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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Anaheim

SAPD police officers chase a homicide suspect who ends up crashing in Anaheim

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

OC Sheriff Badge

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

Homicide Investigation Leads to Pursuit and Fiery Crash

TUSTIN, Calif. – (November 4, 2014) – On Monday, November 3, 2014 at approximately 7:00 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 18400 block of Warren Avenue for a report of a shooting.  Deputies arrived and discovered a female adult, suffering from a gunshot wound.  The female victim was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced deceased.  Homicide investigators responded and initiated an investigation of the incident.

During the preliminary stages of the homicide investigation, information was learned involving a white SUV vehicle that may have been related to the shooting.  Information about the vehicle, license plate and connection to the homicide, was provided to neighboring law enforcement agencies.  The Santa Ana Police Department located and attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle.  The vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued, terminating with a single vehicle collision with a wall on North Rio Vista Street at East Frontera Street in the city of Anaheim. The vehicle erupted into flames on impact with the wall, killing the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle.   Continue reading→

Anaheim Police arrest two suspects in Murder of 9-year old Ximena Meza

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Gangs Leave a comment

Ricardo Cruz

Anaheim Police Department

Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2014

Subject: Anaheim Police Arrest Two Suspects in Murder of Ximena Meza – Press Conference Scheduled to Discuss the Investigation

Incident Overview

On Wednesday, October 22, 2014 around 7:15 P.M. Anaheim Police Officers were called to the 2300 block of W. Greenacre Ave. to investigate the shooting of 9 year-old Anaheim resident Ximena Meza. Meza had been to the front of her apartment complex playing with her sisters when gunshots rang out. Meza was struck once in her chest by an assailant’s bullet. She was rushed to a local hospital and succumbed to her injuries around 8:00 P.M. Continue reading→

Santa Ana scumbag who molested little girls he met at church is going to prison

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Churches and Religion, Crime, Santa Ana, Tustin Leave a comment

David Elifar Verduzco

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release

Case# 14NF1995

October 17, 2014

MAN SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO GIRLS BETWEEN AGES 9 AND 12 AFTER MEETING THEM AT CHURCH AND BEFRIENDING THEIR FAMILIES

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to 30 years to life in state prison for sexually assaulting two girls between ages 9 and 12 after meeting them through church and befriending their families. David Elifar Verduzco, 35, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury Oct. 1, 2014, of three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, one felony count of sexual penetration with a child 10 years or younger, one misdemeanor count each of child annoyance and disorderly conduct. The sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and lewd acts on multiple children were found true.

At the time of the crime, Verduzco was a parishioner of Agape House of Prayer in Anaheim, where he was a worship team leader and gave electronic keyboard lessons. The defendant met both of the victims and their families at the church and befriended them. Continue reading→

Carpetbagging 46th CD candidate Nick caught stealing signs in Lake Forest

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Adam Nick, Anaheim, Politics, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Sherry Walker Leave a comment

Adam Nick aka Afshin Nikmanesh

A couple of nights ago, a deputy spotted a black Ford sedan in a no-parking zone near Bake Parkway and Trabuco Road and saw a man with campaign signs climb into the passenger seat. The driver was Lake Forest Mayor Pro Tem Adam Nick, according to the Sheriff’s Department, and in the car were 10 campaign signs belonging to Scott Voigts, a fellow councilman seeking re-election, according to the OC Register.

Calling the incident, at 2 a.m. Thursday, a misunderstanding, Nick said Friday he had taken Voigts’ signs to move them to a better location, though he had not asked his permission to do so. “They’re making something out of nothing,” Nick said. Continue reading→

Anaheim man charged with killing Zoraida Reyes, a transgendered Santa Ana resident

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

Parkerson, Randy Lee

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: October 9, 2014

Case # 14NF4270

MAN CHARGED FOR MURDERING VICTIM AND DUMPING BODY BEHIND RESTAURANT

SANTA ANA – A man was charged today for murdering a victim and dumping the body behind an Anaheim restaurant. Randy Lee Parkerson, 38, Anaheim, was charged today with one felony count of murder. If convicted, Parkerson faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison. Parkerson is being held on $1 million bail. The scheduled arraignment for today was continued to Oct. 31, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

On June 10, 2014, Parkerson is accused of meeting with 28-year-old Cesar Reyes (Zoraida Reyes) and murdering him (her) by choking him (her). Parkerson is accused of placing the victim’s body in the trunk of his car for one day and dumping the body behind a fast food restaurant in Anaheim. Continue reading→

Man arrested for murder of transgendered Santa Ana resident Zoraida Reyes

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, LGBT, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Parkerson, Randy Lee
Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2014

Released by: Lt. Bob Dunn, (714) 497-6330

Subject: Updates on On-going Homicide Investigation

On June 12, 2014 at 10:51 am, the body of Zoraida Reyes was discovered in the parking lot of a Dairy Queen in the 200 block of N. State College Blvd. Reyes, 29 of Santa Ana, was an active member of several Orange County transgender and immigrant rights advocacy groups and her death prompted concern. So far the investigation has not uncovered any evidence to indicate Reyes was specifically targeted, and Detectives are not investigating this homicide as a hate crime.

