Ventura County Crime Blog

Ventura County's Cold Cases Magazine

2011-10-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

Ventura County's Cold Cases Magazine

Free to the readers!

Although our blog has taken a small break, we are launching a new magazine to complement the crime blog.

Our new magazine, Ventura County's Cold Cases, will feature unsolved cases in print!

If you are a small business owner, you ad will help pay for printing and distribution.

If you are a reader, your support will help get renewed interest in these cases. This magazine is FREE to the readers!

Contact us for more information or if you would like to carry our magazine, write for our magazine, or just have general questions or suggestions.

Elidet Reyes Bordon
Editor@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Find a Child Today Petition

2011-10-25T20:14:00.000-07:00

The mission of this petition is to place a TV set at the order counters of fast food restaurants and checkout counters of supermarkets.

Broadcast photo's of missing Children with a Reg# and a call in number.

When a child is with his/her parent and recognizes a child's photo, they will say to their parent(s) "Mom/Dad that Boy/Girl goes to my school or is in my class or lives on our street".

If this locates one child, then the system worked.
After this Pilot program, it could be utilized in all public places.
This would be a minimum charge with a huge result.

For more information, check out the following link on Change.org.
http://www.change.org/petitions/all-tv-and-media-networks-cable-satellite-companys-start-a-fact-program-find-a-child-today

You could make a difference. Thank You ~~
Diane Maheux

Update: Murder of David Laut

2009-09-03T11:18:00.001-07:00

September 3, 2009

Oxnard Police Chief John Crombach and District Attorney Gregory Totten announced today that detectives are making significant progress in the investigation into the August 27th killing of Oxnard resident David Laut. Evidence collected by Oxnard police investigators indicates that Mr. Laut was not the victim of random violence by a prowler.

Investigators are pursuing several leads and are confident that an arrest will be made in the case. Mr. Laut (DOB 12-21-56) was serving as the Hueneme High School athletic director at the time he was killed.

While we understand there is a great deal of interest in this case - it is important to note that there will be no further information about the case released at this time. We respectfully ask that the community understand that this investigation is at a very sensitive point right now, and be patient with us as this case proceeds to an arrest .

Ventura: Fatal Pedestrian Traffic Accident: Susan Jeanne Herman (Victim)

2009-08-24T22:59:00.000-07:00

August 24, 2009

Incident: Fatal Pedestrian Traffic Accident
Location: Shoreline Drive west of Figueroa Street, Ventura, CA
Date/Time Occurred: August 24th, 2009 / 6:05 p.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Traffic Sergeant Ryan Weeks, Numerous Patrol Officers
Victim(s): Susan Jeanne Herman (deceased), 60 years, Casitas Springs
Suspect(s): None
Report #: 09 - 11511

Narrative:

On August 24th, 2009 at about 6:05 p.m. Ventura Police received an emergency 911 call of an injury traffic accident that had just occurred on Shoreline Drive west of Figueroa Street in Ventura. Witness statements indicate that the pedestrian (Herman) was walking her dog across Shoreline Drive from the Derby Club area of the Fairgrounds toward the promenade beach area. As she began crossing the street she was struck by a westbound vehicle driven by a 16 year old male juvenile.

When Officers arrived the female pedestrian was in critical condition and her dog was deceased, Ventura Fire Department and AMR personnel attempted to save the victim but she succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

VPD Traffic Sgt. Ryan Weeks and additional traffic investigators responded to the scene and are continuing to conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Weeks said that an independent witness at the scene said it appeared that the 16 year juvenile was traveling at a safe speed just prior to the collision.

Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office was also contacted and they made notification to the victim’s family, they also said that the cause of death is still under investigation. Ventura County Animal Control Units responded and took possession of the deceased dog which appeared to be a mixed collie breed black in color.

Any other witnesses that may have observed this collision are encouraged to contact the Ventura Police Department Traffic Division at (805) 339-4309.

Federal Jury Clears Oxnard Police Department Sergeant in Trial of Wrongful Death Lawsuit

2009-08-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

August 18, 2009

Occurrence/Event:
Federal Jury Clears Oxnard Police Department Sergeant in Trial of Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Day/Date/Time:
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 11:20am
Location:
United States District Court
Los Angeles, CA

Involved Parties:

Plaintiff Tomas Barrera
Represented by:

Gregory A. Yates, Encino, CA (310) 858-6944

Plaintiff Maria Lazos
Represented by:

Jenny Scovis and Kim Scovis, Thousand Oaks

Defendant Sgt. Andrew Salinas
Represented by:

Alan E. Wisotsky and Dirk DeGenna, Oxnard

Prepared By:
Alan E. Wisotsky

Narrative:

A Los Angles federal jury unanimously found in favor of Sgt. Andrew Salinas on Tuesday following a week-long trial of a Civil Rights/Wrongful Death lawsuit brought by the parents of Thomas Barrera, Jr. who was shot and killed on October 3, 2007 in Oxnard, CA.

Barrera, a 22 year-old Oxnard resident, was believed to have been burglarizing a truck in the early morning hours on Fifth Street near Hobson Way. Salinas stopped to investigate and engaged in a foot pursuit of Barrera when he fled the scene.

During the pursuit, Barrera threw a wrench set at Salinas which struck the officer. Moments later, Barrera turned again and brandished a 6-inch knife, swinging at Salinas from a distance of 5-8 feet. Faced with this imminent threat, Salinas fired four shots from his department-issued handgun, striking Barrera three times. Barrera died at the scene.

Salinas presented testimony from Dr. William Lewinski, a Minnesota State University professor who has conducted research and studies in “Force Dynamics” for the past 25 years. Dr. Lewinski addressed the action/reaction, turning movements and “stop-shooting” dynamics which play a role in lethal force encounters.

The jury began deliberating late Monday afternoon and returned with its verdict Tuesday morning.

Ventura: 911 Services not affected by phone outage

2009-07-06T12:30:00.000-07:00

July 6, 2009

Incident: Widespread telephone outage affects emergency calls throughout Ventura County
Location: Ventura County
Date: July 6, 2009, 12:05 p.m.

Narrative:

A widespread telephone outage has occurred throughout many portions of Ventura County which has affected many local 9-1-1 services.

Currently, telephone systems within the City of Ventura, including the 9-1-1 emergency call center, are operational. Should you experience an emergency within the City of Ventura please call 9-1-1 immediately. For non-emergency calls and information please call 805-650-8010.

In the event of an emergency outside of the Ventura City limits please go directly to your nearest police or fire station to report the emergency.

Oxnard: Massive Phone Outage

2009-07-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

July 6, 2009

The city of Oxnard is experiencing a massive telecommunications outage. This includes the Oxnard 9-1-1 system and cellular service to some carriers. Initial reports indicate the outage is throughout a major portion of California .

Citizens needing assistance are asked to come to the Oxnard Police station at 251 South “C” Street, or any local fire station for help in Oxnard.

Emergency Numbers:
(805) 210-0474
(805) 210-0475
(805) 210-0476

The city of Oxnard has established an email address for the temporary reporting of emergencies in Oxnard only: 911info@OxnardPD.org.

Oxnard: Fireworks by the Sea Update

2009-07-05T02:31:00.000-07:00

July 5, 2009

Large, Calm Crowds were reported by officers assigned to the Fireworks By the Sea fireworks show in the Channel Islands Harbor. Officers noted much larger crowds from the previous year. Parking was at a premium near Oxnard State Beach and along Harbor Boulevard as people arrived early to barbeque, play catch, and take walks on the beach. Many of the beach-goers were out-of-towners. There were few disturbances with the only arrest made being for a theft of a traffic cone. Officers did cite persons for drinking in public and possessing fireworks (which are illegal in Oxnard).

11 officers were assigned for crowd control in and around Channel Islands Harbor and Oxnard Shores. These officers were supported by a large traffic contingent which was charged with providing an orderly arrival and departure for the fireworks spectacular.

“All-in-all we were pleased with the results this year,” commented Special Projects Commander Marty Meyer, “But we were disappointed with what seemed to be an increase in the use of fireworks at this year’s event.”

PREPARED BY:
Marty Meyer, Special Projects Commander

Oxnard: Homicide Victim: Melissa Rodriguez

2009-07-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

July 4, 2009

INCIDENT:
187 PC Homicide
DATE/TIME:
07-03-2009 / 2330 Hrs
LOCATION:
1700 Block Ironbark Ct
VICTIM:
Melissa Rodriguez, 19 yrs
SUSPECT/S:
Unknown
PREPARED BY:
Sergeant Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor

DETAILS:

On 07-03-2009 at approximately 11:30 pm, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of an injury traffic accident in the 1700 block of Ironbark Ct. While officers were en-route to that location, dispatch received additional calls of possible shots fired heard in the same area.

Upon the officer’s arrival they located the victim, 19 year old Melissa Rodriguez lying in the roadway next to her vehicle. The car had crashed into a tree at the scene. Officers and paramedics performed CPR on the victim who was not breathing. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. It was determined a short time later that the victim had sustained a gunshot wound to her head which was not initially visible.

Investigators are asking anyone that may have heard or seen the incident to contact Detective Adam Wittkins at Adamwittkins@Oxnardpd.org or leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 982-7070.

