Archives for March 2014

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, March 15, 2014 8:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M.
LOCATION:	Eastbound Lanes of Channel Islands Blvd near Rose Avenue
PREPARED BY:	Derek Miller, Traffic Officer (805) 385-7600 derek.miller@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On March 15, 2014, between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 2:00 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a DUI/Driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Oxnard. The checkpoint was conducted in the eastbound lanes of Channel Islands Blvd near Rose Avenue.

Officers screened 474 motorists who passed through the checkpoint and conducted four DUI investigations on drivers who had been drinking alcohol and/or using drugs while driving. Two of these drivers were arrested for violations of misdemeanor DUI. One additional driver was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant and was later found to be in possession of methamphetamine. His passenger was arrested for an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. A passenger in one of the vehicles being driven by an impaired driver was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Citations were issued to 22 drivers for various vehicle code violations. One driver was issued a citation for driving with a suspended driver’s license while 13 drivers were issued citations for driving without a valid driver’s license. Four vehicles were towed from the checkpoints.

Through strategic efforts involving enforcement, engineering and educational programs, the Oxnard Police Department has made significant progress with reducing the number of collisions in the City of Oxnard. In 2008, there were 2,593 collisions in the city. Last year experienced a 41 percent reduction with 1,519 collisions. In 2013, over 500 drivers were also arrested for DUI in Oxnard.

Each year, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) uses collision data gathered from cities throughout California and ranks them according to their population size. The City of Oxnard is among 55 cities placed in a group where the population is between 100,001 to 250,000. Collision statistics gathered by OTS include total fatalities and injuries, alcohol involved by age, motorcycles, pedestrians by age and bicyclists. Over the past several years, the City of Oxnard consistently ranked among the top five of the “worst” on this list. Our dedicated efforts towards collision reduction have resulted in a 2011 OTS ranking of 17 on the same list.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct DUI enforcement operations this year. These 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) 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.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide (Update)
DATE/TIME:	March 19, 2014, 1000 hours
LOCATION:	100 block of South C Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	Alexander Ysidro Flores Ramirez, 66 years old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Sgt. Christopher Williams (805) 385-7763 Christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Currie (805) 200-5682 gordon.currie@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On January 26, 2014 at approximately 5:31PM, the Oxnard Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center received a call of a fight in the 100 block of South C Street, Oxnard. Oxnard Police Officers and emergency medical personnel were dispatched. When officers arrived, they located the unconscious victim, identified as Alexander Ysidro Flores Ramirez. Ramirez was immediately transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment.

Ramirez had been hospitalized since the fight. On March 5, 2014 Ramirez’s condition deteriorated and he passed away. Investigators have been following up on several leads and are still attempting to determine the true sequence of events that occurred on January 26, 2014. Detectives are currently seeking the public’s help in locating 26 year old Danielle Everett and 42 year old Forrest Hollins for questioning in this case.

If anyone sees either of these two subjects, or has any information about this case please contact Detective Currie at (805) 200-5682. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call 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.

EVERETT HOLLINS
Danielle Everett Forrest Hollins

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	March 15, 2014 / 2000-0300 Hours
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

Drivers who are under 21 years of age are reminded that even a minimal amount of alcohol in their system is illegal. A driver under 21 years of age, with a blood alcohol level of 0.01% or more, is considered under the influence and is subject to arrest, fines and loss of their driving privileges for one year or longer.

The Oxnard Police Department would like to remind all drivers to plan ahead and if they plan on drinking, designate a sober driver. This simple plan could save a life.

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. Nearly 90 percent of California drivers approve of DUI checkpoints.

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 ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Despondent Subject
DATE/TIME:	3/6/2014, 11:01 a.m.
LOCATION:	3400 Block of S. “C” Street
INVOLVED PERSON:	22-year old male, Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Alex Rangel, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager (805) 385-7631 Miguel.Lopez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Thursday, 3/6/14, at approximately 11:01 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department’s Emergency Communications Center received numerous calls of a subject climbing onto a power pole in the 3400 block of South “C” Street.

Upon their arrival, officers located a 22-year old male standing on top of a power pole with stereo headphones covering his ears. The initial Oxnard Police Officers on scene had previously attended Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). CIT training is designed to assist officers in de-escalating potentially dangerous situations with persons suffering from mental illness or experiencing an emotional crisis. With the assistance of Southern California Edison Company lift buckets, officers attempted to begin dialogue with him but he refused to acknowledge them. Edison Company employees assisted in making all of the nearby power lines safe.

