OXNARD POLICE DEPARTMENT

NEWS RELEASE

INCIDENT:	Probation Search Uncovers Vehicle Chop Shop; Two Suspects Arrested for Possession of Stolen Vehicles.
LOCATION:	1900 block of El Cajon Circle 5200 block of Jefferson Square 1400 block Huntswood Way
SUSPECT(S):	James Andrew Juarez, 33 Years Old Juvenile, 15 Years Old Jaime Juanes, 25 Years Old
PREPARED BY:	Luis Mancha, Sergeant
CONTACT PERSON AND CONTACT INFO:	Enrique Alvarez, Detective Enrique.alvarez@oxnardpd.org or (805) 385-7664

DETAILS:

This last week was a productive week in the Oxnard Police Department’s campaign to lower vehicle theft stats and take those responsible for it into custody.

On March 8, 2019, at approximately 1:00 p.m., a member of the Oxnard Police Department observed a stolen 2004 BMW sedan in the 1900 block of El Cajon Circle. The BMW had been reported stolen earlier in the day. The driver, James Andrew Juarez, a 33 year old Oxnard resident, was contacted and arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and an outstanding felony warrant.

On March 9, 2019, at approximately 5:00 p.m., residents living in the 5200 block of Jefferson Square reported to the Oxnard Police Department that a suspicious occupied vehicle was parked to the rear of their residence. Once officers arrived, they were advised by dispatch that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of the city of Tracy, California. The occupants of the vehicle were contacted by officers and after the subsequent investigation; a 15 year old resident of Tracy was arrested for possessing a stolen vehicle.

On March 13, 2019, at approximately 1:00 p.m., detectives from the Oxnard Police Department and the Ventura County Auto Theft Taskforce (VenCATT) conducted a probation search of a residence located on the 1400 block of Huntswood Way in Oxnard. The probation search was focused on 25 year old, Jaime Juanes who has a prior criminal record for auto theft and who is currently on probation for drug related offenses. During the search, multiple dismantled stolen vehicles were located on the property. These recovered vehicles included stolen vehicles from the cities of Camarillo and Bakersfield. The investigation is still ongoing.

The Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force (VenCATT) is comprised of members from the California Highway Patrol, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, DMV Investigations and the Ventura Police Department.

Help protect yourself and your vehicle from thieves by remembering to:

Lock your vehicle and take out your valuables when leaving it. An unlocked car is an invitation to a thief.
Close all windows – thieves can open vehicles through the smallest of openings.
To take your car keys with you. Do not leave them in your car, or leave your car running.

Ventura County law enforcement cannot effectively stop auto theft without the assistance of concerned, responsible residents. We depend on YOU to call and tell us whenever you see suspicious persons or activity. Anyone with information regarding this case or other 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 by selecting the “Report Suspicious Activity” tab located on the homepage. You can also anonymously report vehicle theft activity in Ventura County directly to VenCATT at (805) 620-7211, or via email at 706_vencatt@chp.ca.gov.

DATE / TIME PREPARED: 03/14/19 @ 10:00 a.m.