Ventura: Angel Alamilla: Assault with a Deadly Weapon/Vandalism/Pursuit

2009-07-04T12:41:00.000-07:00

July 4, 2009

Incident: 245 PC-Assault with a Deadly Weapon/ 594 PC-Vandalism/Vehicle Pursuit
Location: Rite Aid parking Lot, 131 W Main St Ventura
Date/Time Occurred: 7/4/09 0210
Officer(s) Involved: Patrol Officers
Victim(s): 27 yr old Oxnard Resident
Suspect(s): Angel Alamilla 34 year old Ventura resident

Narrative:

Officers responded to a stabbing victim in the parking lot of Rite Aid at 131 W Main Street. Investigation revealed the victim and his friends were walking to their parked car after visiting a nearby nightclub. The suspects confronted the victim and friends in the parking lot and an argument ensued.

Three subjects including Alamilla got out of their car and slashed the tires to the victim's vehicle. The victim intervened on the tire slashing when Alamilla stabbed him in the leg. Alamilla fled in a vehicle that was spotted by responding officers. Officers tried to stop the vehicle, however it fled.

Officers pursued the vehicle as it fled on streets in the Downtown and Ventura Ave area. Alamilla and the two other subjects fled on foot after abandoning the suspect vehicle near Olive St. and W. Simpson Street. Alamilla was arrested after a brief foot pursuit.

Investigation identified Alamilla as the stabbing suspect and he was booked at the Ventura County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism. The victim was transported to VCMC where he received treatment for a stab wound to his leg. The victim's injuries were not life threatening.

Ventura: Daniel Gilberg: Assault with a deadly Weapon

2009-07-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

July 4, 2009

Incident: 245 PC- Assault with a deadly Weapon
Location: Ventura County Medical Center Emergency Room, 3291 Loma Vista Rd, Ventura
Date/Time Occurred: 7/4/09 0145
Officer(s) Involved: Cpl. Mike Anselmo and Officer Karl Reyes
Victim(s): VCMC Nurse and Staff
Suspect(s): Daniel Gilberg, 42 year old Lancaster resident.

Narrative:

Gilberg was a patient at VCMC emergency room where he was receiving treatment for a head injury he sustained when he fell. He was intoxicated and belligerent. Gilberg grew impatient with his treatment and pulled out intravenous lines and a catheter. He demanded that he be released from the emergency room.

He got out of the hospital bed and armed himself with a pair of scissors he obtained from his hospital room. Gilberg was bleeding profusely because he removed the IV lines and he confronted two nurses in the hall near his emergency room bed.

Gilberg held the scissors over his head and threatened the nurses with his demands to be released. The nurses retreated from the room and yelled for help.

Cpl. Mike Anselmo and Officer Karl Reyes were in the emergency room conducting a separate investigation when they heard the nurses yelling for help. Officers saw Gilberg advancing on the nurses and waving the scissors.

Officers said Gilberg got within 10 feet of the nurses. The officers saw Gilberg hold the scissors above his head while he shouted at the nurses. The officers described that Gilberg was nude and covered in his own blood. Gilberg refused to stop when ordered to do so by the officers. Gilberg turned and started walking towards the exit of the emergency room and refused to stop or disarm himself of the scissors.

Gilberg was shot with a Tasar as he tried to open one of the exit doors to the emergency room. The Taser stopped Gilberg’s behavior. Gilberg was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon after he was treated at the Ventura County Medical Center.

No one was injured as a result of the incident.

Ventura: Drive-by Shooting/Homicide: Victim: Ida Medina

2009-07-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2009

Incident: Drive-by Shooting/Homicide
Location: 1200 Block Of Mead Av
Date/Time Occurred: 7/03/09 0045 hrs
Officer(s) Involved: Patrol, Major Crimes Detectives
Victim(s): Ida Medina 46 yrs Ventura Resident
Suspect(s): Unknown

Narrative:

On 7-3-09 at about 0045 hours the Ventura Police Department responded to a shooting victim in the 1200 block of Mead St. The victim, Ida Medina, was located inside her residence suffering from a gunshot wound.

The initial investigation revealed that several shots were fired at the residence striking the victim who was inside.

Medina was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where she was treated by emergency room staff. Medina succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

It appears that this incident is gang related. This investigation is on going. This is the second homicide at this residence within the last 6 months.

The Ventura Police Department urges anyone with information about this shooting to contact Det. Boon at 339-4479 or the Watch Commander at 339-4416.

Blog Announcement: Posting Glitch

2009-07-03T02:58:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2009

Due to a formatting issue with our blog, we were unable to post entries or updates for the past few days. The problem was fixed shortly after midnight on July 3, 2009.

We are working to update the week's stories.

Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience in providing information.

Oxnard: Mounted Unit Getting the Word Out

2009-07-03T02:47:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2009

Oxnard Shores and Mandalay Beach residents voiced pleasant surprise this past Saturday when they saw Oxnard Police Department officers Jim Evans and Larry Eklund patrolling on horseback. Riding JJ and Clinton from 1 to 6 PM the officers contacted dozens of beach-goers reminding people that it is illegal in Oxnard to possess, use or sell fireworks.

The two officers saw no fireworks works violations during their shift. One resident said, “We really love seeing you on the horses,” adding, “I am glad to see you guys patrolling the beach.”

The Saturday deployment of the Mounted Unit officers was just one of a number of pre-4th of July activities designed to encourage compliance with the City’s No Fireworks Ordinance.

Other strategies include deploying message boards alerting the public to the ordinance, a banner strung across “C” Street at 4th Street, patrol units dedicated to fireworks suppression, advertisements in local newspapers, articles in local newspapers, flyers, and flyers accessible from the Oxnard Police Department web site.

Under the ordinance enacted in 2008 persons in possession of fireworks can be fine up to $1,000.

Oxnard: Arnold Road & McWane Boulevard Closures On July Fourth Holiday

2009-07-03T02:45:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2009

The Oxnard Police Department will restrict access to a small section of the Ormand Beach area by closing Arnold Road during the 2009 July Fourth holiday. All vehicle access on Arnold Road will be halted at Hueneme Road after 4:00 p.m. on July 4th and will reopen at 2:00 a.m. on July 5th.

The road closure is part of the City’s fireworks suppression efforts and is aimed at maintaining the integrity of the wetlands environment and wildlife in that area. These roads were closed last year during the holiday and the results were positive.

Oxnard: 12th Annual Fireworks By The Sea at Channel Islands Harbor

2009-07-03T02:41:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2009

INCIDENT:
12th Annual Fireworks By The Sea at Channel Islands Harbor
DATE/TIME:
July 4th, 2009 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
LOCATION:
Channel Islands Harbor
PREPARED BY:
Senior Officer Brian Woolley

DETAILS:

On 7-4-09, the Channel Islands Harbor District will be hosting its 12th annual 4th of July event. The event will begin at 8:00 am with a 10K & 5K Fun Walk along Sunset Lane and Mandalay Beach Road.

There will be a children’s parade which will start at the Harbor Landing parking lots located off Harbor Boulevard. The parade will begin at 11:00 A.M. South Harbor Boulevard, from Channel Islands Boulevard to Bluefin Circle. Harbor Boulevard will be close to vehicular traffic during the parade. Motorists can use Sunset Lane or Ocean Drive as an alternate route.

Activities and entertainment are schedule throughout the day at the Fishermen’s Wharf and Marina. There will be vendors with booths and local restaurants will also be open. This will be a family oriented event with fun for all. The event will end with a fireworks show that begins at 9:00pm.

No alcohol, fireworks, including safe and sane fireworks, or flare ignition will be tolerated. All of the involved law enforcement agencies will be conducting strict enforcement of all related offenses.

This event is expected to draw a large crowd and traffic delays are expected following the fireworks show. The Oxnard Police Department will be handling traffic control to expedite the flow of traffic surrounding the event site. Starting at 7:00 pm, all intersections on Victoria Avenue and Harbor Boulevard from Fifth St. to the harbor area may be controlled by Traffic Officers.

The controlled intersections on Harbor Boulevard may include:

-Harbor at Fifth St.

-Harbor at Driftwood

-Harbor at Beachcomber

-Harbor at White Cap

-Harbor at Wooley

-Harbor at Nautilus

-Harbor at Island View

-Harbor at Oceanaire

-Harbor at Eastborne Bay

-Harbor at Falkirk

-Harbor at Gateshead

-Harbor at Costa De Oro

-Harbor at Mandalay Beach Rd.

-Harbor at Meridian

-Harbor at Channel Islands Boulevard.

The controlled intersections on Victoria Avenue may include:

-Victoria at Fifth

-Victoria at Nantucket

-Victoria at Pierwalk

-Victoria at Wooley

-Victoria at Via Marina

-Victoria at Leeward

-Victoria at Ketch

-Victoria at Hemlock

-Victoria at Marina Village

-Victoria at Monaco

-Victoria at Channel Islands Blvd.

-Victoria South of Channel Islands Blvd.

-Channel Islands Blvd. at Peninsula.

If you live in the area of any of these intersections, we apologize for any inconvenience. The roads will be re-opened as soon as possible.

These traffic flow modifications are taking place to assist in relieving the traffic congestion from this event in a timely and orderly fashion, with caution for pedestrians.

Please have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July holiday.

Oxnard: Pedestrian Decoy Operation

2009-07-03T02:39:00.000-07:00

July 3, 2009

INCIDENT:
Pedestrian Decoy Operation
DATE/TIME:
7-2-09/ 0900-1230 hours
LOCATION:
Multiple intersections in Oxnard
PREPARED BY:
Traffic Officer Charles Woodruff

DETAILS:

On 7-2-09, between the hours of 0900 and 1230 hours, Officers from the Oxnard Police Department Traffic Unit conduced pedestrian decoy operations at several intersections in the City of Oxnard. This was in direct response to phone calls the police department received from the public concerning the safety of pedestrians at specific intersections.

