Archives for February 2010

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Sobriety and Drivers License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	February 26th, 2010 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct its third multi-location sobriety and drivers license checkpoint this month tomorrow night, February 26th, from 6:00 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.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue conducting Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints in 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 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

INCIDENT:	Gang members in possession of firearms
DATE/TIME:	02/26/2010 @ 1545 hours
LOCATION:	DuPont St. at Napoleon Ave.
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Angel Romero, 22 years, of Oxnard Joshua Hart, 21 years, of Ventura 15-year-old male juvenile of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):	Oxnard P.D. Special Enforcement Unit officers
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	White 1997 BMW
LOSS:	None
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Robert Shank
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Edward Baldwin, Violent Crimes Unit, 486-7386

DETAILS:

On 02/26/10 at 1545 hours, members from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit observed a vehicle occupied by several Oxnard gang members casing a residential area near Channel Islands High School. The subjects were subsequently seen tagging gang graffiti on a wall in the vicinity of the school. The subjects were contacted on a traffic stop as they attempted to leave the area in the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that the subjects were in possession of two handguns, one of which was loaded. All three subjects were arrested for multiple weapons violations including possession of a handgun in a school zone, graffiti vandalism, possession of graffiti tools, and committing a crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

The juvenile was transported to Juvenile Hall. Romero and Hart are being held on $100,000 bail each at the Ventura County Jail.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking arrest
DATE/TIME:	02/01/2010 1615 hrs
LOCATION:	First Street and Eliza Court
VICTIM(S):	36 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	S-1 Lorraine Lopez, 27 yr old Oxnard resident S-2 Teresa Failauga, 26 yr old Oxnard resident S-3 White female, 20-30 yrs, thin build Two additional suspects only described as Hispanic males in their early 20’s
PREPARED BY:	Detective Paul Knapp
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Paul Knapp 805-385-7796

DETAILS:

On 2/1/2010, officers from the Oxnard Police Department located a stolen vehicle in the area of First Street and Eliza Court. The vehicle was being driven by Teresa Failauga and the passenger was identified as Lorraine Lopez, both of Oxnard. Failauga was arrested and charged with driving a stolen vehicle.

It was reported that the vehicle was stolen during a robbery and carjacking that occurred on 1/31/2010. The victim told officers that a Hispanic female and a white female asked him for a ride. He was directed to an unfamiliar area of the city when two Hispanic males approached the vehicle. The two males pulled the victim out and pushed him into the rear seat where they held him against his will. The Hispanic female entered the driver’s seat and the white female sat in the front passenger seat. He was driven around the city before being taken to an alley in the area of Woolley Road and ‘J’ Street. The female stopped the vehicle and the two males demanded money from the victim. After taking an undisclosed amount of money, the two males assaulted the victim and pulled him out of the vehicle. The four suspects then fled the area in the victim’s vehicle. A subsequent investigation was conducted and Lorraine Lopez was positively identified as the Hispanic female suspect involved in the carjacking and robbery.

The additional described suspects are still outstanding. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Paul Knapp at 805-385-7796 or 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

INCIDENT:	Super Bowl Sunday DUI saturation patrol
DATE/TIME:	February 7th, 2010, 1600-2300
LOCATION:	Cities of Oxnard, Santa Paula, Camarillo, Fillmore, and Ojai
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk

Make the right play to save your life and others.

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will have several officers patrolling the streets of Oxnard searching for DUI drivers this Super Bowl Sunday night from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Avoid the 14 Ventura County, will also have officers and deputies patrolling the cities of Santa Paula, Camarillo, Ojai, and Fillmore before and after the game.

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Yet, it is also one of the Nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to impaired driving.

In 2008 alcohol Involved fatalities resulted in 1355 killed in California with another 28, 457 injured. On Super Bowl Sunday 2009, 11 people died which is three times the daily average. There were another 133 injured because of alcohol impairment which was over twice the daily average.

“We want to pass our safety message to everyone who will be drinking this weekend, real Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk,” said Oxnard Police Chief John Crombach. “Please make the right decision and hand off your keys to a designated driver before the Super Bowl party begins. Getting caught driving while impaired will result in costly penalties including the loss of your driving privileges.”

Impaired-driving crashes—and fatalities—can be prevented. Designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone’s Super Bowl party list.

Remember, real Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk!

California Alcohol Involved Collisions and Victims On Super Bowl Sunday
DATE	Total Collisions	Fatal Collisions	Injury Collisions	Property damage only Collisions	Victims Killed	Victims Injured
1/28/2001	201	4	85	112	4	133
2/03/2002	224	5	103	116	5	180
1/26/2003	229	2	93	134	2	132
2/01/2004	256	7	90	159	10	126
2/06/2005	218	3	88	127	3	121
2/05/2006	242	5	106	131	7	154
2/04/2007	221	4	86	131	5	119
2/03/2008	264	9	111	144	12	167
2/01/2009	249	8	105	136	11	163

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Three Arrests Made in Oxnard Armed Robbery
DATE/TIME:	02/20/2010 at 3:45 PM
LOCATION:	Ventura Road at Doris Avenue, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	42-year-old Oxnard business manager
SUSPECT(S):	Jahmani Jones, 31-year-old male of Oxnard Babul Islam, 25-year-old female of Oxnard Anthony Camper, 27-year-old of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Detective Paul Knapp
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Paul Knapp 805-385-7796

DETAILS:

On 2/20/2010, at about 1545 hours, officers responded to a call of a robbery. The victim told officers he was robbed by a Black male in possession of a black handgun. The suspect took the victim’s wallet and cellular phone. The suspect fled the area in a vehicle occupied with at least two other persons.

