Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Crime

SAPD detectives make arrests in 1995 cold case murder

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Detectives make arrests in 1995 Cold Case Murder

  • Arrestee: Gianni Anthony Van LKA Costa Mesa
  • Arrestee: Diane Tran LKA Irvine
  • Arrestee: Norma Patricia Esparza
  • Suspect: Shannon Ray Gries LKA Colorado (Currently listed as Fugitive)
  • Suspect: Kody Tran LKA Irvine (Deceased)

On April 16, 1995 Gonzalo Ramirez (12/06/1970) was kidnapped in Santa Ana. His body was found in the City of Irvine the next day. He was wrapped in fabric, and had been stabbed numerous times. Continue reading→

Reward offered for driver who hit 7-year-old girl

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police are still searching for the driver of the dark-colored SUV, who hit 7-year old Evelyn Jimenez,  when she darted into the street on Tuesday night, then dragged her about 15 yards. The vehicle was traveling about 30 mph on the residential street, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department, according to the O.C. Register.

The crime happened at the 400 block of South Birch Street.  If you saw this incident please contact the Orange County Crime Stoppers at  1-855-TIP-OCCS. Continue reading→

SAPD seeks more victims of man who exposed himself by schools

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Education, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Contact: Sgt. Manuel Chavez – Public Information Officer, Santa Ana Unified School District, City of Santa Ana, Office:714-558-5535, Cell:714-309-7674
Contact: Cpl. Anthony Bertagna -Public Information Officer Santa Ana Police Department, Office: 714-245-8029, Cell: 714-709-2043

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: LAW ENFORCEMENT IS SEEKING THE PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF A COSTA MESA MAN ARRESTED AND CHARGED FOR INDECENT EXPOSURE NEAR SCHOOLS

SANTA ANA – On Friday, December 7, 2012 at approximately 7:55 AM, a Santa Ana School Police Officer saw a vehicle matching the description of a vehicle wanted in connection with a series of indecent exposure incidents near schools. Continue reading→

City Manager Paul Walters receives the O.C. Bar Foundation’s Sammy Award

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Lawyers, Paul Walters, Santa Ana 8 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory:

City Manager Paul Walters receives the Orange County Bar Foundation’s Sammy Award

The Orange County Bar Foundation’s “Sammy” award is given each year to a recipient who has contributed greatly to the Foundation to assist in best serving the youth and families of Orange County. The “Sammy” is dedicated in loving memory of Robert Sam Barnes who was a longtime supporter and friend that contributed greatly to Orange County families and their youth.

Santa Ana City Manager Paul M. Walters was honored to accept the 19th Annual Robert Samuel Barnes Award. Continue reading→

Santa Ana gang member sentenced for shooting a man outside a restaurant

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Gangs, Lawyers, mexico, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney
Press Release, For Immediate Release: December 7, 2012
Contacts:, Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS TO LIFE FOR SHOOTING-MURDER OF INNOCENT RESTAURANT PATRON IN SANTA ANA

SANTA ANA – A gang member was sentenced today to 50 years to life in state prison for the unprovoked shooting-murder of an innocent man outside of a restaurant in Santa Ana. Ivan Sanchez, 23, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury Sept. 27, 2012, of one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. Continue reading→

Santa Ana couple arrested for pimping at a Motel 6 by Disneyland

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

Picture courtesy of the Anaheim Police Dept.

Anaheim police and members of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force arrested Andres Parra Terrones, 28, of Santa Ana and Irina Martinez, 27, of Anaheim on Monday following an investigation into the prostitution ring. Officials say the two ran their “business” out of the Motel 6 at 100 W. Disney Way, according to the LAist.com.

Anaheim Police vice investigators hope the booking photos of the suspects may lead other women to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Anaheim Police Department Vice Detail at 714.765.1482 or the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force at 888.373.7888 or here, according to the OC Weekly. Continue reading→

SAPD to conduct a DUI checkpoint on Friday, Dec. 7, at 1400 E. 1st St.

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory:

Police conducting DUI/Drivers License checkpoint Friday, December 7th, 7:30PM – 1:30AM conducted in the area of 1400 E. First Street

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, December 7th, 2012. It will begin at 7:30PM and is scheduled to conclude at 1:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 1400 E. First Street, in the City of Santa Ana. Continue reading→

SAPD arrests three for murder and for shooting at undercover cops

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Gangs, Garden Grove, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory:

Detectives arrest three for the murder of man and the shooting at undercover officers from Garden Grove Officers

Santa Ana Gang Homicide Detectives arrest three for the 10/19/2012 murder of a 20 year old man and the 11/13/2012 shooting at undercover officers from Garden Grove Police Department.

