Archives for July 2010

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Six Arrested for Fighting at Party
DATE/TIME:	07-25-2010 at 2332 hours
LOCATION:	800 block of Cedar Court, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Angel Zuniga, Jr., 23 years, of Oxnard Rafael Valenzuela Vasquez, 23 years, of Port Hueneme Oscar Vincent Puga, 20 years, of Oxnard Jesse Joseph Zuniga, 18 years, of Oxnard Javier Granados Rincon, 22 years, of Ventura Octavio Ruiz, 26 years, of Oxnard
LOSS:	Injuries to two adult males and one adult female. One of the males suffered facial injuries and required hospitalization. Names withheld by police.
PREPARED BY:	Detective Alex Arnett (805) 486-6297
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Alex Arnett (805) 486-6297

DETAILS:

On 07-25-2010 at 2332 hours, Oxnard police received numerous calls of a large fight in the 800 block of Cedar Court. The callers reported dozens of people fighting and throwing beer bottles, chairs and tables. Oxnard police arrived in two minutes and requested an additional two dozen police officers to deal with the crowd of 150 attending a baby shower in the courtyard of an apartment complex. Fire and ambulance were also dispatched to treat three injured victims.

Witnesses to the incident told police the party was uneventful until eight uninvited men entered the party and confronted several of the guests. The men verbally threatened the partygoers then launched an assault against some in the group using beer bottles, chairs, tables, and a baseball bat. One suspect (Puga) pulled out a folding knife and attempted to stab several persons in the crowd although no one was injured. As the group of men backed their way out of the party, another suspect (Rincon) displayed a handgun.

Witnesses pointed officers to a nearby apartment where the suspects fled. Officers detained six suspects at the location and all were identified by witnesses.

Detectives from the Oxnard police Violent Crimes Unit served a search warrant overnight on the apartment where the six suspects were located. Evidence related to the case was seized; the handgun is still outstanding.

All six suspects were arrested for felony assault with a deadly weapon and committing a crime in the furtherance of a criminal street gang. Suspect Ruiz was treated at a local hospital for facial injuries sustained in the fight. All suspects were booked into the Ventura County Jail; bail was set at $100,000 for each suspect.

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:	7th Annual Strawberry Fields 5K and Triathlon
DATE/TIME:	July 17th, 2010 0900-1100 July 18th, 2010 0730-1100
LOCATION:	Oxnard State Beach Park
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The 7th annual Strawberry Fields 5K and Triathlon will be taking place this weekend at Oxnard State Beach Park. The event begins on Saturday, July 17th, with a 5K run that starts at 9:00 A.M. On Sunday, July 18th, the triathlon will start at 7:30 A.M. and is expected to have over 1,000 participants.

Personnel from the Oxnard Police Department will be handling traffic control along on the run and bicycle courses during both of these events. The priority right of way will be giving to the runners and bicyclists as these events are highly competitive.

Runners during both events will be running along Mandalay Beach Road, Sunset Lane, and Ocean Drive. During the triathlon, the bicycle riders will be traveling on Harbor Boulevard, Gonzales Road, Victoria Avenue, and Channel Islands Boulevard. Traffic control personnel will be positioned at all of the intersections along the run and bike courses during both events.

On Sunday, the northbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard will be closed at Costa De Oro at approximately 7:00 A.M. during the triathlon and are expected to reopen at approximately 10:30 A.M. or as soon as possible. This closure will provide added safety for the bicyclists and reduce the amount of traffic congestion surrounding Oxnard State Beach Park. The southbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard will remain open during the triathlon but drivers shall expect long delays near Oxnard State Beach Park as the bicyclists will be entering and exiting the park. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes including Victoria Avenue to avoid these road closures and delays.

If you live in the area of these events, we apologize for any inconvenience.

For any questions related to these events or road closures, 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:	Armed Robbery Person
DATE/TIME:	1-10-2010 0600 hours
LOCATION:	Edgewood and M St., Oxnard CA
VICTIM(S):	Name Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Lopez 28 years, Oxnard Resident Manuel Morales 18 years, Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	U.S. Currency undisclosed amount
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Terry Burr
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Chip Buttell 385-7665 / charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 7-10-2010 at approximately 0600 hours, Oxnard Police Officers responded to a robbery that occurred in the area of Edgewood and M St. in the city of Oxnard. The victim told the officers that he was parked and seated in his vehicle with some friends, when the two suspects approached and demanded money from the victim. One of the suspects later identified as suspect Lopez was armed with a knife. The victim handed over his money, and the suspects fled the area.

