John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Cinco de Mayo DUI saturation patrols
DATE/TIME:	Friday, April 30th, 1900-0200 Saturday, May 1st, 1700-0300 Sunday, May 2nd, 1800-0200 Wednesday May 5th, 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

Cinco de Mayo has become a traditional time for many to celebrate California’s rich cultural history. But it is also a night out with expected dangers when someone chooses to drink alcohol and drive. The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will have several officers patrolling the streets of Oxnard searching for DUI drivers this weekend starting Friday night, April 30th at 7:00 P.M. There will be ten officers conducting DUI enforcement Friday night until 2:00 A.M. The following night, May 1st, additional officers will be deployed to conduct DUI enforcement.

On Sunday, May 2nd, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M., deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the Ventura Police Department and Santa Paula Police Department will join forces with the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit during an allied agency DUI saturation deployment. At least 16 officers will be patrolling the City of Oxnard with the specific goal of stopping impaired drivers. These officers and deputies will be stopping vehicles and checking for the signs of intoxication, conducting field sobriety tests and arresting those who are intoxicated.

On Wednesday May 5th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight, additional Oxnard Police officers will be deployed to conduct DUI enforcement in the City of Oxnard.

DUI related crashes have dropped in California thanks to increased sobriety checkpoints and special DUI enforcement campaigns. However, the number one killer on our highways remains impaired driving, with 1,029 dead in 2008 and another 28,457 injured in alcohol involved collisions.

The Oxnard Police Department encourages you to celebrate responsibly by designating a sober driver and to call 911 if you see an impaired driver.

All of these DUI operations are an effort to reduce the amount of alcohol related crashes and to make our community and roadways safer. They are also funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Safety 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:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Shooting)
DATE/TIME:	April 27, 2010 7:22 PM
LOCATION:	100 Block of Hill Street
VICTIM(S):	Female 13 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, 20’s, thin build, wearing a black shirt and pants.
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Green SUV.
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Violent Crimes Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Thomas (805) 385-7660

DETAILS:

On 4-27-10 at around 7:22 PM officers were dispatched to a call of two shooting victims in the 100 block of West Hill Street. Upon officers arrival they located one victim suffering from a minor injury to her head. The second victim was located during a search of the neighborhood but had sustained no injuries. The injured victim was transported to St John’s Regional Medical Center where she is listed in stable condition.

The victim was hanging out in the area when a vehicle drove up and the passenger exited the SUV. The suspect yelled something and fired several shots into the group of people. The victim was struck with two pellets. Due to the victim’s age her name is being withheld.

Investigators suspect the shooting was possibly tagger related. If anyone has information on this shooting they are requested to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS or Det. Mike Thomas at (805) 385-7660.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member in possession of firearm
DATE/TIME:	April 26, 2010/2000
LOCATION:	Pleasant Valley and Jefferson Square
VICTIM(S):	None
SUSPECT(S):	Eric Hartman, 31 year old male, Oxnard resident Audree Urango, 24 year old female, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Bill Crisostomo

DETAILS:

On April 26, 2010, at approximately 1600 hours, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 1991 Honda Accord in the area of Pleasant Valley Road and Jefferson Square.

During the investigation, Police Service Dog, “Cody” was used to assist in searching the car. Cody indicated that there was possible contraband in the vehicle and during the subsequent search, a loaded 380 caliber machine pistol and a small amount of controlled substance were located.

Eric Hartman and Audree Urango were arrested for a variety of weapon charges. Hartman was additionally charged with drug charges and violation of the gang injunction.

Hartman and Urango were booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Eric Hartman is a known gang member.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	211 PC – Robbery 182(a)(1)PC – Conspiracy
DATE/TIME:	4-26-10/0345 Hours
LOCATION:	1600-block of South Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	40 year-old, Oxnard resident 32 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Dante Payne, 23 year-old, Oxnard resident David Lumas, 21 year-old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	22 year-old, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Silver 4 door vehicle, In custody
LOSS:	Unknown amount of currency
PREPARED BY:	Detective Roger Garcia
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Roger Garcia (805) 385-7688

DETAILS: 

On 4-26-10, officers were patrolling the 1600-block of South Oxnard Boulevard when they saw a silver 4 door vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle recently used in several robberies which occurred over the weekend. The suspects driving this silver vehicle were described as 2 African American males in their mid 20’s. Officers eventually contacted the solo driver, Dante Payne, and during the course of the investigation, officers located several large knives in Payne’s vehicle. Payne was later taken into custody for possessing a deadly weapon and the vehicle was impounded.

As the investigation continued, investigators discovered Payne associates with David Lumas, who also matched the description of the recent robbery suspects. Photographic line up’s were shown to the victims and witness and they were able to identify Payne and Lumas as the suspects in the robberies from over the weekend. Payne was charged with 2 counts of robbery and conspiracy while Lumas was charged with 1 count of robbery and conspiracy.

