Malaika Cohen, author of SHACKLES- Overcoming Domestic Abuse a Modern Day Taboo, shares her experience as a domestic abuse survivor and how you can help others in similar situations.
On October 10, 2008, Michael Grair's body was found inside his white Cadillac Escalade behind a vacant commercial center he owned. The engine was still running. His murder has yet to be solved and his family is offering $100,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the killer or killers.
Order your free Child Safety Kit, learn how to discuss bullying with your child and how to help prevent child abductions.
Among the resources include how to deal with internet safety and cyberbullying, and how to empower your child so they will be prepared when dealing with dangerous situations.
On May 20, 2009, an intruder wearing a dark jumpsuit and a motorcycle helmet, entered the home of Davina & Brock Husted. After a brief confrontation, the suspect murdered both the husband and pregnant wife while the children were at home.
The case has not been solved and has yet to be determined if it was targeted or random.
The City of Ventura is currently hiring to fill temporary jobs ranging from $8.23 to $40 an hour. This includes after school programs, sports official, and driving positions.
The City of Oxnard also has employment opportunities, but don't delay, as some have deadlines. Listings include application instructions.
Persons appearing in our blog may not have not been convicted of the charges for which they are accused and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
INCIDENT: Soccer fight results in arrest of player DATE/TIME: 05-31-09 at 1647 hours LOCATION: Southwest Park, 2900 W. Fifth Street, Oxnard SUSPECT: Dagoberto Lopez Gomez, 23 years, of Oxnard VICTIMS: 15 year-old male juvenile from Port Hueneme PREPARED BY: Commander Tom Chronister
DETAILS:
A 15 year-old standout soccer player from Port Hueneme was injured during a scuffle with the losing team Sunday afternoon at Southwest Park in Oxnard.
At 1647 hours, Oxnard police received a call of 30 people fighting on a soccer field at Southwest Park, 2900 W. Fifth Street. Officers located an injured juvenile and were told the following by witnesses:
With the opposing team down 2-0, the 15 year-old made a steal and was on a breakaway run to the goal when two opposing players fouled him. It was then that suspect Dagoberto Lopez Gomez punched the victim in the head. The juvenile fell to the ground and Gomez kicked and punched the victim in the head with his fists and soccer cleats. Gomez was positively identified by the victim and witnesses.
Gomez was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon (feet and athletic cleats) and was booked into the Ventura County Jail where he was held on $20,000 bail.
The victim suffered multiple contusions and abrasions to the face and head but declined treatment on the scene.
Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416. Location: Area of Harbor Blvd. and Seaward Ave. Date/Time Occurred: May 30, 2009, 10:42 a.m. Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers. Suspect(s): Jon Fuller, 53 years of Ventura.
Narrative
On the above date and time, a patrol officer attempted to contact the suspect as he walked through the parking lot of the Chevron Gas Station at Harbor Blvd. at Seaward Ave. The suspect is known to the officers and is on current, active probation for past criminal offenses. He did not comply and stop as told to by the officer, and he ran to his vehicle, which was parked nearby.
The suspect got into his vehicle and drove away from officers through the parking lot of the adjacent Von’s shopping center. The suspect drove away at a high rate of speed through the parking lot, placing the numerous pedestrians and other vehicle traffic in danger. Based on his driving pattern and the danger pursuing him posed to the public, officers did not initially pursue after him. Once the suspect exited the parking lot onto Harbor Blvd., nearby officers again attempted to stop him since his driving no longer threatened the safety of the patrons in the parking lot. He again failed to yield, and the officers went into pursuit of him on Harbor Blvd. The pursuit continued through the area of Peninsula and Pierpont for approximately 2-3 miles until the suspect finally yielded in the 2400 block of Pierpont.
At the conclusion of the vehicle pursuit, the suspect briefly fought with officers as they took him into custody, and he sustained minor injuries during the struggle. He was treated at Ventura County Medical Center for his injuries, and he was later booked into Ventura County Jail on the charges of Evading Police, Resisting Arrest and for being Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance. No officers or citizens were injured during the incident.
