New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Crime

Two men charged with murder of victim at a local bakery

Posted on August 30, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

OCDA Seal

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 29, 2014

Case# 10CF3188

TWO MEN TO FACE TRIAL FOR SHOOTING-MURDER OF VICTIM IN BAKERY WHILE VICTIM WAS PREPARING COFFEE

SANTA ANA – Two men are scheduled to face trial Tuesday for the shooting-murder of a victim in a Santa Ana bakery while the victim was preparing a cup of coffee. Israel Pena Lopez, 38, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count each of murder, possession of a firearm by a felon, and sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. If convicted, Lopez faces a maximum sentence of 75 years to life in state prison.

Co-defendant Frankie Esteban Giraldo, 32, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of murder. If convicted, Giraldo faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

SAPD detectives need your help to find an armed robber

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Robbery Detectives request media and Public assistance identifying suspect in armed robbery

Location: Auto Zone, 810 S. Harbor Boulevard

Suspect: Male, Hispanic, 28-38 yrs. old, 5’6”-5’8” tall, 150-170 lbs., black mustache, tattoos on arms and legs; wearing black baseball hat with white logo, sunglasses, white/brown checkered shirt, black sleeve on left arm, beige shorts, white sneakers; and carrying small dark blue-colored bag

Suspect Vehicle: Silver 2002-2007 Mitsubishi SUV 4-door

Weapon: Black semi-automatic handgun Continue reading→

SAPD DUI Checkpoint set for August 29 at 2400 W. Fifth St.

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAPD DUI Checkpoint

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: The SAPD will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, August 29th, 2014, 9:00PM – 3:00AM 2400 W. Fifth St.

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, August 29th, 2014. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 3:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 2400 W. Fifth Street, in the City of Santa Ana.

The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI/Drivers License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver. Continue reading→

SAPD seeks public’s help in tracking down a wanted gang banger

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Ernesto Antonio Guerra

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Robbery Detectives request Media & Public’s assistance with information as to the whereabouts of wanted Robbery suspect

Wanted Suspect: Guerra, Ernesto Antonio (19) Pomona

Synopsis: In early 2014, Guerra and three additional gang members from the City of Ontario were involved in a series of commercial robberies throughout the cities of Santa Ana, Anaheim and Garden Grove. Three of the four suspects are currently in custody and Guerra remains outstanding. Guerra is known to frequent the cities of Pomona, Ontario and Chino. Continue reading→

Additional charges filed against music teacher who targeted young girls

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 22, 2014

Case# 14HF2171

ADDITIONAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST MUSIC TEACHER WHO COMMITTED LEWD ACTS UPON MULTIPLE FEMALE STUDENTS

*Law enforcement seeks public’s help identifying potential additional victims in this case

NEWPORT BEACH – Additional charges have been filed against a music teacher for committing lewd acts upon multiple female students during music lessons. John Mordecai Scott, 58, Lake Forest, was charged today for crimes against Jane Doe #5 with two felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child under 14 and a sentencing enhancement for committing lewd acts on multiple victims.

Scott was previously charged for four victims with one felony count of continuous sexual abuse, four felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child under 14, two felony counts of distributing pornography to a minor, one felony count of using a minor for sex acts, one felony count of possession and control of child pornography, four felony counts of committing lewd acts upon a child, one misdemeanor count of child annoyance, and a sentencing enhancement for obscene matter used during a sexual offense. Continue reading→

Man arrested after leaving kids in car while visiting the OC Jail

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Gerardo Jose Jimenez

Santa Ana Police Department

AdvisorySAPD Officers arrest father after he leave three small children unattended in vehicle.

Arrested: Gerardo Jose Jimenez (29) Garden Grove

Charges: PC 273 a (a) Cruelty to Children with Possible Injury or Death

On Monday, August 25, 2014 at about 4:52 PM, SAPD received a radio call to respond to the area of 6th Street and Flower Street, across from the Orange County Sheriffs Jail, reference children left unattended in a parked grey colored Honda Accord. The three children ranged from 5 months to 7 years old.

Officers contacted the reporting party/witness, an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy. He said that while he was off duty he saw a grey Honda Accord illegally parked in front of the Orange County IRC building on 6th Street. The vehicle was partially parked in the north private driveway of 6th Street and nearly the rear- half of the vehicle was obstructing the westbound lane of traffic on 6th Street. Continue reading→

The Summer/Labor Day DUI campaign has resulted in 483 arrests

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, 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

Summer/Labor Day AVOID DUI Campaign Update

DUI Arrests Up & No DUI Fatalities

SANTA ANA, Calif. (August 25, 2014) – The Summer/Labor Day National Anti-DUI mobilization has resulted in DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special ‘Avoid the 38’ DUI deployments in Orange County.

From 12:01 AM Friday, August 15, 2014 through Midnight Sunday, August 24, 2014 officers and deputies representing 38 Orange County law enforcement agencies have arrested 483 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. In 2013, 374 DUI arrests occurred during the same 10 day time period. There were no DUI related deaths during this time (**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**). Continue reading→

Summer/Labor Day avoid DUI campaign update

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.704, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Summer/Labor Day AVOID DUI Campaign Update

DUI Arrests Up & No DUI Fatalities

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (August 22, 2014) – The Summer/Labor Day National drunk driving campaign statistics of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special “Avoid the 38” DUI deployments in Orange County have been updated.
From 12:01 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2014 through 11:59 p.m., Thursday, August 21, 2014 officers and deputies representing 38 Orange County law enforcement agencies have arrested 281 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2013, 171 DUI arrests occurred during the same seven (7) day period. There were no DUI related deaths during this time (**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**).

