Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Monthly Archives: October 2019

The SAPD is looking for an suspect who stole a car at a Jack In The Box

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On 10/09/2019 at 8:20 AM, wanted suspect Pedro Junior Lopez (33) was caught on video surveillance stealing a vehicle from the rear parking lot of the Jack In The Box at 1300 W. Edinger.

Prior to being reported stolen, Lopez was stopped in the vehicle in the area of Chestnut and Standard Avenue, and provided a false name. The vehicle was later found abandoned at 100 S. Cedar and was partially stripped.

Description: 5’8″, 150 lbs., black hair, brown eyes, multiple tattoos on neck and both arms, droopy left eyelid & thick-rimmed eyeglass

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lopez please contact Detective Romero at (714) 245-8529.

The SAPD is looking for a suspect who allegedly committed lewd acts on a child

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On 09/20/2019, an arrest warrant was issued for suspect Roberto Jacobo Nieto (28). Nieto is wanted for lewd acts with a child that occurred at the 2400 block of West Edinger Avenue.

Nieto is aware police officers are attempting to locate him regarding this incident.

Nieto is a male Hispanic, 5’8”, 180 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on Nieto’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Tapia at (714) 245-8516 or GTapia@santa-ana.org

The SAPD is trying to identify a catatonic man found in August

Posted on by Posted in Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

John Doe: Male, Hispanic, 20-30 years old, 5’7 – 5’11”, 150-190 lbs. and circular scar on upper left arm

Wearing (when contacted): blue/gray tank top, black pants and black shoes

On August 31, 2019 at approximately 7PM, Santa Ana PD Dispatch received a call of a subject who was seated in the area of 5200 W. 7th Street, non-responsive and to have been staring down at the ground for several hours. SAPD Officers and OCFA medics arrived to provide medical aid.

John Doe was ultimately transported to Fountain Valley Hospital where he remains under medical evaluation. He continues to be non-responsive, non-communicative and attempts to identify him have yielded negative results.

Anyone with information on identification of John Doe is asked to contact Detective A. Garcia at (714) 245-8408 or AGarcia@santa-ana.org

Santa Ana Zoo lemur thief going to prison for only 90 days

Posted on by Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo 4 Comments

SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man was sentenced today to three months in federal prison for breaking into the Santa Ana Zoo after hours and stealing North America’s oldest ring-tailed lemur in captivity to keep the endangered animal as his pet.

Aquinas Kasbar, 19, of Newport Beach, was given the 90-day prison sentence by United States District Judge Andrew J. Guilford, who also ordered him to pay $8,486 in restitution to the zoo.

Kasbar pleaded guilty on July 8 to one misdemeanor count of unlawfully taking an endangered species. He broke into the Santa Ana Zoo on July 27, 2018 after it had closed for the day. He then used bolt cutters to cut a hole in the zoo’s enclosures for lemurs and capuchin monkeys, which enabled several of the animals to escape, though they were later recovered.

While inside the zoo, Kasbar stole Isaac, a 32-year-old, ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) and the oldest such lemur in captivity in North America. (Isaac turned 33 years old in July; a lemur’s lifespan typically is between 20 years and 25 years.) The ring-tailed lemur is native to Madagascar and is on a list of the 25 most endangered primates, according to court documents. Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered, in part, because of the illegal pet trade, court papers state.

Kasbar then placed Isaac in a plastic drawer that lacked ventilation holes, court papers state. The next day, Kasbar abandoned the animal in front of a Newport Beach hotel, leaving him in the same plastic drawer with two notes placed on it, which read, “Lemur (with tracker)” and “This belongs to the Santa Ana Zoo it was taken last night please bring it to police,” according to court documents. Kasbar’s actions resulted in a loss to the Santa Ana Zoo of approximately $8,486. Isaac later was returned unharmed to the zoo.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Newport Beach Police Department, and the Santa Ana Police Department.

This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel H. Ahn of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Erik M. Silber of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section.

This week’s Cochino List includes DTSA’s Blackmarket Bakery

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Restaurants, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The OC Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of Oct. 17 to Oct. 25. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved.