INCIDENT: Specialized Enforcement Detail Nets 10 Drunk Drivers DATE/TIME: May 29-30, 2009 LOCATION: Downtown Oxnard PREPARED BY: Officer James Langford
DETAILS:
A directed patrol of downtown Oxnard late Friday night into early Saturday morning resulted in the arrest of 10 drivers for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs.
During the six-hour operation, Oxnard officers assigned to the Central Business District deployed throughout Oxnard ’s downtown area with a specific focus on impaired driving. In addition to the 10 drivers arrested for DUI, two additional persons were arrested on miscellaneous charges, 13 vehicles were towed because of arrests made or for driver license infractions and five citations were issued for various infractions.
Additional impaired driving saturation patrols and DUI checkpoints will continue throughout the summer months in Oxnard.
If you have any information about this crime, please call Ventura Police Detectives at 339-4394, or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. If your information leads to an arrest, you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416 Location: AM/PM 605 S. Mills Road. Date/Time Occurred: May 29, 2009, 1:43 a.m. Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers and Detectives. Victim(s): 45 year old clerk. Suspect(s): Black Male, age-mid 20s, 5'09"
Thin build, wearing dark clothes and bulky jacket.
Narrative
At the above date and time, the lone suspect entered the AM/PM market. The clerk became suspicious of the suspect because he tried to conceal his face from the clerk by looking away. The suspect told the clerk he was robbing the store. The suspect kept his hands in his jacket pocket and walked towards the clerk. The clerk feared he'd be injured in a robbery and gave an undisclosed amount of cash from the cash register to the suspect.
After obtaining the cash, the suspect was last seen running from the market south on Mills Road. No one was injured. Numerous patrol officers responded to the area, a police canine searched the area, however the suspect remains at large.
Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416. Location: 115 Barnard St at Lincoln St. Date/Time Occurred: May 28, 2009, 6:15 a.m. Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers. Victim(s): Female, 53 yrs. , Ventura Resident. Suspect(s): Hispanic adult male, late 20’s to 30’s, Large Build, wearing baggy flannel shirt, dark pants.
Narrative
On the above date and time, the victim was walking near the area of Barnard St and Lincoln St and observed the suspect driving in the area in a light blue vehicle that resembled a Chevrolet El Camino.
The suspect exited the vehicle, approached the victim, and grabbed her in the upper part of her body. The suspect then fled the area in an unknown direction.
During the investigation, Officers learned that the suspect had been seen in the same area during the early morning hours on several days within the last two weeks. The suspect had approached the victim on a previous day but she was able to fend him off. Officers checked the area for the suspect but were unable to locate him. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the Ventura Police Department.
[UPDATE: Suspect has been identified as Oscar Sanchez, 36 of Oxnard. Officer has been identified as Martin Garcia, 36.]
At approximately 1:25 this afternoon the Oxnard Police Department received a 911 call from a woman inside a residence in the 500 block of West Yucca. She reported that a man inside the residence had been stabbed in the abdomen area - and stated she wasn't sure if someone stabbed the individual or if the wounds were self inflicted.
Officers responded to the scene and approached the home. The man who had been stabbed came outside immediately upon the officers arrival - he was armed with a knife and it was evident to the officers that he had suffered a wound to the abdomen. The officer, unsure of what he was dealing with at that moment, ordered the man to drop the knife. He did not comply with the officers orders and continued to move toward the officer. Again the officer ordered the man to drop the weapon - he did not comply with those orders and continued to come aggressively towards the officer. At that point, the officer, fearing for his safety, fired his weapon and struck the subject. He was taken to St Johns Hospital where he is currently undergoing surgery. The officers on scene were not injured.
Immediately after the shooting the officers cleared the house to make sure no one else was inside - checking for either additional injured parties or possible suspects. Inside the home they did find several other people, who were then transported to the police station to be interviewed.
