NEWS RELEASE
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INCIDENT: |
Hate Crime, Possession of a Firearm, and Brandishing |
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DATE/TIME: |
8/1/18, 4:52 PM |
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LOCATION: |
100 block W. Esplanade Dr., Oxnard, CA |
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VICTIM(S): |
Not disclosed |
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SUSPECT(S): |
Rafael Lopez, 25-year-old Port Hueneme resident |
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PREPARED BY: |
Sgt. Chris Inglehart |
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CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO: |
Commander Robin Whitney, robin.whitney@oxnardpd.org 805-385-7778 |
DETAILS:
On August 1, 2018, at 4:52 p.m., Oxnard Police Department officers responded to the 100 block of W. Esplanade Drive to investigate reports of a subject disturbing juveniles. When officers arrived, suspect Rafael Lopez fled on foot into a nearby parking lot and attempted to force his way into a vehicle occupied by adults and children. The family in the vehicle fought off Lopez and he fled again. As officers continued to chase Lopez, several witnesses reported that he had a gun. Lopez hid between parked cars but was tackled to the ground by an adult female Good Samaritan. At this time, Lopez dropped a semi-automatic handgun and the Good Samaritan detained Lopez until officers arrived.
After Lopez was taken into custody, the original juvenile victims reported that Lopez brandished a firearm at them while using racial slurs. Due to Lopez’s prior convictions, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm. He was arrested for a hate crime, several firearm-related offenses, brandishing a firearm, and delaying a peace officer.
At this point, officers have been unable to locate the family and vehicle that Lopez entered while fleeing from officers. The Oxnard Police Department would like to speak with the occupants of that vehicle as well as anyone with information related to this incident. They are asked to call the Oxnard Police Department or Ventura County Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
DATE / TIME PREPARED: August 1, 2018 @ 9:00 PM