New Santa Ana

Survey shows vast majority of OCTA bus riders satisfied with service

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 26, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713; Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Survey Shows Vast Majority of OCTA Bus Riders Satisfied With Service

Study of bus riders’ opinions indicates 90 percent are pleased with transit service

ORANGE – Results of a new customer satisfaction survey show that an overwhelming majority of bus riders in Orange County are pleased with the fixed-route bus service that transports nearly 1 million people each week to work, to home, and to retail and entertainment destinations countywide.

This week, the Orange County Transportation Authority Board reviewed results of the 2014 Fixed Route Bus Services Customer Satisfaction Survey, which showed that nine out of 10 bus riders say they are satisfied with OCTA’s bus service. Continue reading→

21-year old man arrested for attempted kidnapping and assault of a Valley H.S. student

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Santa Ana School Police Department
School Police Dispatch 714-558-5535.

Advisory: Crimes Against Children. Arrest of 21 year old male for attempt kidnapping and sexual battery of high school student

SUMMARY: On Monday, 02/23/15, the female victim and her friend (another female high school student) were walking home from Valley High School together. As they neared the intersection of Center and McFadden, the suspect (Jesus Edu Bahena) pulled up next to both girls, rolled down his window and yelled at the victim, demanding that she get into his car. The victim and her friend could see that there were two other male occupants in the vehicle. The suspect continued to yell profanities at both girls, trying to convince the victim to get in his car. Both girls refused and they continued walking home. At that time, the suspect vehicle drove away. Continue reading→

Water main break at Grand and 17th results in street closure

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Public Safety, public works, Santa Ana, Traffic, Water Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: ALTERNATE ROUTES SUGGESTED DUE TO PARTIAL STREET CLOSURE AT GRAND AVENUE AND 17TH STREET

SANTA ANA (February 26, 2015) – Crews are responding to a reported water main break this morning near the intersection of Grand Ave. and 17th Street.

In order to begin repair work, 2 northbound lanes on Grand Ave. just south of the intersection will be closed. Continue reading→

High school coach arrested for sexual misconduct with students

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Fullerton, Villa Park Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Villa Park High School Coach Arrested for Sexual Misconduct with Students

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (February 26, 2015) – On Wednesday, February 25, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Unit (SVU) investigators arrested Dwayne Jordan Richardson, 19, Fullerton, following allegations he engaged in sexual misconduct with two female minor high school students. Richardson is a “walk-on” girls’ basketball coach at Villa Park High School and does not teach at the school.

On Thursday, February 25, 2015, the Villa Park High School Resource Officer obtained information about the alleged sexual misconduct. The Sheriff’s Department’s SVU responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation. Following the preliminary investigation, it is believed Richardson engaged in sexual misconduct with a female minor student who attends Villa Park High School and a student at El Dorado High School in the city of Placentia. Based on information obtained during the investigation, investigators suspect Richardson has engaged in sexual misconduct with at least one of the minor students since June 2014. Continue reading→

T.V. bounty hunter charged with embezzling over $18K in bail bond money

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF0025

February 25, 2015

BOUNTY HUNTER FEATURED ON REALITY SHOW CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLING OVER $18,000 IN CONNECTION WITH BAIL BOND TRANSACTION

SANTA ANA – A bounty hunter who was featured on a reality show was arrested today and will be arraigned for embezzling over $18,000 in connection with a bail bond transaction. Arturo Alfred Torres, 52, Winnetka, is charged with one felony count of grand theft by embezzlement. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of three years in Orange County jail and is expected to be arraigned this week, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time and date are to be determined.

