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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang Related Shooting
DATE/TIME:	11-15-10 / 1815 Hours
LOCATION:	200-block of Cuesta Del Mar
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	14 year-old, Oxnard resident (name withheld) 17 year-old, Oxnard resident (name withheld) Elpidio Lopez, 18 year-old, Oxnard resident Carlos Martinez, 18 year-old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective Roger Garcia
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Alex Arnett 805-486-6297 / Alexarnett@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 11-15-10, at approximately 1815 hours, officers responded to the 200-block of Cuesta Del Mar reference shots being fired in the area. A reporting party reported seeing a silver sports utility vehicle leaving the area. Officers in the Special Enforcement Unit located the vehicle a short distance away and initiated a traffic stop. A 17 year-old occupant fled from the vehicle and was arrested a short distance away. Officers observed him throw an object as he was fleeing from uniformed officers.

The officers recovered that object and it was determined to be a firearm. There were items located inside the vehicle that led investigators to believe this was possibly a gang related shooting. There were no outstanding victims located and no one was injured during the shooting.

An investigation is on going.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Alex Arnett at (805) 486-6297, e-mail alexarnett@oxnardpd.org, 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:	Robberies to Businesses
DATE/TIME:	11-2-10 – 1400 11-2-10 – 1410
LOCATION:	Payless Shoe Source – 2051 N. Rose Ave. Thrifty Gas Station – 1501 W. Gonzales Rd.
VICTIM(S):	Payless Shoe Source and Thrifty Gas
SUSPECT(S):	S-1 – W, M, 27, 5’7, 160, dark sweatshirt, dark baseball cap S-2 – W, M, 27, 5’8, 160, black t-shirt, dark shorts
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Older Model Reddish colored SUV
LOSS:	US Currency
PREPARED BY:	Detective Charles Buttell 385-7665
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Charles Buttell 385-7665

DETAILS:

On 11-2-10 officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to two robberies at local businesses that occurred approximately 10 minutes apart. The first occurred at the Payless Shoe Source located at 2051 N. Rose Avenue. One suspect approached the clerk, simulated a weapon, and demanded cash. The other suspect was seen in the area. The victim handed the suspects cash and they fled on foot.

The second robbery occurred approximately 10 minutes later at the Thrifty Gas Station located at 1501 W. Gonzales Road. A single suspect entered the business, approached the clerk, and demanded cash from the register. The victim handed the suspect cash and then fled in an older model reddish colored SUV.

Both robberies have similar suspect descriptions, however it is unknown if they are related at this time. Anyone who witnessed the robberies or that has information is urged to contact Detective Charles Buttell at 805-385-7665 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:	Vacant Residential Burglaries
DATE/TIME:	October
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Unk
WITNESS(ES):	N/a
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/a
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Detective Tom Payn
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Payn 385-7594

DETAILS:

The Oxnard Police Department wants to advise homeowners and contractors that there has been an increase in vacant residential burglaries throughout the city of Oxnard. In the last month, there have been ten vacant homes burglarized. Suspects are taking appliances, tools, and in some instances removing installed plumbing pipes from the walls. If you own or manage a property that is currently vacant, take measures to secure tools, and other valuables, if possible remove valuables.

We recommend documenting valuables by recording serial numbers, mark and/or engrave your property and take photographs.

If you have any information regarding these crimes or any burglaries in the Oxnard area please contact Detective Tom Payn at 805-385-7594 or thomaspayn@oxnardpd.org.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Robbery and Assault with a Deadly Weapon
DATE/TIME:	11-13-2010 at 2037 hours
LOCATION:	100 block of N. Grant Ave.
VICTIM(S):	Victim #1: No description available at this time. Victim #2: 36 year-old male of Oxnard.
SUSPECT(S):	Suspect #1: Hispanic male, early 20s, light complexion, heavy build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Suspect #2: No description available at this time. Suspect #3: No description available at this time.
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	Minor stab wound; no property taken
PREPARED BY:	Tom Chronister, Commander DR 10-24390
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Tom Chronister, Commander tom.chronister@oxnardpd.org or 805-385-7746

DETAILS:

Early Saturday evening, Oxnard police responded to a call of a stabbing just occurred in the alley of the 100 block of N. Grant Ave. The victim told police he was approached by three men while walking in the alley. The suspects asked the victim if he had any money. When the victim answered “no,” the suspects began rifling through the victim’s pockets. A friend of the victim (listed as Victim #2) came to his aid. One suspect (listed above as Suspect #1) stabbed the second victim in the torso. The trio of suspects fled on foot from the alley.

