New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Crime

The City of Santa Ana got permission to clean up the homeless trash along the train tracks

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, homeless, Public Safety, public works, Santa Ana, SAPD, Waste 3 Comments

SANTA ANA, CA – On May 9, 2019, a Superior Court judge granted the City’s application for an Inspection and Abatement Warrant, which allows City staff to legally enter Union Pacific property and abate public nuisance or dangerous conditions, according to the City of Santa Ana.

On May 22, 2019 at approximately 8:00AM, over 50 City of Santa Ana staff (Code Enforcement, Police Department, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Community Development) as well as private contractors, began a large scale service of the inspection and abatement warrant at five locations within the city.

The locations impacted were:
• 1200-1300 E. Edinger
• 1716 S. Santa Fe
• 2500 S. Main/Goetz
• 1000-1100 E. Chestnut/Santa Fe
• 1200-1300 E. Warner

The warrant authorized City staff to enter the private property of Union Pacific Railroad, to perform inspections and abate any dangerous conditions. For example, at the 1200-1300 E. Edinger location (3 blocks south along the railroad right of way), staff discovered over 60 encampments/shanty’s occupied by 16 individuals. Trash and debris was strewn around the area. Staff determined it was imperative, for public health and safety, to immediately abate the dangerous condition. Public works crews and private contractors began cleanup efforts.

Police Officers and representatives of the Orange County Health Care Agency provided outreach to all 16 contacted individuals experiencing homelessness. None accepted services. One (1) individual was arrested for narcotics violations.

This abatement effort comes after months of repeated attempts to ensure that Union Pacific properly addresses their railroad right-of-ways in our City and hold them accountable for their property much like we do with any other property owner. Based on State law and the Santa Ana Municipal Code, the City will be billing Union Pacific for the recovery of the city’s costs required for abatement of these areas. These areas were chosen due to the high number of violations that were visible from the public right-of-way. This is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness and the quality of life of all residents.

More information about the totality of the operation will be forthcoming at operation conclusion.

About City of Santa Ana

Santa Ana is downtown for the world famous Orange County, California. As the County Seat, home to a vibrant evening scene and one of the most diverse communities in California, Santa Ana is gaining national attention for its efforts to innovate and address a changing County. Over 1,200 City employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at http://www.santa-ana.org.

The SAPD will soon start posting pictures of those arrested for trying to hook up with prostitutes

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 3 Comments

As part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to increase the quality of life to Santa Ana residents and decrease criminal activity surrounding prostitution related offenses, the Santa Ana Police Department will launch an online web page identifying and depicting individuals who have been arrested and charged with prostitution related offenses. The public will now have access to view public information of individuals arrested and charged by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) with prostitution related offenses. The identity of those arrested and charged with prostitution related offenses will appear as they were provided to police officers in the field at the time of arrests.

The web page will include the following information:

• Offender Picture
• Offender Name
• Age of Offender
• Charges Filed by the OCDA’s Office

The above listed information will be posted for 15 days and then removed.

This past year, the Department has made over 300 prostitution related arrests and specifically 19 pimping and pandering arrests directly impacting Human Trafficking offenses associated with these activities.

The Department’s new web page will be accessible beginning on May 27, 2019.

Councilmember Jose Solorio said, “For too long, Santa Ana has been complacent with human trafficking activity in our city, and along Harbor Blvd. in particular. We have to take active stands against it and I’m pleased we are finally implementing this new initiative to help address the problem.”

“I’m happy to see that the solicitors who’ve kept this industry alive for decades, will finally be made public for their friends, family, neighbors, employers, and spouses to see. It’s their cross to bear and it’s time we put the safety and concern of Santa Ana residents first”, said Councilmember David Penaloza.