While officers were checking the area, they stopped a car for a vehicle code violation that contained four subjects. Two of the subjects in the vehicle matched the description of the suspects in the robbery, so an in-field line up was conducted. The two suspects were identified as the suspects who committed the robbery and were subsequently arrested. A loaded handgun was located in the vehicle next to Suspect Morales, who was subsequently charged with gun possession and possession of an unregistered firearm. Both suspects associate with a known Oxnard gang.

An investigation is continuing. The victim and witnesses names are not being released at this time due to a concern of gang retaliation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Chip Buttell at 385-7665 or email him at charlesbuttell@oxnardpd.org.

Juan Lopez

Manuel Morales

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery to a Business
DATE/TIME:	6-30-2010/ 2107 Hours
LOCATION:	Jack in the Box Restaurant 550 South Victoria Avenue, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Jack in the Box Restaurant
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic male, approximately 40 years of age, heavy build, baseball cap, and full beard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown
LOSS:	Cash/ Unknown amount
PREPARED BY:	Detective Roger Garcia
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Roger Garcia (805) 385-7688 / Rogergarcia@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 6-30-10, at approximately 9:07 P.M., a subject entered the Jack in the Box Restaurant, 550 South Victoria Avenue, and ordered food from the clerk. When the clerk opened up the cash register, the suspect pointed a handgun at the clerk and ordered the clerk to hand over all of the money. The clerk placed the money on the counter and the suspect picked it up. The suspect was seen running eastbound through the parking lot and it was unknown if he left the area in a vehicle.

On 7-1-10, the clerk met with officers and a composite sketch was completed of the suspect.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery 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).

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 7-1-10 / 1840 Hours

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Ten Crashes Result in Impaired Driver Arrest
DATE/TIME:	07-11-2010/0355
LOCATION:	Area of Sanford Street and Beaumont Avenue, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Maria Rodriguez, 18 years, of Oxnard Veronica Madrigal, 18 years, of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	White 1991 Honda Accord
WITNESS(ES):	Alejandra K. Flores Ayala, 24 years, of Oxnard
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Beige 2004 Pontiac Grand Am
LOSS:	Two injuries and 10 vehicles damaged
PREPARED BY:	Officer Anthony McCowan

DETAILS:

On July 11, 2010 at about 0335 hours, a white Honda Accord, driven by Maria Rodriguez, was rear-ended by a beige Pontiac Grand Am near the intersection of Sanford Street and Beaumont Ave. The driver of the Grand Am fled the collision scene in her car. Rodriguez and her passenger, Madrigal, found the Grand Am near the intersection of Vanetta Street and Beaumont. The driver of the car was passed out behind the wheel.

Rodriguez and Madrigal waken the driver who puts the Grand Am into drive in an attempt to flee. The Grand Am is driven northbound on Beaumont to eastbound Curran Street to southbound Reeder Avenue. Over a distance of about 3/10ths of a mile, the Grand Am collided with nine parked cars. In the 4600 block of Reeder the driver fled from the vehicle.

Oxnard police are called and locate the driver, Alejandra K. Flores Ayala, hiding behind a dumpster in a nearby yard. She is taken into custody without incident. Ayala suffered facial injuries in the crash and was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical for treatment. She was later booked into the Ventura County Jail for one count each of: felony driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, felony hit and run, under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of narcotic paraphernalia; and nine counts of misdemeanor hit and run. Her bail was set at $50,000.

Rodriguez and Madrigal were transported by ambulance to a local hospital with complaints of pain to their backs and necks.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Vehicle Collision (2 Fatalities)
DATE/TIME:	July 28, 2010 / 1909 hours
LOCATION:	Victoria Avenue South of Gonzales Road
DRIVER-1:	Male, 25 of Oxnard (name withheld pending notification of next of kin)
DRIVER-2:	Shannon Martinez, 26 of Ventura
PASSENGER V-1:	Male, 14 of Oxnard (name withheld pending notification of next of kin)
VEHICLE-1:	White, BMW, Sedan
VEHICLE-2:	Red, Ford Compact
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant (randylatimer@oxnardpd.org)
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Maria Pena, Senior Officer 385-7750 (mariapena@oxnardpd.org)

DETAILS:

On July 28, 2010, at approximately 1909 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to Victoria Avenue, South of Gonzales Road after receiving a call of a roll-over collision involving two vehicles. Once on scene, officers and EMS personnel found that the vehicles, a white, BMW sedan and a red, Ford compact had collided in the southbound lanes. As a result of the collision, the red compact had overturned, trapping the driver, Shannon Martinez, 26 of Ventura. She was extricated by fire department personnel and transported to Ventura County Medical Center for multiple injuries. She was admitted and is in serious but stable condition. The driver of the BMW, a 25 year old male of Oxnard and his passenger, a 14 year old male of Oxnard, died at the scene. Their names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the BMW was traveling northbound on Victoria Avenue and began passing other northbound traffic by driving in the dirt center median. The BMW lost control and began sliding sideways and crossed into the opposing lanes. Upon crossing into the southbound lanes, the BMW collided with the red compact.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Senior Officer Maria Pena at 805-385-7750

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:	Robbery with a handgun to a Business
DATE/TIME:	7-27-2010/ 1732 hours
LOCATION:	Farmacia Estrella “Star Pharmacy” 5020 S. “C” St. , Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Farmacia Estrella “Star Pharmacy”
SUSPECT(S):	Suspect #1 – White or Hispanic male with a brown hooded sweatshirt, light colored shirt, baseball cap with red/orange bill, blue jeans shorts, black shoes, and holding a chrome colored revolver. Unknown colored bandana covering his face and gloves. Suspect #2 – White/Hispanic male, black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, grey and black backpack with an unknown colored bandana covering his face and white gloves.
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Tan or Light brown compact, possibly a Honda.
LOSS:	Medications/ Unknown amount
PREPARED BY:	Detective Steven Funk
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Steven Funk (805) 385-7796 / stevenfunk@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 7-27-10, at approximately 5:32 P.M., officers were dispatched to Farmacia Estrella “Star Pharmacy” located at 5020 South “C” St. reference an armed robbery. Officers discovered two subjects entered the pharmacy and immediately went behind the counter. The suspects ordered the owner to open up the cabinets containing different medications. The suspects wore unknown colored bandanas that covered their face, hooded sweatshirts, and gloves.

The suspects took an unknown amount of medication and fled the store. Witnesses observed the suspects run across the street and got into a Tan or light brown vehicle. The suspect vehicle drove away northbound on “C” St. from Pleasant Valley Rd. There was no description of the suspect driver.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery is asked to contact Detective Steven Funk at 805-385-7796 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).

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:	July 30th, 2010 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, July 30th, 2010, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. 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 545 drivers for DUI. We have also investigated over 125 collisions that involved a DUI driver with 45 of them involving injuries. As a reminder, the total cost for a first time DUI conviction in Ventura County is over $10,000.

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department will be conducting more DUI enforcement operations over the summer months including checkpoints and several saturation patrols. The Oxnard Police Department remains committed to its no-tolerance approach to DUI drivers. These DUI operations are part of our 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:	Hit and Run
DATE/TIME:	7-25-10 / 8:45 PM
LOCATION:	Oxnard Blvd. and Colonia Rd., Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Gerardo Rodriguez, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Vega , Male, 21 years of age
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Black Ford Expedition (impounded)
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marc Amon, Sergeant, Oxnard P.D.
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Maria Pena, Traffic Investigator 385-7750

DETAILS:

Rodriguez was crossing in the crosswalk while riding his bicycle at Colonia Rd. and Oxnard Blvd. when the suspect vehicle ran the red light and struck the victim bicyclist. The suspect, later identified as Oxnard resident Jose Vega, fled the scene in the vehicle however several witnesses stayed in the area to provide descriptions of the suspect vehicle with the direction of travel. Two other witnesses followed the suspect vehicle long enough to provide officers with an accurate description of the black Ford Expedition along with the license plate and last known direction of travel.

Officers waited at the registered owner’s residence until the suspected driver returned. Vega admitted driving the vehicle and fleeing the scene out of fear. Vega was arrested and his vehicle was impounded as evidence.

John Crombach
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Six Arrested for Fighting at Party
DATE/TIME:	07-25-2010 at 2332 hours
LOCATION:	800 block of Cedar Court, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Jose Angel Zuniga, Jr., 23 years, of Oxnard Rafael Valenzuela Vasquez, 23 years, of Port Hueneme Oscar Vincent Puga, 20 years, of Oxnard Jesse Joseph Zuniga, 18 years, of Oxnard Javier Granados Rincon, 22 years, of Ventura Octavio Ruiz, 26 years, of Oxnard
LOSS:	Injuries to two adult males and one adult female. One of the males suffered facial injuries and required hospitalization. Names withheld by police.
PREPARED BY:	Detective Alex Arnett (805) 486-6297
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Alex Arnett (805) 486-6297

DETAILS:

Witnesses pointed officers to a nearby apartment where the suspects fled. Officers detained six suspects at the location and all were identified by witnesses.

An investigation is continuing.