  • Blackmarket Bakery, 211 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, Closed: Oct. 21, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Oct. 22
  • Boiling Pot Restaurant, 12921 Magnolia St., Garden Grove, Closed: Oct. 21, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Oct. 22
  • Taco Grill, 2590 Newport Blvd., Suite D, Costa Mesa, Closed: Oct. 17, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Oct. 18
  • Update: Seafood World at 15351 Brookhurst St., Suite 101, Westminster, which was ordered closed Oct. 17 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Oct. 18.
  • Pho Akaushi at Saigon Supermarket, 10131 Westminster Blvd., Suite 211-212, Garden Grove, Closed: Oct. 23, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Com Viet at Saigon Supermarket, 10131 Westminster Blvd., Suite 213-215, Garden Grove, Closed: Oct. 23, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Gyro N Kabob, 14145 Red Hill Ave., Tustin, Closed: Oct. 18, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 21
  • Glassell Nutrition, 1190 N. Glassell St., Suite B, Orange, Closed: Oct. 17, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • Modo Mio, 7946 E. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, Closed: Oct. 23, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 24
  • Giovanni’s Restaurant, 922 W. Williamson Ave., Fullerton, Closed: Oct. 24, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Oct. 24
  • Heidelberg Cafe and Bistro, 1100 S. Coast Highway, Suite 116, Laguna Beach, Closed: Oct. 22, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Oct. 22
  • Jenny’s Place, 512 S. Brookhurst St., Suite 3, Anaheim, Closed: Oct. 22, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 23
  • China Impression, 1505 Mesa Verde Drive, Suite B, Costa Mesa, Closed: Oct. 22, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • 101 Noodle Express, 5408 Walnut Ave., Suite A, Irvine, Closed: Oct. 22, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 23
  • 2nd Floor, 126 S. Main St., Suite 201, Huntington Beach, Closed: Oct. 21, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 22
  • BLK, 300 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 202, Huntington Beach, Closed: Oct. 18, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 18
  • Izakaya Sojuya, 4498 Lincoln Ave., Cypress, Closed: Oct. 17, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 18
  • Slater’s 50/50, 17071 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, Closed: Oct. 17, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 18
  • Burgerim, 26741 Aliso Creek Road, Suite E, Aliso Viejo, Closed: Oct. 17, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Oct. 18
  • Update: Basil Thai Cuisine at 9921 Hamilton Ave., Huntington Beach, which was ordered closed Oct. 17 because of a cockroach infestation, was allowed to reopen Oct. 18.
  • Update: Star Liquor Jr. Mart at 1210 S. State College Blvd., Suite A, Anaheim, which was ordered closed Oct. 17 because of a rodent infestation, was allowed to reopen Oct. 18.

The SAUSD responds to last night’s racist signs at the Segerstrom football game

Posted on by Posted in Education, Football, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sports 12 Comments

As we reported last night on our Facebook page, at 11:45 p.m., yet another episode of racism occurred at an SAUSD football game, which featured teams from Segerstrom High School versus Marina High School. The incident has blown up today and resulted in the release of a joint statement by the SAUSD and the Huntington Beach Union High School District:

JOINT STATEMENT FROM SANTA ANA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD PRESIDENT VALERIE AMEZCUA AND HUNTINGTON BEACH UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD PRESIDENT DR. DUANE DISHNO REGARDING OCT. 25, 2019 FOOTBALL GAME:

Last evening, an incident occurred during a football game between Segerstrom High School and Marina High School in which two student-generated signs with racial undertones were displayed near the entrance of the stadium and in front of the snack bar.

“Segerstrom students and parents saw the signs and received them as offensive.

“Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) officials have shared their concerns with Huntington Beach Union High School District (HBUHSD) administrators regarding the incident, and are working together to resolve the issue and to use the unfortunate incident as a teachable moment for students.

“HBUHSD and Marina High School accept responsibility for the incident and apologize to the students, families and staff of Segerstrom High School.

“SAUSD and HBUHSD believe strongly in the principles of diversity and inclusion. Every student deserves to feel valued and respected. What happened Friday night was offensive and contrary to both districts’ guiding principles – and for that, HBUHSD apologizes.

“The Marina High School Principal has also apologized and will be meeting with the Principal of Segerstrom High School to consider next steps in collaboration with Segerstrom through restorative circles to help strengthen relationships as well as provide diversity training for Marina’s Associated Student Body and other student organizations.

“HBUHSD has reached out to the Orange County Human Relations Commission and to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), to assist in working with Marina students to build greater understanding of why what occurred was wrong and how we can build and maintain a strong relationship based on mutual respect.

“The safety, along with the social-emotional and mental well-being of each and every one of our students, is of utmost importance to SAUSD.