The operations were conducted at the intersections of Wooley Road @ E Street, Hill Street @ Saviers Road, and Esplanade Drive in front of the Target Department Store. Officers targeted motorists who failed to yield to pedestrians who were crossing the road in marked crosswalks. Officers issued 42 citations for different pedestrian related violations.

The Oxnard Police Traffic Unit will continue to conduct pedestrian operations to increase pedestrian safety in the city. If you have any questions about traffic safety or these pedestrian operations, please contact the Oxnard Police Traffic Coordinator Senior Officer Brian Woolley at (805) 385-7749.

Ventura: Seeking Residential Garage Burglary Victims

2009-06-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

June 26, 2009

Incident: Ventura Police Department Seeking Residential Garage Burglary Victims in an Effort to Return Stolen Property
Location: Portola Road, East to Saticoy Avenue, and South of the 126 Freeway within the City of Ventura
Date: Date of release: June 25, 2009. Date of incidents: May 1, 2009 to present.
Officer(s) Involved: Street Crimes Unit
Victim(s): Numerous
Report #: Multiple

Narrative:

The Ventura Police Department is currently seeking individuals who may have been victims of recent residential garage burglaries.

The burglaries have occurred since May 1, 2009 with the suspect targeting condominium and town-home complexes where garage door(s) had been left open. The specific area of the reported incidents is from Portola Road, East to Saticoy Avenue, and South of the 126 Freeway.

We are asking for the media’s help in further broadcasting this information to the community in an effort to return the unclaimed property to its rightful owner(s).

Members of the media should contact Detective Sergeant Glenn Utter at 805-207-8736. Members of the public who believe they have been a victim, and wish to claim their property, should contact Detective Corporal James Beautrow at 805-339-4428, or Detective Teddy Symonds at 805-339-4469.

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Ventura: Attempted Murder – Drive-By Shooting

2009-06-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

June 26, 2009

Incident: Attempted Murder – Drive-By Shooting
Location: Si Se Puede and “S” Streets in the Community of Cabrillo Village
Date/Time Occurred: 6-25-09 @ 2235 hrs.
Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Patrol Officers and SET Detectives
Victim(s): Withheld at this time pending family notification and condition of victim
Suspect(s): Unknown
Report #:09-8564

Narrative:

On the above date and time, the victim was walking home from a friend’s house in the Community of Cabrillo Village in east Ventura. A vehicle with several occupants drove by and began shooting at the victim, hitting him several times. The suspects fled the scene prior to police arrival.

The victim was transported to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. The victim was in critical but stable condition and his wounds do not appear to be life threatening.

This shooting is believed to be gang related.

***NOTE: This shooting appears to be completely UNRELATED to the homicide that occurred on Ventura Avenue on 6-15-09***

The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Any one with information is urged to call the Ventura Police Department at 477-3702, or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 385-TALK or 494-TALK. If your information leads to an arrest, you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard: Serious Injury Vehicle Collision

2009-06-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

June 26, 2009

INCIDENT:
Serious Injury Vehicle Collision
DATE/TIME:
Thursday , June 25, 2009 @ 11:50 p.m.
LOCATION:
1800 Block north “H” Street
DRIVER #1:
Una Maria Juarez Jr.,24 years, of Oxnard (major internal injuries)
PASSENGER #1:
Angel Quirarte, 31 years, of Oxnard (abrasions/ minor injuries)
VEHICLE #1:
Blue 2005 Chevrolet Silverado truck
PREPARED BY:
Senior Officer Brian Woolley

DETAILS:

On Thursday, June 25, 2009 at about 11:30 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to an injury collision in the 1800 block of north H Street. When officers arrived, they discovered only one vehicle was involved. Oxnard Fire Department and Gold Coast paramedics arrived on scene and had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate the driver of the vehicle.

Preliminary investigation indicates Una Juarez was driving the blue 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck southbound on “H” street with passenger Angel Quirarte. Juarez lost control of the truck, drove up the curb, and collided head-on with a large tree.

The driver of the Silverado (Juarez) was not wearing her seatbelt and sustained internal injuries. She was admitted to St. John’s Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. Preliminary investigation revealed that alcohol might have been a factor in the cause of the crash. Passenger (Quirarte) sustained minor injuries due to the fact he was wearing his seatbelt.

The Oxnard Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance. If you witnessed the collision or have any additional information, please contact the traffic investigator, Senior Officer Brian Woolley, at 805-385-7749.

An investigation is continuing.

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Readers asked: What can we do about gang violence?

2009-06-25T03:06:00.000-07:00

June 24, 2009

As promised during our “twitter chat” last week I have addressed the gang issue in Oxnard in the following article…these are my opinions and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Oxnard Police Department.-David Keith, Oxnard PD Spokesperson

During my twenty five years with the Oxnard Police Department I have fielded more questions about gangs than perhaps any other law enforcement related topic.

I certainly understand the concern people have about gangs – they do cause many problems within our communities and much of this negative behavior quickly catches the attention of our media. This spotlight provided by the media undoubtedly further fuels the fires of crime and violence.

The gang problem in Ventura County pales in comparison to the gang problems in Los Angeles. The gang problem here is different than the problem in L.A. – the problems in Ventura County tend to be turf based, essentially battles over neighborhoods, while the problems to the south are more often related to the sale of narcotics.

Gang life is a very difficult cycle to break.

It is not uncommon to have gang members brag about their gang lifestyles and how their fathers and other important male role models within their families played important roles in the gang. It is very difficult to break this cycle, and is certainly not one that can be turned around by law enforcement alone. Not every child is a gang member – in fact, the number of serious, crime committing gang members is less than 1% of our county’s population.

However, for a small handful of our youth the gangs are a way of life, a lifestyle that provides for their needs for love, acceptance and support. This is a shame – no one should have to belong to a gang to have these basic needs fulfilled.

I continue to be surprised by the attitude many have in our society that fixing our gang problems, or any other criminal behavior, is the responsibility of the police. I’m not trying to shirk our responsibility, but there is no way the police can fix this problem without help from everyone. Truly, everyone has a role, and in fact, a responsibility to fix this problem.

Parents need to be better parents, schools need to step up to the plate, churches need to help fill the gaps where families are faltering and neighbors need to lend a hand, instead of retreating into the privacy of their homes and closing the drapes.

The criminal justice system must provide a fair but strong response to criminal behavior, and the media must take more responsibility to report the news rather than sensationalize what’s happening in our communities.

In fact, as the spokesperson for OPD I have seen many, many cases where the media “lost interest” to some degree in an assault case or homicide when they learned it wasn’t “gang involved”….this points out the fact that oftentimes the gang related crimes receive more attention than other crimes – perhaps this results in increased fear among our residents and a growing perception by many that the gang problems are getting worse in our county.

When someone commits a crime there should be a price to pay and if he or she commits another crime the price to pay should be higher. If the crimes are violent in nature then the person should be removed from society. Yes, prisons are expensive but the price of having a criminal run loose on our streets is higher – both economically and from a human toll.

Clearly we need to address the problem sooner rather than later. The cure is difficult, expensive, and long in coming. But at some point we will need to make the commitment and get it done.

In Oxnard our approach is threefold – prevention, intervention and enforcement. Enforcement is very expensive, very effective short-term, but does not hold up very well for long period of times without the commitment of substantial funding.

Intervention is less effective in the short-term but can yield positive results over a period of time. Prevention is effective only over the long haul and can take years to really see the true impact of these programs. I believe you need all three to be effective and that has been our strategy in recent years.

Overall crime in Oxnard is down by more than 60% per capita since 1992 so our strategies have worked well but we are always looking to improve our efforts.

This past few years gang related homicides and serious gang assaults have actually fallen substantially in Oxnard. I believe this is as a result of our strategies mentioned above and the gang injunctions we were able to put into place a few years ago.

We also enjoy great support of our City Council who has given us the resources needed to tackle this problem.

Oxnard is certainly not alone in its fight against gang violence but we have made some pretty good strides – we need to continue with these efforts – and hopefully we will see much calmer and more peaceful times ahead.

Related Posts
>Twitter Chat Recap

>OxnardPD Twitter Guide

>Video: KTLA visits Oxnard Police during the live chat

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

#OxnardPD Twitter Chat Recap

2009-06-25T03:03:00.000-07:00

On June 16, 2009 Oxnard Police Department hosted a live online chat through twitter. You asked, they answered. Here is a recap of the questions and answers.

Community Questions

@shack072: Can we get speed bumps added to our street on Dunkirk? Like is there some form or something we can fill out? #OxnardPD

Answer: Ask for traffic engineering at 805.385.7600. You'll need to get a majority of neighbors to agree & discuss. #OxnardPD

@nomdecrayola: What special task forces do you have? #oxnardPD

Answer: We have a Gang Unit, Graffiti Detail, Youth Service Officers, Narcotics Unit, Sexuall Assault Unit, Major Crimes Unit & others #OxnardPD

@hawlkeye: What can we do about the vending on rice ave in between 5th & wooley? #OxnardPD

Answer: It is illegal & we've just recently stepped up our enforcement of it. I'll tell traffic division to address this. You can also report it. #OxnardPD

@cmarquez805 #oxnardpd who's been a cop the longest?