As a precaution E.O. Green Middle School - about a block away - was locked down. After officers were sure the scene on West Yucca was secure the school resumed it's normal operation. The lockdown lasted for less than 30 minutes.
Detectives are still trying to piece this incident together and as further details emerge we will make them available.
Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416. Location: Leewood Hotel, 732 East Santa Clara Street #26. Date/Time Occurred: May 24, 2009, 9:08 a.m. Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers. Suspect(s): Jesse Bodtke, 28 years of Ventura.
Narrative
Officers were on foot patrol in the area of the Leewood Hotel. They were investigating a theft of bicycle that had occurred overnight. While walking around the hotel property, officers located a large amount of unreported stolen property scattered near the back parking lot. Additionally, a large quantity of unreported stolen property was found stacked at the base of the window of room 26.
Officers were familiar with the resident, Jesse Bodtke, and they attempted to contact him inside the room. He is on probation for a variety of property crime related offenses. The suspect refused to allow officers access to his room and barricaded the door shut with furniture and items from the room. He also fortified the door by hammering nails through the door into the frame.
After repeated attempts to gain compliance from Bodtke, officers forced entry into the room. Inside they found a variety of knives lying throughout the room. Bodtke moved inside a closet where he barricaded himself and held a cat in an attempt to shield himself from the officer’s arrest.
During the arrest of Bodtke, a police K9 was deployed, and a taser had to be deployed as well. He surrendered and was taken into custody. He was found to be in possession of a large knife hidden in his waistband, methamphetamine and additional stolen property was found inside the room.
He was treated for his injuries at VCMC and booked into Ventura County Jail on the charges of possession of stolen, property, animal cruelty, possession of methamphetamine and resisting arrest.
Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416. Location: Hush Bar 185 E, Main St, Ventura. Date/Time Occurred: May 24, 2009, 2:05 a.m. Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers. Victim(s): Sergeant Tom Radwan, Ventura Police Sergeant. Suspect(s): Jose Lorenzo Fernandez Hernandez, 22 yrs.Oxnard Robert Cortez Garcia, 34 yrs., Oxnard (former Oxnard Championship boxer)
Narrative
Sergeant Tom Radwan was driving by Hush Bar when he saw patrons running towards a parking lot across from the bar. In the lot Sgt Radwan found Robert Garcia on top of another male on the ground and both were punching at the other. These two men were surrounded by 10 to 15 other males, who were watching the fight and shoving and pushing each other. Several Hush security guards were trying to stop the fights.
Sgt. Radwan told the group to stop, but Garcia kept fighting. Radwan grabbed Garcia, but he continued to punch the man on the ground. While Sgt Radwan was struggling to gain control over Garcia, Jose Hernandez threw an empty beer bottle at Radwan. The bottle hit Radwan in the back, but did not injure Radwan. Hernandez ran, but was chased by security and other officers responding to the request for emergency back-up. Hernandez was caught a short distance away and surrendered.
Hernandez and Garcia are friends and had arrived at the bar together. Garcia had minor injuries from his fight. Hernandez was not injured. Garcia was booked for Resisting Arrest and Fighting in Public. Hernandez was booked for Assault with a Deadly Weapon on Police Officer.
This incident did not appear to be related to the two previous fights that occurred at Hush earlier in the night.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Alex Arnett at (805) 486-6297 or the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.
INCIDENT: Assault with a Deadly Weapon DATE/TIME: 5/25/09 at 0019 hours LOCATION: 2400 block of Alvarado Street, Oxnard VICTIM/S: 24 year-old Oxnard resident SUSPECT/S: Unknown SUSPECT VEHICLE: Dark colored compact vehicle PREPARED BY: Sergeant Terry Burr
DETAILS:
On 5/25/09 at about 0019 hours, Oxnard police officers responded to a shooting victim in the 2400 block of Alvarado Street. The victim was ultimately transported to St. John’s Regional Medical Center with a minor gunshot wound. The victim was later released from the hospital.
