations Unit conducts a thorough investigation of the entire incident. Once completed, this investigation will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for legal review. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office monitors this investigation as it is underway; their office was notified of the shooting, and promptly responded for their investigation.

Second, our Professional Standards Division conducts a separate administrative investigation that will determine whether the officers’ actions were lawful and within policy. This internal affairs investigation will also include a review of tactics that were used during this incident. We also review any applicable policies.

Third, there will also be an investigation by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether the use of force was legally justified, also referred to as ‘justifiable homicide.’ It is also important to note that it has been their longstanding practice to issue a public report at the conclusion of their investigation.”

Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident, or has additional information to contact Detective Meagan Tobey at (805) 385-7755 or [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 10, 2023 / 3:15PM

SUBJECT: Firearm arrest

SUSPECTS: Oliver Nunez Ortega, 35 year old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: Oxnard Boulevard and Orchard Place, Oxnard

CONTACT: Kevin Baysinger, Commander

(805) 385-7600 [email protected]

On March 10, 2023 at about 3:15PM, officers were dispatched to a possible DUI driver at the above location. Upon locating the described vehicle, officers contacted the only occupant, Ortega, who was seated in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Officers observed two firearms on the floorboard of the vehicle; one of which was later determined to be a bb gun. The second was a loaded firearm with a high capacity magazine. Ortega was arrested for multiple firearms violations, and public intoxication.

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.

TRAFFIC ALERT

Fourth St. between A St. and B St. is closed. A St. between Third St. and Fourth St. is also closed for a police investigation of an officer involved shooting. More details will be released in a full media release later today. Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Thank you in advance,

Luis Mc Arthur, Cmdr.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: Sunday, March 12, 2023

SUBJECT: Officer Involved Shooting

LOCATION: 100 Block of West Fourth Street, Oxnard

VICTIM: Oxnard Police Officer, name withheld

SUSPECT: 60-year old male, Oxnard resident, name withheld

CONTACT: Alex Arnett, Commander

(805) 385-7620 | [email protected]

At approximately 6:00 a.m. on March 12, 2023, three Oxnard Police Officers were conducting a DUI investigation in the 100 block of West Fourth Street.

During the investigation, the 60-year old male suspect, who was not involved in the traffic stop, abruptly ran towards the officers while in possession of a five foot long steel bar. The suspect was wielding the bar in a threatening manner with both hands. The officers gave the male verbal commands to stop and to put the bar down. The male ignored the officer's commands, and continued to advance on the officers while still wielding the steel bar in a threatening manner. Two of the police officers drew their department issued tasers, and one police officer drew his service weapon. The suspect advanced to within just a few feet of one of the police officers, prompting the officer involved shooting.

The suspect was struck by gunfire. The officers immediately rendered aid to the suspect until emergency medical personnel arrived. The suspect was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center, and despite the lifesaving efforts of the medical staff, was pronounced deceased at approximately 8:30 a.m.

The officers, as well as the members of the public who were present, were not harmed.

The driver and passengers involved in the DUI investigation provided detailed statements to detectives.

The officers’ body-worn cameras captured the entire incident. The Oxnard Police Department will share this footage in a critical incident briefing video later this week.

Per standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, the officers have been placed on administrative leave as the investigation progresses.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, in conjunction with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, is investigating the incident. Detectives are requesting that anyone who might have witnessed the incident, or has additional information to contact Detective Meagan Tobey at (805) 385-7755 or [email protected].

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 7, 2023, at 4:30 P.M.

SUBJECT: Suspect Arrested for December 2022 Shooting Death

LOCATION: 1200 Block Gonzales Road, Oxnard

VICTIM: John Carrillo 20-Year-Old, Oxnard resident

SUSPECT: Michael Ortega. 23-year-old Oxnard resident

CONTACT: Jess Aragon, Sergeant

(805) 385-7632 | [email protected]

On December 5, 2022, at about 12:50 A.M., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a shooting victim in the 1200 block of West Gonzales Road. When officers arrived, they located a 20-year-old male, later identified as John Carrillo, suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency Medical Services quickly arrived and began life-saving measures. Unfortunately, Carrillo succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

After a four-month long investigation, investigators were able to obtain sufficient evidence that identified Michael Ortega as the person responsible for the murder of John Carrillo. This was through the hard work of investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit, Violent Crimes Unit and officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit.

On March 7, 2023, at about 1:00 P.M., investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit arrested Michael Ortega for murder. Ortega was in custody at Ventura County Main Jail on unrelated charges when investigators arrested him for the murder of John Carrillo. Ortega is being held without bail on the murder charge.

Additionally, investigators with the Violent Crimes Unit arrested Ortega and charged him with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon that stemmed from a separate incident that occurred the night prior to the murder of John Carrillo.

Investigators are still seeking any further information regarding this incident and are encouraging anyone who may have heard or seen anything to contact Detective Justin Songer at (805) 385-7680. 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 PREPARED: March 7, 2023, 4:30 P.M.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: March 8, 2023 / 11:07 PM

SUBJECT: Subject Arrested for Firearm Possession After Vehicle Pursuit

SUSPECTS: Javier Cortez; 21 year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 1200 block of W. Hemlock St., Oxnard

CONTACT: Rocky Marquez, Commander

(805) 385-7600 [email protected]

On March 8^th at about 11:07 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation in the 1200 block of W. Hemlock St. in Oxnard. The driver of the vehicle, Javier Cortez, failed to yield to officers and was arrested after a short vehicle pursuit. A search of the vehicle produced narcotic paraphernalia and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun. Cortez was charged with attempting to evade police and multiple-firearms related charges.