Archives for May 2015

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing Victims
DATE/TIME:	May 17, 2105 at approximately 2035 Hours
LOCATION:	500 Block of South K Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	16 year old Oxnard resident 18 year old Oxnard resident 21 year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Three Hispanic males wearing dark colored clothing
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jaime MIranda (805) 385-7665 jaime.miranda@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:On 5/17/15 at approximately 2035 hours, Oxnard police officers were dispatched to three stabbing victims in front the businesses located in the 800 block of West Wooley Road, Oxnard. Officers arrived and located three stabbing victims. Two of the victims, a 16 year old Hispanic male and a 21 year old Hispanic male, were suffering from minor stab wounds. None of their wounds are considered life threatening. A third victim, an 18 year old Hispanic male, was found to be suffering from life threatening stab wounds. All three victims were transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center. The 18 year old victim was rushed into emergency surgery, where he currently remains.

The police officers searched the area and located a crime scene in the 500 block of South K Street, which is approximately half a mile from the 800 block of West Woolley Road. Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. Investigators obtained information that three unknown Hispanic males were involved in the assault. Investigators are trying to identify the suspects and determine a motive for the assaults.

If you witnessed this incident or have information to assist with the investigation, you are encouraged to call Detective Jaime Miranda at (805) 385-7665. You can also provide information anonymously by calling 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:May 17, 2015 at 2357 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 Warns of U.S. Treasury Scam Targeting Oxnard Residents
DATE/TIME:	May 22, 2015
LOCATION:	Citywide
VICTIM(S):
SUSPECT(S):
WITNESS(ES):
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):
LOSS:
PREPARED BY:	Detective Crystal Walker
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Crystal Walker (805) 385-7668 or crystal.walker@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:The Oxnard Police Department has been informed that residents are receiving scam phone calls involving the Department of the Treasury. Individuals are being told that they have won a grant or similar award but have to provide personal information or send a sum of money for the “award” to be released. In some cases, the caller has become aggressive and threatening.

This is a scam. The Department of the Treasury does not have this type of program nor would they threaten a member of the public if they are not provided with money or information. Similarly, any person calling and claiming to be from a government agency would not demand or threaten a member of the public.

Scams such as this have been circulating for some time and on previous occasions, the Oxnard Police Department has received reports of the callers purporting to be from Southern California Edison, the IRS, the Sheriff’s Department and miscellaneous law offices. Remember, there are many variations of these scams but all end with the victim losing their money or property with the promise of gain. Below are some tips to avoid becoming a victim.

·         Do not give your personal identifying information to anyone that you do not know or did not solicit their services.
·         Do not respond to any request that you send money or information to someone because you “won” a prize or a lottery.
·         Do not respond to anyone asking you to send money by “wire” transfer (you are sending cash – you won’t get it back), “Western Union” or “Green Dot”, etc.

What to do if you are a victim of a scam or identity theft:

·Accumulate all of the paperwork showing that you have been a victim and contact your local police agency to initiate a report.

·If the scam was not completed, you are not a victim. However, if you would like to report the scam to authorities, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov, https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or call (202) 326-2222.

Other informational links:

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Motorcycle Safety Operation
DATE/TIME:	May 8, 2015 / 1200-1700 Hours
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown (805) 385-7749 jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
‘Share the Road’ Campaign Aims to Increase Motorcycle Safety Awareness for All Road Users

On Friday, May 8, 2015, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a motorcycle safety enforcement operation within the city limits. This enforcement effort is to lower deaths and injuries among motorists involved in motorcycle collisions. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes.

As motorcycle fatalities and injuries have increased in California, the law enforcement and the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) have stepped up their efforts to promote safety and education, highlighted by Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May.

Nationwide, motorcyclists made up 14 percent of all vehicle-related fatalities in 2013, up from about 9 percent in 2004. This was despite motorcycle registrations representing only 3 percent of all vehicles in the United States in 2013, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data. The fatality rate per miles traveled for motorcyclists is 16 times that of vehicle occupants.