Yesterday, October 7, 2014 at 9:25 a.m., Randy Lee Parkerson was arrested in his vehicle in the 200 block of E. Katella Ave. Parkerson, 38 of Anaheim, was booked at the Anaheim Police Department Temporary Detention Facility for murder and he is being held on 1 million dollars bail. His booking photograph is above. Continue reading→

Two Anaheim men charged with murder, kidnapping and rape of four women

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, Women 1 Comment

Steven Dean Gordon and Franc Cano

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: TWO MEN TO BE ARRAIGNED ON INDICTMENT FOR SPECIAL-CIRCUMSTANCES MURDER IN COMMISSION OF KIDNAPPING AND RAPE OF FOUR WOMEN

SANTA ANA – Two men are scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow on an indictment for the special-circumstances murder in the commission of a kidnapping and rape of four women. Steven Dean Gordon, 45, and Franc Cano, 28, both of Anaheim, were indicted by the grand jury today Oct. 2, 2014.

They are each charged with four felony counts of special circumstances murder during the commission of rape, kidnapping, lying in wait, and multiple murders. They are also each charged with four felony counts of forcible rape. If convicted, they face a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole and are eligible for the death penalty. The defendants are both scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment tomorrow, Oct. 3, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Continue reading→

Santa Ana man convicted of sex crimes against girls he met at church

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

David Elifar Verduzco

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: October 1, 2014

Case # 11CF3067

MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO GIRLS BETWEEN AGES 9 AND 12 AFTER MEETING THEM AT CHURCH AND BEFRIENDING THEIR FAMILIES

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of sexually assaulting two girls between ages 9 and 12 after meeting them through church and befriending their families. David Elifar Verduzco, 35, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, one felony count of sexual penetration with a child 10 years or younger, one misdemeanor count each of child annoyance and disorderly conduct. The sentencing enhancement allegations for substantial sexual conduct with a child and lewd acts on multiple children were found true. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration at his sentencing on Oct. 17, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-43, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At the time of the crime, Verduzco was a parishioner of Agape House of Prayer in Anaheim, where he was a worship team leader and gave electronic keyboard lessons. The defendant met both of the victims and their families at the church and befriended them. Continue reading→

Win free Angel tickets and meet DiSarcina at Eco Challenge on 9/20

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Baseball, Charities, Environment, Orange County, Recycling Leave a comment

Gary DiSarcina baseball card

The Los Angeles Angels “Take the Eco Challenge”

Bring e-waste and papers for secure shredding–and earn a chance to win free Angels tickets

OC Waste & Recycling, in partnership with Discovery Cube, Goodwill of Orange County, and Angels Baseball present a collection event at Angel Stadium on Saturday, September 20, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Items being collected for reuse or proper disposal include:

  • E-waste (working and non-working electronics)
  • Gently-used clothing and household goods
  • Paper documents for shredding

Bring your favorite Angels memorabilia for an autograph from Angels third base coach and alumni Gary DiSarcina from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. All Eco Challenge participants will receive priority access to meet Gary DiSarcina. Continue reading→

Dental assistant charged with committing lewd acts on a young male patient

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA Leave a comment

Luis David Hidalgovillalta

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: September 2, 2014

Case # 14WF3294

DENTAL ASSISTANT TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR COMMITTING LEWD ACTS ON UNDERAGE MALE PATIENT

*OCDA is seeking additional potential victims in this case

WESTMINSTER – A dental assistant is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for committing lewd acts on an underage male patient. Luis David Hidalgovillalta, 20, Anaheim, was charged today with one felony count of committing a lewd act upon a child under the age of 14. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. He is out of custody on $100,000 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster.

