John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempt Kidnapping
DATE/TIME:	March 9, 2010 7:55 PM
LOCATION:	Area of César Chavez Dr and Juanita Ave
VICTIM(S):	26 year old Female resident of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Described as Male Hispanic, mid 20’s, 6-0 tall, heavy build
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Newer White Chevrolet Impala
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Ron Whitney, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Paul Knapp, Detective (805) 385-7796

DETAILS:

On March 9, 2010 at about 7:55 PM, a 26 year old female resident of Oxnard was jogging in the area of Cesar Chavez Dr and Juanita Ave. A subject ran up behind her and grabbed her in a “bear hug”. The victim began to struggle and scream for help, and the suspect released the victim and walked away. The victim described her attacker as being a Hispanic male in his 20’s, 6-0 tall, with a heavy build. The victim told officers that she had seen a newer, white Chevrolet Impala earlier in her run that seemed to be following her.

The police department is requesting anyone with knowledge of this incident to contact Detective Knapp at (805) 385-7796.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking & Assault with a Deadly Weapon
DATE/TIME:	3-5-10/2040 hours
LOCATION:	1300 block of North “C” Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	60 year-old male, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Nunez (20 years) Oxnard Resident
VICTIM VEHICLE(S):	Silver 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee (recovered in Santa Maria)
PREPARED BY:	Detective Chip Buttell

DETAILS:

On 3-4-10 at 6:00 P.M. officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a carjacking in the 1300 block of North “C” Street. The suspect assaulted the victim with a hammer and fled the area in the victim’s vehicle.

The victim was transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center by ambulance for treatment of minor injuries sustained in the assault.

A teletype concerning the stolen vehicle was immediately distributed to all law enforcement agencies. At about 8:00 P.M. Oxnard police was notified by the California Highway Patrol that the victim vehicle was located on US-101 just north of Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County. The car was involved in a traffic collision.

On 3-4-10 officers from the California Highway Patrol arrested a subject in relation to the traffic collision. That subject was identified as Jose Nunez (20 years) who is an Oxnard resident. He was booked into jail in Santa Maria.

On 3-5-10 investigators from the Oxnard Police Department drove to Santa Maria for further investigation. The investigation led to Nunez being released from custody on the charges in Santa Maria and arrested on charges of carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon. Nunez was transported and booked into 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:	Gang Related Search Warrant and Arrest
DATE/TIME:	03/10/2010 12:00 PM
LOCATION:	Surrey Circle Oxnard, Ca
VICTIM(S):	15 year-old, Ventura resident
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Diego Avalos 23 year old Oxnard Resident Armando Gonzalez 19 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
PREPARED BY:	Detective Jeff McGreevy
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeff McGreevy 805-385-3982

DETAILS:

On 2-21-10 Oxnard Police Officers were dispatched to the Wagon Wheel Bowling Alley 2801 Wagon Wheel Road regarding a man with a gun under his clothing. Patrol Officers detained 2 men who fit the description given by the reporting party. While searching the men for weapons, Officer Joseph Bentley located a loaded assault pistol with a high capacity magazine in Juan Avalos’ waistband. Avalos was arrested and he later posted bail.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into gang association between Juan Avalos and Armando Gonzalez to an Oxnard criminal street gang. Detectives obtained a search warrant for both men’s homes and served the warrants on Wednesday afternoon. During the investigation Detectives learned that Avalos was living at another nearby home and obtained a search warrant for that home was well. Three residences on Surrey Circle were searched and items of gang paraphernalia, membership, and association were located.

Juan Avalos was booked into the Ventura County Jail for possession of a loaded assault pistol, possession of a loaded unregistered handgun, carrying a concealed firearm in public, and a gang allegation.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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:	Officer Involved Shooting
DATE/TIME:	03/17/2010 2321 Hours
LOCATION:	South Rose Avenue @ Sanford Drive, Oxnard
OFFICER:	Identity withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Luis Tejada (aka: Juan Luis Reyes), 18 year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Jason Benites, Assistant Police Chief
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	David Keith (805) 385-7631 / davidkeith@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 

At approximately 2321 hours on Wednesday, 3/17/2010 Oxnard Police detectives were investigating an incident that had been reported to them about three hours earlier. The detectives were investigating allegations of robbery and sexual assault that had been committed earlier that day upon a seventeen year old female. The female victim’s identity is being withheld, because of her age and nature of the crime.

