OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Attempted murder suspect captured in Ventura
DATE/TIME:	April 20, 2018, 8:00 p.m.
LOCATION:	500 Block of Rancho Drive , Ventura
SUSPECT(S):	Benjamin Taitai, 45 years, Oxnard resident
PREPARED BY:	Brett A. Smith, Sergeant brett.smith@oxnardpd.org (805) 248-9122
CONTACT PERSON AND  CONTACT INFO:	Carey Everhart, Detective carey.everhart@oxnardpd.org (805) 432-6172

DETAILS:

An Oxnard attempted murder suspect was taken into custody Friday evening in Ventura.

Benjamin Taitai, 45, was captured at about 8:00 p.m. at a house in the 500 block of Rancho Road in Ventura. The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit, K9 Unit, Special Enforcement Unit, Ventura Police SWAT team and FBI agents carried out the arrest.

Taitai was sought in connection with a shooting incident on April 6, in the 300 block of Napa Street where a man was shot in the head at close range. An investigation determined that Taitai was the suspect in the shooting.

What motivated the shooting was not clear.

Taitai was booked into Ventura County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder. His bail was set at $1 million.

If anyone has additional information regarding the shooting, please contact Detective Everhart at the above email address or phone number. 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.