Archives for August 2014

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT:	Oxnard Police host Community Workshop: What Parents Can Do About Bullying
DATE/TIME:	August 23, 2014 / 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	Oxnard Main Public Library, 251 South “A” Street, Oxnard (Meeting Room B)
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Crystal Walker (805) 385-7668 or crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

As part of our Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, the Oxnard Police Department, in conjunction with the Oxnard Public Library, will be presenting a community workshop, “What Parents Can Do About Bullying.”

This workshop will cover a variety of topics related to bullying, including on-line activity and social networking, ways youth cyber bully each other, when to report cyber bullying behavior and how to help victims of cyber bullying.

The presentation is free to the public and will be held at the Oxnard Main Public Library, 251 South “A” Street on August 23, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Meeting Room B. For further information, please call the Main Library at (805) 385-7532 or Detective Crystal Walker at (805) 385-7668.

Oxnard Police strongly encourage parents of school-aged kids or anyone who works at an Oxnard-area school to join us for this important community workshop and conversation.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 08-21-14 / 1530 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Kidnapping / Robbery
DATE/TIME:	August 2, 2014 / 0017 hours
LOCATION:	South Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	33 year-old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	4 Hispanic males 1 Hispanic female
PREPARED BY:	Detective Jess Aragon
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jess Aragon Jess.Aragon@oxnardpd.org 805-385-7547

DETAILS:
On August 2, 2014, at 0017 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the area of San Mateo Place and Geronimo Drive in the city of Oxnard reference a check the well-being. Once on scene officers located a 33 year-old Oxnard resident who had been kidnapped and robbed in the South Oxnard. The victim was physically battered and sustained minor injuries. The suspects were described as four Hispanic males and a single Hispanic female. The suspects fled the area in unknown type of SUV.

If anyone has any additional information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Jess Aragon at (805) 385-7547. 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.aspx to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 2, 2014 / 0530 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Deputy-Involved Shooting
DATE/TIME:	8/7/14 at approx. 1605 hours
LOCATION:	1300 block Bottlebrush Place, Oxnard CA 93030
SUSPECT(S):	Rudy Cortez, 33 years old, City of Camarillo resident
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Bob Eckman (805) 385-7760 Bob.Eckman@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On August 7, 2014, at approximately 1605 hours, Deputies from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office were seeking an individual wanted on three felony warrants. Deputies had obtained information that Rudy Cortez, a 33-year old Camarillo resident, was in a house in the 1300 block of Bottlebrush Place in the city of Oxnard.

Deputies spotted Cortez attempting to flee in a vehicle. As the Deputies attempted to contact him, shots were fired. No individuals were struck by the gunfire. Cortez continued to drive westbound on Bottlebrush Place before eventually exiting his vehicle and fleeing on foot. He was taken into custody in the 1500 block of Teal Club Road after a brief foot pursuit.

Upon his arrest, Cortez was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for a medical clearance for a minor injury.

Investigators are still in the preliminary stages of their investigation. Additional information will be released at a later time.

Oxnard Police investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact the Oxnard Police Department with information. 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: 8/7/14, 2030 Hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Lead Up to Labor Day Brings DUI Crackdown to Ventura County
DATE/TIME:	August 15 through September 1, 2014
LOCATION:	County of Ventura
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant, (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: Labor Day weekend is coming up. For many Americans, that means an extra day off, backyard and beach barbecues, visiting friends and family, and the unofficial end of the summer season. Unfortunately, it also means a sharp increase in drunk-driving-related fatalities. Starting August 15 and continuing through September 1, Ventura County police departments, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol will be aggressively targeting drunk and drugged drivers as part of a nationwide effort to end impaired driving and save lives. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign will pair increased public awareness with high-visibility enforcement, resulting in fewer drunk drivers on Ventura County roads.

The Ventura County Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers throughout the county with plans in place for three DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints, a Multi-Agency DUI Task Force Operation, several local roving DUI Saturation Patrols, a DUI Warrant/Probation Sweep and a DUI Court Sting targeting suspended drivers who were ordered not to drive by a judge. (**See schedule of operations below**)

In 2012, there were 10,322 people killed in drunk-driving crashes in the United States. Over Labor Day weekend that year, 147 lost their lives to a drunk driver, more than a third (38 percent) of all traffic fatalities that weekend.

Out of all the crash fatalities that weekend, one in four were attributed to drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .15 percent or higher – almost twice the legal limit in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Every 51 minutes, someone is killed in a drunk-driving crash. Over the Labor Day weekend, those fatalities increase to one every 34 minutes. Nighttime is especially dangerous; almost half (46 percent) of the fatalities in nighttime crashes over the Labor Day weekend involved a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher, compared to 25 percent in daytime fatal crashes.

Young drivers are overrepresented in drunk-driving crashes, too. Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 killed in motor vehicle crashes during the 2012 Labor Day weekend, almost half (48 percent) had a .08 percent BAC or higher. For drivers under 21, anything above a BAC of .00 is illegal.

This Labor Day weekend don’t let the festivities turn into fatalities. Remember that, aside from the obvious risks of killing yourself or someone else, driving impaired can also lead to serious punitive consequences. A DUI arrest can mean time in jail, loss of your license, and steep financial expenses; the average DUI conviction can cost up to $10,000.

