Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Kiwanis Officer of the Year luncheon
DATE/TIME	Thursday, April 19, 2012 at noon
LOCATION	The Tower Club

(Oxnard, CA) On Thursday, April 19, 2012 the Kiwanis Club of Oxnard will host the 44^th annual Oxnard Police Department Employee Recognition Awards Luncheon. The event starts at noon and will be held at the Tower Club, 300 E. Esplanade Drive (22^nd floor). Members of the public are welcome to attend, but reservations are required. The cost is $30 per person and can be paid at the door on the day of the event. To reserve your seat, contact Sandra Jacinto at (805) 385-7624 or email sandra.jacinto@oxnardpd.org.

For more than 40 years the Kiwanis Club of Oxnard has partnered with the Oxnard Police Department to recognize outstanding employees. The nominees for the 2011 Police Officer of the Year are: Officer Rachel Burr, Officer Mike Thomas and Sergeant Alex Arnett. The criteria for this award are: must have achieved the rank of police officer II or senior police officer; performance of duties in an exemplary manner; strong academic credentials or evidence of an earnest effort to obtain a higher degree; activity beyond the normal scope o duty as in voluntarily engaging in the community affairs of Oxnard in a significant way.

In addition to the Officer of the Year recognition, Chief Jeri Williams will present the following awards to OPD employees: supervisor of the year; civilian employee of the year; MADD award; dispatcher of the year; chief’s award of excellence; and volunteer of the year / Clancy Nieland award.

The Kiwanis Club of Oxnard was founded in 1947. It is part of Kiwanis International and supports many local and national events each year.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Stabbing
DATE/TIME	May 17, 2012 at about 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION	1300 block Fremont Way
VICTIM	25-year-old male, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY	Det. Mike Johnson
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

On 5/17/12 at about 3:30 p.m., Oxnard police officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of Fremont Way regarding a stabbing victim.

Oxnard police officers arrived on scene and were unable to locate the victim. The victim was later found to have been transported by a private party to St. John’s Hospital. Officers contacted the victim and additional witnesses at the hospital. Officers were advised that several subjects initiated contact with the victim and a confrontation occurred. During the confrontation, gang slogans were shouted out and the incident escalated into a stabbing. The suspects then fled. The incident appears to be gang related and an investigation is continuing.

Investigators believe there are numerous witnesses to this incident. If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to Detective Mike Johnson at (805) 385-7645. 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.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Shots fired / Felon in possession of firearm arrest
DATE/TIME	5-30-12 8:10 PM
LOCATION	1853 Ives Ave.
SUSPECT	Robert Henry 26 year-old Oxnard resident
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) On May 30, 2012 at 8:10 p.m., officers from the Oxnard PD responded to a report of shots fired in front of the trailer park located at 1853 Ives Avenue. Upon officers arrival they located evidence of a shooting and located the suspect in a nearby trailer. Officers were unable to locate any victims.

The suspect, Robert Henry, 26, has a prior felony arrest that made it illegal for him to possess weapons. Officers located a weapon and ammunition at Henry’s trailer that matched evidence at the scene.

The suspect was arrested for discharging a weapon in public, felon in possession of a firearm, and under the influence of a controlled substance.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740. 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.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Shooting
DATE/TIME	June 9, 2012 at 9:20 p.m.
LOCATION	700 block of Cooper Road, Oxnard
VICTIM	18-year-old male
SUSPECT	Unknown
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) On June 9, 2012 at about 9:20 p.m., Oxnard PD officers were on patrol in the 700 block of Cooper Road when they heard shots being fired in the area. Officers checked the area and located an 18-year old male who had been shot. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition.

At this time we have no information about the suspect in this case but an investigation is underway.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7740 or Detective Jose Velazquez at (805) 385-7688. 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.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	OPD Explorer Program – graduation event
DATE/TIME	Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 1 p.m.
LOCATION	Pacifica High School Performing Arts Center

(Oxnard, CA) On Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 1 p.m. eight participants of the Oxnard PD Explorer Academy Post #9286 will graduate. The event will take place at the Pacifica High School Performing Arts Center.

The Explorer academy began on June 11, 2012 with ten participants. These Explorer recruits spent many hours in the classroom, taking tours of law enforcement facilities and meeting with local law enforcement professionals.

The curriculum at the Explorer academy included: report writing, traffic laws, traffic investigation, cultural diversity, crime scene preservation, juvenile laws, search & seizure procedures, the criminal justice system, crime prevention, ethics and patrol procedures. The recruits were also introduced to various units at OPD via tours and presentations. In addition to academic instruction the recruits participated in physical conditioning.

Explorer recruits are mentored by Oxnard PD officers, some of whom also started their law enforcement careers in the Explorer Program. The recruits learn character development, law enforcement history, community investment and patriotism. The Explorer Program is an excellent opportunity for high school aged youth to invest in their futures through involvement in many types of police and community activities.

For any questions related to the OPD Explorer Program or the graduation, please contact Officer Jason Rodriguez at Jason.rodriguez@oxnardpd.org.

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Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT	Bicycle crashes increase in Oxnard
DATE/TIME	July 18, 2012
CONTACT	Mónica Muñoz Community Affairs Manager / PIO (805) 385-7631 monica.munoz@oxnardpd.org

(Oxnard, CA) There has been an increase in the number of bicycle collisions in the city of Oxnard in recent months. Between January and June in 2011 there were a total of 25 collisions involving bicycles. Between those same months this year, there have been 49 bicycle collisions.

As a result of this increase, Oxnard PD patrol officers and traffic officers are conducting directed bicycle enforcement which includes educating the public on bicycle safety and proper choices while riding a bicycle on city streets.

