Archives for October 2014

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	October 2, 2014 / 0700 hours
LOCATION:	Pleasant Valley Road @ Cypress Road
VEHICLE 1:	Black, 2013 Kia Rio
DRIVER 1:	William Albert Baladez, 42 years, Ventura Resident
PARTY 1:	8 year old male, name withheld
PARTY 2:	9 year old male, name withheld
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Traffic Officer Tom Martin (805) 385-7749 tom.martin@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On October 2, 2014, at approximately 7:00 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Cypress Road in reference to an injury traffic collision.

A preliminary investigation indicates that a black Kia Rio, driven by William Baladez, was traveling eastbound on Pleasant Valley Road approaching the intersection of Cypress Road when two male juveniles, one eight years old and one nine years old, were walking southbound in the crosswalk on the west side of the intersection. For an unknown reason, the vehicle did not stop before colliding with the juveniles.

Both juveniles were transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where their injuries were assessed by medical staff. The nine year old was treated for minor injuries and released. The eight year old sustained significant head trauma and is listed in critical condition. Driver Baladez was uninjured.

Alcohol, drugs and excessive speed were not factors in this collision. The investigation is continuing.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Traffic Officer Tom Martin at 805-385-7749.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Serious Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	October 9, 2014 / 5:00 P.M.
LOCATION:	Victoria Avenue @ Monaco Drive
DRIVER 1:	Lucille Nancy Edgar, 84 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Blue 2011 GMC Terrain (Sport Utility Vehicle)
DRIVER 2:	Nash Dingman, 22 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2:	Red 2009 Honda CBR 600 (Motorcycle)
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant, (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Traffic Officer Tom Martin (805) 385-7749 thomas.martin@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On October 9, 2014, at approximately 5:00 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department along with EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Monaco Drive in reference to an injury traffic collision involving a motorcyclist.

A preliminary investigation indicates that the GMC Terrain, driven by Lucille Edgar, was traveling southbound on Victoria Avenue and pulled into the left turn pocket at Monaco Drive in preparation to turn into a private shopping center. The motorcycle, driven by Nash Dingman, was traveling northbound on Victoria Avenue from Channel Islands Boulevard towards Monaco Drive. For an unknown reason, the GMC turned directly into the path of the motorcycle. The motorcycle collided with the front end of the GMC causing Dingman to be ejected from it. Both vehicles sustained major damage.

Dingman, who was wearing a motorcycle helmet, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in serious condition. He sustained significant internal injuries, a broken left leg and a broken left arm. Driver Lucille Edgar was transported to Saint John’s Regional Medical Center where she was treated for minor injuries.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor in this collision. The investigation is continuing.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Traffic Officer Tom Martin at 805-385-7749.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Two men arrested for breaking into cars
DATE/TIME:	Monday, October 27, 2014 at 4 a.m.
LOCATION:	2300 block of Mono Street and 2300 block of Isabella Street, north Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Isaiah Gomez, 20 years of age from Oxnard Elias Medina, 23 years of age from Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Luis McArthur, Field Services Bureau luismcarthur@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7746
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Luis McArthur, Field Services Bureau luismcarthur@oxnardpd.org (805) 385-7746

DETAILS:

(OXNARD, Calif) Two men are facing charges in connection with breaking into several cars in the Rio Lindo Neighborhood of north Oxnard and for suspicion of being under the influence of methamphetamine. The vehicle break-ins occurred early Monday morning at about 4 a.m. Neighbors heard noises outside and saw the two men walking up to cars and checking the handles to see of the doors were left unlocked. The men were then seen going into some of the cars and digging through them.

The men fled when police arrived but were later found hiding nearby in a front yard behind a wall and some bushes. Police officers recovered two backpacks near the two men that contained stolen items taken from the parked cars. The men broke into at least ten cars that were parked on Mono Street and on Isabella Street. There are still several items that were recovered from the break-ins that have not been claimed. Police are asking for anyone who believes these items may belong to them to give the Property Crimes Unit at call at (805) 385-7605.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone witnessed these break-ins please call the Oxnard Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit at (805) 385-7605. 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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:Oct 27, 2014 at 9 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:	Marijuana extraction lab Possession of Marijuana for sales Child Endangerment
DATE/TIME:	10-29-14 1100 hours
LOCATION:	400 Blk Valmore Ave, Ventura Ca.