At the time of the crime, Hidalgovillalta worked as a dental assistant at Healthy Smiles dental facility in Garden Grove. Continue reading→

Orange County DUI Task Force announces Summer/Labor Day DUI crackdown

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Anaheim, Crime, irvine, Orange County, Tustin 1 Comment

OC DUI Task Force

Orange County Sheriff

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Orange County DUI Enforcement – Summer/Labor Day Schedule

SANTA ANA, Calif. (August 14, 2014) – The Orange County ‘Avoid the 38’ DUI Task Force is announcing its upcoming enforcement operations for the Summer/Labor Day Holiday DUI Campaign from August 15 through September 1, 2014. The following schedule of operations, dates, and locations are provided for media release:
DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoints:

  • City of Irvine: Fri, August 15, 7:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
  • City of Stanton (OCSD): Fri, August 22, 6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
  • Cities of Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach (Multi-Agency): Fri, August 22, 7:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
  • Cities of Irvine and Tustin (Multi-Agency): Fri, August 29, 7:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.

Continue reading→

Updated: Man killed and two women wounded when shot in a parked car in DTSA

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana 18 Comments
Aaron Johnathan Chavez

Aaron Johnathan Chavez

UPDATED: SAPD detectives arrest 23-year-old Dustin Sean Ross McDonald yesterday evening in a car stop near his residence in Garden Grove. Charges are pending, case has been submitted to the District Attorney’s office for filing. Charges will be murder (187), two count of attempt murder (664/187) and special circumstances enhancement (190.2) and weapons enhancements (12022.5) 

Aaron Johnathan Chavez, a 23-year-old from Anaheim, was killed and two women were injured late Tuesday when another man came up to a parked car they were sitting in and fired 10 to 12 shots at them, according to Santa Ana Police, according to the OC Weekly. Continue reading→

Former Disneyland machinist convicted of sexually assaulting four girls

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

Bryan William Anast

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 11, 2014

Case # 13WF1859

FORMER AMUSEMENT PARK WORKER CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING FOUR MINOR FEMALE VICTIMS

WESTMINSTER – A man was convicted today of sexually assaulting four young girls between the ages of 7 and 11 years old. Bryan William Anast, 46, Corona, pleaded guilty to one felony count of continuous sexual conduct, six felony counts of lewd acts by duress on a child under 14, one felony count of possession of child pornography, and one felony count of using a minor for sex acts. In addition to his prison sentence, Anast is scheduled to be sentenced to 55 years and four months in state prison and lifetime sex offender registration at his sentencing Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in Department W-9, West Justice Center, Westminster.

The sex crimes against all of the victims involved rubbing of the vaginal area. Continue reading→

Husband and wife convicted of locking up two starving girls in a mobile home

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Lester Louis Huffmire and his wife Petra Huffmire

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 6, 2014

Case # 13NF1694

MAN AND WOMAN CONVICTED OF KEEPING TWO YOUNG FEMALE RELATIVES MALNOURISHED AND LOCKED INSIDE UNSANITARY MOBILE HOME

FULLERTON – A man and woman were convicted yesterday of keeping two young female relatives malnourished and locked inside an unsanitary mobile home without letting them go outside. Lester Louis Huffmire and his wife Petra Huffmire, both 41 from Anaheim, pleaded guilty yesterday, Aug. 5, 2014, to two felony counts of child abuse, two misdemeanor counts of false imprisonment, one misdemeanor count of contributing to delinquency of a minor, and sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury. Lester Huffmire was sentenced to five years in state prison. Petra Huffmire was sentenced to three years and four months in state prison.

Lester Huffmire and Petra Huffmire were living in an unsanitary mobile park home with the victims, 10-year-old Jane Doe #1 and 5-year-old Jane Doe #2. The defendants had a duty of care to the victims. Continue reading→

Man suspected of murdering a man on the 91 Freeway arrested

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David Arzate Carbrera

Anaheim Police Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2014

Released by: Lt. Bob Dunn, (714) 497-6330

Subject: **UPDATE 91 Freeway Homicide – ARREST OF SUSPECT**

Initial Information

On July 14, 2014 at 8:09 PM, Anaheim Police, the California Highway Patrol, and Anaheim Fire & Rescue were called to investigate a possible shooting westbound the 91 freeway east of the 57 freeway. When emergency service personnel arrived, they found four (4) people in a white Ford F-150 in the gore point of the westbound 91 freeway at the 57 freeway interchange. Two of the people in the Ford were found to have suffered injuries consistent with a gunshot. Agustin Villegas, 32, of Anaheim was the front passenger in the Ford and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the Ford, a 42 year-old male, was taken to a local hospital and is expected to survive. In the backseat of the Ford were two males, 13 and 15 years-old. These young men were uninjured and were taken to the Anaheim Police Department for interviews. Continue reading→