The victim was walking in the area when the incident occurred. The crime is believed to be gang-related based on statements made by the suspect prior to the shooting.
Your Online Guide to Safety Resources, Prevention and Advice
We can't always be there to protect our children, but we can make sure we empower them with information to protect themselves at any age.
If you have any recommendations for the Parent Toolbox, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Parent Toolbox will be updated frequently.
The Polly Klaas® Foundation is a national nonprofit that helps find missing children, prevents children from going missing, and promotes laws like Amber Alert that help keep children safe.
The kit shows you how to teach your children which strangers to ask for help, how to recognize dangerous situations, and how to respond. It also includes information on recording your child's fingerprints and storing your child's DNA.
The kit will show you how to keep children safer online and will help you open communications about the Internet with your children, as well as protect them from online predators.Click here for the online PDF version.
Stop Bullying Now! is a great website not only for parents, but it's actually targeted to children.
The double version allows children to receive information, tips and advice in a way that they can understand. It also features a Youth Expert Panel, made up of middle and high school students. It is recommended that you watch thefree online webisode cartoons with your child, which can help open up the discussion to bullying.
The parent's version is also full of free materials and resources for different types of bullying, including the newest type: cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is more dangerous than once thought, since it's something many children tend to keep private. It can have disastrous consequences, including suicide.
MissingKids.com is the official website for the national center of missing and exploited children. This is not a website you would want to wait until your child is missing to check out.
On the contrary, many of the resources and information on kidnapping and danger prevention will help you keep your child safe.
-Newsletter sign up so you can receive child safety tips directly to your inbox.
May 25th is National Missing Children's Day. May 25th is the anniversary of the day in 1979 when 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from a New York street corner on his way to school and has been observed as National Missing Children’s Day since 1983 when it was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan.
Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416. Location: 100 Blk E. Santa Clara St. Date/Time Occurred: May 24, 2009, 12:49 a.m. Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers. Victim(s): Miguel Razo, 22 yrs, Ventura. Suspect(s): Unknown Hispanic Male. Report #: 09-6951.
Narrative:
At about 12:24 a.m., VPD officers responded to a large brawl at the “Hush” nightclub at 185 E. Santa Clara Street. At least 10 males were fighting, but were breaking up as officers arrived and the participants dispersing. No one was arrested. The origins of that fight appear to be gang-related. Razo was contacted in that incident, but was released.
At about 12:49 a.m., another fight erupted in the street in front of the club. Again, numerous males moved in and fought each other in the street. In that incident, Razo was stabbed one time in the torso. The suspect fled the scene.
Razo was transported by ambulance to VCMC for treatment. His wound was not life threatening.
In a separate incident shortly after 2 a.m., 22-year-old Jose Lorenzo Fernandez Hernandez of Oxnard, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer. His friend, 34-year-old Robert Cortez Garcia of Oxnard, was arrested for resisting arrest and fighting in public.
Police do not believe this incident was gang related or connected to the 12:24 a.m. or 12:49 a.m. fights.
In April of this year, Sheriff’s narcotics detectives discovered two large marijuana cultivation sites in Matilija Canyon above the city of Ojai. One site, located south of Matilija Lake, was being used as a nursery where several hundred seedlings were found. The second site was found approximately 3 miles west of the entrance to the canyon and one mile south of Matilija Canyon Road.
On May 15, detectives were conducting surveillance of Matilija Canyon Road and Highway 33 and witnessed a vehicle stop at the Cozy Dell Trailhead. Two subjects ran from the brush and got into the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then sped away. The vehicle was stopped and through the subsequent investigation, it was determined the two subjects and the driver were involved with the marijuana growing sites in Matilija Canyon. All three were arrested for conspiracy to cultivate marijuana. Detectives believe the three subjects were responsible for supplying those in the gardens with equipment and other necessary supplies. All three were booked into the Sheriff’s Main Jail.