SUSPECT(S):	Rudy Rico 30 years of age
WITNESS(ES):	n/a
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	n/a
LOSS:	n/a
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Charles Woodruff
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective James Langford 805 385 7638 james.langford@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 10-29-14, detectives from the West county narcotic task force concluded an investigation with a search warrant service at a home in the 400 block of Valmore in the city of Ventura. Detectives had information that a resident at this location was suspected of having a concentrated cannabis “honey oil” extraction lab inside of it.

Upon entry into the location, detectives immediately noticed indications of an extraction lab. They seized almost two ounces of marijuana extract (honey oil) and one pound of marijuana. Detectives contacted the suspect, Rudy Rico, away from the home and was later arrested and transported to the Ventura County Jail. During the search of the residence, detectives also learned that three young children and their mother also lived there and Child Protective Services were called out to the location. All three children were removed from the home and taken into protective custody.

During the service of the search warrant, detectives asked for the assistance of the City of Ventura Fire department since there was a possibility of an extraction lab. These types of labs have become popular but are very dangerous. These types of processes use flammable gas to extract the THC from the marijuana and if done in a confined area can be extremely dangerous.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10-29-14 1100 hours

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 sixth suspect in 2009 Homicide (photo attached.)
DATE/TIME:	10/12/2014
LOCATION:	2700 block of El Dorado Avenue
SUSPECT(S):	Favian Martinez Barrera, 30 years old, of Oxnard, CA
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Chris Williams, Supervisor, (805) 385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Young, Cold Case Unit (805) 385-7606 mike.young@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 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 stabbing victims who had sustained serious injuries. One of these victims, 28-year-old Oxnard resident Alfredo Vargas underwent emergency surgery and died at approximately 2:30 a.m. the following morning. A third stabbing victim had left the scene of the incident prior to officer’s arrival and was contacted a short time later at Saint John’s Hospital where he was receiving treatment for his injuries.

In June of 2013, the investigation into this murder resulted in criminal indictments against four Lemonwood Chiques gang members, charging each with murder for their involvement in this attack. They were also charged with committing this murder for the benefit of a street gang. These four subjects, Jonathan Gallegos, Alexis Ramirez, Jorge Cervantes and Guillemro Galvan are currently in-custody, awaiting trial.

The investigation into this murder remained active, with detectives assigned to the Cold Case Task Force continuing to pursue the outstanding suspects responsible for this murder. On February 18, 2014, investigators arrested a fifth suspect, Alejandro Jimenez, for his role in this murder. Jimenez is also in-custody, awaiting trial.

On Sunday, October 12, 2014, a sixth suspect, 30-year-old Francisco Martinez Barrera, was arrested for his role in this incident. Barrera was in the custody of the Ventura County Sheriffs Department facing unrelated firearms charges at the time of his arrest. The investigation into Barrera revealed that he fled to Mexico in April of 2013, during the same time investigators were making the initial arrests in this incident. It is believed that this flight was directly related to the arrests being made.

At the end of September of 2014, Barrera was arrested for a warrant associated the unrelated firearms charge as he was attempting to reenter the United States at a border crossing south of San Diego. Barrera has been charged with a violation of California Penal Code Section 187 and for committing the crime for the benefit of a street gang, in violation of California Penal Code Section 186.22(b)(1). As with the other five charged suspects, Barrera is a documented member of the Lemonwood Chiques street gang. He remains in custody with his bail set at $1,500,000.

The success of this investigation is the result of countless hours of investigation and a cooperative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies including the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Investigators believe that additional individuals were involved in this murder and the investigation remains active. 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. A previous booking photograph of Barrera has been attached to this press release.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Carjacking and Robbery Arrest
DATE/TIME:	October 26, 2014 @ 8:48 P.M.
LOCATION:	411 W. Pleasant Valley Road
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Dennis Cervantes, 20-year-old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Lincoln Town Car (recovered)
LOSS:	Victim car was recovered, cell phone taken
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Jon Keller
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 486-6211 Alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On October 26, 2014, at about 8:48 p.m. Oxnard police officers responded to a carjacking in the area of 411 W. Pleasant Valley Road. Officers contacted the victim who had been confronted by a lone suspect armed with a handgun. The suspect took the victim’s Mercedes sedan and cell phone. A possible suspect vehicle, a Lincoln Town Car, was seen leaving the scene also. The victim was not injured during the crime.