The vehicle was located and stopped by Oxnard police a short distance away. Anthony Camper and Babul Islam were detained and arrested at the traffic stop. Jahmani Jones fled the traffic stop on foot and was located and arrested in the immediate area after a 75-minute search involving over a dozen officers. When Jones was found he was in possession of a loaded handgun and the victim’s property. Additional property belonging to the victim was located in the suspect vehicle.

All three subjects were booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges including robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, and weapons violations.

Anyone who may have witnesses the robbery is encouraged to contact Detective Paul Knapp at 805-385-7796 or 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

INCIDENT:	187 pc / Homicide
DATE/TIME:	02/19/2010 / 2000 hours
LOCATION:	4900 Block S. “C” St
VICTIM(S):	Asian Female, 59 years old, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeff Kay, jeffkay@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 2-19-2010 at approximately 2000 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 4900 block of S. “C” St after receiving a call of an injured female. Upon the officer’s arrival they located the victim inside of a business, unconscious with an obvious head injury. The victim was transported to a local hospital and passed away a short time later.

The motive for the attack has not been established at this time. The name of the victim is being with-held pending notification of next-of-kin. No suspects have been arrested.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have been in that area at about 8:00 pm and may have noticed any suspicious activity to contact Detective Jeff Kay at 385-8174 or leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 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:	Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	February 19th, 2010 1800-2200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Division conducted a Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoint on February 19th, 2010, from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. The checkpoint was held in the northbound lanes of Ventura Road at Seventh Street.

Officers screened 837 motorists who passed through the checkpoint. Officers conducted three DUI investigations that lead to the arrest of one driver for DUI. This driver’s blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit of .08. With the added danger of wet roadways from the rain throughout the night, this driver significantly jeopardized not only his safety but the safety of other motorists on the road while driving under the influence of alcohol.

15 drivers were issued citations for various drivers’ license violations. 9 vehicles were towed and the owners of those vehicles will face a minimum tow fee of $494.00. 7 drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and 1 driver was cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. One driver was also found to be in violation of failing to use a court ordered ignition interlock device in his vehicle.

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct several additional DUI enforcement operations this year including one more DUI checkpoint next Friday night. 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

INCIDENT:	MARINA WEST BURGLARY SERIES
DATE/TIME:	MONTH OF FEBRUARY
LOCATION:	MARINA WEST NEIGHBORHOOD EL PORTAL WAY, NOVATO WAY, MIRAMAR WALK. 900 BLOCK OF S. L STREET
VICTIM(S):	Unavailable/ State of California
SUSPECT(S):	UNKNOWN
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	NONE
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	DETECTIVE LUIS MANCHA 2/19/10
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	DETECTIVE LUIS MANCHA 2/19/10

DETAILS:

DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY THE OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS OF BURGLARIES OR ATTEMPTED BURGLARIES TO HOMES PRIMARILY LOCATED WITHIN THE MARINA WEST NEIGHBORHOOD. THE AFFECTED STREETS INCLUDE EL PORTAL WAY, MIRAMAR WALK AND NOVATO DRIVE.

A SIMILAR BURGLARY OCCURRED WITHIN THE SAME TIME FRAME ON THE 900 BLOCK OF S. L STREET, WHICH IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE MARINA WEST NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE CRIMES WERE ALL REPORTED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHILE RESIDENTS WERE HOME SLEEPING.

INVESTIGATORS MET WITH VICTIMS TO DEVELOP A COMPOSITE SKETCH OF THE SUSPECT. POLICE INVESTIGATORS ARE SEEKING THE PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECT.

RESIDENTS ARE ALSO REMINDED TO SECURE ALL DOORS, WINDOWS AND TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

RESIDENTS WITH QUESTIONS OR WITH INFORMATION MAY CONTACT DETECTIVE LUIS MANCHA AT (805) 385-7664.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempt Murder (Stabbing)
DATE/TIME:	February 16, 2010 5:46 PM
LOCATION:	300 Block Cooper Rd
VICTIM(S):	Male 55 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, 40-50 years, NFD
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	N/A
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Charles Buttell (805) 385-7665

DETAILS:

On 2-16-10 at 5:46 PM, officers responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the 300 block of Cooper Rd. Upon officer’s arrival they located the victim; he was suffering from a severe stab wound. The victim was transported to St John’s Regional Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. The victim is listed in critical condition.

Witnesses told investigators that the victim and suspect had an argument and during the dispute the victim was stabbed. The victim walked into a nearby business where they contacted the police. The investigators do not know the motive of the assault at this time.

If anyone has information about the assault they are encouraged to contact Det. Charles Buttell at (805) 385-7669 or remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County 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:	Possible hand grenade discovered at Oxnard Costco parking lot
DATE/TIME:	2-17-20, 10:07 AM
LOCATION:	Costco, 2001 E. Ventura Bl., Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	None
SUSPECT(S):	None
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	None
PREPARED BY:	Officer David Landsverk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	David Keith, PIO

DETAILS:

On 2-17-10, at approximately 10:07 AM, the Oxnard Police Department received a 911 call regarding a possible hand grenade that was discovered in the bed of a construction truck at the Oxnard Costco. Oxnard Police and Fire responded to Costco and upon initial examination of the device, determined that the immediate area surrounding Costco was to be evacuated and cordoned off which included the street Paseo Mercado. The Ventura County Sheriff’s bomb squad responded and recovered the device that which appeared to be a hand grenade. The device’s state will be determined by the bomb squad at another location.

The device was discovered at another location within Ventura County and was inadvertently brought to Oxnard. There appears to no nexus between terrorists groups and the device.