Arrested: Continue reading→

O.C. High School of the Arts lock out lifted after shots fired in the area

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Crime, Education, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD 4 Comments

Click here for an update on this story, from the L.A. Times.

Advisory: Orange County High School of the Arts on “Lock Out” for police activity in the area. Students and staff safe.

The Santa Ana Unified School District’s police department notified the community, via email that Tte “Lock Out” at Orange County High School of the Artswas lifted at 4:12 pm today.  They also reported that the area is secure.

The School Police reported earlier today, at 3:46 pm, that: Continue reading→

Cops allegedly made anti Mexican statements as they arrested a 17 year old

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana 17 Comments

By now you have read about the ruckus in Santa Ana yesterday when there was a “after a confrontation between a large crowd and police officers Wednesday evening,  in the area of West Camille Street,” according to the O.C. Register.

Shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday, an Orange County Fire Authority crew responding to a medical call in the 3300 block of West Camille Street requested police assistance, telling dispatchers that two men were harassing them while they were trying to attend to a patient, Cmdr. Steve Colon said. As a result, three men and a juvenile were arrested, said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

But hold the presses.  The community is fighting back.  Apparently the 17 year old who was arrested, Sergio Galan, is a 4.0 student who speaks English quite well.  But the cops who beat him up and arrested him did not know that as they allegedly made anti-Mexican statements. Continue reading→

Supervisor Janet Nguyen combats vehicle theft in Little Saigon

Posted on by Posted in automobiles, Crime, Garden Grove, Janet Nguyen, Little Saigon, Politics, Public Safety, Vietnamese, Westminster Leave a comment

Don’t you dare steal Janet Nguyen’s car!

County Supervisor and Local Law Enforcement Agencies Announce Vehicle Anti-Theft Crime Prevention Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 29, 2012

(Westminster) Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Sandra Hutchens,
Chief Probation Officer Steven Sentman, Garden Grove Police Chief Kevin Raney, and Westminster Police
Chief Kevin Baker, held a press conference on Thursday morning to announce the launch of a collaborative
crime prevention campaign. The campaign is designed to combat a drastic increase in burglaries and thefts from
vehicles in the Little Saigon retail centers within the Cities of Garden Grove, Westminster and the
unincorporated community of Midway City. Continue reading→

Copwatch meeting at El Centro Cultural de Mexico set for this Wed. night

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Latinos, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

An organization called “Copwatch” is hosting a meeting this Wednesday, Nov. 21, from 7 pm until 9:30 pm, at El Centro Cultural de Mexico, located at 313 N. Birch Street, in Santa Ana.

This meeting is supposed to be a “general meeting/discussion regarding the police state in our hood.” They’ll be sharing their experiences as well as bringing up possible solutions to the problems in our communities that have resulted from “criminalization by the police.”  They will also have a skill-share section showing people how to check a cop. Continue reading→

SAPD to conduct a DUI checkpoint on Friday, 11/23, at 2100 W. McFadden

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory:

Police Department conducting a DUI/Driver’s License checkpoint Friday, November 23rd 7:30PM- 1:30AM 2100 W. McFadden Ave

Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, November 23rd, 2012. It will begin at 7:30PM and is scheduled to conclude at 1:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 2100 W. McFadden Avenue, in the City of Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man convicted of burglary and and sexually assaulting girls

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: November 15, 2012
Case # 10CF1242
Contacts: Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff, Office: 714-347-8408, Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami, Spokesperson, Office: 714-347-8405, Cell: 714-323-4486

MAN CONVICTED OF TOUCHING SLEEPING FEMALES IN FIVE HOME BURGLARIES, INCLUDING SEXUALLY ASSAULTING AN 11 AND 13 YEAR OLD GIRL

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of breaking into five Orange County homes and touching female victims who were sleeping inside, including sexually assaulting an 11 and 13 year old girl. Roberto Jacobo Reyes, 49, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of forcible lewd act on a child under 14, two felony counts of lewd act upon child under 14, and three felony counts of first degree residential burglary with sentencing enhancement allegations for committing lewd acts in the commission of residential burglaries, committing lewd acts on multiple victims, and for having a non-accomplice present during a residential burglary, and a sentencing enhancement for a 2003 prior strike for residential burglary. Reyes faces a maximum sentence of 194 years to life in state prison at his sentencing January 25, 2013, in Department C-30, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

SAPD makes arrest in stabbing murder of a 21 year old female resident

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Women Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Santa Ana Police make arrest in homicide case

On, 11/13/2012, at 1939 hours, Officers were dispatched to 200 N. Laurel for a person down in the west alley. Upon arrival, they located a female on the ground suffering from several stab wounds. Paramedics from the Orange County Fire Authority arrived and pronounced the female deceased. Continue reading→