In 2013, California’s motorcycle collisions resulted in 475 fatalities and 13,143 injured victims. In 2012, 467 people were killed and 12,617 were injured.

During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month – and throughout the year – all road users are reminded to safely “share the road” with motorcyclists, and to be extra alert to help keep motorcyclists safe. That message is most important in California, which is home to more than 830,000 registered motorcycles – the most of any state – and more than 1.4 million motorcycle riders.

“Californians increasingly get around by means other than cars and trucks. More are bicycling, walking, taking mass transit and motorcycling,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “That also means that everyone needs to be extra cautious and looking out for everyone else, no matter what their means of transportation is.”

The California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) trains approximately 65,000 motorcyclists every year. As of July 2014, nearly 945,000 motorcycle riders have received training at one of the authorized CMSP training sites since the program began in 1987. For more information or to find a training site near you, go to www.californiamotorcyclist.com.

The Oxnard Police Department offers tips to drivers on how to prevent motorcycle collisions:

Driver’s safety reminders:
-Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator still has all the rights of the road as any other motorist
-Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic
-If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful: motorcycle signals are often non-canceling and could have been forgotten
-Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding
-Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections
-Lane Sharing is not illegal in California
-Always allow more follow distance – three to four seconds – when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
-Never drive distracted or impaired

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by following these steps:
-Wear the proper safety gear at all times, including a DOT-compliant helmet
-Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed
-Excessive speed is the most common rider-related factor in motorcycle related crashes
-Follow at a safe distance – three to four seconds
-Ride within your own limits – don’t be a victim of peer pressure
-Use turn signals at every lane change or turn.
-Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective tape to increase visibility.
-Never ride distracted or impaired
-Ride defensively – assume other drivers don’t see you

Funding for this operation is provided to the Oxnard Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information on motorcycle safety, visitwww.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: May 7, 2015 / 1830 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 with Firearm
DATE/TIME:	5-5-15 / 0100 hours
LOCATION:	1100 Block of Saviers Road
VICTIM(S):	Name withheld
SUSPECT(S):	Ernest Anderson, 22 years, Oxnard resident Rene Vazquez, 35 years, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	Name(s) withheld
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	No injuries / Property recovered
PREPARED BY:	Officer Robert Blixt
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Commander Marty Meyer, (805) 207-7078 martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 5-5-15, at approximately 0100 hours, officers responded to a motel in the 1100 block of Saviers Road reference a call of possible gunshots being fired into a motel room. Once on scene, one of the room’s occupants told officers that the Suspect Anderson forced his way into the room and demanded property regarding an earlier disagreement. Anderson was in possession of a handgun. Suspect Vazquez was also present and also in possession of a handgun at one point. Both suspects left after taking a bicycle from the victim’s room. Officers found no evidence that gunshots were fired during the incident.

Officers subsequently contacted Anderson and Vazquez in another room of the motel. Both were arrested. The property taken from the victim and handgun were recovered.

The suspects were booked for the robbery and related weapons charges.

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 is 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. Anyone with information regarding this robbery or other 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 / TIME PREPARED: 5-5-15 / 0630hrs

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 Arrests: Sex Offender Failure to Provide Information, False Impersonation, Identity Theft, Conspiracy, and Grand Theft
DATE/TIME:	May 28, 2015, 7:15 a.m.
LOCATION:	1800 Block of Pericles Place, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Guillermo Ezequiel Martin, 39 Araceli Martin, 35
LOSS:	$1846
PREPARED BY:	Lucy Buttell
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Jason Coleman 805-385-7687 Jason.coleman@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On May 28, 2015 at 07:15 a.m., detectives from the Oxnard Police Department served a search warrant in the 1800 block of Pericles Place in the city of Oxnard. Detectives had been investigating suspects Guillermo Martin and his wife, Araceli Martin regarding an identity theft case.