The primary collision factors in these crashes are wrong-way riding and signal and stop sign violations. Officers are enforcing these violations and bicycle equipment violations for example: riders under the age of 18 must wear a bicycle helmet and all bicycles must be equipped with functioning brakes. Helmets are strongly recommended for everyone when riding a bicycle.

Bicycle riders are to follow the same rules of the road as those driving cars on our roadways. Here are just a few rules and tips for safe bicycle use –

Travel in the same direction as cars and stop for all stop signs and obey all signal lights.
Oxnard city ordinance 7-132(d) prohibits people over the age of 12 from riding their bikes on the sidewalk.
Make eye contact and make sure a driver sees you before crossing in front of a car.
Wear light clothing so that drivers may see you more easily at night.
A front white headlight and a rear reflector are required when riding at night. A red light on the rear is strongly recommended.
Stay focused and stay alert… do not ride with headphones in both ears.
Use extreme caution when making turns in traffic.
Ride far enough away from parked cars so you can avoid suddenly opened doors.

Follow these links for bicycle safety information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the California Office of Traffic Safety http://www.ots.ca.gov/pdf/BicyclePedSafetyBrochure.pdf
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Bicycles

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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:	9/11/12 / 2200 hours
LOCATION:	5300 block of Charles Street
VICTIM(S):	23 year old Hispanic male
SUSPECT(S):	19-20 year old Hispanic male, 5’9, 200 Lbs., shaved head, black & grey flannel shirt
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Green GMC Jimmy or Chevrolet S-10 Blazer 4 door
PREPARED BY:	Officer Steve Eckman, steve.eckman@oxnardpd.org, (805) 385-7600
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Steve Eckman, steve.eckman@oxnardpd.org, (805) 385-7600

DETAILS:
On 9/11/12, at approximately 2200 hours, officers were dispatched to the 5300 block of Charles Street reference a shooting victim down on the street. It was determined that the victim suffered a single gunshot wound to the face. The suspect had followed the victim to the area of Charles Street and Clara Street where the suspect exited the vehicle and confronted the victim. The victim was immediately transported to VCMC for his injuries. The victim is listed in stable condition. The suspect vehicle is a Green GMC Jimmy or Chevrolet S-10 Blazer 4 door. Anyone with any information please contact the Oxnard Police Department at 805-385-7600.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 9/12/12 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/Drivers License Checkpoint
DATE/TIME:	Saturday, September 15, 2012 7:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
LOCATION:	City of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator, (805) 385-7749, jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, September 15th at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 03:00 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.

Officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, court probation and other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. “Over the course of the past year, DUI collisions have claimed 1 life and resulted in 182 wrecks injuring 95 of our friends and neighbors in Oxnard,” said Senior Officer Jamie Brown

This DUI/Drivers License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies and officers will be checking drivers for proper licensing. A major component of these checkpoints is the deterrent effect it has on those who might drive drunk or drugged impaired and bring about more awareness, encouraging everyone to use sober designated drivers.

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.

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

Report Drunk Drivers. Call 911!

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Robbery
DATE/TIME:	Friday, 10-19-12, 2226 hours
LOCATION:	Parking lot of El Pollo Loco Restaurant, Vineyard Avenue and Oxnard Boulevard
VICTIM(S):	Male (NFD)
SUSPECT(S):	Nicole Martin, 27 years, Santa Paula resident
WITNESS(ES):	Male, name withheld
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	Tan GMC pickup
LOSS:	Undetermined amount of cash and cell phone
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org, (805) 207-7078

DETAILS: On 10-19-12, at 2226 hours, a male subject flagged down officers in the area of Highway 101 and North Oxnard Boulevard advising he had been robbed at knife point. The victim told officers a female had jumped into his vehicle as he sat waiting in the drive-thru line of the El Pollo Loco Restaurant. The female, later identified as Nicole Martin, 27 years, brandished a knife and demanded money. An undisclosed amount of money and the victim’s cell phone was taken. The suspect then fled.

The victim saw the suspect enter a tan GMC pickup that drove onto Highway 101. Officers located the GMC pickup on Highway 101 and a stop was made on CA Route 126 near Highway 101. Martin was identified by the victim and arrested for robbery. The male driver of the GMC pickup was questioned and determined not to be involved in the robbery. He was released at the scene.

Residents with information about this incident are encouraged to call the Oxnard PD at (805) 385-7650. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call the Violent Crime Hotline at (8050 982-707 or Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Visit http://www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org/contact.aspx to submit a tip.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 10-20-12, 2130 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted Homicide
DATE/TIME:	December 23, 2012/ 5:43 PM
LOCATION:	3800 block of Samuel Dr (Imperial Mobile Home Park)
VICTIM(S):	27 year old Oxnard Resident (Name Withheld)
SUSPECT(S):	Lester Lefotu (25 year old Oxnard resident)
PREPARED BY:	Detective Jaime Miranda
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Jaime Miranda (805) 385-7665 jaime.miranda@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On December 23^rd, 2012 at about 5:43 PM, Oxnard Police Officers responded to a 9-1-1 hang up call in the 3800 block of Samuel Drive, which is located in the Imperial Mobile Home Park. When Officers arrived they found the victim, a 27 year old Oxnard Resident, in front of the mobile home suffering from several stab wounds. The victim was transported to VCMC where he is listed in stable condition.

Officers on scene contacted the suspect as he attempted to leave the area in his vehicle. The suspect was identified as 25 year old Oxnard Resident, Lester Lefotu. Lefotu was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and booked at the Ventura County Jail.

It is still unclear why the stabbing occurred and it appears the victim and suspect are known to each other.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call Detective Jaime Miranda at (805) 385-7665. 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.