John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Weekend Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	Friday, September 24th, 2010 1800-2400 Sunday, September 26th, 2010 1800-2300
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department conducted two multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints this weekend. The first one was held on Friday from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. The second one was held on Sunday night from 6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

The checkpoints were held in the following locations:

1. S/B Rose Avenue @ Emerson Avenue
2. S/B Rose Avenue @ First Street

Officers screened 1,833 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted four DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol and two drivers were arrested for DUI. One of the drivers had a blood alcohol level of .16 while the other had a level of .20. A third driver was arrested for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant while another driver was arrested for possession of over three ounces of marijuana.

Eighty-two drivers were issued citations for various driver’s license violations. Forty-eight drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and four drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Twenty-one vehicles were towed from the checkpoints.

The Oxnard Police Department has conducted 22 sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints since the October of 2009. All of these checkpoints combined resulted in 35 drivers arrested for DUI, 486 unlicensed drivers were issued citations, and 54 additional drivers were found to be driving with a suspended driver’s license.

All of these DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA).

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:	Sobriety and Driver’s License Checkpoints
DATE/TIME:	Friday, September 24th, 2010 1800-0200 Sunday, September 26th, 2010 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting two multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints this upcoming weekend. The first one is scheduled for Friday night, September 24th, from 6:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M. The second one is set for Sunday, September 26th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. After this weekend, we will have conducted a total of 22 checkpoints since October 2009. Thirty-three DUI arrests were made during the 20 checkpoints conducted so far. At these checkpoints, officers also issued citations to 438 unlicensed drivers and 50 citations were issued to drivers with suspended driver’s licenses.

The Oxnard Police Department has arrested over 715 drivers for DUI since the beginning of 2010. In addition to this weekend’s checkpoints, additional officers will be deployed over the weekend to conduct DUI enforcement patrols throughout the city of Oxnard.

All of these DUI operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue its DUI enforcement efforts and is committed to improving traffic safety. These operations are an effort to reduce the number of alcohol related crashes in the city of Oxnard and to make our roadways and community safer.

We also remind people that if they see an impaired driver to dial 911. Please buckle up, drive sober, and drive safely!

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:	SWAT Call out
DATE/TIME:	09-22-2010 0949 Hrs.
LOCATION:	3200 Block of Sycamore St.
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	William Stover, 43 of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Officer B.K.Ellison/David Keith PIO
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. Alex Rangel (385-7778)

DETAILS:

On 09-22-2010 at about 0949 hours officers received a call of a family dispute at 3285 Sycamore Street. While enroute to the location the dispatcher advised that the suspect William Stover (6-14-1967) was in the process of forcing entry to the locked door of the reporting parties’ bedroom. While units were responding code 3 to the location, officers were advised that the suspect was dousing the living room area with gasoline and threatening to set the residence on fire.

Upon arrival to the location officers learned that the victim and all parties that were inside the residence at the time of the incident, had fled outside. However, the suspect was now barricaded inside the residence threatening that if the police made entry into the home he would set the home on fire. At this point officers on scene saw smoke coming from the attic vents of the residence and asked that fire personnel respond to the scene.

Several attempts to communicate with the suspect via the public address system from a marked black and white police unit were made with negative results. The Oxnard Police SWAT team was then dispatched to the scene. After several failed attempts to establish compliance from the suspect, via the phone and public address system, entry at the residence was made and suspect Stover was taken into custody. Stover sustained minor injuries during the arrest and was medically cleared at St. Johns Medical Center.

When fire personnel entered the residence they confirmed there was evidence of an arson commited inside the residence. Suspect William Stover was arrested for 422 PC terrorist threats, 451 (b) pc Arson to an inhabited structure and 242 PC Battery. Suspect Stover was transported to Ventura County Jail and booked as per the above charges.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI Checkpoint Results
DATE/TIME:	Thursday, September 16th, 2010 1800-2400
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

In response to several alcohol-related collisions that have occurred on Thursday nights over the past several months, The Oxnard Police Department conducted a multi-location sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint on Thursday, September 16th, from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. This checkpoint was held in the southbound lanes of Rose Avenue at Cesar Chavez Drive.

Officers screened 1,207 motorists who passed through the checkpoints. Officers conducted two DUI investigations with drivers who had been drinking alcohol and one of them was arrested for DUI with a blood alcohol level of .14. One additional driver was arrested for outstanding misdemeanor warrants from San Bernardino County.

