OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Stabbing Incident, Suspect Arrested
DATE/TIME:	02/09/2020, 5:06 a.m.
LOCATION:	200 Block of West Vineyard Avenue, City of Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	50-Year-Old Female, Oxnard Resident 46-Year-Old Male, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S):	Juan Tavares, 21-Year-Old Oxnard Resident
PREPARED BY:	Mike Johnson, Sergeant (805) 486-6211 Mike.johnson@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Mike Velasquez, Detective (805) 385-8287 michael.velasquez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 02/09/2020 at approximately 5:06 a.m., Officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the 200 block of West Vineyard Avenue in reference to a stabbing victim. When officers arrived, they found two stabbing victims, a 50-year-old female and a 46-year-old male, in two separate apartments. The male victim was suffering from numerous stab wounds to his upper body and the female victim was suffering from several lacerations to her upper body. Officers also located the suspect, Juan Tavares, inside of one of the apartments.

Investigators from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to assist. Based on preliminary information, it appears that Tavares and victims are related and reside together. At one point, Tavares woke up and for unknown reasons, stabbed both victims as they slept. The female victim fled to a neighboring apartment to request help. Another family member detained Tavares until officers arrived. Tavares was arrested for attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon and was transported to the Ventura County Jail. The Investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.

The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 02/09/2020, 10:00 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Two arrested after police stop turns up guns
DATE/TIME:	February 9, 2020, 3:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	100 Block of Carmelita Court, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	James Magana, 21-year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Scott Coe, Sergeant Scott.Coe@Oxnardpd.org 805-385-7746
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Luis Mc Arthur, Commander luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org (805) 207-4762

DETAILS:

On Sunday, February 9, 2020, at about 3:30 a.m. officers stopped a gold Honda Civic in the 100 block of Carmelita Court for traffic violations. When officers went up to the driver, they observed that he had a gun in plain sight, leading to a search that turned up a loaded handgun and two other guns including a replica handgun made to look real.

The driver, identified as James Magana, 21, was arrested on felony weapon charges. A passenger was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant.

Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: February 9, 2020 / 6:45 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Police investigating death of 4-year-old
DATE/TIME:	Sunday, January 5, 2020, 2:04 p.m.
LOCATION:	3400 block of Olds Road, Oxnard
VICTIM:	Preschooler
PREPARED BY:	Luis McArthur, Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Luis McArthur, Commander (805) 207-4762 luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Sunday, January 5, 2020, at around 2 p.m., officers responded to a home in the 3400 block of Olds Road regarding an injured child. The boy was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Detectives are conducting the investigation to determine the nature of circumstances that contributed to this tragic incident.

Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7740, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: Jan 5, 2019 4:43 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Gang member on probation arrested for possession of firearm
DATE/TIME:	Sunday, January 5, 2020, 8:34 a.m.
LOCATION:	3100 block of Mendocino Place, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Ruben Hernandez, 35-year-old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Luis McArthur, Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Luis McArthur, Commander (805) 207-4762 luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Sunday, January 5, 2020, at 8:34 a.m., Oxnard police officers conducted a probation search in a home near 3100 Mendocino Place where they contacted Ruben Hernandez hiding in the backyard. During their investigation, the officers located a loaded sawed-off shotgun and drug paraphernalia.

Hernandez was arrested and charged with various gun related charges, including felon possession of a firearm and ammunition.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: Jan 5, 2019 11:45 a.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:

On December 11, 2019 at approximately 12:51 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to the Shell Gas Station, located at 1400 South Oxnard Boulevard, in reference to an armed robbery that had just occurred. The suspect entered the business, brandished a firearm, and demanded money. After taking an undisclosed amount of money, the suspect took some food items and fled the business.

At approximately 1:19 PM, while officers were still on scene at Shell Gas, additional officers were dispatched to a second armed robbery at Fiesta Liquor, located at 1637 South Oxnard Boulevard. Similar to the first robbery, the suspect entered the business, produced a handgun, and demanded cash. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and fled the business.

At approximately 1:50 PM, officers were dispatched to a third armed robbery at Mr. Kwiks Market, located at 1309 Saviers Road. Again, the circumstances were similar to the previous two robberies. The suspect entered the business, brandished a firearm at the employee and demanded cash. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and fled the business.

The suspect description was similar in all three robberies. An alert patrol officer who was responding to the area to assist, observed a subject matching the description in the 1200 block of South Oxnard Boulevard. The officer attempted to make contact with the subject but he fled into the east alley of Oxnard Boulevard. The officer gave chase and was able to apprehend the subject. He was found to be in possession of a small caliber handgun and a large amount of currency in various denominations. Based on evidence located at scenes of the robberies, it was determined that the subject, a 16 year old Oxnard resident, was responsible for all three armed robberies. He was later lodged at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center. The investigations are ongoing.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Arrest of scam participant for money laundering
DATE/TIME:	12-9-2019/1015
LOCATION:	800 block South E Street, Oxnard
VICTIM(S):	12 elderly victims across the country
SUSPECT(S):	Varadin, Dennis Dean, 65 years old
WITNESS(ES):	N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	N/A
LOSS:	$170,000+
PREPARED BY:	Detective Erica Escalante
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Detective Erica Escalante (805) 385-7661

DETAILS:

On December 9, 2019, officers from the Oxnard Police Department arrested Dennis Dean Varadin (6-7-1954) for money laundering, theft, and elder financial abuse after a four-month long investigation by the Oxnard Police Department Financial Crimes Unit. In August 2019 an elderly victim’s son from North Carolina reported suspicious activity on the Oxnard Police Department web site www.OxnardPD.org because his father sent a large check to someone in Oxnard as part of a telephone sweepstakes scam. The Oxnard Police Department began accepting online suspicious activity reports this year and over 600 reports have been received; many resulting in arrests for a variety of crimes.