Answer: Sergeant Bob Camarillo, who's been here 31 years! #OxnardPD

@805CROCK: Need to stop cars from going thru the Chevron gas station to beat 5 points trafic light. #OxnardPD

Answer: Technically, it's not illegal. The gas station would have to control it if they wanted to. #OxnardPD

@16Phoenix: Does oxnard have any programs like thousand oaks DART or CERT? #OxnardPD

Yes, and Oxnard just actually finished a free month long CERT training. It is run by the Oxnard Fire Department 805.385.7702 #OxnardPD

How often do you do your Straight to You webcasts? via email #OxnardPD

Answer: We do them as often as necessary - any major incidents we usually do one...so far, since 2007 we've done nearly 200 of them.

Ox has a loud music ord. Why allow lrg amplified boxes in vehicles which rattle my windows in every 3-5 vehicles that pass #OxnardPD

Answer: The vehicle code allows us to cite for amplified sound, anything that can be heard over 50 ft so call us when it happens. #OxnardPD

Gang injunction and activity

Click here for a more detailed response to these questions, answered by Oxnard PD Spokesperson, David Keith.

@nomdecrayola: Do you feel the gang injunction has reduced gang activity and would you recommend it to other cities in our county? #OxnardPD

Answer: Absolutely. Following the injuction, gang violence dropped nearly 75%. It ebbs & flows a bit now, & other cities should do it. #OxnardPD

@nomdecrayola: I understand the police are here to protect, but what are the police doing to prevent gang violence? #OxnardPD
&
@princess8274 it seems as if gang violence has gone up. Why? Are u guys doing anything about this?What can we do to help?

Answer:Gang violence is a hot topic & needs more space. I will write a more detailed report for the Crime Blog to follow up on this Q. #OxnardPD

@nomdecrayola: What is the most important thing a community can do to reduce gang violence? (education, police, social services, jobs) #OxnardPD

Answer: Wilingness for people to report what they know & see to police(remain anonymous), stable home life, & community involvement #OxnardPD

Crimes

@rescuenerds: @805CrimeBlog What's the latest on the child abductor arrested in May? #OxnardPD

Answer: He is in custody, despite an attempted jail break last week. He's looking at 25 to life. #OxnardPD

@rescuenerds: @805CrimeBlog What can you tell us about the two recent Faria Beach stabbings? Are they related? Any possible suspects? #OxnardPD

Answer: Neither case is in oxnard, but I have spoken to VPD and VSCO and I know they are working nite and day on those cases. #OxnardPD

@16Phoenix How much time would the vandals serve if caught? #OxnardPD

It's up to a judge depending on past offenses, etc. but the penalties are getting much stiffer now than in years past. #OxnardPD

@TheKK: How are foreclosures affecting #OxnardPD ? Do they present any challenges in terms of vandalism, law enforcement time or costs to the city?

Answer: Yes. Vandals are partying in foreclosed homes & destroying property. Please report if you see this going on in empty homes. #OxnardPD

If you have links, information or questions that you would like to submit, please email us at:
Editor@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard: Injury Traffic Collision

2009-06-23T02:02:00.000-07:00

June 23, 209

INCIDENT:
Injury traffic collision
DATE/TIME:
Monday, June 22, 2009 @ 6:35 P.M.
LOCATION:
1600 West Fifth Street.
DRIVER:
Ryan Soliz, 19 years of age.
Resident of the City of Oxnard
VEHICLE:
Grey 2007, Nissan, Versa.
DRIVER:
Michelle Renee Aguilar, 49 years of age.
Resident of the City of Oxnard
PASSENGER:
Male juvenile 10 years of age
VEHICLE:
Grey 2003, Honda, CRV, SUV.
PREPARED BY:
Senior Officer Humberto Jimenez

DETAILS:

On Monday, June 22, 2009, at about 6:36 P.M.., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to the 1600 block of West Fifth Street, after receiving a call of an injury head on collision.

Upon arrival, officers found the grey Nissan, which was driven by Ryan Soliz, facing westbound in the middle of the street on Fifth Street. The grey Honda SUV, which was being driven Michelle Aguilar, was facing eastbound on Fifth Street. A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the Nissan had experienced a medical episode and “Blacked out” and turn left directly in the path of the Honda which was eastbound on Fifth Street.

A 10 year old passenger in the Honda was sitting in the rear seat, was not wearing his seatbelt and suffered serious head injuries and a broken left femur. There were three other occupants in the Honda which were wearing their seatbelts and only sustained minor injuries. The Oxnard Fire Department and Gold Coast Ambulance responded to the scene and administered advance life support care to the seriously injured passenger.

All parties were transported to St. Johns Hospital. The ten year old male was later transported to Los Angeles Children’s hospital for further treatment.

An investigation is continuing.

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Ventura: Fatal Traffic Collision Occurring During a Speed Contest

2009-06-21T01:13:00.000-07:00

June 21, 2009

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416
Location: S/B Victoria Ave at Avocet Dr.
Date/Time Occurred: June 20, 2009, 6:35 p.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Patrol Officers and Traffic Investigator, Officer Brown.
Suspect(s): Travis Lee, 27 years, and, Robert Florine, 52 years.

Narrative:

On June 20, 2009, at 6:35 p.m., officers responded to an injury traffic collision involving a motorcycle down at the intersection of Victoria Av and Avocet Dr. The driver of the motorcycle, Travis Lee, was unresponsive at the scene. Lee was transported to VCMC where he was pronounced dead at 8:00 p.m.

Patrol officers determined that Lee was involved in a speed contest with a red Corvette driven by Robert Florine. Lee and Florine were racing between intersections southbound on Victoria Avenue according to witnesses. At the intersection of Avocet, Lee was facing a red light and attempted to stop. Lee lost control of his motorcycle and slid into the side of a SUV that was westbound through the intersection. Ventura Police Traffic responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

The driver of the Corvette, Robert Florine, was arrested for being involved in a speed contest. He was cited and released. The violation is a misdemeanor.

Any additional witnesses to this event are encouraged to contact Officer Mike Brown at 805-339-4400 x1237.

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard PD: Channel Islands Challenge Explorer Competition

2009-06-20T23:23:00.000-07:00

June 20, 2009

DETAILS:

On Thursday June 18, 2009 the Channel Islands Challenge law enforcement explorer competition began in Oxnard. The three day long event hosted by the Oxnard Police Department’s Explorer Post 9286 is in its sixth year and has grown substantially every year.

This year, the event drew 28 different law enforcement explorer posts from as far away as Honolulu Hawaii and a total of 380 participants. Most agencies came from the Southern California area and each post had between 5 and 16 competitors, plus the advisors for each team.

The law enforcement explorer program is a branch of the Boy Scouts of America’s Learning for Life program. Explorers are between the ages of 14 and 21, maintain a 2.0 grade point average and have no criminal record. The program is designed to help youth gain insight into a variety of career activities in law enforcement through experiential learning with hands-on activities that promote growth and development for adolescent youth.

Participants in this year’s competition took part in twelve different events which tested athletic ability, law enforcement technical knowledge, and team work. Some of the most challenging tasks involved a hostage rescue scenario and a bus assault rescue. A new event added to the competition was a computerized “shoot, don’t shoot” scenario, which tested the explorers’ abilities and decision making under stressful situations.

There will also be other events such as vehicle search, domestic violence, building search, hostage rescue, active shooter, tug of war, bicycle course, a 5K race, as well as a drill and formation marching competition on the final day.

All the money raised during the event is used for educational trips, to purchase equipment and training for the Oxnard Explorer Post.

The weekend had many interesting events will be taking place at Oxnard High School. The events will lasted all day and were free to the public.

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Ventura: Residential Burglaries

2009-06-20T03:04:00.000-07:00

June 20, 2009

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416.
Location: East Ventura.
Date/Time Occurred: Over the past two weeks.
Officer(s) Involved: Street Crimes Unit.
Victim(s): Several.
Suspect(s): Unknown.

Narrative

The Ventura Police Department is investigating several residential burglaries, which have recently occurred in the East Ventura area, between Kimball Rd. and Wells Rd. There have been approximately 12 residential burglaries and 6 vehicle burglaries in the past 14 days. The residential burglaries are occurring on weekdays, during daytime hours. In most cases the suspects are entering through unlocked doors and windows.

If you see any suspicious activity please call 911 immediately. Ventura Police Street Crimes Detectives are investigating the cases and ask anyone with information to call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Residents should be vigilant in ensuring their doors and windows are locked and proper crime prevention measures are taken.

For tips and suggestions please visit the Ventura Police Department’s website:

>Crime Prevention Tips

Related Posts

>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Ventura: Arrests of Identity Theft Suspects

2009-06-20T03:01:00.000-07:00

June 20, 2009

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416.
Location: 5000 block of Norway Dr. Ventura.
Date/Time Occurred: June 18, 2009, 10:30 a.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Detectives from the Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and US Postal Inspector.
Victim(s): Numerous citizens and Businesses in Ventura and Los Angeles County.
Suspect(s):

Suspect #1: Jacob Degrande, 39 yrs.

Suspect #2: Krystine Degrande, 39 yrs. Both of Ventura.
Report #: 09-6103.

Narrative
During the past several weeks Detectives from the Ventura Police Department, Detectives from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (Ojai Station) and investigators from the US Postal Inspectors Office, conducted an investigation into ongoing identity theft and check fraud. Subsequent to that investigation, a search warrant was served at the residence of Jacob and Krystine Degrande in Ventura.

During the search, Detectives located evidence of the Degrandes involvement in identity theft and related crimes. Detectives seized counterfeit checks and identification, gift cards purchased with fraudulent checks, stolen mail and other documents containing personal information of numerous victims, items used to produce the counterfeit documents, and a small quantity of methamphetamine. Detectives also recovered property, believed to have been purchased using the counterfeit checks and fraudulently obtained gift cards. The property included a Dune Buggy, Living room furniture, several laptop computers, power tools, a big screen TV and other electronics.

