money News roundup: Oxnard bank robbery suspect sought; Seacliff ramps to close for weekend
Suspect sought in Oxnard bank robbery
The Oxnard Police Department is seeking the public's help as authorities search for the suspect in a recent bank robbery.
The incident was reported shortly after 10:10 a.m. on Nov. 21 at the Wells Fargo Bank branch at 1700 E. Gonzales Road. The branch is in the Rose Ranch Shopping Center at the southwest corner of Gonzales and Rose Avenue.
The male suspect had demanded money from a teller. He fled with an undisclosed sum on a bicycle, riding northbound. Officers were unable to find him. No injuries were reported.
The suspect was described as a man in his 40s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall, possibly Hispanic, wearing a gray and black beanie, a white T-shirt and black shorts.
Anyone who saw the robbery or was at the shopping center and saw suspicious activity is asked to call Detective Ricardo Vega at 805-385-8291.
Car thefts up in winter
Authorities in Oxnard are warning residents about a seasonal uptick in vehicle thefts.
Every winter, the Oxnard Police Department sees numbers increase due to vehicles left running with keys in the ignition or under similar circumstances.
From November 2021 through March, 58 vehicles were stolen during such opportunities, officials said, accounting for nearly a quarter of stolen autos during the span.
The crimes involved car doors being left open or unlocked, spare keys left in vehicles and engines left running unattended while residents warmed cars.
"Auto theft suspects use this as an opportunity to steal these vehicles," said auto theft task force Cpl. Greg Utter in a release.
Police advised residents to never leave cars unlocked or leave keys in the vehicle, "not even for a minute." They also urged drivers not leave idling cars unattended.
In addition, vehicle theft can spawn other crimes including identity theft, the agency warned.
Seacliff ramps to close for the weekend
UPDATE: On Friday, Caltrans officials said the closures would be postponed until the weekend starting Dec. 9 due to rainy weather.
Southbound drivers on Highway 101 won't be able to use the Seacliff ramps over the weekend due to an ongoing construction project.
The southbound offramp and onramp at the interchange south of Mussel Shoals will be closed from Friday night until Monday morning, according to the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans.
The ramps will be closed starting at 7 p.m. Friday and will reopen at 6 a.m. Monday.
In addition, one of the two southbound freeway lanes will be closed overnight on Friday through Sunday nights. The lane closures will start around 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 p.m. on Sunday, reopening the following morning by 9 a.m.
Southbound drivers who want to access beaches and camping areas along Pacific Coast Highway will need to exit at the Main Street ramp in Ventura, then get on the northbound 101 and take the State Beaches exit.
The closures are due to a $48 million pavement rehabilitation project in the area. Work hours are subject to change due to weather and construction issues.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Oxnard police seeking suspect in Wells Fargo Bank robbery
