Archives for February 2015

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting, two victims
DATE/TIME:	2/28/2015 @ 10:57 am
LOCATION:	700 Berkshire Place, Oxnard, CA
VICTIM(S):	23-year-old male Oxnard resident 39-year old female Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Two Hispanic males, 20s, dark clothing
WITNESS(ES):	–
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	–
LOSS:	–
PREPARED BY:	Chris Inglehart, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Chris Inglehart, chris.inglehart@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 2/28/2015 at 10:57 am officers responded to the area of 700 Berkshire Place, Oxnard, reference the report of a shooting victim. As officers arrived on scene, a 23-year-old male with a gunshot wound was being transported to St. John’s Hospital by family members. Officers then located a crime scene and evidence of several shots being fired.

While officers were at the hospital they learned that a 39-year-old female was also struck by gunfire in the same area.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a confrontation developed between the suspects and the 23-year-old male. The suspects then shot at the male as he fled on foot. While this occurred, the 39-year-old female was walking in the area and hit by what is believed to be a stray bullet. Both victims had non-life-threatening injuries and were released from the hospital.

Anyone with any information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7600 or anonymously at Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2/28/2015 @ 1557

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Injury Hit and Run Traffic Collision (Train/Vehicle)
DATE/TIME:	February 24, 2015 / 05:44 AM
LOCATION:	Fifth Street @ Rice Avenue, Oxnard, CA
DRIVER 1:	Jose Alejandro Sanchez-Ramirez, Birthdate 9/26/1960 (Resident of Yuma, Arizona)
VEHICLE 1:	White 2005 Ford F-450 truck and utility trailer
DRIVER 2:	Valentin Carbajal, 73 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2:	Red, 1998 Toyota Camry
TRAIN:	Metrolink Commuter Train
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847 brian.woolley@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at 5:45 AM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department, personnel from the Oxnard Fire Department, and EMS personnel responded to the intersection of Fifth Street and Rice Avenue regarding a traffic collision involving a train and a vehicle.

When emergency responders arrived, they found a truck that was fully engulfed by flames in the field area east of Rice Avenue, adjacent to the railroad tracks immediately north of Fifth Street. A debris field existed from the railroad track area west of Rice Avenue, to the area east of Rice Avenue.

Oxnard Fire Department personnel were able to determine that the vehicle did not have any occupants inside of it.

A derailed Metrolink commuter train was also in the area east of Rice Avenue, adjacent to the railroad tracks. Three of the passenger cars had been turned onto their sides.

Emergency responders treated several injured train passengers at the scene and transported twenty-eight of them to local hospitals. Twenty-three passengers were not injured and released from the scene.

Preliminary investigation determined that the eastbound Metrolink commuter train, consisting of a locomotive pushing four passenger cars, collided with a utility truck and trailer that had been on the tracks near the intersection. The impact between the train and the truck caused all train cars and the locomotive to derail. The truck’s trailer that came to rest on the north side of the intersection caught fire and remained engulfed in flames until extinguished by firefighters. The truck had become dislodged from the trailer and came to rest east of the intersection.

Valentin Carbajal, who had been traveling northbound on Rice Avenue in a Toyota Camry, stopped in the intersection just as the collision occurred. Numerous pieces of debris struck his vehicle resulting in his driver’s window being shattered. Carbajal was uninjured.

Preliminary investigation at the scene indicated that the Ford truck, driven by Jose Alejandro Sanchez-Ramirez, was traveling southbound on Rice Avenue, and made a right turn onto the railroad tracks that run parallel to Fifth Street and cross the traffic lanes of Rice Avenue north of the intersection. Sanchez-Ramirez drove the truck for several yards on the tracks before it became stuck. He walked away from the truck as the train approached it. The train collided with the truck and trailer causing it to be pushed southbound along the tracks towards the intersection. Debris from the impact was thrown several hundred feet along the tracks and across the intersection.

Driver Sanchez-Ramirez left the scene of the collision and after walking southbound on Rice Avenue for over a mile and a half before he was spotted and contacted by an Oxnard Police Officer. The officer determined Sanchez-Ramirez’ involvement in the collision and he was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for precautionary measures.

As a result of information developed during the course of the investigation, Sanchez-Ramirez (pictured at right) was arrested for a violation of section 20001 of the California Vehicle Code. This felony section prohibits an involved party from leaving the scene of an injury-related collision. This section is commonly referred to “hit and run, with injury.” He was booked into the Ventura County Jail, where his bail is set at $150,000.

The collision is still under investigation by several allied agencies. It is anticipated that the investigation will have an impact upon traffic conditions in the immediate area, and may take another twenty-four or more hours to clear. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting a separate investigation.

If anyone has information about this collision, please contact Senior Officer Maria Peña at 805-385-7750 or via email at maria.pena@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 24, 2015 at 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:	DUI Injury Collision and Arrest
DATE/TIME:	2-15-15 / 1309 hours
LOCATION:	Oxnard Boulevard at Gonzales Road
VICTIM(S):	Names withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Michael Sexton, 29 years, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	Minor injuries
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078, martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 2-15-15, at 1309 hours, officers responded to a multiple vehicle collision at Oxnard Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue. Officers found four vehicles were involved. Southbound Oxnard Boulevard and eastbound Vineyard Avenue traffic was blocked for a period of time.