“Santa Ana Unified will employ Restorative Practices to address the issue; staff will meet when school reconvenes Monday to converse with Segerstrom students who were impacted by the incident; and communicate with our parents and families our joint district plan to resolve the concern.

“Both districts want to assure students, parents, staff and community that both HBUHSD and SAUSD reject racism in any form in our schools and community and that it is never acceptable.”

The OC Sports Zone reported that Marina won the game 25-14 to inch closer to its first league title since 1986.

The OCTA is planning to improve the 55 Fwy. between the 5 and the 91 Freeways

Posted on by Posted in OCTA, Orange County, public works, Santa Ana, Traffic, Transportation Leave a comment

The SR-55 Improvement Project proposes to add one general purpose lane in each direction on SR-55 between I-5 and SR-22, and provide operational improvements at various locations along the corridor. The project goal is to improve mobility, reduce traffic congestion, increase freeway capacity and improve traffic operations. The project proposes to adds freeway capacity while staying within the existing freeway right-of-way and make ramp modifications.

The project will improve ramp capacity at various locations, including the 4th Street off-ramps and the SB Katella Avenue on- and off-ramps. In both instances, these improvements would reduce vehicle queues and improve intersection operations by adding an additional lane.

The project also proposes to relocate the Lincoln Avenue off-ramp next to the existing SB Lincoln Avenue on-ramp. Relocation is intended to address the short weaving distances between the SR-91 connector and the Lincoln Avenue off-ramp, which has resulted in traffic congestion and high accident rates.

The Draft Environmental Document (DED) is available for public review and community members will have an opportunity to review and provide their comments from September 30 to October, 30, 2019. Caltrans is accepting comments via email or by mail. For more information on the project, including locations where the DED is available for viewing, visit www.octa.net/SR55northdetails.

There are a number of ways for the community to stay informed about the project. Visit www.octa.net/sr55north or follow the project on Facebook.com/SR55north, Twitter @SR55Project, and Instagram @SR55Improvement.

The County of Orange beat the Needle Exchange Program in court today

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Drugs, Orange County, Santa Ana 3 Comments
Needles found at the Santa Ana River Trail

Santa Ana, Calif. (October 25, 2019) – Today the County of Orange has prevailed in its lawsuit against the Orange County Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP) and is now entitled to Judgment against the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on the County’s claim under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

“This is an incredible victory for the County of Orange and the citizens of Orange County,” said Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “The state of California will now need to comply with its own laws and we can better ensure that the safety and health of our residents can be preserved.”

As a result of this legal determination, and because the CDPH did not comply with CEQA when it approved the OCNEP application, the County will be entitled to a writ of mandate compelling the CDPH to vacate its approval of the drug needle mobile giveaway in the cities of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Orange, and Santa Ana.

“The state failed to do its due diligence and comply with its own environmental laws when it approved the Orange County Needle Exchange Program,” said Vice Chair Michelle Steel, Second District. “State officials ignored the pleas of local leaders and decided to prioritize easy access to needles for drug addicts over the health and safety of our communities.”

Roman Reyna

On June 5, 2018 then Chairman Do and then Supervisor Steel jointly presented item S29C to officially oppose OCNEP’s needle exchange. On August 3, 2018 a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held, with all then Supervisors voting to sue the state of California after the California Department of Public Health approved OCNEP’s program despite the Board’s objections.

“OCNEP’s needle exchange program was dangerous and created hazardous conditions for all of Orange County’s residents,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District. “Today’s victory means safer and cleaner streets while requiring the state of California to comply with its own statutes.”

In today’s ruling, Judge Wohlfeil determined that the needle exchange program is a “project” subject to review under CEQA, saying “…there is a possibility that the project will result in an increase in used needle litter, a biohazard. This constitutes a tangible change in the areas surrounding operation of the [needle exchange program].”

“The former Board of Supervisors was correct in filing its lawsuit against the state of California,” said Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Third District. “All of our residents will be assured a safer and more secure Orange County as a result of today’s decision.”

The County will also be entitled to recover its attorneys’ fees from the CDPH. Future CDPH authorizations for needle exchange programs across California should now be subject to review under CEQA before CDPH approval may be granted.

“I’m happy to see that the court ruled in the County’s favor regarding the needle exchange program,” said Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee. “This is a safety issue for all of our residents.”