Jacob and Krystine Degrande were both arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail on numerous felony charges related to Identity Theft, Check Fraud and Possession of Stolen Property. The investigation is ongoing with additional charges expected. The Degrandes were arrested for the same type of charges in 2000.

Related Posts
>Unsolved Murders of Ventura County
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard: Robbery: Business

2009-06-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

June 18, 2009

INCIDENT:
Robbery Business
DATE/TIME:
6-18-09/0630 hours
LOCATION:
La Bodega 436 Colonia Road
VICTIM/S:
La Bodega
SUSPECT/S:
H/M 24 yrs, 5’5, medium build wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt and a dark bandana over his face
WITNESS/ES:
None
SUSPECT VEHICLE:
No Vehicle seen
LOSS:
Approximately $300 Cash
PREPARED BY:
Detective Baldwin

DETAILS:

On 6-18-09 at approximately 6:30 a.m. a Hispanic male, approximately 24 years old entered the La Bodega business located at 436 Colonia Road in the City of Oxnard. This suspect was approximately 5’5, medium build, wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt and a dark colored bandana over his face.

The suspect was in possession of a Knife and a Semi-Automatic Handgun. The suspect demanded cash from the store clerk. The suspect took approximately $300 in cash from the store. The suspect then fled the area on foot.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has information regarding this crime is asked to please call the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes hotline at 805-982-7070 or Detective Baldwin at 805-385-7688.

An investigation is continuing.

Related Posts
>Unsolved Murders of Ventura County
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard PD's Twitter chat on KTLA, Channel 5

2009-06-17T15:01:00.000-07:00

June 17, 2009

Yesterday, KTLA's Elizabeth Espinosa dropped by to cover Oxnard PD's first twitter chat. We will be posting a recap of the chat in a few days, following up on the gang injunction and other topics discussed on the chat.

For a view of the chat, click here.

Check out the video below, with an interview with Chief of Police John Crombach, with appearances by David Keith, OPD Spokesperson, and myself. Pictures of the event will also be posted soon.

Related Posts

>A guide to our Twiter page
>Oxnard PD's Guide to Twitter
>Oxnard PD Twitter chat guide: June 16, 3-5pm

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Ventura: Assault with a deadly weapon

2009-06-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

June 17, 2009

Incident: Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon
Location: Plaza Park 600 E Santa Clara
Date/Time Occurred: 6-17-09, 0027 hrs
Officer(s) Involved: Patrol Officers
Victim(s): Francis Hession 59 yrs, Ventura Resident
Suspect(s): Russell Lamb 47 yrs, Ventura Resident
Report #: 09-8127

Narrative:

On the above date and time, officers responded to an injured subject at Plaza Park. The victim Francis Hession was sleeping in the park when the suspect Russell Lamb awakened him. Lamb was kneeling over Hession and the two men were involved in a dispute over a case of mistaken identity. Lamb then stood up and kicked Hession in the face while he was still lying on the ground. Lamb was wearing a pair of pointed toe cowboy boots when he kicked Hession. He sustained a serious injury to his forehead and eye socket as a result of being kicked.

Hession was taken to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment; he is currently listed in stable condition.

Lamb was caught a few blocks away from the park and was taken into custody without incident. He was booked at the Ventura County Jail for an assault with a deadly weapon.

If you have any information about this crime, you can 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.

Related Links
>1 injured, 1 arrested in Ventura park attack

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Ventura: Assault with deadly weapon & battery on a police officer

2009-06-17T08:07:00.000-07:00

June 17, 2009

Incident: Assault w/ Deadly Weapon & Battery on a Police Officer
Location: 257 Flint Ave
Date/Time Occurred: 6-16-09/ 2030 hrs
Officer(s) Involved: Patrol
Victim(s): Victor Renteria 23 yrs, Ventura Resident
Suspect(s): Carlos Renteria 21 yrs, Ventura Resident
Report #: 09-8120
Narrative:

On the above date and time, officers responded to the fire station on Ventura Ave regarding an injured subject. The officers arrived on scene and contacted the victim Victor Renteria, who had a severe laceration on his ring finger. Victor told the officers he was attacked on the bike path near Stanley Ave and his skateboard was stolen. Victor was taken to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. During the interview, Victor made several inconsistent statements and changed his initial story several times.

Officers investigating this crime went to the victim’s home and contacted his brother Carlos Renteria. The officers noticed Carlos was injured and that his injuries were consistent with someone who had been involved in a fight. Carlos was also intoxicated and very belligerent. He attempted to push past one of the officers at the front door of the residence after being advised to stay inside the house. When Carlos failed to get past, he then attacked the officer. The officer defended himself and placed Carlos under arrest. The officer was not injured from the assault.

The officers continued their investigation and discovered evidence that implicated Carlos as his brother’s attacker. Carlos and Victor were involved in a fight inside their home, and Carlos armed himself with a knife. Carlos cut Victor’s finger during the fight. Victor admitted he lied to the police to protect his brother.

Carlos Renteria was placed under arrest and lodged at the Ventura County Jail for an assault with a deadly weapon, and battery on a police officer. Victor Renteria was placed under arrest for filing a false police report, but was allowed to remain at the hospital since his injury required surgery.

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Ventura: Fatal drive by shooting: Miguel Parra

2009-06-16T08:16:00.000-07:00

June 16, 2009

Incident: Fatal Drive-by Shooting
Location: 100 Block of West Barnett St
Date/Time Occurred: 06-15-09 2245 hrs
Officer(s) Involved: Patrol, Detectives
Victim(s): Miguel Parra 23 yrs Ventura Resident
Suspect(s): Unknown
Report #: 09-8042

Narrative:

On June 15th at about 2245 hours the Ventura Police Department responded to a shooting victim in the 900 block of Ventura Av. The victim, Parra, was transported to VCMC for multiple gun shot wounds.

Ventura Police Detectives responded and determined the victim, Parra, was walking westbound on Barnett St. A vehicle approached and the occupants began to shoot at Parra striking him several times.

Parra went for help at a nearby business where medical aid was summoned. Parra was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

At this time it is unknown if this is gang related.

This investigation is continuing and the public is urged to contact the Ventura Police Department if they have information about this crime or they can make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. If the information leads to an arrest, they could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Less than half an hour later, there was as shooting in Oxnard. In both cases, the suspects remain at large.

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard: Assault with deadly weapon: Shooting

2009-06-16T03:04:00.000-07:00

June 16, 2009

INCIDENT:
Assault with a deadly weapon (shooting)
DATE/TIME:
6-15-09 / 2310 hours
LOCATION:
1100 block West Hemlock Street
VICTIM/S:
19 year-old Oxnard resident
SUSPECT/S:
Unknown male in dark clothing
SUSPECT VEHICLE:
White older model 4-door vehicle
PREPARED BY:
Detective Charles Buttell

DETAILS:

On 6-15-09 at approximately 2310 hours, officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a call of shots heard in the 1100 block of West Hemlock. When officers arrived they located a shooting victim. The victim was transported to St John’s Regional Medical Center where he is listed in stable condition.

The victim was approached by the suspect who was described as a male in dark clothing. The suspect was a passenger in an older model white 4-door compact. The suspect fired at the victim as the victim fled on foot. The suspect then fled in the suspect vehicle.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Alex Arnett at (805) 486-6297 or the Violent Crimes Hotline at (805) 982-7070.

An investigation is continuing.

Related Posts
>Unsolved Murders of Ventura County
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

June 16: Oxnard PD Twitter Chat: 3-5pm

2009-06-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

June 15, 2009

The Oxnard Police Department will be conducting their first ever twitter chat!

To participate, you must have a twitter account. All accounts are free, and it's easy to sign up, just go to twitter.com and create an account.

The chat will be on Tuesday, June 16, from 3-5pm.

Moderating the chat will be David Keith, Oxnard PD spokesperson.

You can follow him on twitter.com/DavidKeithOPD

Twitter Chat Guidelines

#OxnardPD
All twitter users participating in the chat must tag the tweet with the #OxnardPD hashtag.
For example:

Where can I find info on the gang injunction? #OxnardPD

Twitter uses a 140 character limit, so make sure the #OxnardPD tag will fit within your tweet.

To participate in the #OxnardPD chat, just follow this link:
http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23OxnardPD
(Example included)

As users chat, the tweets will appear in real time.

Topics

-What are some of your safety concerns?

-How can we use social media to improve safety and community policing?

-If you were an Oxnard Police Officer, what would you do differently?

[Don't forget, you can also sign up for a ride along (PDF) and see first hand what a police officer does.]

As with any chat, topics and discussions will evolve. For more topic ideas, check out OxnardPD.org and browse around the website.

In the News

>Oxnard Police will answer questions on twitter

>Tweet with Oxnard's finest

Updates

>KTLA Video: Oxnard PD hosts Twitter chat

KTLA's Elizabeth Espinosa drops by during the chat to discuss OPD's goals

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

UPDATE: Fidel Duran arrested for New Year's stabbing

2009-06-14T20:26:00.000-07:00

June 14, 2009

Sheriff's Gang Unit

Narrative:

On Saturday, 06/13/2009, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit arrested Fidel Duran for a gang-related attempted murder that occurred in the City of Ojai on New Years Eve. Duran was in custody at the Ventura County Mail Jail on other unrelated charges at the time of his arrest.

