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News release – 8/8/2013

Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Arrest of Murder Suspect
DATE/TIME: August 2, 2013
LOCATION: Homicide location: 2700 block of El Dorado Avenue, Oxnard
Arrest location:  Ventura County Main Jail
VICTIM(S): Alfredo Vargas
Ramiro Huerta  
SUSPECT(S): Jorge Cervantes, 19 Years of Age, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY: Sergeant Alex Arnett, Violent Crimes Supervisor, (805) 385-7600, alex.arnett@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Det. Mike Young, Major Crimes Unit (805) 385-7606
mike.young@oxnardpd.org  

DETAILS:

(OXNARD, Calif)– On August 2, 2013, Oxnard resident Jorge Cervantes was served with a criminal indictment, charging him with two counts of murder, attempted shooting at an inhabited dwelling and numerous enhancements related to these charges.  This indictment was related to the murders of Alfredo Vargas and Ramiro Huerta.
 
Alfredo Vargas was murdered during a gang related incident on January 17, 2009.  Cervantes was arrested on April 2, 2013 for his role in this murder, and has been in the custody of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Three additional defendants, Guillermo Galvan, Alexis Ramirez, and Jonathan Gallegos, who had also been previously arrested for their role in Vargas’ death, were also indicted for murder as it relates to the Vargas incident.   
 
Additionally, Cervantes was indicted for the January 27, 2009 murder of Ramiro Huerta.  Huerta was murdered just 10 days after Alfredo Vargas.  Huerta was shot to death just outside his apartment, after walking home from a nearby convenience store.  Huerta was killed just a short distance away from where Vargas had been killed less than two weeks before.  Investigators believe that Huerta’s murder was also committed for the benefit of the Lemonwood Chiques street gang. 
 
This additional arrest is the result of a task force the Oxnard Police Department formed in August of 2012 to solve a series of homicides which occurred between 2006 and 2012.  The Oxnard Police Department received significant assistance in these investigations by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. 
 
There are additional outstanding suspects in the Alfredo Vargas homicide and this and other investigations continue to be actively worked.  These investigations also include the 2006 murder of Oscar Gonzales and the 2012 murder of Jose Gonzales.  Investigators believe members of the Lemonwood Chiques criminal street gang are responsible for all of these murders.
 
Jorge Cervantes remains in the custody of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department with bail currently set at $1,610,000.  Members of the public are asked to contact Detective Mike Young at (805) 385-7606 or mike.young@oxnardpd.orgif they have any information about this or any other homicide case.
 
 
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  August 8, 2013, 02:00 p.m.


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT: Road Closures for the Pier to Pier Ventura Marathon
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 8, 2013 / 6:30a.m to 1:00p.m.
LOCATION: Harbor Blvd, Oxnard
Gonzales Rd, Oxnard
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Jamie Brown, Traffic Coordinator
(805) 385-7749

DETAILS:

The Pier to Pier Ventura Marathon will be held this Sunday, September 8th starting from the Ventura Pier at 7:00 a.m. and ending at 1:00p.m. The marathon will go through Ventura, Oxnard and Port Hueneme. The marathon is expected to have approximately 800 runners which may cause some traffic delays along the marathon route.
 
The marathon route from Ventura will be southbound on Harbor Boulevard to Channel Islands Boulevard, eastbound Channel Islands Boulevard to Ventura Road and southbound Ventura Road to the Port Hueneme Pier. Runners will make a U-turn at the Port Hueneme Pier and return to the Ventura Pier following the same route.
 
The only road closures in the City Oxnard will be on Harbor Boulevard between Fifth Street and Spinnaker Drive in Ventura and Gonzales Road between Victoria Avenue and Harbor Boulevard. All other streets along the marathon route will remain open. Local residents are encouraged to use alternate routes for trips in and out of the city.
 
In an attempt to accommodate local residents traveling along the marathon route, the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit will have officers and additional traffic control personnel assigned to several intersections along the marathon route to assist with traffic control.
 
