DETAILS: Detectives from the Oxnard Police Department arrested a third suspect in the 2006 murder of Octavio Lopez and attempted murder of three additional individuals who suffered gunshot wounds during the September 4, 2006 attack. Twenty Five (25) year old Alejandro “Alex” Salas was arrested Monday afternoon at the Ventura County Jail where he was in custody for a Parole violation.

Salas is the third person who has been arrested for the murder of Lopez and attempted murder of the three other individuals who suffered gunshot wounds during the attack. Brothers Lino, 25 years, and Alvino Hernandez, 27 years were arrested for murder on January 18, 2008. Detectives have reason to believe that several additional people have conspired to try and create an alibi for Salas’s whereabouts at the time of the shooting. The investigation is continuing with the possibility of additional arrests of those people who continue to be untruthful with detectives.

On June 4, 2008 Officer Richard Marquez and Officer Eric Alinaya received the Oxnard Police Department Medal of Merit pin from Chief Crombach for their actions during an officer involved shooting on April 15, 2008. On that date, Officer Richard Marquez, Officer Eric Alinaya, Officer Raymund Mosones and Officer Jon Keller were working as part of the Special Enforcement Unit. These officers were conducting a surveillance regarding information they had received of a gang member being in possession of two handguns and selling narcotics from a residence. The surveillance of the residence confirmed that the suspect was standing outside the home. When Officer Marquez and Officer Alinaya attempted to contact the suspect he immediately fled, discarded a firearm, and entered the residence. As the officers attempted to force entry into the home they were met with gunfire from a second suspect who was also armed. Officer Marquez quickly returned fire at this suspect protecting Officer Alinaya and himself.

Officer Mosones and Officer Keller quickly arrived to assist their teammates. They quickly set up a perimeter around the home keeping the suspects from fleeing. Shortly thereafter the two suspects were taken into custody.

Officer Marquez, Officer Alinaya, Officer Mosones and Officer Keller’s actions while confronting the two armed violent suspects put them at risk of great harm. Their brave and professional demeanor during this potentially life threatening situation earned Officer Marquez and Officer Alinaya the Medal of Merit, and Officer Mosones and Officer Keller Letters of Commendation.

Officer Marquez and Officer Alinaya will be formally recognized for their actions and receive the actual medal during the annual Employee Recognition Awards Luncheon in April of 2009. They will also receive the POAVC Medal of Merit in 2009.

On Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at 1000 hours, The City of Oxnard and the Oxnard Police Department welcome you to the ninth annual Police Memorial Ceremony. The ceremony will occur in front of the Public Safety Building, at Third and C Streets, Downtown Oxnard.

This week of May 11-17 is National Police Memorial Week. It has been so designated for the past 46 years.

In Oxnard, California, we pay tribute to all of the Law Enforcement Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, but particularly we are here to honor our own fallen, our seven Oxnard Officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty over the past century. They each made the ultimate sacrifice while proudly wearing the badge of the Oxnard Police Department while working to keep this City safe.

The fallen Officers are:

• Deputy Constable Andrew M. McNaughton
• Constable William E. Kelley
• Officer Albert Gasperetti
• Officer Frederick J. Clark
• Senior Officer John Adair
• Officer James E. O’Brien
• Officer James R. Jensen, Jr.

More details about these fallen officers can be found on our memorial page.

For further information, contact Sergeant David Villanueva, at (805) 385-7777, or email davidvillanueva@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS: 

Senior Officer Robin Whitney was recognized by the Oxnard City Council as the City’s Employee of the Quarter at their April 8, 2008 meeting. The award is for the first quarter of 2008, and requires a nomination, followed by a careful review by a City committee.

Senior Officer Whitney is currently assigned to the Domestic Violence Investigations Detail. In his nomination, a number of Senior Officer Whitney’s colleagues provided personal input. The following are excerpts that serve as testimony to his exceptional work and character:

Robin continues to exemplify the meaning of Police Officer

On April 1st representatives from the Oxnard Police Department participated in the Oxnard Union High School District’s 23rd Annual Career Fair at the Performing Arts Center. There were representatives from our Records, Traffic, Dispatch and Professional Standards Division. There were also Community Service Officers and Youth Service Officers present.

The department wanted to be involved in the fair in order to educate the public and also to start recruiting for the future of our industry. There are several jobs within the police department that have minimum requirements of a high school diploma or GED and a drivers license, such as our Public Safety Dispatcher positions. In addition, we have an explorer program for people ages 14-21, who are interested in learning more about law enforcement.

There were approximately 900 high school age students in attendance exploring a variety of career options. They asked a lot of great questions and seemed to walk away with some ideas for what they can do with their future.

There were a wide variety of career options at the fair everything from Six Flags Amusement Parks to the United States Navy to large animal veterinarians. Everyone brought fun and interactive displays for the students and there were a lot of prizes and giveaways.

The event was co-sponsored by the Oxnard Rotary Club and the OUHSD Educational Partnership Program. They also received a lot of help from the high school clubs and organizations. They did a wonderful job organizing the event, providing refreshments and checking with each vendor to see if they needed water, additional chairs and tables or any other support.

Join us at the 2008 Oxnard Police Department Employee Recognition Awards Luncheon. The ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, 600 Esplanade Drive, Oxnard.

The awards presented will include:

• POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
• CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
• SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR
• DISPATCHER OF THE YEAR
• MEDAL OF MERIT
• M.A.D.D. (DRUNK DRIVING) AWARD
• 10851 (STOLEN VEHICLE) AWARD
• CHIEF’S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

The event is hosted by the Oxnard Kiwanis Club of Oxnard. Lunch is $20 per person (payable at the door), but reservations are required. Please contact Lupe Moreno at (805) 385-7761 or LupeMoreno@OxnardPD.org to reserve your seat today!

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DETAILS: 

If anyone has information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Kujawa at 385-7547 or Crime Stoppers at 385-TALK.

An investigation is continuing.

At approximately 11:40 this morning a 34 year old Oxnard woman reported through our 911 system that she had just been assaulted in her home. Officers quickly responded to an apartment complex in the 3100 block of Peninsula Road and contacted the victim.

She reported that someone had knocked on her door, and upon answering the door she found a man standing there.  He spoke to her briefly in Spanish and as she attempted to explain that she did not understand Spanish he forced his way into the apartment, knocked her to the floor, struck her and climbed on top of her.

Moments later the woman’s pet, a 16 year old sheepdog, came to her assistance. There was a scuffle between the suspect and the dog and the suspect may have been bitten.  At that point he ran from the apartment.

The woman described her assailant as a Hispanic male, approximately 35 year of age.  He was approximately 5’ 7” and weighed about 130 lbs. He spoke Spanish and was wearing blue jeans with some mud on them, a black hooded sweatshirt, and work boots. He was wearing sunglasses with square frames.

The victim stated that she does not know the suspect.

Anyone with any information about this case is urged to contact Oxnard Police at 385-7600 or Crime Stoppers at 385-TALK – calls to Crime Stoppers can be made anonymously and are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

David Keith, PIO

385-7631