New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Crime

Irvine man to face trial for raping two women in Irvine and Newport Beach

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, irvine Leave a comment

Picture courtesy of KABC

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11HF1885: March 17, 2014

MAN TO FACE TRIAL FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO WOMEN IN IRVINE AND NEWPORT BEACH

SANTA ANA – A man is scheduled to face trial tomorrow for the sexual assaults of two women in Irvine and Newport Beach. Travis Dewayne Batten, Jr., 31, Irvine, is charged with two felony counts of forcible rape, one felony count each of assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense during the commission of first degree burglary, sodomy by force, sexual penetration by foreign object by force, dissuading a witness by force or threat, kidnapping to commit a sex offense, and first degree residential burglary. He also faces sentencing enhancement allegations for committing sexual offenses during the commission of a burglary and tying up or binding a person. If convicted, Batten faces a maximum sentence of 176 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, March 18, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. in Department C-27, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

The OC DUI Task Force will be looking for drunk drivers on St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock (714) 904-7042, Gail Krause, (714) 623-8940

Designate a Sober Driver on St. Patrick’s Day

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (March 15, 2014) — With St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and the Orange County “Avoid the 38” DUI Task Force are reminding drivers not to get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 269 people were senselessly killed nationwide in crashes involving drunk drivers during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday from 2007 to 2011. Those fatalities were preventable. Continue reading→

CHP Amber Alert – Four kids abducted in L.A.

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Enrique Felix

CHP Amber Alert

FOUR CHILDREN WERE ABDUCTED IN LOS ANGELES, CA. THE SUSPECTS ARE POSSIBLY DRIVING A DARK COLORED CHRYSLER PT CRUISER.

THIS IS AN AMBER ALERT MESSAGE FROM THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL.

A CHILD ABDUCTION OCCURRED ON MARCH 14, AT 12:30 PM, IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. THE CHILDREN’S NAMES ARE JUSTIN FELIX, A 5-YEAR-OLD HISPANIC MALE, ENRIQUE FELIX, A 7-YEAR-OLD HISPANIC MALE, VERONICA FELIX, A 1-YEAR-OLD HISPANIC FEMALE, AND JANETH FELIX, A 1-YEAR-OLD HISPANIC FEMALE. Continue reading→

Newport Beach teacher from Santa Ana charged with abusing over 400 snakes

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Education, Newport Beach, OCDA, Pets, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 14CF0670: March 14, 2014

SCHOOL TEACHER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR ANIMAL ABUSE AFTER HOARDING AND IMPROPERLY HOUSING OVER 400 SNAKES

SANTA ANA – A Newport Beach elementary school teacher is scheduled to be arraigned Monday for animal abuse after hoarding and improperly housing over 400 snakes. William Frederick Buchman, 53, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of animal abuse by a caretaker. If convicted, Buchman faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison. He is out of custody on his own recognizance and is expected to be arraigned Monday, March 17, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Unidentified body found in Caspers Wilderness Park

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

Orange County Sheriff’s Department

SPECIAL BULLETIN

Unidentified Body Found – Information Wanted

On January 6, 2014, unidentified female remains were found in Caspers Wilderness Park (Rural South East area of Orange County) and it is estimated that the remains have been exposed to the elements for a period of at least six months. After preliminary testing, it has been determined that the remains are of a petite female, at least thirty years of age, shoulder length wavy dark brown hair with light colored highlights. The decedent had a very distinct gold colored dental bridge on her left lower jaw and possibly had a broken nose at some point in her life. Continue reading→

Pimp convicted after getting busted by the SAPD

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF1958: March 13, 2014

MAN CONVICTED OF PIMPING AND PANDERING WOMAN FOLLOWING TRAFFIC STOP BY UNDERCOVER OFFICERS

*One co-defendant faces trial at a later date. A third co-defendant in the vehicle was sentenced

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of pimping and pandering a woman after being stopped by undercover Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) officers. Raphael Jared Scally, 27, Hesperia, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count each of pimping and pandering. Scally faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison at his sentencing April 25, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-43, Central Justice Center. Continue reading→

MADD honors 11 OCDA attorneys for doing a great job of busting drunk drivers

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Courts, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: March 13, 2014

MADD HONORS 11 OCDA ATTORNEYS FOR EXCEPTIONAL PROSECUTION OF DRUNKEN DRIVING CASES

SANTA ANA – The Orange County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) honored 11 Orange County deputy district attorneys today for their time and effort in prosecuting driving under the influence (DUI) cases in 2013. MADD hosted the 27th Annual Law Enforcement and Prosecutor Recognition Luncheon today, March 13, 2014, to honor Orange County prosecutors and police officers for their outstanding contributions to the prosecution of DUI cases. The luncheon was held at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda. Continue reading→

SAPD arrests two Vietnamese Americans after kidnap, robbery and chase

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Vietnamese 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory:

Detectives arrest 2 after Kidnap/Robbery that leads officers in pursuit and ends in an Officer Involved Shooting

Details: On 3/13/14, at approximately 0147 hours, uniformed patrol personnel responded to the area of Hazard and Harbor regarding a robbery that had just occurred. The victim reported he was robbed by three armed male Asian suspects who were in a black truck. Loss was the victim’s money.

