Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Anaheim

Santa Ana man arrested after pretending to be an ICE agent and extorting a woman in Anaheim

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, immigration, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Luis Flores-Mendoza of Santa Ana, a 26-year-old, was arrested after he pretended to be a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and threatened to deport a woman if she didn’t give him money, according to the O.C. Register.

The victim, an unidentified woman, said that on June 6, the suspect went to a restaurant in Anaheim, where she worked. The suspect was dressed in a green uniform with a vest, gun, and a badge. He said that he was a Federal agent, according to the Placentia Police Department. Continue reading→

Anaheim man charged with inciting a riot at a Trump rally

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Courts, Crime, OCDA, Politics, Republican Party Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 16WF0899

Date: May 2, 2016

MAN CHARGED AND ARRAIGNED FOR THROWING OBJECT THAT DAMAGED CHP PATROL VEHICLE AND INCITING RIOT AT DONALD TRUMP RALLY

*Other arrests made by the Costa Mesa Police Department have not been submitted to the OCDA yet

WESTMINSTER, Calif. – A man was charged and arraigned today on charges of throwing an object that damaged a patrol vehicle and inciting a group of protesters to riot at a Donald Trump presidential campaign rally in the City of Costa Mesa. Other arrests made by Costa Mesa Police Department have not yet been submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA). Luis Fernando Alarcon, 19, Anaheim, is charged with one felony count of vandalism with damage over $400, and one misdemeanor count of inciting a riot. If convicted, Alarcon faces a maximum sentence of three years in Orange County jail. The defendant was arraigned this afternoon and is being held on $25,000 bail. Alarcon is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on May 9, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in Department W-12, West Justice Center, Westminster. Continue reading→

Five O.C. pharmacies including Santa Ana’s Med-Zone targeted in burglary spree

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Drugs, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Villa Park Leave a comment

Santa Ana’s Med-Zone Pharmacy, located at 800 North Tustin Ave., was one of five local pharmacies in Orange County that were burglarized early Wednesday morning, according to the O.C. Register.

Garden Grove police officers found about 100 prescription bottles belong to Med-Zone near Euclid Street and Trask Ave. just after 7 a.m.

The initial suspect descriptions were similar in all five burglaries. Continue reading→

The world’s leading discount supermarket, Aldi, is opening in Orange County on 4/21

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Business, Deals, Food, Fountain Valley, Orange County Leave a comment

ALDI Arrives in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, Brings Quality and Freshness for Less

One of America’s Favorite Grocers* to Open 10 New Stores on Thursday, April 21

Batavia, Ill. – April 7, 2016 – Residents in Los Angeles and Orange Counties will soon be able to experience a whole new way to grocery shop at ALDI, one of America’s favorite grocers. On Thursday, April 21, ALDI will open 10 new Southern California locations, six of which are in Los Angeles County, three in Orange County and one new store in San Bernardino County. The easy-to-shop food market takes a simple approach to grocery shopping that translates into big savings for ALDI shoppers. In fact, shoppers have found that switching from national brands to ALDI exclusive brands can save them up to 50 percent** on their grocery bill. Continue reading→

Fountain Valley man suspected in several armed robberies of 7-Eleven stores finally arrested

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Jose Angel Gutierrez, a 42-year-old man suspected of multiple 7-Eleven armed robberies since September was caught on Tuesday, just hours after his latest heist, according to the O.C. Register.

Gutierrez had already been identified by the Garden Grove Police Department as a suspect when he walked in to a 7-Eleven at the 11000 block of S. Brookhurst Street at 4:05 a.m. and brandished a gun so he could steal cash and cigarette cartons, according to the Garden Grove Police Department.

