Posted by highriseray1 on May 9, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

grand theft auto 5 still cracking

Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 9, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If it was his car and not a stolen one. They may have a hard time finding this idiot...........Lets hope it was his own car he was driving......And Thank God no one was seriously injured!

Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on May 9, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

lol highriseray1 -
Seems like the cops had a few chances to get this guy considering he's bouncing off of cars down the road. How did he outrun them while doing that? Lazy piggies.

Posted by busymommy on May 9, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't see how the police let him get away? They were following him and lost him? Are you kidding me? This is why Oxnard is the way it is. The police need to go back into the academy. This is ridiculous

Posted by lilmamma on May 9, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This what happens when you drink too much alcohol.It's strange that he kept crashing into people and got away. Wake up Oxnard PD and do your job.

Posted by bugmenot on May 9, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

he out ran them because he was tapping a really fast.

Posted by oldoxn01 on May 9, 2008 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tiredofviolence

boy you are a real piece. Why don't you show them your expertise in policing? Get a life!

Posted by Hueneme_girl29 on May 9, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yup, that's me, a real piece. I have a life, I just find it absolutley STUPID that the cops couldnt catch someone that was bouncing from car to car to car - how do you lose sight of someone when they are doing that? Yes, Lazy, it's what I said. Deal w/ it.

Posted by oxnard40 on May 9, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If the crashes were near the OPD Sub-stations, we all know why this idiot wasn't caught.

Posted by smithjc on May 9, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

busymommy and tiredofviolence: the person being chased feels no restraints on his actions. based on his actions, since we weren't there, we can reasonably believe that he was drunk/high, and therefore felt "exempt" from any other laws.

the police, however, even though granted certain protections under the law while chasing actual or suspected violators of the law, still have constraints on their conduct that require them to conduct a pursuit with reasonable care, prudence and regard for safety. as example, even though the person being chased may not even slow down at a red light proceeding "full speed ahead", an officer in pursuit with lights and siren would prudently slow down and check the intersection before entering, even though he would have the "right" not to do so.

review sections 21055 and 21056 of the california vehicle code. there will be a short quiz next period.

Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on May 9, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Does OXPD & VPD actually go to the REAL academy in LA, or some fly by night flunky place in Ventura Co.?

Posted by busymommy on May 9, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just think that it is ridiculous that this guy hits an ambulance and parked cars and he is able to ditch the car and run and get away. Its embarrasing. Oxnard really needs to clean up their act.

Posted by latina79 on May 9, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Funny, why would they ask us for information when they were there as witnesses themselves? I just don't understand. Either the guy rans hella fast or the officers run hella slow...lol. I love Oxnard!!!

Posted by dkeith1397 on May 9, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This incident last night was not a simple hit and run....it was an on again - off again vehicle pursuit. When an officer pursues someone he or she has the descretion to "call it off" if they feel the public is at too great a risk, and thats what the officers elected to do last night.

At 7:15 in the evening you might imagine that there is quite a bit of traffic out and about - both vehicular and pedestrain. The officers in this pursuit felt the risk outweighed the reward....so they let him go knowing there was a high probability that we could track him down later.

Personally I commend the officers for showing restraint. God forbid the officers pursued this person and hit some innocent victim causing injury or death. If that had happened there would be 100 comments on these blogs about "how could the officers pursue this person - they should have let him go, etc"....

We are often second guessed on things we do - but I felt today that people should at least understand a little bit about what goes on in the mind of officers in pursuit. Hindsight is 20/20.

Of course, we do have the vehicle involved and typically it doesn't take long to track down the person. The reason we ask for the public's help is that with a vehicle that is a bit unusual - you don't see many 1991 black Beretta's around - it may certainly cause someone to think "hey, I know that guy" and give us a call...that gives us one more bit of evidence that will help make our case.

Hope that sheds a little light on what happened last night and what happens when any officer gets into a vehicle pursuit.

David Keith
Spokesperson
OPD

Posted by Ms_California on May 9, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think every tax paying citizen should ride along with police and actually see how hard things can be for them at times. Hell watch an episode of COPS! Of course all those complaining haven't offered up for the position of Police Officer.

Posted by readerone1 on May 9, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

haha these were some funny comments, these comments make the paper worth reading..

Latina79 yours was hella funny

All stiff's out there need to relax. I case you didn't notice mostly everyone was joking , I don’t think the big lecture was necessary here.
You have to admit the guy couldn’t drive straight how’d he run straight and get away.. I picture it like Mario cart, they should have thrown something other then the banana and dang then he got the super speed star and was otta there.

Posted by oldoxn01 on May 9, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Oxnard should do away with their police department and let all these high and mighty I can do better than them do the job! Yeah right! I think you all need to take your hats off to these people for policing this crazy city! Especially since everyone likes to condemn them instead of thanking them for attempting to control all of the crazy people out there!

Posted by thisiswhatshesaid on May 9, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yOU CAN DO RIDE ALONGS.... i USED TO ALWAYS GO! tHERE FUN!!!

