Oxnard Police Department – Incident Press Release
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent stay at home order issued on March 19, 2020, the City of Oxnard has seen a significant increase in auto theft-related crimes. Oxnard Police Department Property Crimes Detectives, members of the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force (VenCATT), and Oxnard Police Department Patrol Officers have been working to recover these vehicles, and to take into custody those responsible. Between June 1, 2020, and June 10, 2020, six residents from the City of Oxnard were arrested for being in possession of stolen vehicles.
On June 1, 2020, Oxnard resident Erica Torres was contacted by Oxnard Police Department patrol while in possession of a stolen vehicle. A family member of the victim had observed Torres driving the stolen vehicle. Torres was arrested for possessing the stolen vehicle, narcotics offenses, and for possessing burglary tools. Torres has five prior arrests for possessing stolen vehicles, with two of those arrests occurring during the month of May 2020. Torres was released with zero bail during her last three arrests per the California Judicial Council approved “zero bail” rule.
On June 4, 2020, Oxnard resident Ricardo Rodriguez was contacted by Oxnard Police Department patrol officers while in possession of a stolen vehicle. Rodriguez was found sleeping inside the stolen vehicle, and during the arrest, Rodriguez acknowledged that he was aware the vehicle was stolen. Rodriguez has prior arrests for possessing stolen vehicles, narcotics offenses, and possessing burglary tools. Rodriguez was arrested in April 2020 for possessing a stolen vehicle and felony evading. He was released with zero bail following the April arrest per the California Judicial Council approved “zero bail” rule.
On June 6, 2020, Oxnard resident Jesus Gomez was contacted by Oxnard Police Department patrol officers while driving a reported stolen vehicle. Gomez claimed to have purchased the vehicle earlier for $500.00 but could not produce a pink slip and did not have an actual key for the vehicle. Gomez was released later that day with zero bail per the California Judicial Council approved “zero bail” rule. Gomez has numerous prior arrests for possessing stolen vehicles, narcotics offenses, graffiti vandalism, and theft-related crime.
On June 6, 2020, Oxnard resident Jose Ramos was contacted by Oxnard Police Department patrol officers while driving a reported stolen vehicle. The vehicle had initially been taken during an alleged carjacking incident where the victim had been violently assaulted. Ramos was released later that day with zero bail per the California Judicial Council approved “zero bail” rule. Ramos has prior arrests for possessing stolen vehicles, narcotics offenses, and previously served time in the California Department of Corrections.
On June 9, 2020, Oxnard resident Conrad Moraga was contacted by Oxnard Police Department patrol officers during a call for service regarding a person passed out in a vehicle blocking traffic. The vehicle was found to be an unreported stolen vehicle from a local Oxnard auto dealership. Moraga was arrested for possessing the stolen vehicle, narcotics offenses, and possessing a victim’s personal identifying information. Moraga has six prior arrests for possessing stolen vehicles, evading, and narcotics-related offenses. Moraga previously served time in the California Department of Corrections. In April of 2020 Moraga was arrested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle and was released with zero bail per the California Judicial Council approved “zero bail” rule.
On June 9, 2020, Oxnard resident Michael Arellanes was contacted by Oxnard Police Department patrol officers during a call for service regarding a person passed out in a vehicle in the parking lot of a local business. The vehicle was found to be an unreported stolen vehicle from a local Oxnard auto dealership (the same dealership as the above incident). Arellanes was also found to be on Parole for robbery and had an outstanding felony parole warrant. Arellanes has prior arrests for narcotics offenses, robbery, and residential burglary.
The Oxnard Police Department wants to encourage members of the public to use auto theft prevention devices such as steering wheel locks and vehicle alarms and to never store keys inside of their vehicle. Remember to “Lock it, Take it, Keep it.”
The Oxnard Police Department Property Crimes Unit is committed to reducing auto theft in the City of Oxnard. Anyone with information regarding any of these cases or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. You can also visit their website: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.
Get Citizensjournal.us Headlines free SUBSCRIPTION. Keep us publishing – DONATE