Help plant new trees at Lillie King Park this Saturday

Posted on by Posted in Charities, Nature, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

People and Trees invites you to take part in their new tree-planting event
this Saturday morning, October 26, from 9 am to 11 am at Lillie King Park, located at 498 West Alton Avenue.

This time, they will plant 12 Afghan pine trees in the South part of Lillie King Park. As these trees grow, they will provide shade on hot sunny days, for walking on sidewalks and playing on lawns.

Directions: Coming on W. Alton Ave, turn onto South Birch St, then turn right on West Columbine Ave and follow 500 ft. to the Park on its right. Parking is available there on the street. They will be meeting near there.

They will give instructions how to plant trees, and then you will plant a tree with you own hands in group of two or three volunteers with our guidance. Wear comfortable work clothing and closed-toe shoes. Bring water to drink, hat for sun, and work gloves if you have them.

Pre-Registration is Required for this Event. Please register in advance, sending email to peopleandtreesoc@gmail.com our joining in event page posted at 6.

Celebrate Santa Ana’s 150th anniversary at Centennial Park this Sunday

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Family, Food, music, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, CA—The City of Santa Ana is celebrating its 150th Anniversary at Centennial Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019, where more than 3,000 people are expected to gather for an unforgettable day of food, live music and entertainment, cultural performances, games, time capsule ceremony, fun activities for the entire family and a grand finale fireworks show.

“It was 1869 when William H. Spurgeon first purchased 74.2 acres of land, built his town and named it Santa Ana,” says City Manager Kristine Ridge. “This year marks the 150-year anniversary of the founding of our City and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with the entire community in honor of our rich heritage that is deeply rooted in Southern California’s history.”

https://www.facebook.com/CityofSantaAna/videos/2493900370841313/

Free and open to the public, the event begins at 3 p.m. and will culminate with a grand finale fireworks show at 8:45 p.m. The first 150 guests will receive a free glow-in-the-dark balloon, while free giveaways and drawings for $100 gift cards will be held every hour. In addition to international food choices, beverages and a special Beer & Wine Garden, the event will feature:

Live Entertainment On Two Stages:

• Music by Power 106 DJ Carisma
• Como La Flor
• Slapbak
• Rosie Cortez & the Bliss Band
• Los Cadetes
• SAUSD Marching Band
• SAPD K9 Show

Cultural Performances:

• Folklorico by Relampago del Cielo
• Break Dancers
• Chinese Dragon Dancers
• Native American Dancers
• Musical Theatre Performance by Santa Ana College
• Ballroom Dance by OC School of the Arts
• Local Talent Show Case

Kids Zone:

• Face Painting
• Balloon Artists
• Games
• Jumpers
• Arts and Crafts
• Halloween Costume Contest at 4 p.m.

The 150th Anniversary Celebration is presented by First American. Other sponsors include Waste Management, MainPlace Mall, McDonalds, Wells Fargo, Chevron, Ducks, NaphCare Inc., Northgate, Tetra Tech, Vista Heritage Global Academy, Curious Entertainment, StagePlus, Santa Ana Unified School District, and Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, visit www.santa-ana.org/events/150th-anniversary-celebration-0 or contact Julie Castro-Cardenas at jcastro-cardenas@santa-ana.org.

ABOUT THE CITY OF SANTA ANA

The City of Santa Ana is a 27 square-mile ethnically diverse city located 35 miles south of Los Angeles and roughly 10 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. With a total population of over 330,000, Santa Ana is Orange County’s second largest city and serves as the county seat. Incorporated in 1886, Santa Ana has long been the county’s government powerbase. Santa Ana’s centralized location puts it less than 30 minutes from most Southern California destinations, including four airports. Its density and mass transit infrastructure enables residents and employees to embrace a green lifestyle, commuting to work by bus, train, bicycle and foot. This convenience attracts a diverse population that appreciates Santa Ana’s distinctive, affordable housing choices, energetic nightlife and cultural amenities. For more information, visit www.santa-ana.org or follow Santa Ana on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

What Mayor Pulido had to say at his last State of the City Address

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana, CA – On Thursday, October 17, Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido delivered his annual State of the City Address in which he highlighted the City of Santa Ana’s regional partnerships, enhancements to public safety and renewed financial strength. Hosted by the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, the event was held at the Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana; State Senator Thomas Umberg was present to introduce Mayor Pulido.