Police detectives from Garden Grove and Santa Ana tried to search a warrant at his home, but Gutierrez was not there. They did however find his stash of “tools” – a sawed-off shotgun, handguns, illegal drugs and a mask worn in other robberies. Continue reading→

Two serial rapists/murderers who targeted Santa Ana women facing the death penalty

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14ZF0337

Date: March 15, 2016

OCDA TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY AGAINST REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER FOR SPECIAL-CIRCUMSTANCES MURDER OF FOUR WOMEN AFTER KIDNAPPING AND RAPING THE VICTIMS

*Co-defendant also facing the death penalty

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas announced today that he will seek the death penalty against a registered sex offender for the special-circumstances murder of four women after kidnapping and raping the victims. Franc Cano, 29, Anaheim, was indicted by the grand jury on Oct. 2, 2014, and is charged with four felony counts of special circumstances murder and four felony counts of forcible rape. The special circumstance sentencing enhancements are for murder during the commission of rape, multiple murders, lying in wait, and kidnapping.

Prior to seeking the death penalty against Cano, a special circumstances committee consisting of the District Attorney, the Senior Assistant and Assistant District Attorney in charge of the Homicide Unit, and other prosecutors experienced in capital cases met and discussed the nature of the crime, the vulnerability of the victims, the defendant’s criminal record, and other factors. The committee also considered mitigating circumstances presented by the defense attorney. Continue reading→

KKK members stabbed three counter-protesters at a rally in Anaheim today

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Civil Rights, Crime, Politics 3 Comments

Several people were stabbed, one with a flag pole, during a brawl on Saturday morning between self-described Ku Klux Klan members and counter-protesters at Pearson Park, in Anaheim today, according to the O.C. Register.

The attack happened at around 11 a.m. this morning when five KKK members showed up at Pearson Park. The KKK leaders had announced their intention to rally at the park earlier this week. The clan members drove up in a vehicle and were confronted by protesters right away.

The Anaheim Police claimed that the protesters attacked the Klansmen. Continue reading→

Mom who left her son in her car at the MainPlace Mall sentenced to 60 days in jail

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Arica Jenee Ayala, 27, an Anaheim mom, pleaded guilty on Thursday to misdemeanor child abuse and endangerment for leaving her 4-year-old son in the car for about two hours while she shopped at the MainPlace Mall, according to the O.C. Register.

Ayala was sentenced to 60 days in jail for leaving her son at the Santa Ana MainPlace Mall parking lot, in an unattended vehicle on Tuesday. Continue reading→

MainPlace Mall shopper arrested after leaving her toddler in an unattended vehicle

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Officers Arrest Mother For Leaving 4 Year Old Child In Unattended Vehicle At Mall While She Shops

Arrested: Arica Jenee Ayala (27) Anaheim

At approximately 8:30 pm, officers responded to a parking lot located at the Main Place Mall, 2800 block of North Main Street, regarding a child left unattended inside a vehicle. A witness advised the involved vehicle arrived at approximately 7:50 pm.

Officers found a 4 year-old male sitting in a car seat, crying and screaming. The doors to the vehicle had been left unlocked. The child told officers his mother left him alone in the car. Mall security made announcements over their P.A. system and officers checked the registered owner’s address in Anaheim and were unable to locate anyone. Continue reading→

Sen. Huff questions why the SAUSD is allowing union organizers to misinform parents

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Bob Huff, Education, Labor, Politics, Rick Miller, Santa Ana, SAUSD 28 Comments

Operate Openly with Trust and Integrity

by Senator Bob Huff

The news that union organizers with the Orange County Labor Federation are working to deliberately misinform parents about the truth regarding California’s Parent Trigger law should come as no surprise. Those who support the concept of school choice and the supposedly “radical” idea that every California child deserves the best education we can give them have been fighting entrenched union interests since Governor Schwarzenegger signed the Open Enrollment Act into law.

The Open Enrollment Act was a cornerstone of President Obama’s ambitious “Race to the Top” education reform effort that swept the nation nearly eight years ago. The President’s goals for reforming our public education system, which former Senator Gloria Romero and I supported, was the implementation of educational policies like performance-based evaluations for teachers and principals, support for charter schools and turning low-performance schools into education powerhouses. Continue reading→

Teen who disappeared from El Festival Club found in Anaheim

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Update: The missing minor Lizbeth Mateo, who disappeared early this morning from El Festival Club, located at 230 East 3rd Street, in Santa Ana has been located in the City of Anaheim.