One of the drivers was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and drugs. A Driving while under the influence (DUI) investigation was conducted and the driver arrested. Michael Sexton, 29 years, Oxnard resident, was charged with felony DUI – alcohol and drugs.

Three other motorists and passengers involved in the collision sustained minor injuries and were treated at local hospitals.

The Oxnard Police Department conducts regular DUI checkpoints funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help reduce drunk driving and related collisions. The public is reminded to immediately report suspected drunk, or otherwise impaired, drivers.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:2-15-15 / 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:	Operation Safer and Stronger – Firearms Strike Team (FAST) – Post Release Offender(PRO) and Serious Habitual Offender (SHO) Efforts
DATE/TIME:	January 2015
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Andrew Salinas, Investigations Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Andrew Salinas (805) 385-7756 andrewsalinas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: At the beginning of 2014, 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 was to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention, and enforcement. In 2014, Oxnard officers made one-hundred and six(106) firearms-related arrests. This also included an additional two hundred and forty (240) firearms that were seized and essentially taken off the street.

After a successful 2014 that saw the Oxnard Police Department devote considerable resources to combat firearms violence, we have continued our efforts in January. During the month of January, the Oxnard Police Department seized fifteen (15) firearms through directed patrols, search warrants, and calls for service resulting in the arrest of 14 individuals.

In January, investigators from the Oxnard Police Department recovered a modified .22 caliber rifle that had been discarded in the wetlands, located near the dead-end of Perkins Road. The manner in which this weapon was discarded is indicative of someone who did not want the weapon to be discovered. This rifle had been modified, making it easier to conceal. Investigators have concluded when a firearm is discarded in this manner, it is likely that it has been used in a violent crime. Our detectives are currently processing this rifle and checking to see if it has been used in any crimes in our city.
On January 8, 2015, officers from the Special Enforcement Unit attempted to stop a vehicle for a moving violation. A vehicle pursuit ensued with the occupants fleeing the vehicle on Saviers Road near Santa Clara High School. Officers gave chase and captured one of the suspects within 1000 feet of Santa Clara High which was still populated with students after school. Officers recovered a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun in the subject’s pants pocket. The suspect was a 16 year old juvenile who was a documented Sur Town criminal street gang member.

The importance of this initiative has been magnified as the City of Oxnard continues to address issues associated with the Post Release Offender (PRO) Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 (the “2011 Public Safety Realignment”), which was effective October 1, 2011. This program mandated that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious, or non-sex offenses serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The City of Oxnard has approximately two-hundred and twenty-seven (227) of these PRO offenders currently residing within our jurisdiction. This represents approx. 35.5% of the PRO population living in Ventura County. The Oxnard Police Department made twenty-six (26) felony arrests of PRO offenders during the month of January. These PRO offenders often have serious and violent criminal backgrounds that are not considered prior to release under AB 109. Release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent commitment offense(prior convictions are not considered).

On January 15, 2015, officers assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) observed a wanted person in a vehicle. The wanted person, 25 year old Mario Hernandez, had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest. Hernandez fled but was apprehended a short distance away. Hernandez discarded an object as he tried to flee from the officers which was found to be a sawed off shotgun. Hernandez was arrested for the outstanding felony warrant related to a carjacking case, and he was also charged with numerous firearms violations. Hernandez had a prior conviction for carrying a loaded firearm.
On January 15, 2015, a K9 officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a moving violation. A vehicle pursuit ensued for several miles at which time the driver fled from the vehicle discarding several items including a loaded .44 Magnum revolver. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Gilbert Espinosa, a POST Release Offender and a documented Southside gang member.

In conjunction with the Post Release Offender Program, the Oxnard Police Department has been targeting repeat offenders through its Serious Habitual Offender Program, also known as SHO. SHO is a cooperative and collaborative effort with the Ventura County Probation Agency to provide enhanced supervision and oversight of post-release serious habitual offenders. This effort seeks to reduce crime by focusing law enforcement resources on recidivist offenders meeting the criteria of the SHO project as set forth by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. The City of Oxnard has approximately 189 offenders who meet the criteria under the SHO project. The Oxnard Police Department made 27 SHO arrests during the month of January which included 15 felonies and 12 misdemeanors. These operations are funded by a California state grant for supervising post-release and serious habitual offenders, due to state prison realignment.

On January 29, 2015, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were in the 500 block of Vineyard Avenue due to an increase in thefts in the area. This increased patrol was made possible by the SHO program whose focus is to reduce crime through enhanced and directed enforcement. Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and found the driver was on parole for burglary and the passenger was on probation for burglary. The passenger, Miguel Oliverio, was determined to be a Serious Habitual Offender. A search of the vehicle discovered stolen property from dozens of burglaries from the City of Oxnard and City of Ventura. Miguel Oliverio was arrested for multiple counts of burglary.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477 and www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.

