Archives for March 2013

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with deadly weapon involving a vehicle. Suspected DUI.
DATE/TIME:	Sunday, March 24^th, 2013 7:20 P.M.
LOCATION:	1200 block of West Hill Street, (North Alley)
PEDESTRIAN:	25 year old, Oxnard resident
DRIVER (SUSPECT):	Adrian Ceja 28 years of age, Oxnard resident

SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	2006, Blue Chevrolet, Silverado, pick-up truck

PREPARED BY:	Officer Jose Diaz jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Jose Diaz jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org ; 385-7600

DETAILS:

On March 24^th at about 7:20 P.M. officers and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, in the north alley of the 1200 block of West Hill Street. Upon arrival, officers found that the driver of the pick-up was being detained by witnesses. Officers were also informed that a pedestrian was injured in the alley with a broken leg.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Ceja was driving his 06 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound in the north alley of Hill Street. Witnesses stated they observed Ceja intentionally collide into the victim and flee eastbound through the alley. However, Ceja’s vehicle became inoperable due to the collision. Interviews with Ceja discovered that he and the victim were in a physical fight and Ceja drove his vehicle hitting the victim. The victim was admitted to Ventura County Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition. Officers were unable to obtain a statement from the victim due to his medical condition. Ceja was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, other than a firearm, and felony DUI.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 03/24/13, 2300 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Second Suspect Arrested in 2009 Homicide
DATE/TIME:	3/29/2013 / 1630
LOCATION:	2700 block of El Dorado Avenue
SUSPECT(S):	Jonathan Gallegos, 21 years old, of Newbury Park, CA
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett Supervisor, (805) 486-6211, Alex.Arnett@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Young, Major Crimes Unit (805) 385-7606 Mike.Young@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
Between 2006 and 2012, the City of Oxnard had five homicides that investigators believe were committed by members of the Lemonwood Chiques gang. In August of 2012, the Oxnard Police Department formed a special task force to solve these homicides. As a result of the task force’s extensive investigation, the department arrested 18 year old Cristian Santos for the October 12, 2011 homicide of Sergio Arroyo. Arroyo was subsequently convicted for this homicide.

On January 17, 2009 at approximately 8 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a fight with shots fired in the 2700 block of El Dorado Ave. Upon the officer’s arrival, they located two victims who had sustained stab wounds. A third victim showed up at the hospital an hour after the incident with a minor stab wound. The 28 year old homicide victim, later identified as Alfredo Vargas, underwent emergency surgery and died at approximately 2:30 am on Sunday.

The task force has continued to work on the Alfredo Vargas homicide as well as other open homicides involving Lemonwood Chiques gang members. On March 29, 2013, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed charges on Jonathan Gallegos in connection with his role in this homicide. These charges include murder and committing the murder for the benefit of a criminal street gang, the Lemonwood Chiques.

There continues to be several outstanding suspects in the Alfredo Vargas homicide as well as the other homicides involving the Lemonwood Chiques gang members. Arrests in the near future for these homicides are highly likely. These investigations are the result of countless investigative hours and a cooperative effort involving multiple local law enforcement agencies. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office all played key roles in these successful investigations.

The investigation into the murder of Alfredo Vargas is ongoing and members of the public are asked to contact Detective Mike Young at (805) 385-7606 or Mike.Young@Oxnardpd.org if they have any information about this incident.

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Date: March 29, 2013

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Drivers License checkpoints Planned this Weekend
DATE/TIME:	Friday, March 15, 2013 9:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	CIty of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-77549 randy.latimer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

DUI/Drivers License checkpoints Planned this Weekend

Oxnard, CA – Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints on Friday, March 15th at undisclosed locations within the city limits between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving alcohol drop by an average of 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted often enough.

