Archives for May 2013

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Crime Alert: Property Crime Increase in Activity
DATE/TIME:	4/24/13, 1400 hours
LOCATION:	Neighborhoods of Windsor North and Sierra Linda
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, (805)385-7631 or miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sandra Plymire, (805) 385-8261, or Sandra.Plymire@oxnardpd.org; and, Hannah Estrada, (805) 385-7687, or Hannah.Estrada@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
The Oxnard Police Department would like to notify residents that the community is experiencing a recent increase in property crimes throughout the city. The Windsor North and Sierra Linda neighborhoods on the north end of Oxnard have had a notable increase in activity, such as auto burglaries, residential burglaries, and stolen vehicles.

We ask that you assist by taking a proactive approach to deter future criminal activity. We remind you not to leave any valuable possessions in your vehicles. Make sure to lock your vehicles and remove the keys. Similarly, be certain to secure windows and doors to your homes. We can all take small steps to avoid becoming a victim.

Help keep our homes and neighborhoods in Oxnard crime-free and safe. We remind residents to be extra aware and vigilant. If you see suspicious activity, please report it to the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7740, or dial 911. Anonymous tips and information can also be made with the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805)385-8255.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Samantha Torres, 13-year-old girl missing from Oxnard
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, May 4, 2013, 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	Rancho Solana Apartments 2400 block of Alvarado St., Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	Samantha Torres, 13-year-old from Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sr. Detective Luis McArthur, Investigative Services Bureau (805) 385-7662, luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sr. Detective Luis McArthur, Investigative Services Bureau (805) 385-7662, luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org

NEWS UPDATE – Investigators with the Oxnard Police Department, with the public’s help, have found missing 13-year-old Samantha Torres. She was found earlier this evening when a person reported seeing her walking near the CostCo store in Oxnard. Samantha, an eighth grade student at Rio Del Valle Middle School in Oxnard had been reported missing for more than a week. The search for her had been widespread throughout the area with photos and flyers being posted in area shops and on social media sites. The girl was located after a lengthy police investigation and she is now reunited with her family. The Oxnard Police Department and the girl’s family thanks the public in helping to find her.

Samantha Torres

(OXNARD, Calif) – Oxnard police investigators are searching for a 13-year-old girl reported missing earlier this week. The teen, who has brown eyes, long reddish brown hair and is 5 feet 7 inches tall, was last seen leaving a relative’s apartment at the 2400 block of Alvarado St. in Oxnard.

The girl lives at the Royal Dukes Mobile Estates at 1101 E. Ventura Blvd., Oxnard. Police investigators are searching for her and an alert has been made to Rio Del Valle Middle School where the girl is an 8^th grade student.

Anyone with information on Samantha’s whereabouts can call Sr. Detective Luis McArthur with the Oxnard Police Department’s Family Protection Unit at (805) 385-7662 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

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DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 8, 2013, 8:00 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:	Protest at Monsanto Corporation
DATE/TIME:	5/25/13 at about 1200 hours
LOCATION:	2700 Block of Camino Del Sol





PREPARED BY:	Kevin Baysinger, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Kevin Baysinger (805) 385-7746 kevin.baysinger@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 5/25/13, at approximately 11:30AM, a group of about 250 people marched from the area of Wal-Mart on Rose Avenue to the area of the Monsanto Corporation in the 2700 Block of Camino Del Sol. Once the group arrived at Monsanto, people from the group began to damage the property of Monsanto. The group was given orders to leave the property, and they complied with the order. The group was monitored by officers from the Oxnard Police Department until they ultimately dispersed. No arrests were made.

A similar protest at Monsanto took place back in September of 2012; the protest in 2012 was related to the “Occupy Monsanto” movement. It is unknown if today’s protest was related.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 5/25/13, 1052 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle vs. Train – Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	5/24/13; 2047 hours
LOCATION:	Rose Avenue just north of SR-34 (Fifth Street)
VICTIM(S):	Male, 70’s, possible Oxnard Resident (Name withheld pending notification of next of kin)
PARTIES:	Amtrak; Vera Olivia Vega, 43 years, Oxnard resident; Lea Davis, 49 years, Camarillo Resident
VEHICLES:	Black ’07 Dodge Charger, Blue ’03 Ford Expedition, Silver ’07 Toyota Camry


PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Pena, 805-385-7750, maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On May 24, 2013, at about 8:47 P.M., officers and EMS responded to an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and an Amtrak train on Rose Avenue just north of SR-34 (Fifth Street). Upon arrival, officers found that a black Dodge Charger had been struck by an Amtrak train and the debris from the collision had damaged a blue Ford Expedition and a silver Toyota Camry. Officers also found a male in the Dodge unconscious.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Dodge, driven by a male in his 70s, was stopped southbound on Rose Avenue on rail road tracks just north of SR-34 (Fifth Street). The Amtrak train was traveling westbound on the railroad tracks towards Rose Avenue. The Ford, driven by Vera Olivia Vega was stopped at a red light in the number one left turn lane from SR-34 (Fifth Street) to northbound Rose Avenue. The Toyota, driven by Lea Davis, was stopped eastbound on SR-34 (Fifth Street) just west of Rose Avenue.

As the Amtrak train approached the railroad crossing at Rose Avenue, the bells and lights for the railroad crossing arms were activated. For unknown reasons, the Dodge remained stopped on the tracks when it was struck by the Amtrak train.

The male driver of the Dodge was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. Driver Vega and Davis were not injured as a result of the collision. There were no reported injuries among the passengers on the Amtrak train.

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the collision.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at
805-385-7750. The investigation is ongoing.