When officers arrived at the crime scene they observed a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description. Officers attempted to make a stop on the vehicle and a pursuit ensued that lasted about 30 minutes and traveled through 5 different cities. At one point during the pursuit it is believed that one of the suspects fled from the truck and was able to avoid capture. The pursuit terminated at Lampson and West Street, in Garden Grove, after the suspect driver crashed into the curb. Continue reading→

Suspect robs Chase Bank on 1300 N. Main St.

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Suspect Robs Chase Bank

Location: Chase Bank at 1300 N. Main

Thu, 3/13/14 09:53hrs

Summary: At 0950 hours, an adult male Black suspect Late 30’s- Early 40’s, 6-2, stocky build entered the Chase Bank at 1300 N. Main Street. He handed the teller a note demanding cash. The note stated he had an explosive device and he would “blow up the building.” Continue reading→

State Attorney General targets elementary school truancy crisis

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Crime, Education Leave a comment

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and Legislative Leaders Unveil Truancy Legislation

Monday, March 10, 2014
Contact: (415) 703-5837

SACRAMENTO – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced a package of legislation to help local school districts and communities address California’s elementary school truancy crisis. Each year, an estimated one million elementary school students are truant and 250,000 elementary school students miss 18 or more school days at a cost of $1.4 billion in lost funds to California school districts. Continue reading→

Orange resident charged with trying to murder a Dana Point man

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 14HF0931: March 11, 2014

MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR SHOOTING VICTIM AND EVADING LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH STOLEN VEHICLE

SANTA ANA – A man was charged today with attempted murder for shooting a victim and attempting to flee from law enforcement with a stolen vehicle. Julian St. John, 49, Orange, is charged with two felony counts of attempted murder, two felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two felony counts of assault with a firearm, one felony count of shooting at an inhabited dwelling, one felony count of attempted false imprisonment by violence or deceit, one felony count of unlawful taking of vehicle, one felony count of evading while driving recklessly with sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, personal discharge of a firearm, personal use of a firearm, and great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 52 years to life in state prison. He is being held on $2 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Hit and run driver turns himself in after hitting a pedestrian on Saturday

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

location of hit and run on grand and warner

Picture Courtesy of Google Maps

A driver of a vehicle believed to have been involved in a hit and run Saturday evening turned himself in to authorities several hours after a hit-and-run incident took place around 6:45 p.m. on Grand Avenue just north of Warner Avenue, in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

That is a busy intersection with a red light camera. There is a Taco Bell on the northwest corner of the intersection. There are also three bus stops on the intersection, located north, south and east of the intersection. Continue reading→

SAPD conducting a DUI checkpoint on 3/8

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Advisory: Police conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint Saturday, March 8th 9:00PM – 3:00AM area of 2400 W. 5th

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, March 8th, 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. 5th Street, in the City of Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Second suspect in felon hit and run at SAC arrested

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Second suspect in felony hit and run arrested

On Monday March 3 at 4:10 PM a 14-year-old girl was crossing against the red traffic signal and tried to run between two vehicles at the intersection of Bristol Street at 17th Street. She was hit by two vehicles, and both drivers left the scene. Adan Camacho (32) Santa Ana, the driver of a truck who first struck the victim never stopped to render aid. Officers eventually arrested and booked Camacho for felony hit-and-run, thanks to a Good Samaritan who followed the suspects truck and directed officers to the vehicle. Continue reading→

Pimp faces trial for trafficking a 14-year-old girl in Garden Grove

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA Leave a comment

Press Release, For Immediate Release, Case #13WF0628: March 4, 2014

PIMP FACES TRIAL FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN FIRST ORANGE COUNTY PROPOSITION 35 CASE

*Co-defendant prostitute/recruiter has been convicted and sentenced in this case

SANTA ANA – A pimp faces trial today for trafficking a 14-year-old girl into prostitution in the first Orange County case of human trafficking of a minor under Proposition 35 (Prop 35). Chuncey Tarae Garcia, 33, is charged with one felony count each of human trafficking of a minor by force or fear, pimping a minor, and forcible rape, with sentencing enhancement allegations for forcible rape of a minor 14 years of age and prior prison convictions for possession for sale of cocaine in 2007 and transportation of cocaine in 2009. If convicted, Garcia faces a maximum sentence of 28 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin today, Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department C-43, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→