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.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:

Multiple DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints Scheduled in Oxnard

DATE/TIME:

Friday, December 28, 2012, 9:00 p.m. – 03:00 a.m.

LOCATION:

CIty of Oxnard

PREPARED BY:

Senior Officer Jamie Brown

CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:

Randy Latimer, Traffic Sergeant
(805) 385-7847 randy.latimer@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

Oxnard Police Department and the Ventura County AVOID the 14 DUI Task Force Targets

Impaired Drivers with Multiple DUI/Drivers License Checkpoints in Oxnard

Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over

Oxnard, CA – The Winter Holiday Anti-DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 14 DUI deployments overnight in Ventura County

From 12:01 AM Friday December 14, 2012, through Midnight Thursday, December 27, 2012, officers representing Ventura County law enforcement agencies have arrested 106 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Heading into the 4 Day New Years holiday weekend, the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit and the Ventura County AVOID the 14 DUI Task Force will be conducting DUI/Drivers License checkpoints on Friday, December 28th, at undisclosed locations within the city limits between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 3:00 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 checkpoints 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 not claimed any lives, but have resulted in 199 wrecks injuring 115 of our friends and neighbors in Oxnard,” said Senior Officer Brown.

These DUI/Drivers License checkpoints are 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 these operations 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:	Stabbing
DATE/TIME:	1-20-13 / 2021 hours
LOCATION:	1400 Block of West Gonzales Road
VICTIM(S):	Male, 23-year old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT(S):	Unknown
PREPARED BY:	Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Marty Meyer, Commander (805) 207-7078

Date:

On 1-20-13, at about 2021 hours, officers responded to the area of the 1400 Block of West Gonzales Road re: a male subject having been stabbed. Officers located the subject noting serious injuries due to stab wounds in the upper body. The victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment where he is listed in stable condition.

Officers learned the stabbing occurred near the intersection of Gonzales Road and Lantana Street. The number of suspects and the related descriptions has not been determined.

Persons with additional information are encouraged to call the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.

You may contact the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Or, visit the web site at http://www.venturacountycrimestopper.org/contact.aspx.

DATE / TIME PREPARED:1-20-13 / 2330 hours

ILS:

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Multi-Vehicle Injury Traffic Collision
DATE/TIME:	March 21, 2013 / 9:33 AM
LOCATION:	Gonzales Road @ Ventura Road, Oxnard
DRIVER 1:	Rodolfo Tinoco, 54, Oxnard resident
DRIVER 2:	Jose Tavira, 50, Oxnard resident
DRIVER 3:	Robert Anthony Magana, 39, Port Hueneme resident
DRIVER 4:	Kathleen Kepler, 55, Newbury Park resident
VEHICLE 1:	Green 1994 Ford F150
VEHICLE 2:	White 2005 BMW Sedan
VEHICLE 3:	Bronze 2009 Ford Flex
VEHICLE 4:	Green 2002 Toyota Sienna
PREPARED BY:	Senior Officer Maria Peña, Traffic Collision Investigator
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Senior Officer Maria Peña (805) 385-7750 Maria.pena@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On March 21, 2013, at about 9:33 A.M., officers and EMS responded to an injury traffic collision involving four vehicles at the intersection of Gonzales Road and Ventura Road. Upon arrival, officers found that a green Ford F150 had collided with several vehicles in the intersection. Officers also found that several occupants of the involved vehicles were injured.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the Ford F150, driven by Rodolfo Tinoco, was traveling westbound on Gonzales Road towards Ventura Road. The white BMW, driven by Jose Tavira, was stopped northbound on Ventura Road at Gonzales Road. The bronze Ford Flex, driven by Robert Anthony Magana, was stopped in the number one lane of southbound Ventura Road at Gonzales Road. The green Toyota Sienna, driven by Kathleen Kepler, was stopped southbound in the number two lane of Ventura Road at Gonzales Road.

It should be noted that several STOP signs on barricades were located at the intersection of Gonzales Road and Ventura Road. There were also several signs that were located on all the approaches to the intersection which read PREPARE TO STOP. Signs had been placed on all approaches due to repairs being conducted on the traffic signals.