 
For Further Information regarding road closures contact Senior Officer Jamie Brown at 385-7749 or jamie.brown@oxnardpd.org. For further information regarding the marathon go to: www.venturamarathon.com
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED: 
9-6-13 / 1300 hours
 


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

EVENT: Inaugural Spanish Citizens Academy offered for the first time in the City of Oxnard, Graduation this Wednesday
DATE/TIME: October 2, 2013 / 5:30-8:00 pm
LOCATION: City Council Chambers
305 West 3rd St., Oxnard 93030
PREPARED BY: Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager,
(805) 385-7631, miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Miguel Lopez, Community Affairs Manager,
(805) 385-7631, miguel.lopez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:  (OXNARD, Calif)– The Oxnard Police Department is proud to announce the graduation of our inaugural Citizens Academy in Spanish, “Academia de Seguridad Publica para la Comunidad” this Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 5:30pm in the City Council Chambers.

This new program came to fruition after months of planning and coordination.  The 12-week program was designed to provide people in the community with an overview of the functions and operational procedures of law enforcement through presentations and discussions on a number of different topics ranging from Oxnard Police Department overview and organization, Crime Analysis, Community Based-Policing Strategy, Traffic and 911 Communication Center overview, Graffiti and our youth programs, Gangs, Professional Standards, SWAT, and Major Crimes and Homicide. Each instructor is considered an expert in their field of discussion, and all presentations were prepared and presented in Spanish.
 
This group of community members also had a chance to visit and tour the Sheriff and Police Education and Training Academy in Camarillo, where they each had an opportunity to use the updated versions of the Force Option Simulator, a program that allows officers—and in this case community members—to react to real-life situations where they would use force, while other community members and training staff assessed their reactions.
 
“In an effort to further strengthen relationships with our diverse community members, we wanted to provide an extraordinary program—rich in content and a remarkable experience,” said Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams.  “Our goal is to promote a better understanding of law enforcement for the people we serve, and we’re thrilled that we were able to offer it for our large Spanish speaking population throughout the City of Oxnard” Williams added.
 
For the Oxnard Police Department, our goal was clear and simple: that after their experience in this program, participants are left with a better understanding of who our officers are, our job, and how difficult our job can be to protect and serve the community in which they reside.
 
“For the last 12 weeks I was with the Police Department, which provided the community with a public safety Academy [in Spanish]…They have a series of values that commit them to work for the community and [with] the community… Every citizen has the [responsibility] to know and respect the laws. I want to say that everything I learned made me think differently about the officers and their work…” wrote Mrs. Teresa Salazar on the Oxnard Police Department’s Facebook Page shortly after the last class meeting.  “I recommend this Academy to anyone who wants to improve [our] community and [want] to [better] understand the work of the Police Department,” she added.
 
Police Department’s across the state are looking or are in the process of creating similar Citizens Academies in Spanish.  In fact, the Pasadena Police Department launched their Spanish Citizens Police Academy last week (September 26, 2013).
 
The Oxnard Police Department has a set of core values that every officer and civilian member of our staff adhere to, including: our value for the cultural diversity within our community and our department, our value for the partnerships we form with all members of our community, and our value of the public’s trust.  We are proud of this new program and the support we have received from officers and community members who were all instrumental to its success,” said Chief Williams.
 
We look forward to offering two Citizens Academy next year—one in English and a second in Spanish— with a new cadre of community members who are interested in learning more about law enforcement, the laws that govern us, and meeting exceptional members on our team.
 
##
 
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  September 30, 2013, 5:30 PM


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:  10/26/13 2248 hours
LOCATION:  1100 block of South “L” Street
VICTIM(S):  49 year old Oxnard resident, name withheld pending notification of next of kin
SUSPECT(S):  17 year old Oxnard resident
   
   
   
PREPARED BY:  Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		  Detective Ken Tougas, (805) 200-5669 ken.tougas@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:

On 10/26/13 at approximately 2248 hours, officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of South “L” Street regarding a suspicious death. When officers arrived they located a male subject deceased inside the residence.
 