Based on the circumstances, members of the Oxnard Police Department Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) and the Oxnard Fire Department were called to the scene to assist. HNT negotiators began communications with the subject from nearby lift buckets and were able to convince the subject to come down from the nearly 40-foot high pole. After nearly four (4) hours, an empty lift bucket was raised to the subject and he was safely rescued from the pole. The subject later told officers he was despondent over recent family issues. He was safely transported to a Ventura County Mental Health facility for evaluation.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 03/06/2014 @ 1630 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	School Lock Down, Ocean View Junior High School
DATE/TIME:	03/12/2014 – 6:30 pm
LOCATION:	5100 block of Cypress Road, City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	N/A
SUSPECT(S):	Minor, name withheld
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager, miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On 3/12/2014, at about 2:20 pm, Oxnard Police Department officers were dispatched to a call of a student who had made a threat towards other students at Oceanview Junior High.

The threat came in the form of a video recording where the student had a gun and was shown to manipulate the magazine. In this recording, the student threatened to kill two other students and members of his family.

The video recording was emailed to another student, who did the right and responsible thing by informing school administration.

Since the minor making the threats as well as two would-be-victims were all students, the school was placed on lockdown. Officers responded immediately, and school resource officers were able to make contact with the students.

It was determined that the students were all friends and had made the video together. Also, the gun shown, turned out to be an air-soft replica gun. There did not appear to be any other threat.

For students and schools, incidents like this can disrupt the learning environment. For parents, families, and our community, it brings an unnecessary worry.

The Oxnard Police remind parents and all residents of the danger that replica firearms are a hazard to public safety when brandished or used in a threatening manner.
Consequently, as in this case, it can deplete our immediate resources, and cost the city and our Department valuable time and resources, as well as our ability to respond to other incidents in the city.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 12, 2014, 6:30 pm

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Vehicle Tampering Arrest (PRO)
DATE/TIME:	3-10-14 /1124 hours
LOCATION:	1600 Block of Pacific Avenue
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Julio Carriedo, 33 years, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	Withheld
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	None
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander (805) 207-7078, martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 3-10-14, at 1124 hours, officers responded to 1600 Pacific Avenue regarding a possible stolen vehicle in the parking lot. Subjects were seen in and around the vehicle.

Officers located the confirmed stolen vehicle and found Julio Carriedo, 33-year old Oxnard resident, inside the vehicle. Carriedo was arrested without incident and charged with 10852 CVC (vehicle tampering).

Carriedo is a Post Release Offender (PRO). The Post Release Offender Program releases non-violent, non-sexual, and non-serious offense criminals from State Prison pursuant to Assembly Bill 109.

An investigation is continuing.

Date / Time Prepared: 3-10-14 / 1430 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 tampering, stolen property and assault arrest
DATE/TIME:	03/01/2014 @ 0700
LOCATION:	2^nd Street and H Street
VICTIM(S):	Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	16-year-old Port Hueneme resident
PREPARED BY:	Chris Inglehart, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Oxnard Police Communications, 805-385-7740

DETAILS:

On 03/01/2014 at 0700 hours officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to 2^nd and H Streets reference a possible interrupted auto burglary. Several residents had confronted the suspect inside of a vehicle. The suspect got out, attempted to strike one of the witnesses with a bat, and then fled the area.

Officers responded to the area and were directed to the suspect’s location by an alert witness. The suspect, a 16-year-old Port Hueneme resident, was taken into custody without incident. A search of his property revealed property stolen from a previous auto burglary. The suspect was booked at Ventura County Juvenile Hall for vehicle tampering, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possession of stolen property.

The Oxnard Police Department encourages residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. This is an excellent example of a witness who saw suspicious activity, called the police, and provided the appropriate information.

If anyone has more information on this incident, you are encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at 385-7600. If someone wishes to remain anonymous, they can call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070 or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or e-mail.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 03/01/2014 @ 1549

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Fatal Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	March 22, 2014 / 0609 hours
LOCATION:	Rice Avenue at Camino Del Sol
VICTIM:	Hispanic Male, 41 years, Residence unknown, (Name withheld pending notification of family)
PARTY 1:	36 year old male, Oxnard Resident
PARTY 2:	48 year old male, Port Hueneme Resident
PARTY 3:	57 year old female, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Black, 2000 Nissan Maxima
VEHICLE 2:	Green, 1995 Ford Escort
VEHICLE 3:	Blue, 2002 Mercedes
PREPARED BY:	Officer Garrett Knowles, PatrolOfficer
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On March 22, 2014, at about 6:09 A.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Camino Del Sol and Rice Avenue in reference to an injury traffic collision involving three vehicles.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a Nissan Maxima was traveling southbound on Rice Avenue and both a Ford Escort and a Mercedes SUV were driving northbound on Rice Avenue. As all three vehicles approached Camino Del Sol, the Nissan Maxima attempted to turn eastbound onto Camino Del Sol directly in front of the Ford Escort, causing a head on collision. The Mercedes SUV then collided into the Nissan Maxima.