In conjunction with the Ventura County Adult Protective Services to whom several banks filed mandated elder financial abuse reports, the Oxnard Police Department Financial Crimes Detective undertook a lengthy investigation. The Detective found that Varadin received large checks totaling over $170,000 from more than ten elderly scam victims across the country over the past year. Varadin was booked into Ventura County Jail with a bail of $20,000.

It is illegal to knowingly transmit stolen funds through one’s bank account. No obviously fraudulent checks should ever be deposited or cashed against one’s account. Resources on how to recognize scams can be found on the web sites for the Oxnard Police Department at www.OxnardPD.org/fraud, the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov, and the FBI at www.ic3.gov.

Ventura County Adult Protective Services investigated over 4600 cases of elder physical, financial abuse and neglect in 2019. APS partners with law enforcement when abuse rises to a criminal level through our Rapid Response Expert Team and Financial Abuse Specialist Team. If an elder is the victim of any online or phone scam or any type of financial or physical abuse, reports can be made to (805) 654-3200. The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging also provides telephone support for elderly scam victims at (805) 477-7300. The Coalition for Family Harmony also provides counseling for victims of online romance scams at (800) 300-2181.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 12-9-2019/1300

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Three arrested in connection with carjacking, kidnapping
DATE/TIME:	Monday, Dec 2, 2019, 8:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	2300 block of N. Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard (arrest location)
SUSPECT(S):	Julianna Pardo, 18-year-old Oxnard resident Ivan Sanchez, 18-year-old Oxnard resident 15-year-old teen
PREPARED BY:	Luis McArthur, Commander
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Luis McArthur, Commander (805) 207-4762 luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On Monday, December 2, 2019, at about 8:30 a.m., Oxnard police officers arrested a man and a woman and a teenager in a suspected carjacking and kidnapping on Alvarado Street in Oxnard.

Pardo, Sanchez and a 15-year-old took a man’s car and then forced him to get in the car. The victim was taken to Ventura where he was released and was not hurt.

Sanchez, Pardo and the teen are facing charges of kidnapping and carjacking.

Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: Dec 2, 2019, 3:15 p.m.

Ivan Sanchez

Julianna Pardo

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

DETAILS:

At 11:46 PM on 11/12/2019, Oxnard Police Department officers responded to the 1900 block of North Ventura Road, regarding a report of a subject brandishing a firearm. Responding officers saw the suspect run into a nearby neighborhood. Officers established a perimeter around the area where the suspect was seen running. Officers, assisted by Police K-9’s “Rocky” and “Capone” began a systematic search of the area.

The Oxnard Police Department’s recently formed Unmanned Aerial System Unit responded and deployed a small unmanned aerial vehicle (commonly referred to as a “drone”). The drone was equipped with a thermal camera to assist with locating the suspect, who was hiding in the rear yard of a residence on the 1300 block of Kingswood Drive. The drone also carried a loudspeaker, and it was used to make announcements to the suspect for him to surrender and comply with officers.

The suspect, identified as Alex Perez, peacefully surrendered to officers. Perez was arrested for brandishing a weapon, and being under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers also located a replica handgun that Perez had discarded.

The Oxnard Police Department recently received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate small unmanned aerial vehicles, and this was the department’s first deployment.

Assistant Chief Jason Benites said, “We are very pleased that our first drone deployment was able to assist our officers in taking a potentially dangerous suspect into custody. Last night’s deployment is a great example of how this quickly-evolving technology can be used to make our communities safer.”

Drone’s thermal imagery depicts officers approaching suspect (at right).

Oxnard drone assisting the arrest of a brandishing suspect (at right).

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Firearm Arrest
DATE/TIME:	09/15/2019; 3:00PM
LOCATION:	Gary Dr and Rose Ave, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S):	Oscar Perez Cruz, 20 year old Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Scott Coe, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Luis McArthur, Commander 805-385-7746 luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 9/15/19 at around 3:00 PM an Oxnard Police Officer conducted a traffic stop for various vehicle code violations in the area of Gary Dr and Rose Ave in the City of Oxnard. The passenger, Oscar Perez Cruz was found to be in possession of an unloaded and unregistered 9mm semi-automatic firearm. Cruz was arrested for a felony firearm violation.

Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9/15/2019, 5:15 p.m.

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Teen, 16, arrested with loaded gun after traffic stop
DATE/TIME:	August 12, 2019 / 3:15 p.m.
LOCATION:	H St. and Second St., Oxnard, CA 93030
VICTIM(S):	California, State of
SUSPECT(S):	16-year-old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Luis Mc Arthur, Commander luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org 805-207-4762
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Luis Mc Arthur, Commander luis.mcarthur@oxnardpd.org 805-207-4762

DETAILS:

On Monday, August 12, 2019, at about 3:10 p.m., officers stopped a car on H Street near Second Street for a stop sign violation.

The 16-year-old was the right-front passenger in the vehicle.

Officers immediately detected an odor of marijuana from inside the vehicle and saw the teen toss out a small amount of marijuana out the passenger window, leading to a search of the two occupants.

During a pat-down search of the teen, a loaded gun fell from his pants. The 16-year-old was arrested for carrying a concealed firearm in a car. The 20-year-old driver, Joseph Viramontes was arrested for resisting, or otherwise delaying the duties of a police officer and for allowing a passenger to carry a loaded handgun in a car.

The teen was booked in juvenile hall and Viramontes was transported to Ventura County Jail.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 12, 2019 / 10 p.m.

Gun falls from teen’s pants