On the morning of 01/01/2009, at about 1:45 a.m., Joshua Powers, 28-yeas-of-age, was walking home from a party in the 200 block of Waite Street. Powers was confronted by individuals who were attending a nearby party. Powers was attacked and stabbed 17 times. The suspects fled leaving Powers lying unconscious on the street. A short time later, an anonymous person called emergency personnel and reported that Powers was lying in the street. Powers was transported to Ojai Hospital where he narrowly survived his wounds. Powers was in the hospital for several days before being released.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Gang Unit conducted a 5-month investigation and identified Ojai gang member Fidel Duran as the person who stabbed Powers. Gang investigators believe Duran did not act alone and they expect to make more arrests. Duran is being held at the Ventura County Jail on $505,000 bail.

Original Links
>Stabbing victim survives vicious attack

Related Links
>Suspected gang member arrested in Ojai

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Ventura: Jeffery Barnes: Felony DUI arrest & injury accident

2009-06-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

June 12, 2009

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416.
Location: Sherwin Ave & Ventura Blvd.
Date/Time Occurred: June 11, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers.
Suspect(s): Jeffery Barnes, 49 years, Ventura .

Narrative:

Barnes was driving his vehicle on Ventura Blvd. A “Double R” Tow truck was being driven in the opposite direction. Barnes’ vehicle drifted into the opposing lane and nearly struck the tow-truck head-on, but did side-swipe it.

Barnes was treated at Ventura County Medical Center and booked at Ventura County Jail for driving Under the Influence opiates and Felony DUI. The tow-driver was admitted at VCMC with severe back injuries.

Related Posts

>Ventura County DUI crashes resulting in death
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard: 13 year old killed in shooting

2009-06-11T00:25:00.000-07:00

June 11, 2009
Last Updated June 16, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. PST

Detectives are asking for the public’s help in solving this senseless crime. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Erik Mora at 385-7680 or e-mail Detective Mora at Erikmora@oxnardpd.org. The public can also leave any information on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 982-7070.

INCIDENT:
187 pc Homicide
DATE/TIME:
06-10-2009 7:55 pm
LOCATION:
First St and Roosevelt Ave
VICTIM/S:
Joseph Jacquez, 13 years old. Oxnard Resident
SUSPECT/S:
Two Hispanic males. Late teens early 20s
PREPARED BY:
Sergeant Jim Seitz, Homicide Supervisor

DETAILS:

On Wednesday, 6-10-2009 at approximately 7:55 pm, officers from the Oxnard Police Department were sent to a call of a shooting victim in the 500 block of E. First Street. Upon the officer’s arrival they located the victim lying on the sidewalk, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The victim is a 13 year old male resident of Oxnard. He has been identified as Joseph Jacquez.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later. Witnesses reported seeing two Hispanic males in their late teens to early twenties approach the victim on foot. The suspects were last seen running from the area following the shooting.

It is believed that the suspects are gang members based on witness statements. The victim does not appear to be gang involved.

An investigation is continuing.

Related Links
>Boy, 13, shot to death on street in Oxnard Ventura County Star
>Police say 13-year-old boy shot, killed in Oxnard CBS2 Local
>13 year old fatally shot on Oxnard street corner LA Times
>13 year old fatally shot & killed on street corner KTLA with video

Updates
>Oxnard family grieves for fatally shot boy, 13 (6/12/09)
>Car wash to benefit family of slain Oxnard boy, 13 (6/13/09)
>Murder on an Oxnard street (Star editorial 6/14/09)

Related Posts
>Unsolved Murders of Ventura County
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Ventura: Ricardo Moreno arrested for stabbing

2009-06-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

June 10, 2009
Last updated June 10, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. PST

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416.
Location: Marina Park, 2950 Pierpont.
Date/Time Occurred: June 9, 2009, 9:43 p.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers.
Victim(s): Victim 1: Male, 20 yrs, Hueneme Resident &
Victim 2: Female, 20 yrs, Hueneme Resident.
Suspect(s): Hispanic Males, 16-20 yrs, shaved heads, White T-shirts, long shorts. The Suspect Vehicle was described as a Silver Late Model Sedan. Ricardo Moreno, arrested.
Report #: 09-7760.

Narrative:

On the above date and time, the Ventura Police Dept received a 911 call regarding a stabbing that had just occurred at Marina Park. The victims were able to escape from their attackers, and made it to a nearby gas station to call for help.

The victims were sitting in the park, when a group of subjects confronted them. According to the victims, the suspects made several gang related statements right before they attacked the Male victim. At least one or more of the suspects was armed with a knife, and they stabbed the Male victim repeatedly. The Female Victim was also stabbed once in her arm during the attack, as she tried to help rescue her boyfriend from his attackers.

The Male victim sustained multiple stab wounds from the attack, and was taken to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment. He was rushed into surgery and his current condition was listed as critical. The Female victim was treated for her wound and her injury was not life threatening. The suspects were described as four Hispanic males, 16-20 yrs, shaved heads, wearing white t-shirts, and long shorts. The suspects were seen fleeing the scene in a silver late model sedan.

If you have any information about this crime, you can 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.

UPDATE:

A subject identified as Ricardo Moreno arrived at Community Memorial Hospital at 11:30 p.m. on June 9, with superficial stab wounds, and bloody clothing. He stated he had been jumped in El Rio earlier in the evening.

Investigation by officers determined that Moreno’s story was false. A victim of the stabbing identified Moreno as one of the attackers.

Moreno was treated for his injuries then transported to the station to be interviewed. He was later booked at the Ventura County Jail for 664/187, 211, 186.22 PC.

Court Date

June 12, 2009, 1:30 p.m.

Case #2009021639

Ventura County Superior Court: Court Room 13
800 S. Victoria Ave, Ventura

Bail set at $500,000

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Jury Duty Scam

2009-06-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

June 9, 2009

Jury Duty Scam

As verified by the FBI:

A caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social Security number and date of birth so he or she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. If you give out any of this information and bingo; your identity was just stolen.

Protecting yourself is the key: Never give out personal information when you receive an unsolicited phone call.

Scammers might tap your information to make a purchase on your credit card, but could just as easily sell your information to the highest bidder on the Internet's black market.

Court officers never ask for confidential information over the phone; they generally correspond with prospective jurors via mail.

The fraud has been reported so far in 11 states:
-California
-Florida
-New York
-Minnesota
-Illinois
-Colorado
-Oregon
-Virginia
-Oklahoma
-Arizona
-New Hampshire

This (swindle) is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they are with the court system. The FBI and the federal court system have issued nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.

Remember, do not give out personal information over the phone. If you receive a phone call like this, report it to authorities.

Related Links
>FBI.gov on Jury Scams
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.htm <---To make sure the link itself is verifiable, I have also left the address intact.

>Snopes' entry regarding this scam

Related Posts

>Scam Alerts: Check Fraud, Lottery Scam, Mystery Shopper Opportunities
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Crime Files: Stephanie Lazarus

2009-06-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

June 9, 2009
Last updated June 14, 2009 at 6:15 p.m. PST

Crime Files: The Murder of Sherrie Rae Rasmussen

On February 24, 1986, Sherri Rae Rasmussen took the day off from work, due to an injury she sustained during aerobic exercises.

Hours later, her husband of three months went home to their Van Nuys condominium only to find her body beaten, bitten and shot.

For almost two decades, the case remained unsolved, until a recent DNA match was made from one of the victim's bite marks.

Recent DNA evidence showed that the bite marks came from a woman, disproving the long held theory that she was murdered by a man. Days after the murder, a woman in the area was robbed by two gunmen. Police at the time believed the two cases were related.

After reopening the case, detectives learned that LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus had previously dated Rasmussen's husband, but was never questioned in the case. With the possibility of one of their own being a murder suspect, only a select few LAPD detectives and high ranking officials knew about the recent re-investigation of the case. An undercover officer then followed Lazarus, and was able to gather DNA from her from a discarded item.

This DNA matched the DNA at the crime scene.

For years, the family of the victim suspected Lazarus in the murder, after telling investigators that a month prior to the murder, Lazarus confronted Rasmussen at work and told her: "If I can't have John, nobody can." Lazarus has previously dated Rasmussen's husband, but he broke up the relationship and soon after, started dating Rasmussen.

This lead, however, went unfollowed as police insisted that the case was related to the recent armed robbery.

At the time of her death, Sherrie Rae Rasmussen, 29, was Director of Nursing at Glendale Adventist.

Stephanie Lazarus, from Simi Valley, was arrested on June 5, 2009, 23 years after the murder.