Date Prepared: February 6, 2015, 0900 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 and Carjacking Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	2/17/15 at approximately 0400 hours
LOCATION:	200 block of North D Street
VICTIM(S):	Withheld
SUSPECT(S):	David Cabanas, 24 year old Oxnard resident 17 year old juvenile Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Alex Arnett, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jonathan Ballow (805) 288-3289 jonathan.ballow@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 2/16/15 at approximately 1500 hours, Oxnard police officers responded to a robbery with a firearm in the 1300 block of California Street. The suspect robbed the victim of his cellphone and fled the area after threatening to harm the suspect if he called the police.

Approximately 30 minutes later, the same suspect approached two residents in the 200 block of Spruce Street and robbed them at gunpoint. The suspect took the victim’s grey four-door Cadillac, and other valued property.

On 2/17/15 at approximately 0400 hours, an Oxnard police officer was patrolling the 200 block of North D Street when the officer noticed a speeding vehicle. The officer saw that the vehicle was the grey four-door Cadillac, which was taken during the robbery on Spruce Street.

The patrol officer caught up to the stolen vehicle, which attempted to briefly elude the officer. The driver of the stolen vehicle, a 17 year old Oxnard resident, was unable to control the vehicle and collided with the power pole. The driver and passenger, a 24 year old Oxnard resident identified as David Cabanas, fled from the vehicle. The 17 year old driver was quickly apprehanded by the first patrol officer. Cabanas was located and arrested while attempting to hide from patrol officers a short distance away.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) investigated both robberies. Investigators were able to gather enough evidence to arrest the 17 year old for the first armed robbery, as well as the subsequent carjacking and robbery. The 17 year old is being charged with robbery with a firearm, carjacking, miscellaneous narcotics charges, and a special allegation that the crimes were committed for the benifit of a criminal street gang.

Cabanas, who is a documented Oxnard gang member, was charged with several violations of the gang injunction, miscellaneous narcotics charges, identity theft, and possession of stolen property.

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 Jonathan Ballow at (805) 288-3289. If you wish to remain annonymous you can call the violent crimes hotline at (805) 982-7070 or Ventura 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.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member arrested with a firearm
DATE/TIME:	February 8, 2015 – 9 p.m.
LOCATION:	100 block Bernarda Ct. Oxnard, Ca
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	Juvenile Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Tim Kelley
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Tim Kelley (805)385-8290

DETAILS:On Sunday, February 8, 2015, at approximately 9pm, officers from the Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit contacted a juvenile suspect in the 100 block of Bernarda Ct. The juvenile suspect is an Oxnard resident and a documented gang member. The suspect has previously been served with the Colonia civil gang injunction and is currently on juvenile probation. When officers initially contacted the suspect, the suspect removed a sawed-off shotgun that was concealed in his pants and discarded the weapon in the front yard of a nearby residence. The shotgun was recovered and found to be loaded. The juvenile was taken into custody for several weapons violations, violation of the civil gang injunction and, violation of probation.

The Oxnard Police Department Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang and firearms violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the City. Citizens are reminded to contact the Police Department when they observe suspicious activity or are witness to a crime.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 2/8/15 10:30pm

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Train Collision/Derailment – City of Oxnard Road Closures Update
DATE/TIME:	2/24/15, 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	Fifth Street at Rice Avenue, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Commander Andrew Salinas
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Andrew Salinas, Investigations Commander (805) 797-5669, andrewsalinas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Persons Prohibited From Possessing Firearms Arrested for Weapons Violations
DATE/TIME:	2/26/15 1200 hours
LOCATION:	Motel in the City of Ventura
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	Enrique Castellanos, 22 year old Oxnard Resident David Varela, 28 year old Oxnard Resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Cody Collet (805) 486-6228 cody.collet@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: Investigators assigned to the Oxnard Police Department’s Firearms Task Force(FAST) concluded an investigation today on a person who was identified as being prohibited from owning or possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction. The prohibited person, 22 year old Enrique Castellanos, was located at a motel in Ventura. The investigation was a joint operation, which involved investigators from the Ventura Police Department and Oxnard Police Officers assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

At approximately noon today, Oxnard SWAT officers served a search warrant at a motel room in the City of Ventura, which was occupied by Castellanos. Castellanos was found in the room along with a loaded firearm, firearm parts, and approximately 400 rounds of ammunition. Castellanos was arrested for weapons violations, which included felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition. Also inside the motel room was 28 year old David Varela. Varela was found to be in possession of a concealed firearm when officers contacted him. Varela, himself a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms, was arrested for weapons violations. Both Castellanos and Varela are documented Oxnard gang members.

In an effort to address recent increases 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 within the city. The objective is to reduce gun violence in Oxnard through education, intervention and enforcement.

The Oxnard Police Department continues to encourage residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger Initiative. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or you can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (805) 222-8477. You can also provide information by going to the Ventura County Crimes Stoppers website, which is www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contactus.