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DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 25, 2013, 4:00 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:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	05/04/13 0730 hours
LOCATION:	600 block of South “D” Street
VICTIM(S):	Names Withheld Pending Notification of Next of Kin
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, 805-385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Ken Tougas, 805-200-5669 ken.tougas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 5/4/13 at approximately 0730 hours, officers were dispatched to the 600 block of South “D” Street to check the well-being of a two people in a vehicle. When officers arrived they located a female in her fifties and a male in late thirties. Both subjects had suffered a gunshot wound and were unresponsive. Both subjects were pronounced dead by emergency responders.

The victims’ names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Investigators are following up on several leads and motives at this time. The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Ken Tougas at (805) 200-5669. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 05/04/13, 1700 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Congested Intersection Re-Opened
DATE/TIME:	5-28-13 / 1745 hours
LOCATION:	Wooley Road / Rose Avenue
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078 martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

The intersection at Wooley Road and Rose Avenue has been re-opened.

An earlier single vehicle, non-injury collision where a fire hydrant was sheared off its moorings had necessitated some re-routing of traffic.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 5-28-13 / 1930 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	05/30/13 2203 hours
LOCATION:	1900 block of Napoleon Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Aaron Gomez, 18 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jeff Kay, (805) 385-8174 jeff.kay@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 5/30/13 at approximately 2203 hours, officers were dispatched to the 1900 block of Napoleon Avenue regarding a fight involving a possible traffic collision. When officers arrived they located a male subject who had suffered several stab wounds. Despite emergency responders’ efforts to save the subject, he died as a result of his injuries.

The victim was identified as Aaron Gomez, an 18 year old Oxnard resident. Investigators are following up on several leads and motives at this time. The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Jeff Kay at (805) 385-8174. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 5/31/13, 0830 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Subject threatening to set his home on fire
DATE/TIME:	05/01/2013 / 1400 hours
LOCATION:	2700 Block of Upton Sinclair Drive
SUSPECT(S):	Male, 63 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. David Klug
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sgt. David Klug, (805) 385-7600, david.klug@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On May 1, 2013, at about 1400 hours, officers responded to a call of a male subject attempting to set his home on fire in the 2700 Block of Upton Sinclair Drive. While en-route, officers received an update that the subject was now possibly in possession of a knife and threatening to hurt himself.

When officers arrived on scene they made contact with the subject who was in possession of two knives. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officers attempted to talk the subject into surrendering. The subject refused to surrender and challenged the officers to shoot him. The subject went back inside his home and threatened that if officers followed him into his home he would blow the house up.

Moments later the subject came back out of the home and continued to challenge officers to shoot him. Officers deployed an Electronic Control Device, commonly referred to as a “Taser,” and the subject was taken into custody without further incident.

The subject was treated at a local hospital. No charges were filed.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 05/01/2013 1745 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:	5/29/13; 0815 hours
LOCATION:	2100 Block of S. Victoria Avenue, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld, 67-year old male, resident of Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Michel Myer, 72 year-old male, resident of Oxnard



PREPARED BY:	Kevin Baysinger, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Kevin Baysinger, Commander kevin.baysinger@oxnardpd.org. (805) 385-7746

DETAILS:

At 0815 hours, officers responded to a residence in the 2100 Block of S. Victoria Avenue in Oxnard regarding a stabbing that had just occurred.

Officers located a 67 year old male who had been stabbed by his roommate. The victim received medical treatment at the scene for a stab wound to his chest and was transported to VCMC. His wound does not appear to be life-threatening.

Officers contacted the suspect, 72 year-old Michel Myer. Myer was cooperative with police and was ultimately arrested for an assault with a deadly weapon.

Anyone with further information is asked to call the Oxnard Police Department at 385-7600. An investigation is continuing.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 5/29/13; 0945 hours.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

DUI Checkpoint Results

DATE/TIME:

Friday, May 3rd, 2013 6:00 P.M. to Midnight

LOCATION:

Oxnard Blvd south of Glenwood Drive

PREPARED BY:

Derek Miller, Traffic Officer

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Derek Miller, Traffic Officer (derek.miller@oxnardpd.org)
(805) 385-7600

DETAILS:
On May 3rd, 2013, between the hours of 6:00 P.M. and midnight, officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint.

The checkpoint was conducted in honor of Taylor Marie Moss, a 19 year old Ventura County resident who lost her life to an intoxicated driver in 2009. Taylor’s family participated in the pre-checkpoint briefing. Her father, Dean Moss, told Taylor’s story and shared about the moment they received the devastating call about the collision that took his daughter’s life. In reference to the DUI Checkpoint operations, Moss stated, “Because of what you all do, a father will wake up tomorrow morning and still have his daughter alive.”

The checkpoint was conducted in the southbound lanes of Oxnard Blvd south of Glenwood Drive. The Moss family was present to observe and participate in the checkpoint operations. Posters featuring Taylor’s portrait and photographs of the vehicle in which she was killed were viewed by motorists as they drove through the checkpoint.

Officers screened 1042 motorists who passed through the checkpoint and conducted three DUI investigations on drivers who had been drinking alcohol. None of those drivers were found to be over the legal limit. Each vehicle that passed through the checkpoint received a pamphlet containing Taylor’s portrait, her story, and a description of the punishment of the intoxicated driver who killed her.

Citations were issued to nine drivers for various Vehicle Code violations. Seven drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license, two drivers were cited for driving with a suspended driver’s license, and four vehicles were towed from the checkpoint.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations in honor of victims of DUI related collisions. We remind people that all DUI related collisions are preventable and we urge people to make a responsible choice before operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 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 to dial 911 if they see an impaired driver. These DUI enforcement operations are funded by grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and through the National Highway Traffic Safety 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