Three occupants from the Ford Escort were transported to local hospitals. Two occupants sustained major injuries and a third occupant died as a result of his injuries. The driver of the Nissan Maxima and the Mercedes SUV were not injured.

Drugs or alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the collision. No witnesses to the accident have come forward; if anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at (805) 385-7750. The investigation is ongoing.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 22, 2014 at 1130 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Operation Safer and Stronger: Scams target Oxnard Residents and Southern California Edison Customers
DATE/TIME:	03/28/14
LOCATION:	Citywide
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager (805) 385-7631 miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org Southern California Edison Media Contact: David Song, (626) 302-1203 or 24-hour media line at (626) 302-2255

DETAILS:The end of March brings the third installment of Oxnard Police’s Operation Safer & Stronger crime prevention public service announcement. This month the Oxnard Police Department is highlighting scams targeting Oxnard residents and business, as well as Southern California Edison customers.

“We have seen continuing telephone scam attempts targeting Oxnard and the central coast, since the start of the year – and continue to advise community members to be alert and cautious,’ said Miguel Lopez, Oxnard Police Community Affairs Manager. “As we understand, these calls are not coming from local numbers, instead from out of state, another country, or numbers that are hard to track. Often times, they are cold calls, that catch residents off-guard and demand immediate payment to avoid an interruption in service,” Lopez added.

Southern California Edison (SCE) is also advising customers to be aware of on-going telephone scams that are demanding immediate payment for allegedly past due electricity bills.

Imposters have been calling SCE customers – at home and businesses – telling them they must make immediate payment on past due bills or have their electric service disconnected. The callers are also demanding that payment be made through a prepaid cash card, such as a PayPal or Green Dot card. Further, SCE reports that 90% of these scams are targeting business, with a majority (80%) targeting minority and small businesses.

“We ask our customers to be alert to these calls that demand immediate payment and threaten service disconnection,” said Henry Martinez, SCE vice president of Safety, Security & Compliance. “Customers suspecting a fraudulent call should ask for the caller’s name, department and business phone number. If the caller refuses to provide this information, customers should terminate the call and report the incident immediately to local police or SCE at 800-655-4555.”

SCE also reminds customers to ask for identification when a stranger comes to the door or calls claiming to be a utility worker. SCE utility workers will provide verification, including their department and phone number, when asked.

In most cases, home visits by SCE are scheduled by the customer and SCE will confirm the appointment in writing. If there are any concerns, SCE and Oxnard Police suggest having the utility worker wait outside until their identity can be verified.

Oxnard residents and SCE customers should also note that:

·         An SCE employee will never ask for money in person.
·         If SCE does need to contact and call you, they would be calling from an 800-number. SCE never calls to collect payment.
·         Never reveal your credit card, ATM or calling card numbers (or PIN numbers) to anyone.
·         If someone calls and requests you leave your residence at a specific time for a utility-related cause, call the police. This could be a burglary set up by the caller.
·         Be suspicious of anyone who arrives at your house without an appointment asking to check an appliance, wiring, or suggesting that there may be some other electrical problem inside your residence

If you are a victim of such scam, you are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department to file a police report. Oxnard Police is working with corresponding prosecuting and other agencies that are investigating these crimes, nationwide.

The Operation Safer and Stronger initiative was launched by Chief of Police Jeri Williams in response to the increase in crime, especially the rise in preventable property crime. Oxnard Police has been releasing monthly public service announcements to target trends citywide, and offering crime prevention tips to address these challenges. In addition, bi-monthly public crime prevention seminars have been scheduled. The next Crime Prevention Seminars are scheduled for Thursday, April 17^th at Channel Islands High School Cafeteria and Friday, April 18^th at Hueneme High School Library, both from 6:00-7:30pm (both in English with Spanish translation available. To RSVP please contact Detective Crystal Walker at crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:   3/28/14 4:00pm.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspicious Death
DATE/TIME:	3/29/14 1127 hours
LOCATION:	4900 block of South “C” Street
VICTIM(S):	48 year old Oxnard resident, name 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 Miguel Serrato , (805) 385-7688 miguel.serrato@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On March 29, 2014 at approximately 1127 hours, officers and EMS were dispatched to the 4900 block of South “C” Street regarding a subject not breathing. When officers and EMS arrived they located the female subject. Emergency responders pronounced her deceased at the scene.

The subject was a 48 year old Oxnard resident. Her name is being withheld until her family is notified. Investigators didn’t observe any signs of trauma on the victim and at this time don’t know the cause of death. Investigators are attempting to locate witnesses and establish what occurred.

Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Miguel Serrato at (805) 385-7688. 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.