The victim was a 49 year old Oxnard resident. His name is being withheld until his family is notified. During the course of the investigation it was determined that the subject was a victim of homicide. Investigators were able to identify a suspect and make an arrest. Investigators are continuing their investigation and are still attempting to establish a motive for the attack. Investigators don’t believe this was a random act and both the victim and suspect know each other. Unfortunately because this is an active investigation, no further details will be released at this time.  
 
Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Ken Tougas at (805) 200-5669. 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:  10/27/13, 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:  Gun in a Vehicle – Arrests
DATE/TIME:  11-7-13 / 0125 hours
LOCATION:  2nd Street at Navarro Street
SUSPECT(S):  16 and 17-year old males
PREPARED BY:  Marty Meyer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		  Marty Meyer, martin.meyer@oxnardpd.org,
 (805) 207-7078

DETAILS:
On 11-7-13, at 0125 hours, officers were dispatched to the area of Colonia Road and Gloria Court regarding four subjects disturbing possibly challenging pedestrians. The subjects were reportedly in a white sedan.
 
Officers located a vehicle matching that description occupied by four subjects. The vehicle was stopped at 2nd Street and Navarro Street. Officers located a loaded large caliber handgun in the vehicle.
 
A 16-year old male was arrested for 26100(a) PC, Driver Allowing Another Person to Bring a Firearm into a Motor Vehicle. A 17-year old male passenger was arrested for 25400(a)(2) PC, Carrying a Concealed Firearm, and 25850(a) PC, Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Motor Vehicle. Another male juvenile was cited for curfew. An adult male was released at the scene.
 
Officers credit the public’s quick reporting of this disturbance which led to the arrests that took a gun off the streets.
 
Officers are still attempting to determine whether this was a gang-motivated incident.
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  11-8-13, 0335 hours

 


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Carjacking
DATE/TIME: November 12, 2013 / 9:18 P.M. 
LOCATION: Cooper Road / Garfield Avenue
VICTIM(S): Male, Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S): 2- Hispanic females, 17 years (one wearing white shirt and one wearing black shirt), One Hispanic male, 21 years (wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt)
WITNESS(ES): None    
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S): None
LOSS:  
PREPARED BY: Randy Latimer, Commander
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Alex Arnett, Detective Sergeant  805-486-6211
Alex.Arnett@Oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On November 12, 2013, at about 2118 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a victim of a carjacking in the area of Cooper Road and Garfield Avenue.  The victim told the officers that he was driving his vehicle and had stopped for the stop sign at the intersection of Cooper Road and Garfield Avenue when he was approached by a female suspect. The suspect, approximately 17-years old, brandished a black handgun and told the victim to exit the car. The victim complied. The suspect entered the driver’s seat of the vehicle along with two additional suspects and drove away. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.
 
The vehicle was located later, unoccupied, at 0553 hours in the area of the 700 block of Aster Street.
 
If anyone has information about this incident, they are encouraged to call the Oxnard Police Department 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.
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  11/13/13 – 1000 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: 12/14/13 1030 hours
LOCATION: 1500 block of Alturas Street
VICTIM(S): Juan Carlos Garcia, 26 year old Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT(S): Unknown
PREPARED BY: Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Detective Martin Perez, (805) 385-7680 Martin.Perez@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
 
The Oxnard Police Department has identified the victim from yesterday’s homicide as 26 year old Oxnard resident, Juan Carlos Garcia. Investigators are still attempting to identify the person/s responsible and establish a motive for the incident. Juan Carlos Garcia’s family and investigators are strongly urging that anyone with information contact Detective Martin Perez at (805) 385-7680 or 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.
 
The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.
 
 
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  12/14/13, 1030 Hours


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Dead Body
DATE/TIME: 01/17/2014
LOCATION: Third Street @ B Street
VICTIM(S): Held pending notification of relatives
SUSPECT(S): N/A
WITNESS(ES): N/A
SUSPECT VEHICLE(S): N/A
LOSS:  
PREPARED BY: D. Klug, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office

DETAILS:
On January 17, 2014 at about 1715 hours officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of a subject not breathing in the area of “B” Street south of Third Street.  Upon arrival officers located a 49 year old homeless person on a bench on the west side of “B” Street just south of Third Street. Emergency medical personnel attempted life saving measures, however were unsuccessful.  The Medical Examiner’s Investigator responded and took over the investigation.
 