On May 22, members of the Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit, Sheriff’s Air Unit, United States Forest Service, and the California Department of Fish and Game eradicated both sites, destroying 11,100, 6”-12”, marijuana plants. Typical with drug trafficking organization’s marijuana gardens, the landscape had been altered by terracing the hillsides, diverting water supplies to the multiple growing locations, and the spread of trash, fertilizer, and camping equipment throughout the canyon. No additional suspects were located. The estimated value of the marijuana plants is over $16,000,000.00.
Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416. Location: Areas of Montgomery/Telephone and 8500 block of Fairford. Date/Time Occurred: May 22, 2009, 1:27 p.m. Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers. Victim(s): Diana Rice, 50 years of Ventura and her un-named 5 year old grandson. Suspect(s): Justin Rice, 32 years of Ventura.
Narrative:
On the above date and time the Ventura Police Communications Center began fielding numerous 911 calls regarding a vehicle seen ramming into another vehicle in the area of Montgomery and Telephone. The victim, Diana Rice, was one of the callers. She said her son, Justin Rice, was upset with her over child custody issues. He had recently lost custody of the child, who was in the vehicle with Diana at the time of the incident.
The suspect began ramming the victim’s vehicle in an attempt run her off the road and take custody of the child. The victim continued to flee from the suspect and after being rammed at least six separate times by the suspect, she pulled into a driveway in the 8500 block of Fairford. The suspect also stopped at the address and was approaching the victim’s vehicle as officers arrived on scene and took him into custody.
At the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect was booked into Ventura County Jail on the charges of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Child Endangerment and Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance. Diana sustained minor injuries from the incident. The child was unharmed.
Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416. Location: 6500 Telephone Road, Apartments 703 and 701. Date/Time Occurred: May 22, 2009, 2:28 p.m. Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers. Suspect(s): Lawrence Williams, 37 years of Ventura.
Narrative: On the above date and time, Bail Bonds agents attempted to apprehend the suspect after his bail had been revoked earlier in the day. The suspect fled from the agents into apartment 703 (residence of an acquaintance of his) and stated he had a gun would shoot them if they continued to pursue him. The agents backed off and called the police department due to the threat made against them.
Numerous Ventura Police Officers arrived on scene. The subsequent investigation revealed there were two 6 year-old children inside the apartment with the suspect, who was believed to be armed with a gun. Officers made numerous attempts via phone line and bullhorn to get the suspect to surrender or allow the children to leave, however he refused to cooperate. While officers continued attempting to contact the suspect he opened the attic door inside of apartment 703 and began walking through the attic space. He ultimately made entry from the attic into apartment 701 where a female resident was home alone. Once officers discovered he had fled 703, officers entered that apartment and rescued the two 6 year-old children.
Perimeter units were able to make contact with the suspect via phone line inside of apartment 701. Lengthy negotiations ensued, during which the suspect refused to allow the female to leave the apartment. At approximately 1547 hours, the suspect finally agreed to surrender. He exited the apartment and was taken into custody. The female was found unharmed inside the residence.
The suspect was later booked into Ventura County Jail on charges of False Imprisonment, Child Endangerment, Terrorist Threats and Resisting Arrest. No one sustained any injuries as a result of this incident.
During the incident the Police Department placed Portola and College Heights Elementary schools on lockdown.
What: Crime Free Multi Housing Program When: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 | 8a.m.-5p.m. Where: Oxnard Performing Arts Center, in the Fillmore room | 800 South Hobson Way, in Oxnard.
On May 27th, 2009, the Oxnard Police Department is hosting the phase one training class of the “Crime Free Multi-Housing program”.
The Oxnard Police Department introduced this crime prevention program in November of 2005. This program has proven to be successful in lowering crime, making properties more profitable, and increasing the quality of life for many tenants.
This program has been very successful in the City of Oxnard. The reduction in crime in most apartment communities in the program is above 70 percent.