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers will also check drivers for proper licensing and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

In 2010, over 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 791 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver. “Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 6 lives and resulted in 604 injury crashes harming 355 of our friends and neighbors,” said Senior Officer Jamie Brown.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to continue to work together to bring an end to these tragedies. If you see a Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

MEDIA NOTES: To schedule an interview regarding the Oxnard Traffic Safety Operations, please contact Jamie Brown at 805-385-7749 or at Jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Missing Juvenile
DATE/TIME:	3/23/13 9:29 p.m.
LOCATION:	240 North Bonita
VICTIM(S):	Zayra Rosales, 12 years old
PREPARED BY:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Eduardo M. Miranda (805) 385-7600 eduardo.miranda@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 3/23/13 at 2129 hours, the Oxnard Police Department was notified regarding a critical missing; Zayra Rosales. She was last seen on March 23, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. in the 200 Block of South Bonita Ave in Oxnard.

Zayra is a Hispanic female, 5 feet tall, weighs 100 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. Zayra was last seen wearing blue sweatshirt and blue jeans and white shoes.

Oxnard PD officers are checking possible known locations where Zayra has been in the past.

Anyone with information regarding the missing juvenile is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department (805) 385-7600.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/23/2013 / 2310 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	3/9/13 at 1906 hours
LOCATION:	1200 block of Saviers Road, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Male, 17 years, of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Sonsner Sailas, 40 years, of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Brian Woolley, (805) 385-7600 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 3/9/13, at about 7:06 P.M. officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the 4700 block of Reeder Avenue in reference to a call of a stabbing victim. The 17 year-old victim informed officers that he had been involved in a fight approximately 20 minutes earlier in a parking lot located in the 1200 block of Saviers Road.

Officers were dispatched to Saviers Road and while searching for a crime scene, officers contacted the suspect, Sonsner Sailas. During the investigation, officers learned that Sailas had stabbed the victim in his right arm during the fight. Sailas, who sustained only minor injuries, was taken into custody and later booked into the Ventura County Jail.

The victim sustained a stab wound to his right arm and was treated and released at St. John’s Regional Medical Center.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/9/13, 2230 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery
DATE/TIME:	03/09/13 at 2104 hours
LOCATION:	1400 block of Redwood Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Little Tony’s Restaurant
SUSPECT(S):	Hispanic Male, 20-30’s, 5’5” 180 lbs., black clothing
LOSS:	Undisclosed amount
PREPARED BY:	James McKarrell, Patrol Officer
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	James McKarrell (805) 385-7600 James.mckarrell@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 03-09-13 at approximately 2104 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 1400 block of Redwood Street in reference to a call of a robbery. The owner of the business told officers that an unknown Hispanic Male entered the restaurant, brandished a handgun, and demanded money. When the owner confronted the suspect, the suspect fired a single shot, nearly striking the owner. After firing the shot, the suspect stole money from the register and fled the scene.

The suspect was described as being a Hispanic Male in his 20’s or early 30’s, about 5’5”, 180 lbs., wearing a black hoodie, and black pants. The suspect’s face was concealed with a bandana.

No one was injured during the incident and the suspect is still outstanding.

Persons with additional information are encouraged to call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070. Or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. Visit the website http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

ATE / TIME PREPARED: 03-09-2013/2347

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

DUI/Drivers License Checkpoint Results

DATE/TIME:

Friday, March 15th, 2013 9:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M.

LOCATION:

Oxnard Blvd just south of Second Street
southbound lanes of “J “ Street just south of Cedar Street.

PREPARED BY:

Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
(805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

On March 15^th, 2013, between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 3:00 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted two DUI/Driver’s license checkpoints.

The first checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Blvd just south of Second Street and the second checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of “J “ Street just south of Cedar Street.

Officers screened 390 motorists who passed through the checkpoints and conducted eight DUI investigations on drivers who had been drinking alcohol. Of those investigations, five drivers were arrested for DUI alcohol, one was arrested for DUI Drugs and possession of methamphetamine, and one was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Citations were issued to four drivers for various Vehicle Code violations. 14 drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license, one driver was cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license, and eight vehicles were towed from the checkpoints.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These DUI operations are an 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. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

For any questions related to DUI and traffic enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at (805) 385-7749 or via e-mail at jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Sketch of suspect in double murder
DATE/TIME:	March 21, 2013, 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	300 Block of Cuesta Del Mar Drive, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Two adult men
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sr. Detective Luis McArthur, Investigative Services Bureau (805) 385-7662, luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Martin Perez, Major Crimes Unit (805) 385-7680, martin.perez@oxnardpd.org

(OXNARD, Calif) – Oxnard Police Detectives have released a composite sketch of the suspect wanted for the killings of two Oxnard men and injuring a third.