For the second weekend of the campaign, both a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint will be conducted in the city of Stanton (OCSD) and a multi-agency DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint will be conducted tonight in the cities of La Palma, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach. Extra DUI saturation patrols will be deployed in the cities of Los Alamitos and Seal Beach (multi-agency). CSU Fullerton Police and the cities of Garden Grove, Seal Beach and Westminster (multi-agency) will be deploying extra DUI saturation patrols on Saturday night, August 23. All regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers/deputies will focus efforts on stopping and arresting impaired drivers during their normal shifts. Continue reading→

Sheriff’s Department searching for Mission Viejo home invasion robbery suspect

Posted on August 23, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

The above sketch of the suspect is based on the victim’s description

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Investigators Seeking Public’s Assistance Identifying Residential Robbery Suspect

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. – (August 22, 2014) – On Friday, August 22, 2014 at approximately 11:30 a.m., a residential robbery occurred at 23300 block of Via Linda, Mission Viejo. The suspect forced open the front door of the residence and confronted an 82 year old female victim while she was lying in bed watching television. The suspect looked at the victim and told her “don’t move” while he ransacked her bedroom as well as other rooms in the residence.

The suspect is described as a male, Caucasian, 25-30 years old, 5’6” to 5’8” tall, 150-160 lbs., brown normal length hair, wearing a white t-shirt, black pants and no facial hair. No weapon or vehicle was seen. Continue reading→

SAPD DUI checkpoint set for Aug. 23

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAPD DUI Checkpoint

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Police Department conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, August 23rd

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, August 23rd, 2014. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 3:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 2000 W. First Street, in the City of Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Eight suspects with outstanding DUI warrants caught in DUI Task Force sweep

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 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

Eight Suspects with Outstanding DUI Warrants Caught in ‘AVOID the 38’ DUI Task Force Sweep

SANTA ANA, Calif. (August 20, 2014) – On Monday, August 18th, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department dispersed into neighborhoods with dozens of outstanding arrest warrants in search of high risk DUI offenders. Deputies served the warrants and arrested eight offenders who either failed to show up for a court date or violated terms of their probation in an outstanding DUI case.

“The best bet for anyone with a missed DUI court date is to go to court on their own,” said Deputy Shane Stewart of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Bureau. “If you don’t, that warrant isn’t going away. We’re going to come find you and take you to jail.” Those caught often face additional jail time for failing to appear in court or for violating probation. Continue reading→

Man charged with home invasions while posing as a deliveryman

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Jerry Cleveland Coleman

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 19, 2014

Case# 14WF3126

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR HOME INVASION ROBBERY AT GUNPOINT WHILE POSING AS DELIVERYMAN IN TWO NEIGHBORHOODS

*Two other men involved in this case remain unidentified and at large

WESTMINSTER – A man is scheduled to be arraigned today for posing as a deliveryman and committing home invasion robberies of occupants at gunpoint in Garden Grove. Jerry Cleveland Coleman, 34, Garden Grove, is charged with seven felony counts of first degree robbery in concert, seven felony counts of imprisonment by violence or deceit, seven felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, two felony counts of dissuading a witness by force or threat, two felony count of criminal threats, and sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a firearm and committing a crime against a vulnerable victim. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 100 years in state prison. The People will be requesting he be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment today in Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster. The time is to be determined.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 11, 2014, Coleman is accused of posing as a deliveryman by carrying a bouquet of flowers and a clipboard and knocking on the door of a Garden Grove home occupied at the time by two teenagers and a 23-year-old woman. When one of the victims opened the door, Coleman and another man are accused of forcing their way inside the home using a handgun along with a third accomplice. The defendants are accused of threatening the victims and taking the victims’ property. Coleman is accused of being seen on home surveillance before fleeing the scene. Continue reading→

Burglary suspect caught when he fell asleep in victim’s home

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Jonathan Phan

SAPD Advisory: Suspect breaks into victim’s home, removes clothes, falls asleep. Flees scene leaving clothes, id behind

On 7/22/14, a residential burglary occurred at 2100 block of West Civic Center. Suspect Jonathan Phan forcibly entered the residence, removed his clothing and went to sleep in the victim’s bed. The victim awoke and when she saw Phan she screamed. The screams woke Phan and he jumped out through the window leaving behind his wallet, pants, and cellphone. Patrol officers identified Phan by his CA Driver’s License that was in his wallet. Continue reading→

Garden Grove man shot his victims during a possible drug transaction

Posted on August 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Drugs, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Dustin Sean Ross McDonald

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: August 15, 2014

Case# 14CF2681

DEFENDANT TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES SHOOTING-MURDER OF ONE MAN AND INJURING TWO WOMEN

SANTA ANA – A Garden Grove man will be arraigned today for the special circumstances shooting-murder of a man and attempted murder of two women in Santa Ana. Dustin Sean Ross McDonald, 23, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder by lying in wait, and two felony counts of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation. He also faces sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death or great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. McDonald is scheduled to be arraigned today, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined. Continue reading→

Michigan man indicted for a sextortion plot against a 16-year-old Santa Ana teen

Posted on August 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Nicholas Glenn Wilcox

A Southern California Grand Jury has indicted Nicholas Glenn Wilcox, who resides in Michigan, for allegedly threatening a 16-year-old Santa Ana boy and demanding the teen take pornographic photos and videos of himself, court filings show, according to the O.C. Register.

Michigan law enforcement authorities list the 5-foot-9 inch and 250-pound Wilcox–who used monikers that include “rapegod666,” “Kypkilla12,” “that1kid014,” “Flame” and “Heretik”–as a sex offender with a 2009 felony conviction for possession of “child sexually abusive material,” according to the OC Weekly.

Here are additional details about this case, courtesy of the OC Weekly: Continue reading→