Chief David Valentin said, “Enforcement alone has not eliminated prostitution related activity in our city. The City is evaluating traffic mitigation options, increased community engagement, the use of enhanced undercover surveillance and enforcement operations as part of our overall strategy to decrease the negative effects these crimes have on our community. Publicly posting the photos and identities of individuals arrested and charged with prostitution related offenses is another step the City and the Department are taking to curtail this criminal conduct and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”

The SAPD is looking for a suspect who keeps defrauding payday centers

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, Fraud, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Wanted Suspect: Adrian Bustamante-Munoz (51)

Adrian Bustamante-Munoz entered a Pay Day Money Center in Santa Ana and presented a check from his employer that he had previously cashed.

The business cashed the check and was unaware that the check had already been negotiated.

Bustamante-Munoz’ employer advised this is the second time he has committed a similar crime.

A records check revealed Bustamante-Munoz has two additional misdemeanor warrants.

Anyone with information on Bustamante’s whereabouts is asked to contact Police Investigative Specialist F. Munoz at FMunoz@santa-ana.org.

The SAPD is trying to identify an armed robbery suspect

Posted on May 21, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On 5-1-2019 at approximately 4:40 AM the female victim arrived at the Bank of America located at 2100 South Main Street to use the ATM machine. As the victim was using the machine to retrieve cash, the male suspect approached the victim removing a large handgun from his waistband, according to the SAPD.

The suspect demanded the victim give him the money, a short struggle occurred and the victim gave the suspect the money. The suspect and fled the location after getting into an early 2000’s Chevrolet Silverado dark in color.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect in this case is asked to contact Robbery Detective Corporal D. Padron at (714) 245-8545 or DPadron@santa-ana.org.

37 vagrants were arrested during the Santiago Creek cleanup on Saturday

Posted on May 19, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, homeless, Jose Solorio, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, public works, Santa Ana, SAPD 4 Comments

https://www.facebook.com/jsolorio/videos/10157234997218545/

By Santa Ana City Councilman Jose Solorio

Based on our recent Santiago Creek tour we held with neighborhood leaders, our Police Chief, and new City Manager (Kristine Ridge), the City coordinated for yesterday and today, Operation Santiago Creek. It focuses on the Creek and areas underneath the 5 FWY/ Broadway underpasses.

A total of 46 people were contacted at this location yesterday, most of whom were experiencing homelessness:

15 of the 46 had ties to Santa Ana but refused any type of shelter or assistance.
31 of the 46 did not have any ties to Santa Ana. Only 3 of these non-Santa Ana individuals accepted shelter at the Courtyard.
A total of 37 were arrested for violation of the Santa Ana Municipal Code 10-403(C) Unlawful Storage of Property in Public Area, Warrants, or Narcotic Violations.
6 others were contacted but released without any incident.

Also related..a follow-up to the recent meetings I held with our local neighborhood leaders, I placed 85C item (below) on the agenda for next Tuesday (5/21) so we can be clear with City staff that our neighborhoods and residents want to prioritize the use of Measure X tax revenues for addressing our homelessness crisis and public safety issues, as Measure X said it would.

ITEM 85C: DISCUSS AND DIRECT STAFF, AS APPROPRIATE, TO USE MEASURE X FUNDS TO EXPAND CITY’S CURRENT CONTRACT WITH ALLIED UNIVERSAL SECURITY SERVICES TO QUICKLY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY BEGIN PROVIDING SECURITY SERVICES AT FIVE PARKS IN EACH WARD, PLUS SANTIAGO CREEK, DEDICATED BIKE TRAILS OWNED BY THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, AND ADDITIONAL COVERAGE AT CENTENNIAL PARK. UNTIL THE CITY IS ABLE TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE PARK RANGER PROGRAM, THESE EXPANDED SERVICES WOULD ALLOW US TO ADDRESS INCREASING CONCERNS FROM RESIDENTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS REGARDING HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS, TRASH, GRAFFITI, DRUG USE AND RELATED PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS – Councilmember Solorio

It would be fantastic if we had sufficient officers to provide more ongoing patrols and services, but our Santa Ana Police Department just has too many vacancies to do more for us at our parks and Creek. Expanding our existing contract with our security services would be much quicker and more cost-effective, so I am hopeful we can do this or something similar.

