OXNARD : Truck Provides Lead in Homicide Case

The missing vehicle of an elderly Oxnard man whose body washed up on a Rincon beach last December has been found in Bakersfield, providing Oxnard police detectives with their first big break in the homicide investigation, officials said.

“This is a real good break,” Oxnard Police Sgt. John Crombach said. “We’re real pleased. So often these kinds of cases become whodunits.”

Crombach said the truck, which belonged to 66-year-old Frank Rojas, was pulled over by Kern County sheriff’s deputies at 10 p.m. on Tuesday during a routine traffic stop in the community of Wasco.

When the deputies discovered that the vehicle was sought in connection with Rojas’ death, they took the driver and passenger into custody and impounded the truck. Officials have not released their identities.

Two Oxnard police officers traveled to Bakersfield Wednesday night to retrieve the truck, which Crombach said might provide clues to how Rojas died.

Rojas was reported missing by his family on Dec. 2 when he failed to return home from his grandson’s house. His family conducted searches throughout the city and consulted four psychics for help.

Rojas’ body, unclothed except for one sock and shoe, washed up on a beach near Rincon State Park on Dec. 9. His truck, a dark blue 1986 Nissan pickup, had not been located until now.

His death is being treated as a homicide because of the suspicious circumstances surrounding his disappearance, Lt. Stan Myers said.

Rojas’ daughter, Rosemary, 36, of Oxnard, said her family was notified of the discovery Thursday afternoon by Oxnard police.

“When they called to tell me, I got goose bumps all over my body,” she said. “It’s been a nightmare for us, and it feels good to be one step ahead.”

The Rojas family has filed a lawsuit against the city of Oxnard, claiming that police officials “didn’t do their job the way they were supposed to,” Rosemary Rojas said. “They didn’t really listen to us.”

Oxnard city officials were not available for comment.