Anyone with information regarding this incident is requested to contact the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.


Jeri Williams
Chief of Police		 Oxnard Police Department

R. Jason Benites
Assistant Chief

Scott Whitney
Assistant Chief

OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Search Warrant Served at Suspected Drug House / Post Release Offender (PRO) Arrest
DATE/TIME: 1/30/14 at approximately 7:30 A.M.
LOCATION: 400 block Ocotlan Way, Oxnard
SUSPECT(S): Jaime Martinez, 48 years old, Oxnard resident
Jose Gutierrez, 30 years old, Oxnard resident
Thomas Eaves, 20 years old, Oxnard resident
Griselda Zaragoza, 36 years old, Oxnard resident
Marina Barcenas, 34 years old, Oxnard resident
Jonnie Gagliardo, 30 years old, Oxnard resident
Gilberto Placencia, 50 years old, Oxnard resident
Alexander Benavidez, 46 years old, Oxnard resident
Juan Soto, 31 years old, Oxnard resident
Matthew Hernandez, 31 years old, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY: Detective James Langford
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:
Detective James Langford, Narcotics Unit, 805-385-7638

DETAILS:On January 30, 2014, at about 7:30 A.M, members of the Oxnard Police Department’s Narcotics Unit, Property Crimes Unit, and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team served a search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of Ocotlan Way in the Oxnard.  The search warrant was a result of a year-long investigation of the residence being used for the purposes of selling and using narcotics.

 
During the search warrant, ten (10) persons were located at the residence along with narcotics, narcotics paraphernalia, stolen property, a loaded short barrel shotgun, and ammunition.
 
All ten persons located at the residence were arrested for the following offenses:

  • Jaime Martinez, arrested on suspicion of maintaining a place for the use or sales of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Jose Gutierrez, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
  • Thomas Eaves, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
  • Griselda Zaragoza, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
  • Marina Barcenas, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
  • Jonnie Gagliardo, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
  • Gilberto Placencia, arrested on suspicion of providing false information to a peace officer, a parole violation, and three outstanding warrants
  • Alexander Benavidez, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance
  • Juan Soto, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and three outstanding warrants
  • Matthew Hernandez, arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of prescription scripts, and possession of a short barrel shot gun.  Hernandez was also found to be a suspect in an unrelated case and was also arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of a stolen and forged script

 
Hernandez is currently in the Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – which was effective October 1, 2011.  This program mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious (irrespective of priors) or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison.  The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent committing offense. Prior convictions arenot considered.
 
This case would not have been possible if not for the several anonymous tips we received during the original investigation. The Oxnard Police Department encourages anyone with information on this case to call Detective Langford at (805) 385-7638. We also encourage anyone with narcotic related information to call our Narcotic Hotline at (805) 982-7084 and leave an anonymous tip.   The investigation is ongoing.
 
 
DATE / TIME PREPARED:  January 30, 2014, 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: Shooting Victims / Homicide
DATE/TIME: 2/17/14; 1838 hours
LOCATION: 2000 Block of Mariposa Street
VICTIM(S): 2 males; identities being withheld pending notification
SUSPECT(S): Unknown
   
   
   
PREPARED BY: Sergeant Christopher Williams, (805) 385-7763 christopher.williams@oxnardpd.org
CONTACT PERSON &
CONTACT INFO:		 Detective Miguel Serrato, (805) 385-7688 Miguel.Serrato@oxnardpd.org

DETAILS:
On 2/17/14 at about 1838 hours, officers responded to the 2000 Block of Mariposa Street regarding a call of shots fired.  When officers arrived they located two male shooting victims. One subject, an 18 year old male was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition.  A second male subject was also located with a gunshot wound; despite emergency responders’ efforts to save the subject, he died as a result of his injuries.
                                 
At this time investigators don’t know the motive and are attempting to establish what occurred. The City of Oxnard offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspect(s) in homicide cases.
 
Investigators are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact Detective Miguel Serrato at (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:  2/17/14; 2320 Hours