Original News Coverage
>Nursing Director Fatally Shot in Home (2/27/86)
>$10,000 Reward Offered for Killers of Nurse (10/23/86)
>Parents of Slain Nurse Seek Help in Finding Killer (11/24/87)

Related Links
>Police Arrest Detective in ’86 Killing (6/6/09)
>Veteran detective's arrest in 1986 killing stuns the LAPD (6/6/09)

Updates
>LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus allegedly threatened victim in slaying case (6/9/09)
>LAPD detective from Simi arraigned in slaying (6/9/09)
>LAPD detective charged 23 years after being suggested as a suspect in slaying (6/9/09)
>Accused LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus' court hearing postponed (6/9/09)

>Slain woman's parents: LA cop's arrest was overdue (6/9/09)
>Detective stalked slaying victim, father says (6/10/09)

>Cop charged in slaying of romantic rival in '86 (6/10/09)

>Readers critical of LAPD detective charged with murder (6/10/09)

>LAPD detective charged in 1986 love-triangle murder (6/10/09)

>LAPD officer had said gun was stolen (6/12/09)

Photo Galleries

>LAPD Detective Stephanie Lazarus-4 photos

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard: Police catch robbery suspects in Ventura during surveillance

2009-06-09T05:39:00.000-07:00

June 9, 2009

INCIDENT:
Robbery Suspects Arrested
DATE/TIME:
June 9, 2009 at 0310 hours
LOCATION:
Arco Gas Station, 2100 block of Harbor Boulevard, Ventura
VICTIM/S:
Two Arco Gas Station attendants
SUSPECT/S:
Tyrel Kambral Keen, 21 years of Port Hueneme
Sylvia Samantha Coronado, 18 years of Port Hueneme
SUSPECT VEHICLE:
Gray 1996 Toyota Camry
LOSS:
Undisclosed amount of cash
PREPARED BY:
Oxnard Police Detective Charles Buttell

DETAILS:

On 6-9-09 at approximately 0310 hours, officers and deputies from the Oxnard Police and Ventura County Sheriff’s Departments were conducting a surveillance operation due to multiple armed robberies over the past several months in the cities of Camarillo, Ventura and Oxnard.

During the surveillance, Oxnard officers observed the suspects casing businesses in the 2100 block of Harbor Boulevard, Ventura. While simulating possession of a handgun, Tyrel Keen confronted two Arco employees outside a gas station and forced them back into the business. Keen then robbed the business of an undisclosed amount of cash.

To avoid creating further danger to the employees and with the knowledge that this robbery series had not resulted in any injuries to victims, Officers waited until the suspect exited the business before confronting him. Keen then ran from the business and towards a waiting vehicle driven by Sylvia Coronado. When officers contacted the pair, Keen fled on foot but was apprehended a short time later in the 2000 block of Ayala Street, after fleeing over fences and through residential yards.

The vehicle driven by Coronado was stopped by officers at California and Main Streets where she was taken into custody without incident. The money taken by suspect Keen and a simulated handgun were recovered.

Investigators believe Keen is responsible for approximately a dozen armed robberies in Camarillo, Ventura and Oxnard. Both suspects were booked into the Ventura County Jail on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping and conspiracy. The bail amounts for each suspect are pending.

An investigation is continuing.

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard: Felony arrest of Luu Metts-Domestic battery

2009-06-06T03:27:00.000-07:00

June 6, 2009

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact Detective Buttell at (805) 385-7665 or leave a message on the Violent Crimes Hotline at 982-7070.

INCIDENT:
Felony arrest of wanted subject
DATE/TIME:
6/5/09 0210 hours
LOCATION:
200 block of West First Street
VICTIM/S:
31 year old female, Oxnard resident
SUSPECT/S:
Luu Metts, 33 years old, of Oxnard
PREPARED BY:
Senior Officer Williams

DETAILS:

On 6/5/09 at approximately 0210 hours Oxnard Police were dispatched to the 200 block of West First Street regarding a domestic. When officers arrived they contacted the victim who advised officers that her boyfriend had assaulted her and shot several times into her residence. The suspect fled prior to officers arriving and was still outstanding.

During the course of the investigation the suspect was identified as Luu Metts, age 33 of Oxnard. Members of the Special Enforcement Unit were able to locate Metts and take him into custody without incident. Metts was charged with shooting into an inhabited dwelling, assault with a deadly weapon (firearm), and domestic battery.

Members of the Violent Crimes Unit authored a search warrant for Metts’ residence. During the search warrant a large sum of money, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and additional evidence were located.

An investigation is continuing.

Court Date
June 12, 2009

Related Links
>Oxnard man faces assault charges

Related Posts
>Unsolved Murders of Ventura County
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard: Checkpoint Results

2009-06-05T00:36:00.000-07:00

June 5, 2009

Incident: Sobriety Saturation
Date: June 04, 2009

Details:

On June 4th, 2009, the Traffic Unit of the Oxnard Police Department conducted a city-wide, DUI Saturation Patrol. The Saturation Patrol consisted of several Traffic Officers on motorcycles and in cars, patrolling our streets for individuals who decide to get behind the wheel of their vehicles after having too much alcohol to drink.

The DUI Saturation, which was from 6:00 P.M. and ended at 12:00 A.M., is funded by a grant through the California Office of Traffic Safety and is part of a nationwide campaign to make our roadways safer.

There were Three drivers arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and 64 drivers were issued citations for various drivers’ license violations. five vehicles were towed and the owners of the vehicles will face a minimum release fee of $496.00. That fee does not include towing and storage fees.

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to take a proactive approach to deter individuals from driving after drinking and want to encourage the public to Call 911 if they observe a suspected drunk or impaired driver driving or preparing to drive.

We want to remind those who chose to celebrate with alcohol, to Designate a Driver!

Senior Officer Humberto Jimenez
Oxnard Police Department
Traffic Coordinator

Related Posts
>Drunk Driving Incidents in Ventura County Resulting in Deaths
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeEditor@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Ventura: Suspicious Death of Wendy DiRodio

2009-06-04T13:04:00.000-07:00

June 4, 2009

Last updated June 16, 2009 4:21 a.m. PST

The Ventura Police Department requests anyone with information regarding Wendy DiRodio's death to call the City of Ventura’s Public Information line at 805-477-3711 or to leave an anonymous tip call the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416.
Location: 2800 Block of Sailor Ave.
Date/Time Occurred: June 3, 2009.
Officer(s) Involved: Ventura Police Officers and Detectives.
Victim(s): Wendy DiRodio, 61 yrs.
Suspect(s): Unknown.

Narrative:

On June 3, 2009 at 3:20 p.m., the Ventura Police Department responded to an unresponsive female in the 2800 block of Sailor Av. Patrol officers arrived on scene and discovered the victim had been stabbed.

Ventura Police Detectives responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The investigation revealed that the victim lived with her elderly parents and was last seen in the early morning hours of June 3, 2009. The parents realized they had not seen their daughter and unlocked her bedroom at about 1500 hours.

The parents found the victim in her bed and saw that she had been stabbed. VPD requested the Ventura County Sheriff Department’s Crime Scene Investigation unit respond to assist in our investigation.

This death is being classified as suspicious and at this time, suicide has not been ruled out. [Update: It has since been ruled a homicide.]

Related Links
>Authorities say Ventura Keys stabbing was homicide (Ventura County Star)

>Woman fatally stabbed inside her Ventura home (LA Times)

>Woman fatally stabbed in upscale Ventura home (CBS2-with video)

>Woman stabbed to death at home (ABC7-with video)

>Link between Ventura County killings? (Fox 11-with video)

Memorial Page

>In Loving Memory of Wendy DiRodio

Updates

>Police continue to probe Ventura stabbing death (6/5/09)

>Ventura woman found stabbed to death, possible link to murder of Central Coast business owners (6/5/09-with video)

>Police hunt for clues in Ventura Keys homicide (6/6/09)

>Ventura stabbing victim mourned by friends, neighbors (6/6/09)

>Neighbors on edge while investigators work 3 Ventura County murders (6/15/09-with video)

>Original Night Stalker Murders: Charlene & Lyman Smith, Ventura

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:
CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard: Alert Witness in High-Rise Assists Police in Arrest

2009-06-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

June 3, 2009

INCIDENT:
Alert Witness in High-Rise Assists Police in Arrest
DATE/TIME:
06-03-2009 at 7:20 p.m.
LOCATION:
300 block of E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard
SUSPECT:
Ramiro Ernesto Rosas-Rueda, 22, of Oxnard
VEHICLE:
Green 2005 Kia sedan
PREPARED BY:
Commander Tom Chronister

DETAILS:

An alert witness inside of an Oxnard high-rise helped police locate a stolen vehicle suspect this evening.

At about 7:20 p.m. Oxnard police received a call of a man refusing to leave in front of Food 4 Less, 150 W. Esplanade Drive. Upon officers’ arrival, the man jumped into a car and sped away.

Officer Ramiro Holguin pursued the fleeing car. During the short pursuit, the officer determined the car, a 2005 Kia, was reported stolen out of Camarillo on May 28.

The suspect drove to the area of the parking structure adjacent to the financial towers at 300 E. Esplanade Drive, where he stopped and ran towards the College Park neighborhood.

Seeing the police activity, an anonymous witness inside of the nearby financial tower called police and provided information as to the location of the suspect who had jumped a wall into the backyard of a residence in the 200 block of St. Mary’s Drive.

An Oxnard police K-9 team located the suspect hiding in a backyard storage shed. He was taken into custody without incident.

The observations of this high-rise witness were pivotal in the successful capture of this suspect.

Ramiro Ernesto Rosas-Rueda, 22, of Oxnard was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. He was booked into the Ventura County Jail and held on $10,000 bail.

An investigation is continuing.

Related Posts
>Unsolved Murders of Ventura County
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have links or information that you would like to submit, please email us at:

CrimeReports@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Update: Murder charges will not be filed against Claudia Valenciana

2009-06-03T17:41:00.000-07:00

June 3, 2009

District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced today that murder charges will not be filed against Claudia Valenciana (DOB 5/8/74), of Ventura, for the killing of Robert Edward Perez, Jr. (DOB 10/17/71) of Ventura, on March 2, 2009.

The Ventura Police Department's investigation into the circumstances surrounding Perez's killing revealed evidence that Perez and Valenciana had been involved in a romantic relationship for over a year and had been living together at her house in the city of Ventura . Perez, a former Oxnard police officer, had been convicted of multiple violent felony offenses involving domestic violence with a prior girlfriend in August 2008. He was released from custody after having served his sentence in January 2009.