Posted by latina79 on May 9, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lets not forget people about the sunbather they ran over at the beach. Or the fact that they shot that young man in front of 5th and J st, who in fact wasn't carrying a weapon (shot I believe 5 times). Or the scandle with the officers taking women to there department and sexually assualting them. Crazy Oxnard People, you should condemn these officers!!

Posted by pjlove10 on May 9, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good one Mr. Keith, I guess we're damned if we do, damned if we don't. Nice way to summerize things... you'll find em.

Posted by StayInSchool on May 9, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I watched as a late 20s hispanic male crashed a stolen truck into my neighbors car on the street then my car parked in my driveway being chased by a police officer. When the truck came to a stop, the suspect jumped out and ran away while the police officer stayed in her car until backup arrived. Her story was different of course. I can understand a lone officer not wanting to chase a suspect by themselves, but don't say you jumped out of the car and chased him into the backyard and he was gone if that is not what happened.

Posted by StayInSchool on May 9, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A man in his 20s narrows it down a bit. Keep going Star, you may give complete descriptions of suspects soon. Naw, who am I kidding.

Posted by whatever on May 9, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

come on we know who the suspect is.

Posted by keepin_it_real on May 9, 2008 at 10:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

smithjc--I agree with you 100% and Officer Keith, thank you for shedding some light on the situation. I think we all sometimes tend to judge things before we know the facts. I aslo agree if this story turned out differently, if a innocent person was hurt or killed, we would all be blaming the OPD for that too.

Mistakes are made, yes, but all and all OPD, thank you for all you do. I know I feel much safer knowing you are all out there protecting us. :=)

Posted by joshthesav on May 10, 2008 at 12:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am the one that was driving the sedan. I am a 22 year old college student. I am in a neck brace and arm sling. My car is totaled. I only have liability insurance, no collision insurance. Hopefully they find this guy. On the bright side I do have medical and a little uninsured motorist. If anyone knows who this was please report it. My wife was also injured, she is bruised and has lower back pain. IT REALLY SUCKS GETTING VOLUNTEERED INTO SOME GUYS CROSS TOWN RAMPAGE.

Posted by joshthesav on May 10, 2008 at 1:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am reading the comments and there were no police around when I was hit. I was driving down Ventura Rd, the man came out of Iris St, he was too driving too fast to turn. He came across to lanes of traffic, jumped the median, went across another lane of traffic and t-boned my car going about 40 mph. I was also going 45mph. I don't know about anything before this. There happened to be an ambulance a couple cars back from me and they turned on their lights and ran over. In my rear view mirror I could see the driver of the other car stumbling around. I saw a paramedic walk up to him. He quickly regained his composure and took off running. The paramedic yelled for him to stop, but he didn't. The paramedic quickly came over to us to see if we were alright in my car. The police arrived with the next 2 minutes. I was told they were already in the area searching for him.

Posted by santabarbarasand on May 11, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A little off subject but johnthesave is showing the importance of carrying uninsured motorist coverage. With so many unlicensed, uninsured, illegal motorists doing hit & runs the coverage is an important thing to have. Everyone should make sure that they carry it even if they have never been in an accident because statistics show that about 1 in 8 people have an accident in their driving lifetime. The occurance may be even higher in Southern California so make sure you have that coverage!

Posted by joshthesav on May 12, 2008 at 4:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No, this was the only accident at that intersection. The police officer had told me this guy had hit an ambulance on Saviers. The story does not describe the incident as best as it could. They should have called me, I would have been happy to interview. My wife had her digital camera with her. I have lots of pictures of the accident.

I called the Police on Saturday, to see if the police report was done. They said it takes 7-10 business days... which means my insurance cant do anything until then. I asked if they had caught the guy. I spoke to the watch commander who assured me they had good leads. The driver that ran away had a passenger in the car. They also have his car. They asked me if I had a description of the guy, I told him I was too dazed. I will check back Monday afternoon, hopefully there will be some good news.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 12, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with Officer Keith. Sometimes its best to call off the pursuit if it is going to put civilians lives in danger. If that is the case I think they did the right thing.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 12, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

its in the comments up above.....

Posted by joshthesav on May 12, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have plenty pictures of the scene. What good news will I be getting? As far as the car I have pictures of the plate and car. Its a dark blue berreta. Early nineties. My insurance company tracked down the owner through the registration. It is a woman. I was told they were going to send someone to her house. As far as the driver being caught I haven't heard anything. I posted all the pictures online if anyone would like to see them.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 13, 2008 at 6:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

joshthesav ,Where did you post them?Can you give out the site? I thought I read it was Black. So now they have to start looking for a blue one. I am glad you got the license plate and they are tracking it down !!!!!!! Kudo's to you!!!!! Good luck !!!!

Posted by joshthesav on May 13, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I posted the pictures on myspace. My username on there is also joshthesav. I believe you can go to myspace.com/joshthesav if not use the search to find me on there. They are under pictures. There is an album called accident. Let me know if anyone can find them. I have been out of town getting a new car so I am trying to post these messages from my phone.