On Saturday, September 29, 2012, at about 10 p.m., three men were gunned down in the south alley of the 300 block of Cuesta Del Mar Drive in South Oxnard. Two of the men were pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders and a third man was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor wounds.

An investigation revealed the men were approached by an unknown suspect who shot them. The motive and the identity of the suspect still remain unknown.

The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of homicide suspects.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Martin Perez at (805) 385-7680.

Tips can also be provided through their confidential Tip Line at (805) 982-7070, via Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or online at www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 21, 2013, 11:00 a.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspect arrested in 2009 homicide
DATE/TIME:	March 26, 2013, 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION:	2700 block of El Dorado Avenue, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Alfredo Vargas
SUSPECT(S):	Alexis Ramirez, 23 Years of Age, Currently in Custody with the CDCR at Norco
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, Major Crimes Supervisor, (805) 385-7763, christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Young, Major Crimes Unit (805) 385-7606 mike.young@Oxnardpd.org

Alexis Ramirez

(OXNARD, Calif)– Between 2006 and 2012, the City of Oxnard had five homicides that investigators believe were committed by members of the Lemonwood Chiques gang. In August of 2012, the Oxnard Police Department formed a special task force to solve these homicides. As a result of the task force’s extensive investigation, the Department arrested 18 year old Cristian Santos for the October 12, 2011 homicide of Sergio Arroyo. Santos was subsequently convicted for this homicide.

On January 17, 2009 at approximately 8 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a fight with shots fired in the 2700 block of El Dorado Ave. Upon the officer’s arrival, they located two victims who had sustained stab wounds. A third victim showed up at the hospital an hour after the incident with a minor stab wound. One of the victims, 28 year old Alfredo Vargas, underwent emergency surgery and died at approximately 2:30 a.m. The task force was able to develop several leads on the Alfredo Vargas homicide. On March 25, 2013, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed charges on Alexis Ramirez in connection with his role in this homicide. He is currently in custody at CDCR, Norco for charges unrelated to this investigation.

There are several outstanding suspects in the Alfredo Vargas homicide as well as the other four homicides involving the Lemonwood Chiques gang. We are currently to the point in the investigation that we will be able to make additional arrests in the near future for these homicides. These investigations are the result of countless hours and a cooperative effort involving multiple local law enforcement agencies. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office all played key roles in this successful investigation.

The investigation into the murder of Alfredo Vargas is ongoing and members of the public are asked to contact Detective Mike Young at (805) 385-7606 or Mike.Young@Oxnardpd.org if they have any information about this case.

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DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 26, 2013, 5:00 p.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with a deadly weapon (handgun)
DATE/TIME:	03-11-13 2230 hours
LOCATION:	First Street at Marquita Street
VICTIM(S):	23-Year old male, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Male
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Large vehicle
PREPARED BY:	Commander Marty Meyer
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078, martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 03/11/13, at approximately 2230 hours, officers responded to St. John’s Regional Medical Center Emergency Room reference a shooting victim just arrived. Officers learned the shooting occurred at the location of First Street at Marquita Street.

The 23-year old male victim was driving his vehicle and had stopped at a stop sign. A large vehicle approached and a male subject inside the vehicle shot an undetermined number of times at the victim’s vehicle striking the victim. The victim sped away driving to St. John’s Regional Medical Center.

The victim was later transferred to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.

Persons with information about this incident are encouraged to call the Violent Crimes Hotline where you can remain anonymous at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Use http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or e-mail.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 03/12/13, 0045 hours