As the BMW was driving through the intersection, the Ford truck failed to stop for the stop signs and was broadsided by the BMW. At the same time, the Ford Flex and the Toyota also proceeding southbound into the intersection. After the impact with the BMW, the Ford truck collided into the Ford Flex and the Toyota.

Driver Magana was transported to Ventura County Medical Center and treated for moderate injuries. Driver Kepler and two juvenile passengers were transported to St. John’s Medical Center and treated for minor injuries. Driver Tavira was not injured as a result of the collision but was transported to Ventura County Medical Center for unrelated health issues. Driver Tinoco was not injured as a result of the collision.

Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the collision.

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

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DATE / TIME PREPARED: March 21, 2013, 4:30 p.m.

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Assault with deadly weapon involving a vehicle. Suspected DUI.
DATE/TIME:	Sunday, March 24^th, 2013 7:20 P.M.
LOCATION:	1200 block of West Hill Street, (North Alley)
PEDESTRIAN:	25 year old, Oxnard resident
DRIVER (SUSPECT):	Adrian Ceja 28 years of age, Oxnard resident

SUSPECT VEHICLE(S):	2006, Blue Chevrolet, Silverado, pick-up truck

PREPARED BY:	Officer Jose Diaz jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Officer Jose Diaz jose.diaz@oxnardpd.org ; 385-7600

DETAILS:

On March 24^th at about 7:20 P.M. officers and EMS personnel responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian, in the north alley of the 1200 block of West Hill Street. Upon arrival, officers found that the driver of the pick-up was being detained by witnesses. Officers were also informed that a pedestrian was injured in the alley with a broken leg.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Ceja was driving his 06 Chevrolet Silverado eastbound in the north alley of Hill Street. Witnesses stated they observed Ceja intentionally collide into the victim and flee eastbound through the alley. However, Ceja’s vehicle became inoperable due to the collision. Interviews with Ceja discovered that he and the victim were in a physical fight and Ceja drove his vehicle hitting the victim. The victim was admitted to Ventura County Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition. Officers were unable to obtain a statement from the victim due to his medical condition. Ceja was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, other than a firearm, and felony DUI.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 03/24/13, 2300 hours

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police

Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Second Suspect Arrested in 2009 Homicide
DATE/TIME:	3/29/2013 / 1630
LOCATION:	2700 block of El Dorado Avenue
SUSPECT(S):	Jonathan Gallegos, 21 years old, of Newbury Park, CA
PREPARED BY:	Sergeant Alex Arnett Supervisor, (805) 486-6211, Alex.Arnett@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON & CONTACT INFO:	Det. Mike Young, Major Crimes Unit (805) 385-7606 Mike.Young@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
Between 2006 and 2012, the City of Oxnard had five homicides that investigators believe were committed by members of the Lemonwood Chiques gang. In August of 2012, the Oxnard Police Department formed a special task force to solve these homicides. As a result of the task force’s extensive investigation, the department arrested 18 year old Cristian Santos for the October 12, 2011 homicide of Sergio Arroyo. Arroyo was subsequently convicted for this homicide.

On January 17, 2009 at approximately 8 PM, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a fight with shots fired in the 2700 block of El Dorado Ave. Upon the officer’s arrival, they located two victims who had sustained stab wounds. A third victim showed up at the hospital an hour after the incident with a minor stab wound. The 28 year old homicide victim, later identified as Alfredo Vargas, underwent emergency surgery and died at approximately 2:30 am on Sunday.

The task force has continued to work on the Alfredo Vargas homicide as well as other open homicides involving Lemonwood Chiques gang members. On March 29, 2013, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed charges on Jonathan Gallegos in connection with his role in this homicide. These charges include murder and committing the murder for the benefit of a criminal street gang, the Lemonwood Chiques.

There continues to be several outstanding suspects in the Alfredo Vargas homicide as well as the other homicides involving the Lemonwood Chiques gang members. Arrests in the near future for these homicides are highly likely. These investigations are the result of countless investigative hours and a cooperative effort involving multiple local law enforcement agencies. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office all played key roles in these successful investigations.

The investigation into the murder of Alfredo Vargas is ongoing and members of the public are asked to contact Detective Mike Young at (805) 385-7606 or Mike.Young@Oxnardpd.org if they have any information about this incident.

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Date: March 29, 2013