During the course of the investigation, a suspect had been identified (Luis Tejada, an eighteen year old Oxnard resident) and detectives attempted to contact him. While in the course of making contact with him in the 4900 block of South Rose Avenue, Tejada was struck by gunfire from an Oxnard Police officer. It is believed that the discharge of the officer’s weapon was not intentional.

Tejada sustained a single gunshot wound and was transported to an area medical facility. The wound is not life threatening.

The identity of the involved officer is being withheld. The officer has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure for such events.

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:	Arrest for Attempted Residential Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools
DATE/TIME:	03-25-2010 at about 11:15 PM
LOCATION:	1100 block of Offshore Street, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Daniel Matthew Hernandez, 23 years old, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Commander Robert Cox
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Luis Mancha, 805-385-7667

DETAILS:

On 3/25/2010, at about 11:15 P.M., a resident arrived home in their vehicle when they noticed a male subject standing on top of the eave of the second story of their home located in the 1100 block of Offshore Street, Oxnard. The male subject was attempting to open a second story window. The subject jumped off the roof and fled when confronted by the resident of the home. Responding Oxnard police officers located a subject who fit the description of the subject who fled a short distance from the victim’s residence. The subject was identified by the resident and arrested.

The suspect (Daniel Matthew Hernandez, 23 years old, of Oxnard) was arrested for attempted residential burglary and possession of burglary tools. Hernandez is being held in the Ventura County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Investigators believe that Hernandez may be responsible for several other night time residential burglaries in the Oxnard area that have occurred in the last few months. Anyone with any information about this investigation or any other burglary is asked to contact Detective Luis Mancha at (805) 385-7667.

The Oxnard Police Department reminds the community that in addition to locking all doors and windows when residents leave their home, residents should also lock all doors and windows when residents are home sleeping.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Man Arrested for Impersonating Police Officer
DATE/TIME:	03/12/2010 / 1600 hours
LOCATION:	300 block of Vanderbilt Drive, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Brian Faber, 25 years, of Oxnard
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Black 2003 Toyota pick-up
PREPARED BY:	Officer Jon Ballow

DETAILS: 

On 1622 hours, Oxnard police received a call of a subject driving a black pick-up equipped with flashing red and blue lights and a siren in the 300 block of Vanderbilt Drive. The caller reported the pick-up driver attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the caller’s vehicle by illuminating the red and blue lights and sounding the siren. The caller believed the pick-up was an undercover police vehicle so he pulled to the right and stopped. The driver of the pick-up did not make direct contact with the caller but slowly passed by the caller’s vehicle.

Oxnard police located the black pick-up parked in the area. Officers could see the red and blue lights mounted in the cab of the pick-up. The vehicle was impounded as part of the investigation.

At 2037 hours, the owner of the pick-up, Brian Faber, contacted police to determine the whereabouts of his truck. After interviewing Mr. Faber, he was arrested without incident for impersonating a police officer.

A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered emergency vehicle equipment (red and blue lights and a siren) along with several hundred rounds of ammunition.

“Offenses like this are not taken lightly,” said Officer Jon Ballow of the Oxnard Police Department. “We are very concerned about the ultimate intent of someone driving around with their personal vehicle equipped with red lights and a siren.”

Faber was booked into the Ventura County Jail on misdemeanor charges of impersonating a police officer.

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:	Jimseitz@oxnardpd.org

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.

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:	paulcumming@oxnardpd.org

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:	Carjacking & Assault with a Deadly Weapon
DATE/TIME:	3-4-10 / 1800
LOCATION:	1300 block of North “C” Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	60 year-old male, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, mid-20s, 5-11, 160 lbs.
VICTIM VEHICLE(S):	Silver 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee
PREPARED BY:	Detective Chip Buttell (805) 385-7665
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Chip Buttell (805) 385-7665

DETAILS: 

On 3-4-10 at 6:00 P.M. officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a carjacking in the 1300 block of North “C” Street. The suspect assaulted the victim with an unknown weapon and fled the area in the victim’s vehicle.

The victim was transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center by ambulance for treatment of minor injuries sustained in the assault.

A teletype concerning the stolen vehicle was immediately distributed to all law enforcement agencies. At about 8:00 P.M. Oxnard police was notified by the California Highway Patrol that the victim vehicle was located on US-101 just north of Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County. The car was involved in a traffic collision.

The investigation is continuing.