This class is open to all apartment community employees in the City of Oxnard.
This class is recommended for all property owners, on site property managers, property management representatives, leasing agents and maintenance employees.
The hours of the class are from 8a.m.-5p.m. in the Fillmore room at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center at 800 South Hobson Way, in Oxnard.
If you have any questions or wish to sign up for the training please contact Detective Martin Ennis at (805) 385-8349 or e-mail him at martinennis@oxnardpd.org.
Editor's Note: Many people in car accidents die not because of the impact itself, but because of injuries to internal organs. Please watch the 40 second PSA below after reading.
The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit deployed en mass in the area of Gonzales Road at Ventura Road, and 1st Street at Rose Avenue this morning from 0800 to 0900 hours as part of the Department’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization. 28 citations were issued to motorists who were not wearing their seat belts as required by law. However, Traffic officers observed hundreds of other motorists and their passengers who were in compliance.
“I can’t tell you how pleased we were to see so many motorists wearing their seat belts,” said Special Projects Commander Marty Meyer. “This is very encouraging.”
While the National Highway Safety Administration realized its highest national seatbelt usage rate of 83% in 2008, California’s seat belt compliance is well over 90%.
The Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conducted a compliance check yesterday at 4 different locations and Oxnard motorists had a 98.2% compliance rate.
Still, because the goal is 100% compliance 100% of the time, the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit will conduct 3 more seat belt saturation operations next week. Other Patrol beat resources have similar events planned this weekend and next week.
“Keep up the good work! Be safe and buckle up.” Said Meyer
Marty Meyer Special Projects Commander (805) 207-7078
INCIDENT: Triple Homicide (due to victim being pregnant at the time) DATE/TIME: 5-20-09 / 10:30 P.M. LOCATION: 4200 block of Faria Road, Faria Beach VICTIM/S: Brock Husted, male, 42 years old Davina Husted, female, 42 years old, 5 months pregnant SUSPECT/S: Male wearing a black motorcycle helmet, dark complexion medium build. Wearing a dark jumpsuit.
DETAILS:
A husband and wife were murdered in their home at approximately 10:30pm Wednesday night. A Male Suspect wearing a black motorcycle helmet entered the home of Brock & Davina Husted on the 4200 block of Faria Road, and stabbed the husband and wife, who was 5 months pregnant, multiple times.
The suspect had entered the residence through an unlocked sliding door located at the back of the residence. He then confronted Mrs. Husted in the kitchen. Mr. Husted, who was in the master bedroom, heard the commotion and came out, also being stabbed repeatedly. They were stabbed in the living room.
The couple's children were home at the time but were not hurt. The 11 year old daughter was asleep and the 9 year old son was watching television at the time of the murders. After the incident, the son, who witnessed part of the confrontation between his parents and the suspect, got his sister and went to a neighbor's house, who then called 911.
Deputies arrived shortly before 11pm. The couple was found in a pool of blood.
A massive ground and air search of the area did not turn up the suspect. A possible murder weapon, a knife, is currently being tested to confirm.
Detectives have not ruled out a personal motive for the homicides, but so far are leaning towards this being a random act of violence.
A community telephone activation system was used to notify neighbors of the attack. A helicopter, bloodhounds and canine units were searching the area for the suspect. Although one person has been detained, there has been no arrest made.
(Faria Beach is a gated community, but there is public access to the beach because of the Coastal Act.)
Order your free Child Safety Kit, learn how to discuss bullying with your child and how to help prevent child abductions.
On May 20, 2009, an intruder wearing a dark jumpsuit and a motorcycle helmet, entered the home of Davina & Brock Husted. After a brief confrontation, the suspect murdered both the husband and pregnant wife while the children were at home.
The City of Ventura is currently hiring to fill temporary jobs ranging from $8.23 to $40 an hour. This includes after school programs, sports official, and driving positions.
We compiled a list of Oxnard PD's twitter feeds, according to beat sections.