Like many in Santa Ana, I voted against the Measure, but since it was passed by our voters I want to make we use the new tax revenue wisely and as marketed to voters.

If you could come and speak in support of 85C at the Council meeting next Tuesday that would be best. However, you can also send emails to the City Clerk via the ecomments email below and email the Mayor and City Councilmembers directly from their webpage.

eComment@santa-ana.org

Link to full agenda: http://bit.ly/SACouncilAgenda052119

A Santa Ana man pleaded guilty to a fatal DUI pedestrian collision

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Alberto Solano Diaz of Santa Ana, a 38-year-old convicted drunken driver, pleaded guilty Wednesday, May 15, to an alcohol-fueled hit-and-run collision that killed a homeless woman in April, according to the O.C. Register.

Diaz accepted charges of a felony count of hit-and-run with permanent and serious injury and one misdemeanor count each of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence and driving under the influence of alcohol. He is set be sentenced on June 7.

An SAPD police officer who was on patrol found 40-year-old Leticia Marquez lying in the road, just past midnight, on April 24, on Standard Ave., north of Edinger Ave., according to the SAPd.

Police investigators determined that Marquez had been in a crosswalk but could not ascertain if she was crossing against a red light when she was struck by a vehicle. She was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

As it turned out other SAPD officers found unoccupied car that had major front-end damage, a couple blocks away from where Marquez was struck. Diaz, who showed signs of intoxication, was walking away from the car when the police officers detained him.

Diaz previously pleaded guilty, back in 2009, to misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of .08 and driving without a valid driver’s license. At the time he was placed on three years of informal probation and he was ordered to pay $440 in fines and participate in a first-offender alcohol program for three months.

Diaz has since had his probation revoked and reactivated because he did not pay his fines.

The suspect who stole a lemur from the Santa Ana Zoo has been identified

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Newport Beach, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Quinn Kasbar, 19, has been identified as the suspect who allegedly stole 32-year-old Isaac — the oldest lemur in North America, from the Santa Ana Zoo, by the Newport Beach Police, according to CBS.

Kasbar is the serial burglar who targeted a number of unoccupied homes in Newport Beach and Corona del Mar last year, as previously reported by CBS.

Kasbar was previously known for surfing the infamous Wedge at Newport Beach – on an air mattress, as reported by ABC.

Kasbar was captured after security video showed a man in a hoodie dropping off a box with the endangered primate inside and a note saying “this belongs to the Santa Ana Zoo. It was taken last night. Please bring it to police.”

Apparently the Newport Beach police spoke to an individual who said that Kasbar had bragged to him that he had taken the lemur from the Santa Ana Zoo. The police later found evidence that proved this.

The Newport Beach Police passed the case on to the SAPD and they are now working with federal officials as stealing a lemur is a federal offense. They are an endangered species.

The Newport Beach police are also still pursing charges against Kasbar stemming from several burglaries on Balboa Island, Corona del Mar and Newport Beach. While the police recovered some of those items they also found pictures on his phone of items that were never recovered.

Kasbar is set to appear at the state court in Newport Beach next month with regard to the burglary charges.

The SAPD is looking for anyone who witnessed the horrific car accident on May 13

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

https://youtu.be/5M-G8CpEvwU

The SAPD Collision Investigation Unit is releasing new video of the major injury collision that occurred on 5-13-2019, in the area of McFadden Avenue and Jackson Street at 12:30pm.

Investigators are looking for any potential witnesses who may have observed the original collision between the white Acura and the stake bed truck at the intersection of McFadden Avenue and Riverview Market Place.0

The video shows there were additional vehicles at that intersection where the original collision occurred. Investigators would like to talk to any of those individuals who may have witnessed the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Quinones at 714-245-8284. The driver of the Acura remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Pastor who volunteered at the Fountain Valley police and fire departments charged with 11 counts of child molestation

Posted on May 14, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Churches and Religion, Crime, Fountain Valley, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Victims Ranged in Age from Five to 15 Years Old

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man who served as a head pastor at several Southern California churches faces 11 child molestation charges for victimizing seven children ranging in age from five to 15 years old.

