 John Crombach Chief of Police |
Oxnard Police Department
R. Jason Benites Scott Whitney |
OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
| INCIDENT: | Carjacking Arrest and Vehicle Pursuit |
| DATE/TIME: | 08/16/2010 at 0154 hours |
| LOCATION: | Channel Islands @ Saviers Road |
| VICTIM(S): | Oxnard Resident (name withheld due to possible retaliation) |
| SUSPECT(S): | #1: Vidal Magana, 20 Year Old Oxnard Resident #2: 16 Year Old Oxnard resident(name withheld age) #3: Unidentified third suspect still at large. |
| WITNESS(ES): | None |
| PREPARED BY: | Detective Jeffrey McGreevy 805-385-7600 |
| CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO: |
Detective Charles Buttell 805-385-7665 |
DETAILS:
On 08/16/2010 at approximately 0154 hours, a 35 year-old Oxnard resident was approached by three men. He knew one of the men and was going to give them a ride home. A suspect, who was later identified as a 16 year-old Oxnard gang member, produced a handgun and put it to the victim’s head. He demanded money from the victim while pointing a handgun at him. The victim gave them what little money he had while two other suspects threatened him with beer bottles. After the victim gave them his money, the suspects stole his Toyota Camry. The victim contacted the Police Department and the vehicle description was broadcast to patrol officers.
About 30 minutes later Oxnard police officers Patrick Blanche and his partner, Moses Martinez, found the vehicle in the area of Saviers Road and Hill Street. The officers attempted to stop the stolen Toyota Camry but it failed to yield and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit two men exited the car and were detained for further investigation. The driver continued to drive around South Oxnard and eventually stopped near Commercial Avenue and South Oxnard Boulevard. The pursuit lasted approximately 33 minutes. The driver surrendered and officers later located a replica .45 caliber pistol under the front seat. This is believed to be the weapon used during the robbery. The driver was found to be a 16 year-old suspected gang member and he was positively identified as the person who used the gun during the robbery. The rear passenger, Vidal Magana of Oxnard, was identified as one of the men threatening with a bottle during the robbery. Magana also has ties to an Oxnard gang. The third person who was detained during the vehicle pursuit was cleared of any involvement in the initial robbery and he was released. Vidal Magana was booked into the Ventura County Jail for robbery, carjacking, and a gang allegation. The 16 year-old driver was booked into the Ventura County Juvenile Hall for robbery, carjacking, evading arrest, and a gang allegation. The investigation is ongoing and anyone who witnessed this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Charles Buttell at (805) 385-7665 or if you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.