The investigation showed that Perez had been physically violent towards Valenciana during their relationship. There was evidence that Perez inflicted physical abuse upon Valenciana in the days up to and including the day of Perez's death. While the evidence submitted to the District Attorney's Office supports a conclusion that Valenciana stabbed Perez, there is insufficient evidence to establish that the killing was not in self-defense. In order to charge a defendant with a criminal homicide, the burden of proof requires that the People prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a defendant did not act in self-defense. That burden can not be met in this case.

The District Attorney's Office will have no further comment on this matter.

Saturday, June 6: 2nd Annual Roundup, Auction & BBQ

2009-06-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

June 3, 2009

Where:
Ed Hogan's 'Rancho St. Francis'
13468 Andalusia Drive, Santa Rosa Valley, 93012
Cost:
$75 per adult, $25 per child (includes food & drinks)
Date/Time:
Saturday, June 6, 2009 from 1pm-6pm

Related Posts
>Law Enforcement Agencies & Careers
>Ventura County Crime Library

If you have tips, links, information that you would like us to add, please email us at:

Editor@VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com

Oxnard: Trio Arrested Following Residential Burglary

2009-06-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

June 2, 2009

INCIDENT:
Trio Arrested Following Residential Burglary
DATE/TIME:
06-02-2009 at 5:46 p.m.
LOCATION:
Bank of America, 2475 Saviers Road, Oxnard
SUSPECTS:
Cesar Reyes, 21 years, of Oxnard (No relation to our Editor)
Genveva Corona-Segura, 18 years, of Oxnard
Elizabeth Ramos, 18 years, of Oxnard
VICTIMS:
Resident in the 5200 block of South “J” Street, Oxnard
PREPARED BY:
Commander Tom Chronister

DETAILS:

Poor timing on the part of three suspects led to their arrests on a variety of charges following a residential burglary earlier today.

At 3:33 p.m. Oxnard officers were dispatched to the 5200 block of South “J” Street for a residential burglary that occurred earlier in the day. Among the items stolen was a checkbook.

At 5:46 p.m. the unidentified resident went to the Bank of America branch on Saviers Rd. to put a stop on her stolen checks. As the victim was talking to one teller, two women were speaking with an adjacent teller. It turns out the pair was attempting to cash the victim’s stolen checks. Bank employees immediately contacted police.

One woman was able to cash a check in the amount of $500. The second woman was not successful in cashing her check. The women left the bank and entered an awaiting white 2000 Honda Accord 4-door. Oxnard officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. Prior to the car stopping, one of the females tore-up and threw the un-cashed check out the car window.

Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle without further incident. During a search of the Honda, a loaded .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun was located in the passenger compartment and the stolen checkbook was located in the trunk. The $500 in cash, unlawfully obtained at the bank, was also recovered.

All three subjects were placed under arrest for the following charges. They are being held at the Ventura County Jail with the following bail amounts:

Cesar Reyes
Possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle, possession of stolen property. Bail: $50,000.

Elizabeth Ramos
Forgery, possession of stolen property, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, conspiracy. Bail: $20,000.

Genveva Corona-Segura
Forgery, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, no-bail criminal warrants. Bail: None.

An investigation is continuing.

Related Posts
>Unsolved Murders of Ventura County
>Ventura County Crime Library

Ventura: Vehicle Pursuit

2009-06-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

June 2, 2009

Contact: Watch Commander, 805-339-4416.
Location: Olivas Park & Telephone Rd.
Date/Time Occurred: June 2, 2009, 2:39 a.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Numerous Ventura Police Officers.
Victim(s): A & F Farmers Market.
Suspect(s): Carlos Sanchez 26 yrs, Oxnard Resident.

Narrative:

On the above date and time, officers attempted to stop a suspected DUI driver in the area of Transport and Telephone Road. The officers initiated a traffic stop and the suspect vehicle failed to yield. The suspect vehicle began to speed away from the officers instead of stopping. Officers went in pursuit of the vehicle traveling southbound on Telephone Rd towards Olivas Park. The suspect vehicle reached speeds of approximately 90 mph as it went through the intersection of Olivas Park and Telephone Rd. The driver then lost control of the car and collided into the Farmers’ Market stand at 4550 Olivas Park.

The driver Carlos Sanchez and a second unidentified suspect attempted to flee the accident scene on foot. The officers went in foot pursuit and were able to apprehend Sanchez a short distance away from the accident without incident. Several officers continued to search the surrounding area for the outstanding suspect but were unable to find him.

Carlos Sanchez sustained minor injuries as a result of the traffic collision and was taken to VCMC by ambulance.

He was treated for his injuries and booked at the Ventura County Jail on the following charges: Evading, DUI, and Hit & Run.

Related Links
>Driver arrested after police pursuit

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

Free Job Search Workshop

2009-06-01T20:59:00.000-07:00

June 1, 2009

Free Proactive Job Search Workshop

This free workshop will discuss how to develop tactics for approaching employers strategically to generate more interviews, and cover a number of proactive methods that will help you find the right job.

Location: Oxnard Public Library-Meeting Room B, 251 South A Street, Oxnard
Date/Time: June 23, 2009, 11:00 a.m.

Presented by Cynthia Smith, Assistant Director/Counselor of Career Services at California Lutheran University

Related Posts
>Employment Opportunities in Ventura County
>Law Enforcement Careers: Oxnard, Ventura, & Santa Paula PD

Ventura: Sobriety Checkpoint Results: 4 drivers arrested for DUIs

2009-06-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

June 1, 2009

Contact: Sgt. Ryan Weeks 805 339-4309.
Location: City of Ventura.
Date/Time Occurred: May 30, 2009, 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
Officer(s) Involved: Ventura Police Department Traffic Division.

Narrative:

The Ventura Police Department conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Saturday May 30th from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. The checkpoint was positioned on Harbor Boulevard just south of Schooner Dr. As a result of the checkpoint, 4 drivers were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol and having a blood alcohol level of more than 0.08 percent.

In addition to the DUI arrests, 9 drivers were cited for either having no driver’s license, or for driving on a suspended driver’s license. There were also 21 additional citations issued during the checkpoint for miscellaneous violations.

Related Posts
>Drunk Driving Incidents Resulting in Deaths in Ventura County
>Ventura County Crime Library

Ventura: Armed Robbery: 76 Gas Station

2009-06-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

June 1, 2009

If you have any information about this crime, you can 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.

Incident: Armed Robbery
Location: 76-Gas Station, 2292 Thompson Blvd
Date/Time Occurred: 6/1/09-0250 Hrs
Officer(s) Involved: Numerous VPD Officers
Victim(s): 76-Gas Station
Suspect(s): Black Male Adult, 20’s, 5’9-150, Small Build, Dark Clothing
Report #: 09-7366

Narrative:

On the above date and time, an armed suspect entered the 76-gas station located at 2292 Thompson Blvd. The suspect pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk complied with the suspect’s demands and handed over an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect fed the gas station and was last seen running southbound on Seaward Ave. The clerk was not harmed during the robbery.

The suspect was described as a black male adult, 20’s, 5’9, 150 lbs, with a small build. He was wearing dark clothing, a hooded sweatshirt and a blue bandana covering his face.

Related Links
>Police seek man who robbed Ventura gas station

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

New Updates: URL & Comments

2009-06-01T01:06:00.000-07:00

June 1, 2009

New URL

We have officially changed our domain name from 805vigilantes.com to VenturaCountyCrimeBlog.com.

All previous entries and trackbacks with the old URL will be automatically rerouted, thanks to Blogger.com & GoDaddy.com.

Comments

Registration will now be required to post a comment. You can post a comment if you have an account with:

-Wordpress
-LiveJournal
-Blogger
-Google
-TypePad
-AIM
-Yahoo
-OpenID

Our legal council has advised us that we are considered a publishing platform, and that we can be held liable for your defamation. We refuse to do so, so we are holding our posters accountable for their comments.

We encourage you to have lively conversations.

Related Posts
>Tools & Widgets
>Ventura County Resources

Oxnard: Soccer fight results in arrest of player

2009-05-31T19:56:00.000-07:00

May 31, 2009

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.

An investigation is continuing.

Related Links
>Oxnard man arrested after 15-year-old soccer player attacked

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

Ventura: Vehicle Pursuit, Resisting Arrest

2009-05-31T13:19:00.000-07:00

May 31, 2009

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.

Related Links
>Police arrest driver after pursuit

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

Oxnard: DUI Checkpoint nets 10 drunk drivers

2009-05-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

May 30, 2009

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.

Related Posts

>Drunk driving incidents in Ventura County resulting in deaths
>Ventura County Crime Library

Ventura: Robbery at AM/PM on Mills Road

2009-05-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

May 29, 2009

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.

Related Posts
>Ventura County Crime Library

Ventura: Sexual Battery

2009-05-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

May 28, 2009

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.

Related Links
>Man sought after woman assaulted on Ventura street

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Oxnard: Stabbing/Officer involved in shooting

2009-05-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

May 27, 2009
Updated May 28, 2009 12:39 p.m. PST

[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.

David Keith
Oxnard PD - PIO

Related Links
>Oxnard police shoot man near school
>Authorities identify man shot by police, officer who shot him

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>Ventura County Crime Library

Ventura: Jesse Bodtke arrested: Possession of meth, animal cruelty, stolen property

2009-05-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

May 25, 2009

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.

Related Links
>Ventura police arrest suspect after skirmish at hotel

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>Ventura County Crime Library

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