Archives for March 2015

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stolen Vehicle / Mail Theft / Narcotics Arrest
DATE/TIME:	3-17-15 / 0500 hours
LOCATION:	Anchorage Street and Monet Place
SUSPECT(S):	Angel Fernandez Tienda, 24 years, Oxnard resident; Ruben Blanco, 27 years, Oxnard resident; David Garcia Cruz, 23 years, Salinas, Ca. resident
PREPARED BY:	Detective Rocky Marquez
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Rocky Marquez (805)385-7600 rocky.marquez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On 3-17-15, at 0500 hours, Officer Jack Martin observed a vehicle possibly casing for thefts in the area of Monet Place and Anchorage Street, in Oxnard. The license plate on the suspect vehicle, a blue 1994 Honda Accord, were shown to have been stolen from a 2012 BMW. An investigative stop was conducted and officers learned that the Vehicle Identification Number (“VIN”) had been removed. It was determined that the vehicle was stolen on 2/27/15, from within the City of Oxnard.

Narcotics paraphernalia and several items of stolen property, possibly from recent mail thefts, were located inside the vehicle.

The driver, Oxnard resident Angel Tienda 24 years, was charged with a number of felony and misdemeanor offenses: unlawful taking of a vehicle, possession of burglary tools, receiving stolen property, possession of a vehicle without proper identification number and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.

The two passengers, Oxnard resident Ruben Blanco 27 years and Salinas resident David Cruz 23 years, were both charged with possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department Auto Theft Task Force and Property Crimes Division responded to assist and advised the United States Postal Inspectors. The investigation is ongoing.

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: 3-17-15 / 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:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	March 4, 2015, approximately 2021 hours
LOCATION:	5300 Block of South J Street
VICTIM(S):	Edgar Avita, 26 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Detective Jeff Long jeff.long@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 3/4/15 at approximately 2021 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to the 5300 block of South J Street reference numerous shots being fired. As officers were responding to the scene, emergency dispatchers received information form 911 callers of a shooting victim in the 5300 block of South J Street. When officers arrived, they contacted victim Edgar Avita. Avita had been shot multiple times in his upper torso area. Avita was placed in an ambulance and transported to the Ventura County Medical Center in critical condition. Avita was rushed to emergency surgery and is currently listed in stable condition. According to medical staff, the injuries are not life threatening.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and are actively investigating the shooting.The motive for the shooting in unknown at this time.

If anyone witnessed this incident or has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Senior Detective Jeff Long at (805) 486-6506. 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: March 5, 2015 at 0040 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/Driver’s License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	March 27, 2015 / 2000-0300 Hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Thomas Martin, Traffic Officer (805) 385-7749 thomas.martin@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a multiple location DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, March 27, 2015 at undisclosed locations 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 driver’s for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. Specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

The Oxnard Police Department wants all drivers to think before you drive and if you choose to drink, don’t drive. In 2014, Oxnard Police officers arrested over 500 drivers for driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs. Officers also investigated 174 alcohol-related collisions causing the tragic and preventable deaths of three people.

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 Drivers – Call 9-1-1.’

DATE / TIME PREPARED:March 26, 2015 / 1230 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Domestic Dispute/Officer-Involved Shooting
DATE/TIME:	March 28, 2015 1:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	500 block of W. Vineyard Avenue
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):	24-year old female, City of Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Chris 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 28, 2015, at approximately 1:00 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a report of a domestic dispute in an apartment in the 500 block of West Vineyard Avenue. As the first officer on scene was speaking with the male reporting party, a 24-year old female advanced on them with a knife and an officer-involved shooting occurred.

Emergency Medical Personnel responded and attended to the female but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The involved officer has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. At the time of this release, the investigation is still ongoing and investigators are still on scene. An updated news release will be forthcoming when additional information is gathered.

Persons who have information about this incident are encouraged to call Detective Miguel Serrato at (805) 385-7688.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3/28/15 0400 hrs.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Shooting Victim
DATE/TIME:	3/9/2015 / 0005 Hours
LOCATION:	400 Block of Palm Drive
VICTIM(S):	Daniel Reyes 22 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Denise Shadinger
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Sergeant Alex Arnett (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:
On 03/09/15 at 0005 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to the Arco gas station at 105 North Oxnard Blvd reference a shooting victim. Upon arrival they contacted the victim Daniel Reyes in the parking lot. Reyes was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center and is listed in stable condition. His injuries are not life threatening. Officers learned the shooting occurred in the 400 block of Palm Drive.

Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crime Unit are investigating the shooting. The motive for the shooting is unknown.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600. 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: 03/09/2015, 0330 hours

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 12, 2015 / 1948 hours
LOCATION:	Fifth Street west of Victoria Avenue
PARTY 1:	Estevan Antonio Ruiz, 37 years, Oxnard Resident
PARTY 2:	Philip Francis Ingraham, 55 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1 PASSENGER:	17 year old juvenile, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 1:	Yellow, 2001 Honda CBR900RR Motorcycle
VEHICLE 2:	Blue, 1995 Toyota Pickup
PREPARED BY:	Brian Woolley, Traffic Sergeant (805) 385-7847
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On March 12, 2015, at about 7:48 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to the area of Fifth Street west of Victoria Avenue in reference to an injury traffic collision involving a motorcycle and a truck. When they arrived on scene, they located a motorcycle, the driver of the motorcycle, Estevan Antonio Ruiz, and his passenger, a 17-year old juvenile, lying in the roadway.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2001 Honda CBR900RR motorcycle, driven by Estevan Antonio Ruiz, was traveling eastbound on Fifth Street west of Victoria Avenue at a high rate of speed. A 1995 Toyota pickup truck, driven by Philip Francis Ingraham, was also traveling eastbound on Fifth Street. The motorcycle collided with the rear of the pickup truck. Ruiz and his juvenile passenger were both ejected from the motorcycle. Both of them were wearing motorcycle helmets.

