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:	Homicide/ Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	02/16/10 1745 hours
LOCATION:	300 Block Cooper Rd
VICTIM(S):	Name with-held/ Identity pending
SUSPECT(S):	Salvador Medina Tena / 54 years / Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jimseitz@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

A 65 year old Oxnard man died this morning from complications due to a stab wound sustained yesterday evening. On 2/16/10 at approximately 5:46 pm, officers responded to a call of a stabbing victim in the 300 block of Cooper Rd. The victim who has not been positively identified was transported to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. The victim subsequently succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 5:40 am today.

During the investigation, Detectives were successful in identifying the suspect responsible for the stabbing. The suspect was identified as 54 year old Salvador Medina Tena of Oxnard. On 2-17-10 at 1130 hours, officers spotted Tena walking in the 300 block of East 5th St. The suspect was contacted and taken into custody without incident. Apparently the suspect and the victim were involved in a verbal altercation prior to the stabbing taking place. The victim was able to walk into a nearby business and ask for help after having been stabbed.

Tena was arrested on murder charges. The identity of the victim is pending. His name will be released once the identity is confirmed and next-of-kin have been notified.

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 19th, 2010 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting its second of three multi-location sobriety and drivers license checkpoints this month on Friday night, February 19th, 2010, 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.

From the beginning of 2010, the Oxnard Police department has arrested over 125 drivers for DUI and has investigated 30 DUI related crashes.

The Oxnard Police Department will conduct additional DUI checkpoints at various locations on Friday, February 26th, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. All of these 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.

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:	Attempt Murder (Assault)
DATE/TIME:	February 13, 2010 at 10:30 PM
LOCATION:	5100 Block Cypress Rd
VICTIM(S):	Male 39 year-old, Oxnard resident Male 25 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	15 Male Hispanic’s, 20-25 years-old NFD.
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Violent Crimes Unit Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Marostica (805) 385-7973

DETAILS:

On 2-13-10 at 10:30 PM, officers responded to a call of a fight in the 5100 block of Cypress Rd. Upon officers arrival they located the victim that was suffering from severe head trauma. The victim was rushed to St John’s Regional Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. The victims condition is life threatening. Another victim of the assault had sustained a minor injury to his eye.

By what investigators can put together a fight started between two subjects. During that fight additional gang members joined in striking the victim with an unknown hard object. The suspects yelled several gang slogans during the incident. They were seen fleeing the area on foot.

Anyone with information on the assault is asked to contact Det. Mike Marostica at (805) 385-7973 or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS.

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 12th, 2010 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Division conducted two Sobriety and Driver’s License checkpoints on February 12th, 2010, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Vineyard Avenue @ Forest Park Boulevard.

The second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard @ Fifth Street.

Officers screened 859 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted five DUI investigations that lead to the arrest of two drivers for DUI. Both of these drivers were under the age of 21.

Three additional drivers were arrested for possession of marijuana and one additional driver was cited for possession of an opened container of alcohol.

44 drivers were issued citations for various drivers’ license violations. 29 vehicles were towed and the owners of those vehicles will face a minimum tow fee of $494.00. 25 drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and 3 drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year including two additional DUI checkpoints this month. 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:	ARREST OF JANE LAUT
DATE/TIME:	2-13-2010 @ 9:30 am
LOCATION:	Near the intersection of 3rd and F Streets
VICTIM(S):	David Laut, 52 of Oxnard – murdered 8/28/09
SUSPECT(S):	Jane Laut, 52 of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	David Keith, OPD PIO
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	David Keith @ 385-7631

DETAILS:

This morning (2/13) at approximately 9:30 am Oxnard police arrested Mrs. Jane Laut for the homicide of her husband David Laut.

Mr. Laut, 52 years old and a former Olympic medalist, was gunned down in the backyard of his Oxnard home on August 28, 2009.

The arrest this morning of Mrs. Laut took place during a traffic stop near the intersection of 3rd and F Streets. She was taken into custody without incident.

Since the homicide of Mr. Laut the Oxnard Police Department and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office have been working closely together on this case. An arrest warrant was recently issued for Mrs. Laut in connection with the murder of her husband.