Guillermo Martin’s wife, Araceli, used her position as a human resources director at a local business to facilitate Guillermo’s employment and conceal his true identity. During the investigation, detectives learned that Guillermo Martin is a registered sex offender. Guillermo Martin continued to use the stolen identity and Araceli covered this information for approximately six months. Due to his employment status, Guillermo used a business account to purchase $1846 in goods for his personal use. Both Guillermo and Araceli were arrested. An investigation is on-going in regards to the fraudulent activity.

During the search warrant, Oxnard Police Detectives also located several other items indicating the use of other identities by Guillermo. If any members of the public have more information regarding this case, please contact Detective Jason Coleman at (805) 385-7687 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-TIPS, or at www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org.

The Oxnard Police Department would also like to remind the public to protect their identity by:

Shredding documents instead of discarding them
Report any suspicious account or tax activity
Do not give out any personal identifying information to unknown persons
Conduct regular credit checks with Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 05-28-2015 /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:	Gang Member Arrested for Possession of Firearm
DATE/TIME:	5-30-15 / 2358 hours
LOCATION:	200 Block of Cuesta Del Mar
VICTIM(S):	State of California
SUSPECT(S):	17-year old Juvenile, Oxnard resident Raymundo Lopez, 18-year old, Oxnard resident Esteban Lopez, 20-year old, Oxnard resident
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	None
LOSS:	N/A
PREPARED BY:	Jeff McGreevy, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Sergeant Alex Arnett, Violent Crimes Unit, (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:

On 5-30-15, about 2358 hours, two Oxnard Police officers were conducting a foot patrol in the 200 block of block Cuesta Del Mar. The officers observed three suspected gang members loitering in an apartment building courtyard and approached. As the officers walked closer all three subjects fled on foot. The two officers pursued on foot and immediately recognized that one of the suspects was holding a large object in his waistband area. One of the officers suspected the subject may have been armed. The officers followed two of the suspects into a field adjacent to the apartment building and detained the two. Responding units located the third suspect hiding underneath a parked car.

A police K-9 was brought into the area to search the field where two of the suspects were detained to conduct an article search. The police service dog quickly alerted his handler to an object in the grass. The dog handler located a loaded .357 caliber revolver that was discarded by the 17-year old suspect. A records check on the firearm revealed that it had been stolen in 2011.

The three suspects were arrested for gang-related offenses. The investigation revealed that the 17-year old suspect had the gun in his front waistband area as he fled from the officers and discarded it in the field as the officers approached him. Esteban Lopez, and his brother Raymundo Lopez, were arrested for resisting arrest and violating the civil gang injunction. The 17-year old suspect was booked into the Juvenile Justice Center for several firearms violations and a gang enhancement because he is a documented criminal street gang member. The two adults were booked into the Ventura County Jail.

In an effort to address the 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 http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 5-31-15 / 0615 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Homicide
DATE/TIME:	May 10, 2015, 2:17 a.m.
LOCATION:	600 block of South Oxnard Blvd, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	29 year old, Hispanic male, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown Hispanic male
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Unknown dark colored vehicle
PREPARED BY:	Commander Andrew Salinas, (805) 385-7756 andrew.salinas@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Detective Miguel Serrato, (805) 385-7688 miguel.serrato@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: On May 10, 2015, at approximately 2:17 a.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a shooting victim call in the 600 block of South Oxnard Blvd. Upon arrival, officers located a shooting victim in the west alley who was pronounced by paramedics. It appears the victim died from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification to a next of kin.

Preliminary investigation indicates several subjects were involved in a verbal argument in the west alley. The verbal argument turned into a physical confrontation at which time the suspect shot the victim. The suspect fled the scene in a dark colored vehicle.

This is Oxnard’s fifth homicide of the year. Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Miguel Serrato (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.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:
May 10, 2015, 0600 hours