New Santa Ana | Monthly Archives: January 2014

Garden Grove man faces death penalty trial for Stanton double murder

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA, Stanton Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10ZF0087: January 28, 2014

MAN FACES DEATH PENALTY TRIAL FOR EXECUTION-STYLE DOUBLE MURDER OF STANTON SALES ASSOCIATE AND SECRETARY

SANTA ANA – A man faces a death penalty jury trial tomorrow for the double-murder of a Stanton sales associate and his longtime secretary. Hilbert Pineil Thomas, 42, Garden Grove, is charged with two felony counts of special circumstances murder for multiple murders, murder during the commission of robbery, and murder during the commission of burglary. He is also charged with one felony count each of second degree robbery, second degree commercial burglary, and the unlawful taking of a vehicle. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, at 9:30 a.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

City’s 5-year Strategic Plan community meeting to be held at a union hall

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Labor, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: 5-year Strategic Plan Community Overview Meeting Location Finalized

SANTA ANA, CA (January 28, 2014) – The Santa Ana Mayor and City Council are in the process of developing a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan to guide our city towards the future. The City invites all to attend an informational meeting to view the draft 5-year strategic plan and provide comment. Comments will be received and incorporated into the final draft, which will later be presented to the entire City Council for adoption. The online comment period is currently open and will conclude on Friday, February 14, 2014. Community members will have the option of submitting comment cards during the overview meeting or submit them online at www.santa-ana.org/strategic-planning/community-overview/comments.asp.

Community Overview Meeting Information: Continue reading→

Victim of shooting on South Standard played football at Godinez High School

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Football, Santa Ana, SAUSD 14 Comments

The victim of the shooting death in the 1400 block of South Standard on January 24, 2014 has been identified as Jeffrey “Jay Jay” Enriquez (18) of Santa Ana, a former football player at Godinez Fundamental High School. He leaves behind his mom, Maria, and seven brothers and sisters.

On 1-24-14, at approximately 1:10 AM, Santa Ana patrol officers responded to a report of a person who was observed lying on the ground in the 1400 block South Standard Street. Upon their arrival, officers found a male adult who was shot and in need of medical assistance. The Orange County Fire Authority and paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the subject, who was later identified as Enriquez, deceased, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

Candace Marie Brito charged with Kim Pham’s murder at The Crosby

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 10 Comments

A second Santa Ana woman, Candace Marie Brito, 27, has been charged with murder in the beating death of 23-year-old Annie Kim Pham outside the Crosby nightclub, and is scheduled to be arraigned at 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office., as reported by the O.C. Register.

Brito’s arrest was announced Friday by Santa Ana police, who did not identify her citing the ongoing investigation. Continue reading→

Does another club fight signal the start of a race war in Orange County?

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Bars, Costa Mesa, Crime, Santa Ana 51 Comments

Police are searching for up to six suspects who attacked a group inside Sutra nightclub in Costa Mesa, this past Friday morning, and beat two victims so severely they required hospitalization. Three men were at a VIP table inside the club on Harbor Boulevard when the attackers jumped them about 12:30 a.m. Friday, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Stephanie Selinske said, according to the Daily Pilot.

This began around 3 a.m. Friday at the club in the Triangle at 1870 Harbor Blvd., when the trio was attacked by what police Sgt. S. Selinske only described as “male Asians who appeared to be in their early twenties,” according to the OC Weekly.

I was afraid this might happen. There has been no justice in the recent killing of Kim Pham outside of The Crosby, a Santa Ana hipster bar/restaurant. Two women have been arrested but there are several suspects still on the loose and Pham’s friends are afraid to talk to the cops. But Asians have gotten the message – and they appear to be ready to fight back. Continue reading→

34th State Senate candidate Solorio has amassed a campaign coffer of $540K

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Jose Solorio

For Immediate Release: January 27, 2014

For More Information Contact: Maricela Taylor – mobile: (714) 794-8431

SOLORIO AMASSES STRONG CAMPAIGN WARCHEST IN PREPARATION FOR SENATE RUN THIS YEAR

Santa Ana – Community College Trustee and State Senate candidate Jose Solorio has amassed a campaign coffer of $540,000 for what may be the most hotly-contested State Senate race in the state this year. Last week the Solorio for Senate campaign also announced that State Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and the incoming Senate leader Kevin de León have also endorsed his campaign bid. They will make the race a Senate Democratic Caucus top candidate priority for this 2014 election cycle. Continue reading→

Pham’s Vietnamese friends are afraid to talk to SAPD investigators

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, Vietnamese 9 Comments

As Santa Ana police detectives try to make sense of the melee that led to Kim Pham’s death, the investigation is running into a wall of silence. Pham’s friends have failed to come forward. One flatly refused to meet with law enforcement, despite pleas from the police, according to the L.A. Times.

Police Commander Tim Vu, the highest-ranking Vietnamese-American law enforcement officer in Orange County, says distrust of the government is still common among refugees who arrived in the area after the Vietnam War, according to CBS.

Nevertheless additional facts are beginning to trickle out: Continue reading→

The SAPD asks not to be bothered as there is no new info on the Pham murder

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime Leave a comment

SAPD Advisory: Information about Annie Kim Pham case

There is currently no new information concerning the Pham case. The detectives continue to work on all leads.

When there is any update the Police Department PIO will provide the information via the SAPD Nixle, Twitter and Facebook.
Continue reading→

Nguyen gets an OC GOP award as her CalOptima takeover gets slammed by the Feds

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Health and Medical, Janet Nguyen, Jose Solorio, Orange County, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Seniors Leave a comment

Cartoon Janet Nguyen

Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen was recognized this week as “Local Elected Official of the Year” by the Orange County Republican Party, according to the Voice of OC.