Officers quickly located both vehicles parked together in the area of 1301 Commercial Ave. As officers approached the cars, two possible suspects fled on foot into the mobile home park. An alert resident directed officers to noises heard behind an occupied mobile home. A subsequent search resulted in the arrest of Dennis Cervantes for carjacking and robbery. Several associated persons at the mobile home were arrested for outstanding warrants.

If anyone has further information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Sergeant Alex Arnett at (805) 486-6211. If you wish to remain anonymous you 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 http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10/27/14, 0035 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Three Suspects Arrested for Robbery
DATE/TIME:	October 30, 2014 at approximately 0830 hours
LOCATION:	4900 Block of Terrace Avenue
VICTIM(S):	17-year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Elpidio Ramirez, 18-year old Oxnard resident Two 17-year old Oxnard residents
WITNESS(ES):	Withheld
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Yellow truck
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Alex Arnett, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Scott Coe, (805) 385-7796 scott.coe@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Oxnard police officers and detectives are investigating a street robbery that occurred on October 30th, at approximately 0830 hours. The robbery took place in the 4900 block of Terrace Avenue.

The person who witnessed the robbery called the police and provided a detailed description of the yellow truck. An Oxnard police officer located the yellow truck a short distance away from the crime scene and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. 18-year old Elpidio Ramirez and two 17-year old juveniles were inside. A search of the truck was conducted as part of these subject’s probation terms. Additional contraband was located in the vehicle.

As officers were investigating the robbery case, video evidence was obtained showing the suspects robbing the 17-year old victim. The three suspects in the yellow truck were positively identifed through video evidence. The suspects were arrested and charged with robbery and violating the terms of their probation.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. Persons with further information regarding this incident or similar incidents are encouraged to contact Detective Scott Coe 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 http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.aspx to submit a tip via text or e-mail.

Date / Time Prepared: 10-30-14 / 1300 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Oxnard Police announce results of 2014 community survey
DATE/TIME:	May 27, 2014 through June 18, 2014
LOCATION:	Citywide Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: The Oxnard Police Department partnered once again with California Lutheran University to administer a Community Survey to assess and evaluate public safety perceptions, interactions, service, and experiences. Like its 2010 predecessor, this survey used an academic scientific method to obtain a representative sample from our city population. Every neighborhood in Oxnard – north, south, east, and west – was surveyed, and the survey was available in both English and Spanish.

The survey instrument and data collection instructions were created to provide a representative sample of our diverse community and population. The steps for data collection as designed by Dr. Jamshid Damooei, Co-Director of the Center for Leadership & Values at the Cal Lutheran University School of Management, ensured that every household in Oxnard had the same chance of being a respondent. The Oxnard Police Community Survey and data collection instructions help yield a 3% margin of error and a confidence level of 99%.

“It is important to continuously evaluate and assess our job and service to the community. The data we collected provides valuable information from the public on police services, and allows for us to see longitudinal changes in survey themes since the last survey was administered, and further informs our priorities moving forward,” said Jeri Williams, Oxnard Chief of Police.

As Professor Damooei presented at tonight’s Oxnard City Council meeting (October 28, 2014), the Oxnard Police is confident that the survey proved to be an objective means to determine the community’s perception of police services, and will provide the Department with the ability to assess how we can continue to further our Department’s Mission Statement: Protecting our Community with Exceptional Service.

The entire survey report is available on-line at the Oxnard Police Department website: http://www.oxnardpd.org/documents/2014survey.pdf

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DATE / TIME PREPARED: October 28, 2014, 6:00 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:	Robbery incident, shooting victim
DATE/TIME:	10-22-14 / 2145 hours
LOCATION:	Charles Street/Campbell Way Oxnard, Ca
VICTIM(S):	Male Oxnard resident, name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	(2) male Hispanics, mid 20’s, medium build, one armed with a handgun.
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Jeff McGreevy, 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett, Violent Crimes Unit, 385-7600

DETAILS: On the above date and time, Oxnard Police officers responded to Charles Street and Campbell Way regarding a shooting victim. The initial investigation indicates that the victim was outside his home talking on his phone when he was approached by two men. The men attempted to rob him by demanding he give them his personal belongings. The victim refused and at some point, one of the suspects produced a handgun and shot the victim. The two suspects fled on foot and the victim ran inside his home to get help. The victim was transported via ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of his gunshot wound. He underwent surgery and is listed in critical condition.

If anyone has any information related to this incident, please contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740. 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: 10-23-14/ 0030hrs.