Torres had previously appeared on the television reality show “Bounty Wars” on the Discovery Channel as a bounty hunter. Continue reading→

Man charged with neglecting a dog that chewed off part of his own leg

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OC Animal Care, Orange County, Pets, Westminster Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15WM01698

Date: February 25, 2015

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR NEGLECTING TO CARE FOR DOG’S ENTANGLED LEG CAUSING DOG TO CHEW PART OF HIS OWN LEG OFF

WESTMINSTER – A man is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow on animal abuse charges for allowing his dog to become entangled in the backyard, causing the dog to chew a part of his own leg off. Samer Samir Ibrahim, 23, Westminster, is charged with one misdemeanor count of keeping an animal without proper care and one misdemeanor count of animal abuse by a caretaker. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Feb. 26, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-4, West Justice Center, Westminster.

Ibrahim is accused of owning and caring for an 11-month-old German Shepherd named Rocky. He is accused of only allowing the dog to remain in the backyard in conditions where the dog caught fleas and was significantly thinner than an average healthy German Shepherd. Continue reading→

Man robs a Santa Ana 96 Cent Store and steals the employee’s car too

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the 96 Cents Up Store in the 1500 block of West First Street, on Tuesday morning, at around 9:35 a.m., according to the O.C. Register.

A man with a knife not only took the money from the store’s cash register – he also grabbed the keys to the store employee’s 2007 Toyota Highlander, and used it to get away, on West First St. Continue reading→

Poll – Should the SAPD put video cameras on their police officers?

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The SAPD is considering requiring police to wear cameras that record video and audio of interactions with the public, according to the O.C. Register.

In Santa Ana, there was one officer-involved shooting in 2014 that did not result in a fatality. In 2013, there were seven officer-involved shootings, five of which were fatal, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

The City of Santa Ana will have to come up with about $1 million dollars to pay for the cameras and there is some debate at the SAPD about privacy issues and whether the cameras might discourage residents from talking to police for fear of being tape recorded. Continue reading→

Woman charged with embezzling money from Holy Family’s fundraising program

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Churches and Religion, Crime, Education, Orange, Orange County 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF0347

Date: February 24, 2015

FORMER OFFICE MANAGER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR EMBEZZLING MONEY FROM CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUNDRAISING PROGRAM

SANTA ANA – A former office manager is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for embezzling money from a Catholic school’s fundraising program. Adela Maria Tapia, 40, Tustin, is charged with two felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement, 13 felony counts of money laundering with sentencing enhancement allegations for aggravated white collar crime over $100,000, and property loss of over $200,000. If convicted, Tapia faces a maximum sentence of 14 years and four months in state prison. The People will request that she be held on over $438,000 bail and must prove that the money comes from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond at her arraignment tomorrow, Feb. 25, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

In September 2006, Tapia was hired as the scrip card coordinator at the Holy Family Cathedral School (HFCS) in Orange. The scrip card program is utilized by HFCS to raise funds for the operating costs of the school by selling scrip cards, which act similarly to gift cards, to school families or parishioners at face value. HFCS purchases scrip cards at a discount and their profit is based on the difference between the purchase value and sale value of the scrip cards sold. The scrip card program raises approximately $200,000 for the school each year. Continue reading→

Santa Ana couple sentenced for attempted murder and Facebook threats

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12HF1198

Date: February 24, 2015

BOYFRIEND SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ATTEMPTING TO MURDER MAN AND POSTING THREATS ON VICTIM’S FACEBOOK

*Defendant’s girlfriend was sentenced to nine years in state prison in this case

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today for attempting to murder the friend of the female defendant and posting threats on the victim’s Facebook page. Fernando Sanchez, 20, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty today to one felony count each of attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, criminal threats, and shooting at an inhabited dwelling house with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a firearm. Sanchez was sentenced to 20 years in state prison.

Co-defendant Jessica Gascon, 21, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to one felony count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and was sentenced to nine years in state prison. Continue reading→

Investigators seeking additional victims after arrest of sexual assault suspect

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Investigators Seeking Additional Victims Following Arrest

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. – (February 24, 2015) – On Thursday, February 19, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators arrested Raymond Newton Baker, 72, Laguna Niguel, following a three week investigation into allegations he sexually assaulted a victim under the guise he was training her to use a medical device. Continue reading→

Three men arrested after fleeing in a stolen car in Santa Ana’s Ward 4

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Three unidentified men were caught by the SAPD today after they tried to get away in a stolen car.

