NEWS RELEASE
DATE: December 8, 2020, 2:15 P.M.
SUBJECT: Robbery, Suspects Arrested
LOCATION: 1300 Block Of West Iris Street, Oxnard, CA
CONTACT: Kevin Gormley, Detective
(805) 385-7686
On December 8, 2020 at approximately 2:15 P.M., officers from the Oxnard Police Department were dispatched to a robbery that had just occurred in the 1300 block of West Iris Street. When they arrived, officers learned that two victims were driving in the 1300 block of West Iris Street when they were stopped by a male suspect who was standing in the middle of the street. That suspect produced a firearm and entered the rear seat of the vehicle. A second suspect produced a knife and also entered the vehicle. The suspects proceeded to rob the victims of their property. The suspects then exited the vehicle and fled.
Investigators from the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation. Based on the investigation, investigators were able to identify the suspects as 35-year-old Oxnard resident Richard Valenzuela and a 16-year-old male Oxnard resident. At approximately 4:10 P.M., investigators observed Valenzuela and the 16-year-old male in a vehicle in the area of Channel Islands Boulevard and “J” Street. Investigators conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and both suspects were taken into custody without incident. Both suspects were arrested for their role in the robbery. Valenzuela was later booked into the Ventura County Jail. The juvenile suspect was booked into the Ventura County Juvenile Hall.
The Oxnard Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department's website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.