Both suspects were booked at Ventura County Main Jail Facility and their bail is set at $500,000.00.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Detective Roger Garcia at 805-385-7688 or you may leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 805-982-7070. To give an anonymous tip, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

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:	Assault with a Deadly Weapon (handgun), felon in possession of a deadly weapon, corporal injury (domestic violence)
DATE/TIME:	April 22, 2010 10:20 PM
LOCATION:	Ventura Road at Elm St, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	29 year old female resident of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Gabriel Marquez, 46 years, of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Ron Whitney, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:

DETAILS:

On April 22, 2010 at 10:20 PM, Gabriel Marquez and the victim, became involved in an argument in an automobile in the area of Ventura Road and Elm St. Marquez struck the victim in the face with a loaded handgun, causing an injury to the victims face. The victim came into the lobby of the Oxnard Police Department to report the incident.

Officers responded to Ventura Road and Elm St, and began a search utilizing both officers and an Oxnard Police Department K-9. At 11:15 PM the K-9 alerted, and Marquez was located hiding under a bush in a yard in the area. He was still in possession of the loaded firearm. Marquez was taken into custody without incident. Marquez has prior convictions for corporal injury and assault with a deadly weapon, and as such is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Any witnesses to the incident are urged to contact Domestic Violence Detectives at (805)385-7760, or the violent crimes hot line 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:	Suspicious Circumstances
DATE/TIME:	#1. April 17, 2010, 4:25 pm #2. April 21, 2010, 3:30 pm
LOCATION:	#1. 2000 block of North Ventura Road #2. Intersection of Cabrillo Street and Gallatin Street
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	#1. Black male, unknown age, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with black pants and black glasses. He also had on black slip-on Vans Tennis shoes #2. Black male in his mid 30’s, dark hair and eyes, with a shaved head and wide nose. He was wearing a white t-shirt
WITNESS(ES):	Unknown
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	#1. Black 2001 Mercedes E320, two-door, unknown license plate. #2. Grey newer four door Honda, unknown license plate.
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	TW Lumas, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:

DETAILS:

In the past few days there have been two incidents in which young children were contacted by an individual while walking down the street.

The first incident occurred April 17th at 4:25 pm and involved a 12 year old girl who was approached in the 2000 block of North Ventura Road. The suspect approached her on foot and asked her to come with him. She declined to do so and the suspect returned to his vehicle and drove away. The suspect was described as a black male, unknown age, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with black pants and black glasses. He also had on black slip-on Vans Tennis shoes. The vehicle was described as a black 2001 Mercedes E320, two-door, with an unknown license plate.

On April 21st at 3:30 pm an eight year old boy was playing near the intersection of Cabrillo and Gallatin when he saw a four door vehicle with dark windows, driver side window rolled down parked along the road. The driver asked if he wanted a ride home. The victim replied no and ran home. The victim described the suspect as a black male in his mid 30’s, dark hair and eyes, with a shaved head and wide nose. He was wearing a white t-shirt and driving a newer four door Honda, grey in color with an unknown license plate.

Parents are encouraged to remind their children to avoid contact with strangers and to report such incidents to their parents, police, and school officials (if it occurs while the student is walking to or from school).

Oxnard patrol officers and school resource officers are being extra diligent in keeping an eye out for such incidents.

Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact Oxnard Police Department 385-7740 and or Crime Tip Hotline, 805-486-8362.

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 a wanted subject in a vacant apartment
DATE/TIME:	4/23/10 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	4600 block of Cloyne St.
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	David Espinoza, 26 year-old Oxnard resident and 17 year-old juvenile (name withheld)
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Stolen Honda Accord
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marc Amon, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Lucy Buttell

DETAILS: 

On 4/23/10 at approximately 3:00 p.m. Senior Officer Felice Thompson, Senior Officer Jose Silva and Officer Mike Wood were conducting a check of an unsecured vacant apartment complex in the 4600 block of Cloyne Street. While conducting their check they encountered two trespassers in one of the apartments. The subjects attempted to hide from officers inside the apartment but both were located and arrested.

The adult was later identified as 26 year-old Oxnard resident, David Espinoza. Espinoza was wanted for several domestic violence related offenses including domestic battery, criminal threats and kidnapping. It was also discovered that Espinoza was traveling in a stolen late 80’s model Honda Accord that was parked nearby.

The realtor representing the bank owned vacant apartment complex responded to the complex and immediately approved what is known as an “Agent Authorization” for the police department. The Agent Authorization form allows for police officers to act as the agent for the vacant property in order to enforce any trespassing laws in the absence of an owner since trespassing is normally a misdemeanor offense requiring a victim’s desire to make an arrest of a perpetrator. In other words, the Agent Authorization preauthorizes a misdemeanor arrest of a trespassing suspect.

Anyone with information about the domestic violence incident is asked to contact Detective Lucy Buttell at 805-385-3983. Inquiries about agent authorizations can be answered by your respective Beat Coordinator at www.oxnardpd.org.