Thirty-one drivers were issued citations for various driver’s license violations. Fourteen drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license and two drivers were cited for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Nine vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

These checkpoints are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration (NHTSA). The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting two additional sobriety and driver’s license checkpoints before the end of this month.

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:	Narcotics Search Warrant
DATE/TIME:	September 23, 2010 / 1100 hours
LOCATION:	2700 block of Geronimo Drive, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Janet Pecatoste (8/28/77), resident of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Greg Hebert
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Greg Hebert, greghebert@oxnardpd.org 385-7636

DETAILS:

On September 23, 2010, the Oxnard Police Department’s Narcotics Unit served a search warrant on Janet Pecatoste at her residence in the 2700 block of Geronimo Drive in the City of Oxnard. The search warrant was the result of a 2 month investigation into Pecatoste for sales of methamphetamines.

Pecatoste was arrested at the residence without incident. A search of the residence revealed a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Pecatoste was booked into Ventura County Jail for possession of a controlled substance for sales and bail was set at $50,000.

Pecatoste was operating a “room and board” facility at the residence with many of the tenants being clients of Behavioral Health Services. Behavioral Health Services was contacted and will follow up with their own investigation into Pecatoste.

An investigation is ongoing.

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Police crack down on railroad trespassers
DATE/TIME:	September 2, 2010 6:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard railroad tracks
PREPARED BY:	Officer James Langford
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer James Langford, 805-385-7650

DETAILS:

On September 2, 2010, from the hours of 10:00 AM to 1: 00 PM, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department teamed with Special Agents from Union Pacific Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Homeland Security for a selective enforcement sweep of the railroad tracks running through the City of Oxnard from Camarillo to Montalvo. The goal was to look for trespassers on the private railroad property belonging to Union Pacific Railroad. Also, all vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists who failed to yield the right-of-way or obey train crossing signs/warnings for the train at grade crossings.

During the operation, officers witnessed 60 various violations. As a result, 4 persons were arrested for trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property and 20 motorists were issued citations for various railroad related violations. Violators face fines and penalties ranging from $200.00 to $500.00 and possibly even jail time.

California was ranked # 2 in the United States for Highway-Rail grade collisions in 2009 with a total of 121 collisions. Out of the collisions, 91 were fatalities, 61 were trespass-related collisions with fatalities and 42 were trespass-related collisions with injuries.

The public is reminded that trespassing on Union Pacific Railroad property, or any railroad property, is a misdemeanor offense. It is also life-threatening endeavor considering the speed and size of any train. Any one found trespassing on railroad property is subject to arrest. In addition, it is illegal for any pedestrian, bicyclist or vehicle to travel around or under a railroad arm once the red warning lights and alarm are activated and the gate arm is closed or closing.

Listed below is some general rail safety information:

• Freight trains do not travel on a predictable schedule; schedules for passenger trains change. Always expect a train at every highway-rail intersection.
• Train tracks are private property, no matter which railroad owns them. Trains have the right of way 100% of the time — over ambulances, fire engines, cars, police and pedestrians.
• If there are rails on the railroad ties, assume that the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks “rusty.”
• A typical locomotive weighs approximately 400,000 pounds or 200 tons. When 100 railcars are added to the locomotive, the train can weigh approximately 6,000 tons. The weight ratio of an automobile to a train is proportional to a soda can and an automobile.
• A train may extend three feet or more outside the steel rail, which makes the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the rails themselves.
• Trains cannot stop quickly. It is a simple law of physics: the huge weight and size of the train and the speed of the train dictate how quickly it can stop under ideal conditions. A 100-car freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour will need more than a mile to stop — that’s approximately 18 football fields — once the train is set into emergency braking.
• Trains can move in either direction at any time. Trains are sometimes pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled. This is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.
• Modern trains are quieter than ever, with no telltale “clackety-clack.” Also, an approaching train will always be closer and moving faster than you think.
• Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.
• Never walk down a train track; it’s illegal and it’s dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
• Remember: Rail and recreation do not mix!

Funding for this enforcement is provided to the Union Pacific Police Department by Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit organization to educate the public about railroad safety and making the community safer. More information about railroad safety can be found by go to: www.oli.org.