Mateo is being reunited with her family.

The SAPD investigation into the circumstances of her disappearance continue. Continue reading→

ALDI to host additional hiring events for Orange County stores on Jan. 5

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, buena park, Food, Fountain Valley, Jobs Leave a comment

California’s Newest Grocer, ALDI, Brings Jobs to Los Angeles, Orange Counties

Company to Fill Store Associate Positions During Hiring Events on Jan. 5

LOS ANGELES – December 21, 2015 – Offering wages and benefits that are higher than the national average for the retail industry, ALDI will host 11 hiring events on Tuesday, Jan. 5 to fill Store Associate positions for the grocer’s initial Los Angeles and Orange County stores. The March 2016 arrival of ALDI will expand grocery retail options with the ALDI difference of fresh, high-quality groceries at everyday low prices.

Who: Local residents currently seeking employment opportunities

  • Hiring for future ALDI store in Anaheim: Anaheim Business Expo, 1960 South Anaheim Way, Anaheim, CA 92805, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Hiring for future ALDI store in Buena Park: Radisson Suites, 7762 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Hiring for future ALDI store in Fountain Valley: ALDI Fountain Valley, 17070 Magnolia St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Continue reading→

Poll shows Dunn in last place with Brandman out of the race for the 46th C.D.

Posted on by Posted in 2016 Elections, Anaheim, Bao Nguyen, Democratic Party, Joe Dunn, Lou Correa, Santa Ana Leave a comment

For Immediate Release: December 18, 2015

Contact: Dave Jacobson, (818) 943-2348, Shallman Communications

LOU CORREA LEADS BY HUGE MARGIN IN NEW POLL

Correa leads closest Democrat by nearly 30 points

SANTA ANA, CA—Today, the Lou Correa campaign for Congress released a poll memo showing Correa leading his nearest Democratic opponent, Bao Nguyen, by nearly 30 points.

The poll, conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates, is fresh out of the field, and was conducted from December 13th through December 16th. The initial results show Correa with a decisive lead over all other candidates: Continue reading→

Mail theft suspects arrested following vehicle pursuit from Laguna Hills to Downey

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

Irvine Crime Alert

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org

Mail Theft Suspects Arrested Following Vehicle Pursuit

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. (December 18, 2015) – On Friday, December 18, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested David Brown, 45, Anaheim, Jessie Brown, 55, Anaheim, and Corey Richardson, 22, Anaheim, following an almost two-hour pursuit through Orange and Los Angeles counties. The suspects were arrested after they fled on foot following termination of a vehicle pursuit in the City of Downey.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 25000 block of Buckboard Lane after neighbors reported seeing two male subjects taking mail from their mailboxes. The informants described the subject’s vehicle as a silver compact vehicle. The Sheriff’s Department’s airship “Duke” responded to the area with patrol units and immediately located a silver 2011 Honda Civic leaving the area. The vehicle, driven by David Brown, was travelling at a high rate of speed on Alicia Parkway towards the Interstate 5 freeway. Deputies attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle; however, the vehicle accelerated and a pursuit ensued. Continue reading→

Security guard charged with posing as a cop and raping a prostitute

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, OCDA, Westminster Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15NF3329

December 16, 2015

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF SECURITY GUARD CHARGED WITH POSING AS POLICE OFFICER AND FORCIBLY RAPING HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM

*Incident captured on GoPro camera

FULLERTON, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) and the Anaheim Police Department (APD) are seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of a security guard charged with posing as a police officer and forcibly raping a human trafficking victim. Raul Antonio Ramos, 27, Westminster, is charged with one felony count each of forcible rape, rape by threat to arrest, forcible oral copulation, oral copulation under the color of authority, and impersonating an officer, with a sentencing enhancement allegation for committing the sexual assault during the commission of a burglary. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison. Ramos is in custody on $1 million bail. He was charged and arraigned yesterday, Dec. 15, 2015, and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 13, 2016, at 8:3 0 a.m. in Department N-3, North Justice Center, Fullerton.

Ramos is employed as a security guard in Santa Ana. Continue reading→