Ruiz and his passenger were both transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for injuries sustained as a result of this collision. Ruiz is currently listed in critical condition. His juvenile passenger is listed in stable condition.

It is unknown at this time whether or not alcohol or drugs played a role in this collision.

Update 3/14/15, 10:00 P.M:
The Oxnard Police Department was notified this evening that motorcyclist Estevan Antonio Ruiz has died. The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of death. The collision is still being investigated.

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

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:	March 24, 2015 / 2103 hours
LOCATION:	Victoria Avenue south of Gonzales Road
VEHICLE 1:	White, 2015 Chrysler 200
DRIVER 1:	Javier Murillo, 56 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 2:	Silver, 2008 Nissan Altima
DRIVER 2:	Maria Cortez, 62 years, Oxnard Resident
VEHICLE 3:	Silver, 2003 Honda Accord
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, March 25, 2015, at about 9:03 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to Victoria Avenue, south of Gonzales Road, in reference to an injury traffic collision.

When officers arrived at the collision scene, they found that three vehicles were involved and sustained extensive damage. Emergency medical personnel arrived and immediately engaged in rescue efforts as two drivers were still trapped inside the vehicles. Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate Javier Murillo, the driver of a white Chrysler 200 sedan and also used them to free Maria Cortez from the driver’s seat of a silver Nissan Altima. Juan Rodriguez, the driver of the third vehicle, a silver Honda Accord, sustained minor injuries and was later released from the scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Chrysler, for an unknown reason, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Victoria Avenue when it collided head-on with the Nissan Altima. Almost simultaneously, a secondary collision occurred when the Chrysler struck the Honda Accord that was also traveling southbound on Victoria Avenue.

Driver Murillo was transported from the scene to the Ventura County Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery for extensive injuries. He is currently listed in critical condition. Driver Cortez was also transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where she is listed in serious condition. She sustained several injuries including two broken legs. The right front passenger in her vehicle, Manuela Jara-Avila, was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center and is in stable condition. She sustained lacerations to her right leg and injuries to her back and neck.

It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were factors in this collision. The collision is still under 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: March 25, 2015 at 0145 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 in Possession of a Firearm (Arrest)
DATE/TIME:	3-29-15 10:58 PM
LOCATION:	2000 Block North Oxnard Boulevard
SUSPECT(S):	Martin Sandoval, 29 years, Oxnard resident Emmanuel Delgado, 24 years, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	White Jeep Cherokee
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Robert Flinn, robert.flinn@oxnardpd.org , (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On 3-29-15 at 10:58 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the area of the 2000 block of North Oxnard Boulevard in reference to a resident report of subjects in a vehicle acting suspicious and possibly using narcotics.

Officers arrived on scene and immediately located the vehicle. During the course of the investigation and subsequent pat down search, officers located a loaded firearm on the driver of the vehicle, Martin Sandoval, a 29-year old Oxnard resident. Sandoval was arrested without incident.

Officers learned the passenger in the vehicle, Emmanuel Delgado, 24-year old Oxnard resident, was a Post Release Offender (PRO). The Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 (the”2011 Public Safety Realignment”) effective 10-1-11, mandated that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious, or non-sex related offenses serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. Delgado was found to be in violation of the release terms of his parole and was arrested.

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. The Oxnard Police Department encourages residents to be partners in public safety as part of the Operation Safer and Stronger initiative. In this instance, a witness saw suspicious activity, called police, which not only resulted in arrests, but the recovery of a firearm.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3-30-15 / 3:30 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:	Road Closure Due to Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	3-2-15 / 1037 hours
LOCATION:	Williams Drive between Holser Walk and Lockwood Street
VICTIM(S):	None
SUSPECT(S):	None
WITNESS(ES):	None
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078, martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Williams Drive between Holser Walk and Lockwood Street is closed due to a non-injury single vehicle traffic collision occurring on 3-2-15, 1037 hours, where a semi-truck clipped a Southern California Edison pole. Repairs are underway with a 7 AM completion projected for 3-3-15.

It is not anticipated this road closure will have a significant impact to the surrounding area.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 3-2-15, 1415 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Suspended Driver’s License Court Operation
DATE/TIME:	March 30, 2015 / 0800-1200 hours
LOCATION:	Ventura County Courthouse, 800 S. Victoria Avenue City 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:
On Monday, March 30, 2015, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a special enforcement operation at the Ventura County Courthouse, in the City of Ventura, targeting drivers who appeared in court for cases involving imposed driver’s license suspensions. Each of the individuals appearing in court was informed or reminded by a judge that their driving privilege was suspended resulting from a previous driving under the influence arrest by a law enforcement agency.

Eight individuals were observed leaving the courthouse and five of them made the appropriate decision not to drive. The remaining three chose to drive away from the courthouse and were stopped by officers. Officers arrested those three drivers for misdemeanor violations of driving with a suspended driver’s license. One of the drivers, an 18 year-old male, was found to have an opened container of alcohol and a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle when contacted by officers. An investigation determined that this driver was not driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The three vehicles stopped were towed and potentially face a 30-day impound.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to conduct operations like these to help make our community and roadways safer.

These operations are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Transportation Administration.

If anyone has information about traffic safety and enforcement, please contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at 805-385-7749 or via email at jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 30, 2015 at 1400 hours