Ventura County Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force funding is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration who reminds everyone; Report Drunk Drivers! – Call 9-1-1.

The Office of Traffic Safety is offering a free mobile app – DDVIPCA.COM – aimed at thanking the sober designated driver with perks and free offers at area bars and restaurants.

Schedule of Operations:

Friday, Aug 15th, DUI/DL Checkpoint 2000-0200 hrs, City of Oxnard
Saturday, Aug 16th, DUI/DL Checkpoint, 2100-0300 hrs, City of Thousand Oaks
DUI/DL Checkpoint, City of Ventura, To Be Determined
Friday, Aug 29th, Multi-Agency DUI Task Force Operation, 2100-0300 hrs, Ventura County

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 18, 2014 / 1245 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearm and Drug Arrest
DATE/TIME:	8/11/14; 1430 hours
LOCATION:	100 Block of Roosevelt Avenue

SUSPECT(S):	Albert Salazar, 21 year old Oxnard resident



PREPARED BY:	Bill Crisostomo, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Bill Crisostomo, Sergeant, (805) 385-7600 Bill.crisostomo@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On August 11, 2014 at approximately 1430 hours, members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit were working in the area of Roosevelt Ave and First Street. While at this location they made contact with Albert Salazar. Salazar is known gang member, on probation and is on the Colonia gang injunction.

During the contact Salazar was found to be in possession of a loaded semi-auto handgun, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Salazar was arrested on several firearm and drug related charges along with a violation of the gang injunction.

In an effort to address the recent increase in firearms-related crimes, the Oxnard Police Department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crimes Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons in the City. The objective of the initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.

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.

An investigation is continuing.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 11, 2014/1530

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest of Juvenile in Possession of a Firearm
DATE/TIME:	August 1, 2014/9:16 a.m.
LOCATION:	300 Block of Cuesta Del Mar
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	16 year old male; Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Denise Shadinger, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Denise Shadinger, Sergeant, (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On August 1, 2014 at approximately 9:16 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 300-400 block of Cuesta del Mar. The officer contacted a male juvenile, who immediately fled from the officer. The juvenile was detained after a brief foot pursuit. The juvenile discarded a loaded .22 caliber handgun during the foot pursuit.

In an effort to address the recent increase in firearms-related crimes, the Oxnard Police Department launched the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative, as well as the Firearms Strike Team (FAST) led by the Violent Crime Unit, to proactively remove firearms from prohibited persons within the city. The objective of this initiative and FAST is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement.

Persons with additional information may call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070, or contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Persons can also visit the website at http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 1, 2014/11:00 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:	Arrest of Post Release Offender for hit and run, drug possession, and warrants
DATE/TIME:	Monday, August 11, 2014 at 7:49 p.m.
LOCATION:	Victoria Av. and Woolley Rd.
SUSPECT(S):	Lewis Avalos, 30 years, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	White Cadillac CTS
PREPARED BY:	Scott Hebert, Commander

DETAILS:

On Monday August 11, 2014, at approximately 7:49 p.m., an Oxnard officer attempted to make a traffic stop on a driver who failed to stop at a stop sign at Hill St. and J St. When the officer turned around to stop the vehicle, the driver fled at a high rate of speed and drove in a reckless manner in an attempt to avoid police contact. The officer tried to catch up to the vehicle as it sped westbound on Woolley Rd. toward Victoria Av., but was unable to do so. When the officer got to the intersection of Woolley Rd. and Victoria Av., he found the suspect vehicle had crashed into another vehicle. The driver and a passenger fled from the vehicle, with the suspect being caught a short time later attempting to flee on foot in an adjacent residential neighborhood. The passenger was not located. The driver of the other vehicle involved in the traffic collision was not injured.

The suspect in this incident, Lewis Avalos, was arrested for hit and run, resisting arrest, drug possession, and outstanding warrants. One of the warrants was for failing to report to probation as a condition of the Post Release Offender (PRO) program.

The Post Release Offender Program was created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – which was effective October 1, 2011. This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious (irrespective of priors) or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent committing offense. Prior convictions are not considered.

Persons with information about this incident are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 11, 2014 at 11:30 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:	Domestic with a Handgun and Vehicle Pursuit
DATE/TIME:	8/18/14 @ 2000hrs
LOCATION:	700 Block of Nandina Pl, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Anthony Carbajal (24) Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Grey Infinity
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Cumming
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Cumming (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On Monday August 18, 2014 Oxnard police responded to the 700 block of Nandina Place reference a domestic with a handgun involved. Upon arrival, officers learned that Anthony Carbajal had been involved in an argument with the mother of his 3 year old child. Carbajal fled the residence in his car before police arrived, taking his son with him.

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit located Carbajal driving north on Ventura Rd and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Carbajal tried to evade officers and a 5 minute pursuit began reaching speeds of 60mph. He led officers back to the 700 block of Nandina Place where he stopped and was taken into custody without further incident.

A search of the vehicle revealed a small quantity of narcotics, ammunition and a handgun magazine. The 3 year old child was also inside the vehicle and unharmed.

Carbajal was booked for battery, child endangerment, evading the police, violation of a domestic restraining order and several firearms charges.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 8/18/14 @ 10pm