Nguyen commented on the award stating, “I’m humbled to be recognized for the work I have done for the people of my community. In 2013 transportation issues, sweeping changes to healthcare laws and prison realignment proved to be a challenge for many. People have looked to their local government for help and I worked tirelessly to provide leadership in tough economic times. My commitment is to making government work for the people in the most efficient and responsible manner that is accountable to the taxpayers.”

But karma quickly caught up with Nguyen as “Federal officials Friday ordered CalOptima, Orange County’s health plan for low income and disabled residents, to immediately halt enrollment of elderly patients into its 16,000-member OneCare program, citing a “serious threat to the health and safety” of participants,” according to the Voice of OC. Continue reading→

Orange County celebrates 125th birthday this year

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Orange County, Santa Ana, Shawn Nelson Leave a comment

County Celebrates 125th Birthday in 2014

By: Shawn Nelson, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors

Back in 1989, Orange County celebrated its 100th anniversary, or Centennial. Now, 25 years later, the County is preparing for another observance, this one of its 125th anniversary or Quasquicentennial. As approved by the Board of Supervisors, OC125, as the observance will be known, will celebrate Orange County’s rich 125 year history and some of the people, places and events that make Orange County unique.

When California became a state in 1850, what is now Orange County was a part of Los Angeles County. According to information from the OC Archives, several attempts in the 1870’s and ‘80s to form a new county failed, but in 1889, the area’s lone Assemblyman, Col. E.E. Edwards of Santa Ana, introduced a new bill to create Orange County. Santa Ana’s founder, William H. Spurgeon, a prominent Democrat, joined local Republican leader James McFadden in helping Col. Edwards lobby the State Legislature. They also enlisted the support of the San Francisco delegation, which was more than happy to see Los Angeles County lose some of its population and power. The bill passed in both houses of the State Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Robert Waterman on March 11, 1889. However, the bill as approved did not actually create Orange County; it only allowed for a vote of the local residents to decide the matter. When the vote was held on June 4, 1889, the measure passed easily: 2,509 to 500. Continue reading→

The O.C. Clerk-Recorder extends their hours

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Fullerton, OC Clerk-Recorder, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Clerk-Recorder Extends Hours

Effective Monday, February 3, the Orange County Clerk-Recorder will be extending the hours at the department’s branch offices in downtown Fullerton and at the Laguna Hills Civic Center. The branch offices will now be open to the public from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The branch offices previously were open until 4:00 PM, while the department’s main offices in Santa Ana stayed open until 4:30 PM. For more information, please click here.

The Orange County Clerk-Recorder will also be offering extended hours and is now accepting reservations for couples who wish to be married on Valentine’s Day at the department’s three marriage offices. Continue reading→

OCTA Customers can save $4 on Tet Festival admission

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, OCTA, Transportation, Vietnamese Leave a comment

OCTA Customers save $4 On Tet Festival Admission

By: Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates

Come celebrate the Year of the Horse at the world’s largest Tet Festival outside of Vietnam on February 7, 8 & 9 at the OC Fair & Event Center.

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has partnered with organizers to usher-in the Vietnamese New Year with a great discount to the Tet Festival. OCTA bus riders will receive $4 off the $5 admission price when they show their bus pass. Those who wear traditional Vietnamese attire to the opening ceremony Saturday, Feb. 8 between 10:00 AM and noon will get FREE admission. Continue reading→

5-year Strategic Plan draft is available for viewing and comments online

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: 5-year Strategic Plan draft is available for viewing and comments online

SANTA ANA, CA (January 24, 2014) – The Santa Ana Mayor and City Council are in the process of developing a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan to guide our city towards the future. This planning process has involved numerous community stakeholders and the City invites all to attend an informational meeting to view the draft 5-year strategic plan and provide comment. Comments will be received and incorporated into the final draft, which will later be presented to the entire City Council for adoption. The online comment period will be available beginning Friday, January 24, 2014 and will conclude on Friday, February 14, 2014. Community members will have the option of submitting comment cards during the overview meeting or submit them online at www.santa-ana.org/strategic-planning/community-overview/comments.asp. Continue reading→

Santa Ana woman who killed a man while pretending to sell fruit sentenced

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2917: January 24, 2014

WOMAN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS TO LIFE FOR ROBBERY-MURDER OF MAN AFTER PRETENDING TO SELL FRUIT DOOR-TO-DOOR

*Co-defendant brother has been convicted and is pending sentencing in this case

SANTA ANA – A woman was sentenced today to 25 years to life in state prison for the robbery and murder of a Santa Ana man by gaining entry into his home by pretending to sell fruit. The defendant’s brother has been convicted as a co-defendant in this case. Gladys Romero, 36, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury May 2, 2013, of one felony count of special circumstances murder during the commission of robbery and burglary with an additional sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death.

Co-defendant Alejandro Romero, 34, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty Dec. 12, 2013, to one felony count of murder and is expected to be sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison at his sentencing Jan. 31, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

The SAPD arrests another woman in the hate crime killing of Kim Pham

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 46 Comments

A 27-year-old woman was arrested Friday morning and a third woman was being sought in connection with a violent beating outside a Santa Ana nightclub that left Kim Pham, a 23-year-old Westminister woman dead, authorities announced during a news conference Friday afternoon, according to KTLA.

Carlos Rojas, Santa Ana’s interim police chief, declined to release the name of the most recent arrestee, citing the ongoing investigation. Police did, however, release a photo of the third woman being sought, according to the L.A. Times. (The photo is below). Continue reading→