Police first tried to pull the men over at Sullivan St. and McFadden Ave., in Santa Ana’s Ward 4, which is represented by Councilman David Benavides, according to the O.C Register. Continue reading→

Santa Ana releases a pedestrian safety survey after a man is struck by two vehicles

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, David Benavides, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A 78-year-old Santa Ana man, Lamberto Mejia, was hit and killed by two vehicles this early this morning at 5:30 a.m. after he tried to cross outside of a crosswalk at the 1700 block of West McFadden Avenue, which is near Jerome Park and MLK Elementary School, according to the O.C. Register. The incident happened in Santa Ana’s Ward 4, which is represented on the City Council by Councilman David Benavides.

Keep in mind the fact that it is still dark at 5:30 a.m. – and the two drivers who hit Mejia stayed at the scene and spoke to the police, who closed McFadden Ave. between S. Raitt St. and S. Pacific Ave. until 11 am today.

Ironically a few hours later the City of Santa Ana sent out a press release asking residents to fill out an online survey to “help make our streets safer for biking, walking, and driving.” Continue reading→

Girlfriend to be charged with stabbing her boyfriend to death

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # TBA

Date: February 23, 2015

GIRLFRIEND TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR STABBING-MURDER OF BOYFRIEND IN THEIR HOME

SANTA ANA – A girlfriend is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for stabbing and murdering her boyfriend in their home. Michele Lynn Green, 50, Laguna Niguel, was charged today with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison. The People will be requesting Green be held on $1 million bail at her arraignment tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1. Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Free Celtic Family Festival at Bowers Museum on Sunday, March 1

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Entertainment, Family, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: Free Celtic Family Festival at Bowers Museum, Sunday, March 1

WHEN: Sunday, March 1, 11 am-4 pm

WHERE: Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92706

COST: Free

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Bowers Museum invites you to a Free Celtic Family Festival on Sunday, March 1 from 11am to 4pm. This family-friendly celebration is free and fun for all ages, and will feature children’s art activities, live music by the Innisfree Irish Band and award-winning bagpipe musician Forrest Cormany. The event will also feature a special presentation by the Butler-Fearon-O’Connor School of Irish Dance, which has been named the number one Irish dance school in the United States. The Free Celtic Family Festival includes free admission to both the Bowers Museum and the Bowers Kidseum, and the first 1,500 attendees will receive free admission to the specially-ticketed China’s Lost Civilization: The Mystery of Sanxingdui exhibit. The Bowers Museum is located at 2002 N. Main St. in Santa Ana, just a few blocks from the 5 Freeway at the Main Street South exit in Santa Ana and a few short minutes from the 22, 55 and 57 freeways. For more information, visit www.bowers.org or call 714-567-3600. Continue reading→

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Survey shows vast majority of OCTA bus riders satisfied with service

21-year old man arrested for attempted kidnapping and assault of a Valley H.S. student

Water main break at Grand and 17th results in street closure

High school coach arrested for sexual misconduct with students

T.V. bounty hunter charged with embezzling over $18K in bail bond money

Man charged with neglecting a dog that chewed off part of his own leg

Man robs a Santa Ana 96 Cent Store and steals the employee’s car too

Poll – Should the SAPD put video cameras on their police officers?

Woman charged with embezzling money from Holy Family’s fundraising program

Santa Ana couple sentenced for attempted murder and Facebook threats

Investigators seeking additional victims after arrest of sexual assault suspect

Three men arrested after fleeing in a stolen car in Santa Ana’s Ward 4

Santa Ana releases a pedestrian safety survey after a man is struck by two vehicles

Girlfriend to be charged with stabbing her boyfriend to death

Free Celtic Family Festival at Bowers Museum on Sunday, March 1