NEWS RELEASE
On July 22, 2022, with the assistance of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Oxnard K9 Unit, and the Oxnard Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Unit (UAV), the Oxnard SWAT Team served an arrest warrant at an apartment complex in the 1100 blk. of South Oxnard Blvd. The felony warrant was regarding Frank Morales, a documented Oxnard criminal street gang member and parolee at large. Morales’ warrant had a “caution code” attached indicating Morales had “violent tendencies”.
Oxnard SWAT officers surrounded the residence, announced their presence, and called for residents to exit the apartment. After the residents failed to comply, SWAT team members forced entry to the apartment and gave additional announcements. Officers made contact with an adult female and child and escorted them from the residence. Officers continued to make announcements for Morales to exit the residence and Morales failed to comply. Officers attempted to negotiate with Morales for over an hour utilizing the PA system from one of the armored rescue vehicles (ARV) with negative results.
SWAT officers notified neighboring apartments and assisted residents with evacuation. SWAT officers, with the assistance of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, inserted chemical irritants into the residence. Morales emerged from a room inside of the residence to avoid the chemical irritants. Officers gave Morales surrender commands and Morales failed to comply.
After several warnings and opportunities to comply, Oxnard PD K9 Rocky was deployed and Morales was taken into custody. Morales was treated at the scene by a TEMS Specialist (Oxnard Fire personnel attached to the Oxnard SWAT Team) and then escorted downstairs to EMS.
Morales was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center for further treatment prior to being booked for his felony warrant.
The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit and SWAT Team members are committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city. Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website:www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity. You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so. You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email. Booking photographs for adult felony arrest available on the department website: www.oxnardpd.orgunder crime & safety, and booking / call logs.
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