During the Address, Mayor Pulido announced his plans to build a state-of-the-art soccer educational facility with retired professional soccer player, Hugo Sanchez. The facility will serve thousands of soccer players in Santa Ana and beyond.

He highlighted other regional partnerships that will set the groundwork for the future of Santa Ana and the rest of Orange County as well including the OC Streetcar, a project being completed in partnership with the City of Garden Grove and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). The OC Streetcar is currently under construction and promises increased mobility in Orange County.

The Mayor also announced the approval of an 85-year ground lease with Rancho Santiago Community College District Continuing Education Center at Centennial Park. The $50 million project will bring several community benefits to the City including community meeting spaces, a branch library and classrooms. The Education Center will also provide Santa Ana residents a unique educational resource offering adult high school diplomas, citizenship classes, English as a second language and multitude of technical career training programs.

“This project has been in the works for many year,” said Mayor Pulido. “I am proud to announce that we have finalized negotiations with the College and this project will soon be moving forward.”

Mayor Pulido also discussed the City’s strong financial state. The City of Santa Ana ended the year with a $6 million surplus that has been reinvested in the City’s youth, homeless populations and public safety programs. With the investment in additional resources, the City’s Quality of Life Team (QOLT) has been augmented with a new Daily Action Response Team (DART). The City now has additional Homeless Outreach Workers, two full time QOLT teams, and several DART teams working evenings and weekends to ensure that the City is clean at all times and that services are offered to end homelessness.

Additionally, the City of Santa Ana continues to be a hub for thriving businesses with over 1,000 new businesses opening in the last year. Award-winning restaurants continue to expand in the City, especially in the downtown area, and are creating a mecca of culinary experiences that benefit residents and visitors alike.

The Mayor also highlighted the Santa Ana Police Department’s efforts to fast track the hiring of police officers to increase response times and is on track to hire 50 new police officers by December 2019. With staff expansion, the Police Department will be establishing a new Metropolitan Division, effective January 2020. The new division will consist of three elements: a Major Enforcement Team (MET), Gang Suppression Unit and a SWAT team. The MET will compliment and directly support the City’s Community and Traditional Policing strategies with a focus on violent crime prevention, mitigation and proactive response.

The State of the City Address gathered over 450 attendees including several local elected officials: State Senator Tom Umberg, Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Juan Villegas, Santa Ana Councilmember Vicente Sarmiento, Santa Ana Councilmember David Penaloza, Santa Ana Councilmember Jose Solorio, Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu, Carson Mayor Albert Robles, Garden Grove Mayor Steven Jones, and Santa Ana Unified School District Board President Valerie Amezcua.

For more information about the City of Santa Ana, visit santa-ana.org.

L.A. “Knock-Knock Style” burglary crew arrested in Costa Mesa

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Los Angeles County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

On October 15, 2019, at approximately 12:30 PM, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD), Major Crimes Bureau (MCB), Burglary-Robbery Task Force (BRTF), observed four suspects appear to commit a residential burglary in the city of Costa Mesa. The detectives had been conducting a burglary investigation in the vicinity when they saw three suspects quickly run from the side-yard of a residence and enter an awaiting silver Mercedes Benz SUV that was idling nearby. The vehicle quickly drove away from the area.

Detectives confirmed a burglary had in fact occurred, with a rear window forced open and interior of the home ransacked.

As the vehicle and suspects began to leave the neighborhood, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Detectives coordinated with responding Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) patrol units who conducted a traffic stop of the silver SUV. All three suspects ( Izaiah Yeav and two juveniles) who exited the victim’s property, along with the driver ( Chanddries Srey), were detained by Sheriff’s Detectives and CMPD Officers without incident. Detectives recovered stolen jewelry, personal property, and burglary tools from within the vehicle.

Suspects/Subjects:

  • Chanddries Srey, Asian 20 years old (photo attached)
  • Izaiah Yeav, Asian 18 years old (photo attached)
  • Male Hispanic Juvenile 15 years old
  • Male Hispanic Juvenile 17 years old
  • Suspect Vehicle 2003 Silver Mercedes Benz SUV (photo below)

Suspect Srey (driver of silver Mercedes Benz SUV), of Long Beach, was booked on charges of Residential Burglary (459 PC), Receiving Stolen Property (496 PC), Conspiracy (182 PC) and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (272 PC).

Suspect Izaiah Yeau, of Long Beach, was booked on charges of Residential Burglary (459 PC).

