Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On 08/12/2012 at 2:00 p.m. Harold Rakowiecki was home and spoke to family by phone. On 08/13/2012 at 9:25 a.m., Rakowiecki’s family called the Oxnard Police Department to report him missing.  Rakowiecki is known to walk to area beaches, the Oxnard Transportation Center, and the Camarillo Airport.
 
Mr. Rakowiecki is described as a white male adult, 6’ tall, 190 lbs., brown hair, blue eyes, with a tattoo of a skull on one of his forearms.  He was last seen wearing an unknown color shirt, gray shorts with stripes on the sides, and sandals.
 
The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Mr. Harold Rakowiecki.  If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the Oxnard Police Department Dispatch Center at (805) 385-7740.
 
 

  DATE / TIME PREPARED:  8/13/12, 1315 hours

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On August 13, 2012, at about 04:06 p.m., a male suspect entered the Bank of the West located at 371 E. Esplanade Dr. The suspect approached the teller window and handed the female teller a note that demanded money. The teller handed an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect.  The suspect fled the bank in an easterly direction on foot towards the Home Depot retail store. The suspect met up with a Hispanic female driver who entered an older model white possibly Toyota Camry or Corolla. The vehicle was last seen fleeing north bound through the parking lot.       
 
Oxnard police officers and investigators responded and interviewed several witnesses.  FBI agents also assisted in the investigation. Investigators are currently working several leads. 
 
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Steven Funk at (805) 385-7796. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspxto submit a tip via text or email. You can also contact the FBI, attention Special Agent Bernard Riedel at 1-310-477-6565 or bernard.riedel@ic.fbi.gov

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On August 1, 2012 at about 2025 hours Oxnard Police Department officers responded to a stabbing victim located in the 4700 block of Terrace Avenue. The victim, a 30 year old male Oxnard resident, was taken to Ventura County Medical Center for his injuries. During the investigation it was learned that the victim was standing with several subjects in the alley of Terrace Ave in the south end of Oxnard. The victim was approached by 3 unknown subjects. The subjects began arguing with the victim. The subjects charged at the victim and beat him for several minutes and then fled the area. The victim was able to call 9-1-1 and Fire and EMS responded. The victim was transported to the hospital for his non-life threatening injuries. The motive for the stabbing is unknown at this time.
If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Cody Collet at (805) 486-6228.  If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  8/1/12 / 23:38 hours
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On 08/03/2012, at about 0700 hours missing person Eva Thornburg left her home in the 1300 block of Gracia Drive, Oxnard en-route to volunteer at a convalescent home located in the 1400 block of West Gonzales Road, Oxnard.  Thornburg did not arrive at that location. Concerned family members notified the Oxnard Police Department in the early evening. The Oxnard Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Ms. Eva Thornburg.  If you have any information regarding her whereabouts please contact the Oxnard Police Department Dispatch Center at (805) 385-7740.
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  8-4-12, 0100 hours

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On 08/14/12 at 6:00 a.m. missing adult Harold Rakowiecki was located by Ventura County Sheriff Deputies near the intersection of Ventura Blvd. at Las Posas Rd., in the City of Camarillo.  Mr. Rakowiecki was found to be in good health and was reunited with local family members. 
 
The Oxnard Police Department would like to thank everyone who assisted in the search for Mr. Rakowiecki.  If you have any further questions, please contact the Oxnard Police Department Dispatch Center at (805) 385-7740.
 
 DATE / TIME PREPARED:  8/14/12, 0800  hours
 

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On 8-18-12, at 1350 hours, a male, 20 to 25 years, 5-7, short black hair, tattoos entered Ideal Furniture, located in the 100 block of East 5^thStreet. This subject asked an employee if he (the subject) could look at a gold metal necklace valued at $3,400 (victim’s estimate). As the employee held the necklace, the subject grabbed the necklace. A struggle ensued with the suspect ultimately taking the necklace and fleeing on foot.
 
Store employees gave chase but were unable to apprehend the suspect. Employees returned and notified the Oxnard PD. Officers responded and contacted the employees. A search for the suspect was unsuccessful.
 
An investigation is continuing.
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  8-18-12, 1710 hours

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On August 18, 2012 at approximately 7:38 P.M, officers were dispatched to the 700 block of Cedar Street regarding shots being fired in the area. When officers arrived they contacted a witness who advised that a male subject fired several shots at a vehicle and then fled into a residence in the 1400 block of South “F” Street.
 
Officers surrounded the residence and made several announcements for the occupants of the residence to exit. Two occupants exited the residence and told officers that an unknown male subject was inside their residence. When the subject refused to come out of the residence, members of the Oxnard Police Department’s SWAT Team responded. After approximately 30 minutes, the subject, later identified as Ricardo Garcia, exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.  
 
During a search of the residence, a firearm and several bullets were located inside the residence. None of the residents were injured and they stated that they didn’t know the subject that had entered their residence. Garcia was booked at the Ventura County Jail for various weapon violations.
 
If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Collet at (805) 486-6228.  If you wish to remain anonymous you may call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  8/19/12, 0130 Hours

Jeri Williams Chief of Police

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

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:
On 8/14/12, at about 12:43 pm, a passing motorist notified the Oxnard Police Department that there was a man with a gun, in the street, in the 300 block of South H Street. Officers arrived on scene within one minute and saw the suspect pointing a gun to his head. The suspect ran from the officers and into a nearby residence. The officers heard a gunshot and didn’t know if the suspect shot himself or someone else.
 
The suspect quickly came back within view and confronted the officers. The suspect held a gun to his head and challenged the officers to shoot him. The suspect challenged the officers and pointed a firearm at them in a threatening manner. The officers fired at the suspect, striking him. He was treated by emergency medical personnel and transported to a local hospital where he died.
 
No officers or members of the public were injured. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
 
As is standard procedure for officer-involved-shootings, the officers have been placed on paid administrative leave. 
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  08/14/12 6:30 pm