John Rodgers McFarland, 67, of Fullerton was arrested on May 9, 2019. He is charged with seven felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, and four felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor between the ages of 14 and 15.

Prosecutors allege the molestations for the current offenses occurred between 2003 and 2017.

McFarland is currently being held on $2 million bail at the Orange County Jail. He faces a maximum sentence of 179 years to life if convicted on all counts.

McFarland has been the head pastor at Orangethorpe United Methodist Church in Fullerton since 2016. He also served as a volunteer chaplain for the Fountain Valley Police Department and Fountain Valley Fire Department.

McFarland was a pastor at Surf City Church in Huntington Beach between 2011 and 2016, and served as senior pastor at Fountain Valley United Methodist Church for 26 years from 1988 to 2016. He served as a youth pastor at the San Dieguito Methodist Church in Encinitas from 1978 to 1981 and attended Christian Youth Camps during his ministry there. McFarland’s first appointment as senior pastor was at Calexico United Methodist Church in Calexico, where he served from 1981 to 1988.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on May 13, 2019 in Department CJ-1.

Deputy District Attorney Ann Fawaz of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

Two men charged with murder in dragging death of woman while trying to steal her purse

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA 3 Comments

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Two men have been charged with murder in the dragging death of a 32-year-old Santa Ana woman while attempting to steal her purse. A third suspect has been charged with robbery, according to the OCDA.

Gregory Anthony Walker, 19, of Los Angeles, and Giovanni Solomon Guy, 20, of Los Angeles, have been charged with one count each of murder with a special circumstance of murder in the commission of a robbery. Brad Maurice Brown, Jr., 19, of Hawthorne, has been charged with one felony count of robbery.

Walker and Guy face a minimum sentence of life without the possibility of parole. They are eligible for the death penalty. Brown faces a minimum sentence of two years if convicted of robbery.

At the time of the murder, Walker was out on bail on two felony counts of robbery, one felony count of receiving stolen property, and one felony count of burglary. Guy was out on bail on one felony count of robbery and one count of carrying a concealed firearm.

On May 8, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives were conducting surveillance on vehicle used in a robbery. While under surveillance, Walker, Guy, and Brown drove in a SUV to the Garden Grove Plaza near the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Westminster Boulevard in Garden Grove.

At approximately 9:45 a.m., Guy and Walker exited their vehicle and confronted Nga Ngoc Nguyen, 32, of Santa Ana and attempted to steal her purse. Walker is accused of grabbing Nguyen from behind and throwing her to the ground and grabbing her wristlet. The purse was wrapped around Nguyen’s wrist while Walker continued to drag Nguyen as he ran back to the SUV. Guy returned to the driver’s seat and ran over Nguyen, resulting in traumatic injuries.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives asked for assistance from the Garden Grove Police Department. Nguyen was transported to a local trauma center, where she was pronounced dead.

The suspects were arrested near the area of the 110 freeway and Century Boulevard in Los Angeles County after they abandoned their vehicle.

The investigation is on-going and anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Garden Grove Police Department Crimes Against Persons unit at 714-741-5839.

“The Orange County District Attorney is taken aback by the brutal and callous acts of the defendants which resulted in the death of Nga Nguyen,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “The Orange County District Attorney’s Office would like to extend its sincerest condolences to the loved ones of Nga Nguyen.”

The SAPD is conducting a pre-Mother’s Day DUI and Driver’s License checkpoint tonight

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Drugs, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday May 10th, 2019. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 2000 W. First 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 / Driver’s 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 is.

The checkpoint will be staffed by officers trained in the detection of alcohol and drug impairment to provide on-the-spot assessments of drivers suspected of alcohol or drug impairment. All checkpoints are conducted in accordance with the guidelines for DUI checkpoint operations outlined in the California Supreme Court decision, Ingersoll v. Palmer.

All vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and / or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The SAPD is searching for a suspect who stole two rental cars

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in automobiles, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Wanted Suspect: Rogelio Arteaga (49)

Suspect Rogelio Arteaga rented a vehicle from AVIS in 2016 and a vehicle from HERTZ in 2018, and failed to return both vehicles to the rental companies. Both vehicles have already been recovered. Arteaga has an outstanding $15,000 traffic bench warrant out of Orange County as of July 1, 2011.

Anyone with information on Arteaga’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective B. Romero at (714) 245-8529.

The woman found tied up in a vacant Santa Ana house was a homeless squatter

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, homeless, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

A woman found bound and gagged inside a vacant Santa Ana home on Tuesday afternoon lied about being kidnapped, officials said, but detectives were investigating whether she was a victim of false imprisonment, according to the O.C. Register.

The woman, who is homeless, told authorities earlier in the day that she was abducted hours earlier close to the bike trail near Rousselle Street.
But as detectives interviewed the woman, they began to find inconsistencies in her story, according to the L.A. Times.

The woman received medical attention after officers cut her loose. However, by Tuesday night, police had confirmed the woman had made up the kidnapping story and, in fact, she was a squatter. It’s unclear how the woman became bound and gag. Police say the woman, who was not immediately identified, could face criminal charges, according to Fox News.

Man with knife and making suicide threats arrested after standoff with Costa Mesa police officers

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime Leave a comment

Yesterday, May 7, 2019, a detective at the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) observed a suspicious man that appeared to be bleeding while holding a knife, walking toward the front doors of the PD. The detective walked over to make contact but the man fled on a bicycle eastbound toward Newport Boulevard. At about 1:37 p.m, officers nearby approached the area and the suspect ran into the Regency Inn lobby. It was reported that the man was bleeding from the arm, had made suicide threats, and was armed with a knife and a gun.

The suspect, later identified as David Abraham Deleal, 38, Costa Mesa, barricaded himself inside a room close to the lobby on the first floor. During that time, CMPD’s SWAT and its Crisis Negotiations Team, and Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue responded to the scene. Deleal caused a fire and smoke was seen coming from the room but Deleal extinguished the fire shortly thereafter.

CMPD evacuated the motel and set up a perimeter blocking Newport Boulevard northbound. Officers on the Crisis Negotiations Team made contact with Deleal and kept an open line of communication with him to resolve the incident safely and without harm to anyone. During the incident, Deleal broadcasted publicly for a short period of time on social media while holding what appeared to be a firearm.

At 6:57 p.m., Deleal came out of the Regency Inn and officers took him into custody. He was found to be in possession of a knife and a firearm, which was later confirmed to be an imitation firearm. Deleal was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for self-inflicted wounds. He was subsequently released and booked on arson in an inhabited structure, battery against an officer, vandalism causing damage to property, exhibiting an imitation firearm in the presence of a peace officer, trespassing for refusal to leave the motel, and obstruction.

The SAPD used DNA evidence to identify a brutal sexual assault suspect

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Suspect: Cornelio Chairez-Velasquez (37)

DNA evidence has identified the suspect in a brutal sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. The assault occurred on November 24, 2018, as the victim sat on a park bench. Santa Ana Police responded to Cabrillo Park after midnight and found the victim beaten and sexually assaulted. Santa Ana Police Special Crimes detectives released a sketch of the suspect and sought help from the public. The case remained open as detectives followed up on several leads, but the suspect was never captured. Cornelio Chairez-Velasquez was recently identified as the suspect though DNA evidence.

Chairez-Velasquez has been in custody since he attacked a woman at a Santa Ana motel in January of 2019. In this case, Chairez-Velasquez attempted to sexually assault a woman before strangling her. Santa Ana Police were called to the scene and arrested Chairez-Velasquez. He was booked for attempt-murder and multiple sexual assault charges.

Chairez-Velasquez was still in custody at the Orange County Jail when he was identified as the suspect in the Cabrillo Park case. Rape and child molest charges have been added and he is currently held without bail.

Santa Ana Police Department Detectives believe there could be additional victims and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Corporal Maria Lopez at 714-245-8542, mlopez15@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.