The two male juveniles, from Long Beach, were detained for Residential Burglary charges. They were transported to a juvenile detention facility pending the outcome of the investigation.

The criminal case filing for this burglary is being handled by detectives from CMPD in collaboration with Sheriff’s Detectives. This crew is suspected in burglaries throughout Southern California. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Burglary-Robbery Task Force is working closely with the CMPD, and other Southern California police agencies in determining what recent residential burglaries may be associated with the criminal crew.

The investigation and arrest of this residential burglary crew is an example of the ongoing cooperation and collaboration between the Sheriff’s Department and local municipal police departments. These agencies are committed to impacting the Southern California wide residential burglary epidemic. The LASD Major Crimes BRTF works closely and consistently with most Southern California agencies in its mission to identify, investigate, and arrest organized burglary and robbery suspects.

The LASD MCB BRTF was formed over nine years ago to combat the ever increasing trend of organized crews who are committing daytime residential burglaries.Typically known as “Knock-Knock” burglars, these crews, often formed by gang members, utilize high-end luxury vehicles and rental cars to blend in to middle class and affluent neighborhoods where they break into homes and businesses, ransacking and stealing valuables such as cash, jewelry, and weapons.The MCB BRTF works closely in support of all LASD station’s detective bureaus, as well as other Southern California law enforcement agencies.Residents and business owners are reminded to secure their properties, be aware of suspicious and unusual persons or vehicles, and to alert their local law enforcement immediately if suspicious activity is observed.

The SAPD has determined that a 10-year-old who committed suicide was not criminally bullied

Posted on by Posted in Education, Garden Grove, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment
Allison Ruth Wendel

In the wake of the tragic suicide of a Santa Ana 10-year-old girl, which occurred on October 13, 2019, the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) has worked diligently to determine what circumstances led to this heartbreaking event. Initially, Detectives were informed the deceased may have been bullied at school.

Based on this information, Detectives interviewed over 50 students at Hazard Elementary School in Garden Grove, as well as over 30 adult staff, family members and friends regarding activity leading up to the tragic loss of life. Utilizing social media investigative capabilities, over 2,500 videos and social media posts from classmates of the deceased were examined. Detectives uncovered several mean spirited social media posts amongst the group, but nothing that rose to the level of bullying or criminal conduct.

“Bullying” is identified as any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or by means of an electronic act, and including one or more acts committed by a pupil or group of pupils as defined in California Education Code Section 48900.2, 48900.3, or 48900.4, directed toward one or more pupils that has or can be reasonably predicted to have the effect of one or more of the following:

(A) Placing a reasonable pupil or pupils in fear of harm to that pupil’s or those pupils’ person or property.
(B) Causing a reasonable pupil to experience a substantially detrimental effect on his or her physical or mental health.
(C) Causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her academic performance.
(D) Causing a reasonable pupil to experience substantial interference with his or her ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

To date, the Santa Ana Police Department has been unable to determine the ultimate intentions of this young girl or identify a triggering event that led to this tragic suicide/accident.

The Santa Ana Police Department has been working closely with the Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) and Social Services to provide resources to all of the children and families affected by this devastating event. This incident has tragically affected our community and impacted the lives of numerous small children. The loss of this child has further sparked the need for increased awareness and education regarding bullying, cyberbullying and suicide prevention. The Santa Ana Police Department wants to remind parents to carefully monitor their children’s access to, and use of, social media. For additional resources, parents or interested parties are encouraged to seek information at Stopbullying.gov and SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Gerardo Corona of the SAPD Family Crimes Section at (714) 245-8343 or the Garden Grove Unified School District at (714) 663-6503.

The SAPD is looking for a vagrant who stole his mother’s car

Posted on by Posted in automobiles, Crime, homeless, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On 10/08/2019, at 11:30 AM, the victim arrived at the Extra Space Storage and parked her vehicle in front of the storage unit. The victim’s transient son, wanted suspect Jorge Edward Mendoza (39), was present without her permission and in violation of a restraining order.

As the victim was placing items into the backseat, Mendoza got into the driver’s seat of her vehicle and refused to get out. The victim was afraid to force Mendoza out of the driver seat due to his history of violent behavior and he appeared to be under the influence of drugs. The victim yelled at Mendoza to stop when he drove past her. Mendoza rammed the closed gate to the facility and exited the location.

Anyone with information on wanted suspect Mendoza’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Greaver at (714) 245-8362 or DGreaver@santa-ana.org