We will not elaborate any further on the details of the case.

Mrs. Laut is currently being held at the Oxnard Police Station and will be booked into Ventura County Jail later today. Her bail will be set at $3,000,000.

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:	02/10/10 2120 hours
LOCATION:	1800 Block of Valley Park Dr
VICTIM(S):	Francisca Herrera Sufle, 45 years, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Eduardo Enrique Ventura, 46 years, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Erikmora@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 2/10/2010 at approximately 2120 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 1800 block of Valley Park Dr after receiving a call of a female heard screaming in the area. Upon the officer’s arrival they located the victim, identified as 45 year old Francisca Herrera Sufle lying in the alley suffering from multiple stab wounds. The victim was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene. Standing near the victim was Eduardo Herrera Ventura, 46 years.

Investigators learned that Ventura and Sufle have been involved in a dating relationship for the past year. Tonight the two were arguing and Ventura admittedly stabbed the victim. Ventura surrendered to the officers without incident. Ventura was booked into the Ventura County Jail on murder charges.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspects arrested for Loaded Firearm in Vehicle
DATE/TIME:	February 10, 2010 4:00 PM
LOCATION:	Juanita Ave./Camino Del Sol
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Alex Cabrera, 20 year-old, Oxnard resident A 17-year-old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	In Custody
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Det. Ed Baldwin
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Ed Baldwin (805) 486-7386

DETAILS:

On 2-10-10 at approximately 1600 hours Officers from the Oxnard Police Dept. were dispatched to the area of Juanita Avenue and Camino Del Sol after a citizen called to say there was a suspicious vehicle with several subjects inside the vehicle possibly smoking Marijuana. An Officer arrived soon after the call and observed a vehicle matching the description and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle began to travel slowly and was failing to yield to the officer. The vehicle eventually stopped and two passengers fled from the vehicle. Officers detained the remaining passengers. A search of the area was conducted however officers were unable to locate the outstanding suspects.

The Driver, Alex Cabrera and the Juvenile passenger were on probation and a search of the vehicle was conducted. During the search a loaded, concealed firearm was located. Cabrera and the Juvenile were arrested for this offense.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Ed Baldwin at 805-486-7386 or you may call the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Hotline 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:	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

112

133

2/03/2002

224

103

116

180

1/26/2003

229

134

132

2/01/2004

256

159

126

2/06/2005

218

127

121

2/05/2006

242

106

131

154

2/04/2007

221

131

119

2/03/2008

264

111

144

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 12th, 2010 1800-0200
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting one of three multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints in February this Friday night, February 12th, 2010, 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. Additional officers will be on patrol after the checkpoint conducting additional DUI enforcement.

During the month of January 2010, the Oxnard Police Department investigated 25 DUI related crashes in the City of Oxnard.

“Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest” is all around the state. The Oxnard Police Department will conduct several additional DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols in 2010. All of these 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.

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.

Note to the media:
Members of the media are always invited to attend these DUI checkpoints or any of our DUI enforcement operations. Please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley to schedule your attendance.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery
DATE/TIME:	February 8, 2010 7:35 PM
LOCATION:	3800 Block of Channel Islands Blvd., Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Not being released at this time
SUSPECT(S):	Not being released at this time, A 25 years old male
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	Undetermined amount of cash
PREPARED BY:	Commander Mike Adair
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Press Information Officer David Keith

DETAILS:

On February 8, 2010 at 7:35 PM the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a robbery at a business in the 3800 block of Channel Islands Blvd., Oxnard. Upon arrival, officers discovered the business employee had suffered minor wounds inflicted during an altercation with the suspect. The employee did not require medical treatment.

The suspect had fled the scene prior to the officers arriving and a search of the area was conducted. A 25 year old male subject was later detained in the area. That subject was arrested by officers and detectives were called to the scene.

The Violent Crimes Unit detectives are currently conducting an investigation. Investigators are asking anyone with information related to the crime to contact Detective Alex Arnett at 805-486-6297 or leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070.