The stabbing victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for his injury.

Anyone with additional information on this crime is encouraged to contact Ventura County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-222-TIPS or online at http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	11/13/10, 1848 hrs
LOCATION:	Ventura Rd. at Hemlock St.
BICYCLIST:	Rene Ambriz, 20 years of Oxnard
DRIVER:	Paul Castaneda, 42 of Oxnard
VEHICLE(S):	Blue Bicycle
VEHICLE(S):	Blue, Dodge Van
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Randy Latimer
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Brian Woolley, Traffic Unit, 385-7749

DETAILS:

On November 13, 2010, at approximately 1848 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to Ventura Road and Hemlock Street after receiving a call of a traffic collision involving a mini van and a bicyclist. Once on scene, officers and EMS personnel found that a bicyclist, Rene Ambriz, 20 years old of Oxnard, had been struck by a van that was driven by Paul Castaneda, 42 years old of Oxnard. As a result of being hit by the van, Ambriz was thrown several feet and landed in the drainage canal that parallels Ventura Road. Ambriz sustained major injuries as a result of being hit and landing in the drainage canal. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Ambriz was riding his bicycle westbound in the eastbound lane of Hemlock Street against traffic. It was dark and his bicycle was not equipped with a headlight. He proceeded to cross Ventura Road against a red signal and was struck by the van driven by Castaneda who was traveling southbound on Ventura Road. Castaneda was proceeding through the intersection on a green signal and at normal speed.

It has not been determined whether or not alcohol was a factor.

If anyone has information about this collision please contact Senior Officer Brian Woolley at 385-7749.

An investigation is ongoing

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	11-26-2010 0744 Hours
LOCATION:	Jack in the Box 550 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard Ca.
VICTIM(S):	Fidencio Hernandez 35yrs, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Detective Mike Marostica
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Mike Marostica 486-6228 mike.marostica@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 11-26-10, at approximately 0745 hours, Oxnard Police Officers responded to Jack in the Box, located at 550 S. Victoria Ave. reference a stabbing victim. Upon arrival, officers contacted Fidencio Hernandez, who was suffering from a stab wound to the neck. Hernandez was transported to Ventura County Medical Center, where he is listed in serious but stable condition.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Mike Marostica at 486-6228 mike.marostica@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:	Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	11-06-2010 / 1434 hours
LOCATION:	3100 Block of Sturgis Road, Oxnard
DRIVER:	Robert James Musgrove, 23-years of Oxnard
VEHICLE:	Grey 2003 Nissan Altima
PREPARED BY:	Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator (805) 385-7750

DETAILS:

On November 6, 2010, at approximately 1434 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to the 3100 block of Sturgis Road after receiving a call of a single vehicle collision that had struck an electrical pole. Upon arrival, officers found that the Nissan Altima had been torn into two pieces and the single occupant had been ejected. The driver of the Nissan, Robert James Musgrove was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the Nissan, Mr. Musgrove, was traveling eastbound on Sturgis Road towards Del Norte at a high rate of speed. Witnesses stated that they observed the Nissan aggressively trying to pass vehicles. Once the Nissan was able to pass a few cars, it sped away at a high rate of speed. For unknown reasons, the Nissan lost control and collided with a large electrical pole. The impact caused the Nissan to be torn into two pieces and for Mr. Musgrove to be ejected. Mr. Musgrove sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision.