 

John Crombach Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Expected Road Closures For The Fiestas Patrias Parade
DATE/TIME:	September 12, 2010 1030 to 1300 hours
LOCATION:	Downtown Oxnard – C Street from Wooley Road to Second Street
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS: 

On Sunday, September 12th, 2010, Mexico’s independence from Spain will be celebrated during the annual Fiestas Patrias Parade held in downtown Oxnard. Over 60 entries are expected to participate in this year’s parade. The parade is scheduled to start at 11:00 A.M. and is expected to end at approximately 1:00 P.M.

The parade will start at the intersection of C Street and travel northbound to Second Street where it ends in the parking lot of Oxnard’s City Hall. The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be handling the traffic control along the parade route and some of the nearby streets.

Starting at 10:30 A.M., all intersections on C Street between Wooley Road and Second Street will be closed for the parade. Two additional street closures for the parade’s staging area will be Ninth Street between C Street and A Street and A Street between Wooley Road and Eighth Street. Spectators arriving to watch the parade are urged to park their vehicles in the multi-level parking structure located at the corner of Third Street and B Street.

For questions related to the parade, 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:	CRIME FREE BUSINESS PROGRAM MEETING
DATE/TIME:	WEDNESDAY 10-20-2010 / 7:30-9:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT – 251 S. C Street (second floor), Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Officer Marty Ennis 385-8349
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Marty Ennis 385-8349

DETAILS:

On October 20, 2010, the Oxnard Police Department is hosting a business owners/managers meeting for the “Crime Free business program.”

This program is part of a nationwide study designed to lower crime and violence in small business establishments across the country. Some of the goals are achieved by networking the police department and businesses throughout the City of Oxnard. This meeting is recommended for business owners, managers, and employees. The program is free and joining can lead to lowered liability insurance rates. The program is open to all businesses.

This program has proven to be successful in lowering crime, making businesses less susceptible to criminal attack, and increasing profitability.

The meeting hours are from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. on the second floor of the Oxnard Police Department located at 251 S. C St., Oxnard.

If you have any questions or wish to sign up for the meeting please contact Detective Martin Ennis at (805) 385-8349 or e-mail him at martinennis@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:	Attempted Murder
DATE/TIME:	8-28-10/2352 hours
LOCATION:	200 block of East Elm Street
VICTIM(S):	Oscar Borjon – 29 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Ruben Flores – 25 year old Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	None
PREPARED BY:	Detective Charles Buttell 385-7665
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Charles Buttell 385-7665

DETAILS:

On 8-28-10 at approximately 2352 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a call of a stabbing victim in the 200 block of East Elm Street in the City of Oxnard. Upon arrival officers contacted the victim Oscar Borjon who had suffered two stab wounds to his body. During the investigation the suspect was determined to be the victim’s half brother Ruben Flores. Flores fled the scene on the night of the incident and was unable to be contacted. Flores was contacted on 8-31-10 in the 1300 block of South Oxnard Boulevard where he was taken into custody without incident. Flores was booked into the Ventura County Jail for attempted homicide. Flores’ bail is set at $500,000.

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:	Burglary suspect arrested
DATE/TIME:	9-29-10 2114 hours
LOCATION:	2000 block of Almanor Street
VICTIM(S):	Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Charles Allen Munden, 03-01-86, of Oxnard
WITNESS(ES):	n/a
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	n/a
LOSS:	Unk
PREPARED BY:	Detective Tom Payn
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Detective Luis Mancha 385-7664

DETAILS:

On 9-29-10, at 2114 hours, Oxnard Police Officers were sent to the 2000 block of Almanor Street to recover a stolen vehicle. Upon the Officers’ arrival they observed Munden standing next to the victim’s vehicle. When Munden observed the officers approaching, he fled into a nearby residence located on Almanor Street. The homeowner was outside at the time and told officers that he did not know the subject who had just entered his home. Officers searched the home, located Munden hiding in a bedroom closet, and arrested him without further incident. Munden was found in possession of the key belonging to the stolen vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Munden was in possession of stolen property from two recent residential burglaries that occurred in Oxnard.

Munden was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, resisting arrest and trespassing.

The Oxnard Police Department wants to remind residents to lock and secure their vehicles and make sure that valuables are not visible. When you are away from your home, lock and secure all doors and windows, keep photo records and record serial numbers of valuables, so that stolen property can be identified.

Anyone with information regarding burglaries in Oxnard are asked to contact Senior Detective Luis Mancha at (805) 385-7664, email luismancha@oxnardpd.org.