An investigation is continuing.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	OXNARD POLICE TO COMBAT DUI DEATHS AND INJURIES THROUGH TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM
DATE/TIME:	November 15, 2010
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749

DETAILS: 

The Oxnard Police Department has been awarded a new traffic safety grant for a year-long anti-DUI program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries on our roadways. Additional enforcement measures in place to combat impaired driving are coming as a result of recent grants awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety to the City of Oxnard in the amount of $305,000. The Oxnard Police Department is dedicated to keeping our streets safe through both enforcement and education.

Oxnard Interim Chief of Police Scott Whitney said, “We appreciate the partnership and support that we receive from the California Office of Traffic Safety. We have focused much effort on traffic safety and are proud of our results, however there is still much more work to be done. We will continue to look for opportunities at improving the safety of our roadways and this grant will assist us in that effort.”

The special DUI Enforcement and Awareness grant is to assist in efforts to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol and other drug related collisions in the community. The grant activities will specifically target impaired driving offenders as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving. This will be done through the use of DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, warrant searches and stakeouts for repeat DUI offenders, saturation patrols, court stings where DUI offenders with suspended or revoked driver licenses get behind the wheel after leaving court and community outreach on the dangers of impaired drivers.

Impaired driving is one of America’s deadliest crimes. In 2009, over 10,839 people died in highway crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. California data for 2009 shows that 950 died in Alcohol Impaired Collisions, a 7.6 percent reduction in deaths from 2008.

“Everyone in California should be heartened with these figures,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). “But as encouraging as this is, we can’t let up on the efforts to promote and enforce traffic safety. Far too many are still losing their lives or being severely injured on our roadways.” “These figures represent more people making it home safely and alive each day,” said Murphy. “But to keep this trend going, we will continue to strive to meet our vision – Toward zero deaths, every 1 counts.”

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS: 

UPDATE:
Fire and police have cleared the incident on Mercantile. A press release will be issued later today once the investigation has concluded.

Oxnard police and fire units are on scene of a traffic stop conducted by Oxnard police around 0800 hours in the 1200 block of Mercantile Street. Officers located an unidentified substance inside of the vehicle. As a precautionary measure, the area surrounding the vehicle in question has been cordoned off and Oxnard Fire Hazardous Materials Unit was dispatched. This incident is underway and the substance has yet to be identified. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to stay clear of the area as road closures are in effect in the surrounding area.

Updates will be provided via press release as they become available.

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Traffic stop leads to hazmat response; Man arrested
DATE/TIME:	11-22-2010 at 0803 hours
LOCATION:	1200 block of Mercantile Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Oxnard police officer
SUSPECT(S):	Gerardo Tapia Aguilar, 27 years, of Oxnard
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Silver 2002 Nissan Altima
PREPARED BY:	Tom Chronister, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Tom Chronister 805-385-7746 or tom.chronister@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Today at 8:03 A.M., Oxnard police stopped a silver 2002 Nissan Altima in the 1200 block of Mercantile Street for illegal window tint. The driver, Gerardo Tapia Aguilar, of Oxnard, was the sole occupant. Officers determined Aguilar was driving on a suspended driver license. While preparing to impound the vehicle for the license violation, officers conducted an inventory search of the vehicle.

One officer opened a plastic bag found in the car and inadvertently dispersed a powdery substance contained in the bag. The officer immediately became ill when the powder came in contact with his face. Another officer on scene immediately transported the ill officer to St. John’s Regional Medical Center for treatment. The vehicle was isolated and a hazardous materials unit from the Oxnard Fire Department responded to assess the powder and decontaminate the scene. Streets surrounding the traffic stop were closed to traffic until 10:17 A.M.

Oxnard Fire could not positively identify the powder as there was only a residual amount in the bag. The affected officer was treated at the hospital and released. He is expected to return to work later this week.

A subsequent search of the vehicle located methamphetamines, narcotics paraphernalia and a loaded handgun. Aguilar was arrested and transported to the Oxnard police station for booking.

Aguilar, who was out on bail for two previous felony arrests for drugs and weapons violations, faces fresh charges of possession of methamphetamines, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and possession of a loaded .22 caliber handgun. He will be booked into the Ventura County later today. Bail is estimated at $100,000.