Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Crime

Two arrested in Fountain Valley for possession of meth and heroin after a traffic stop

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Kayla Steele

Fountain Valley police officers conducted a traffic stop Thursday night at Newhope and Heil for a traffic violation. Officers contacted the occupants and determined the driver was on probation. Officers then searched the vehicle and found illegal drugs and evidence of drug sales.

The driver, 44-year old Adolpho Delgado of Fountain Valley, was arrested for sales and transportation of meth and heroin along with other charges. The passenger, 21-year old Kayla Steele of Huntington Beach, was arrested for possession of illegal drugs.


Adolpho Delgado

Officers conducted a probation search at Delgado’e residence and found additional evidence. In total, Officers seized 53 grams of methamphetamine, 4 grams of heroin, other prescription drugs, indicia of drug sales, a military “flak” jacket, replica firearms, and brass knuckles.

Man arrested for stealing from gym lockers all over Orange County

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Todd Neubauer

Fountain Valley Police Detectives arrested 29-year old Todd Neubauer of Fullerton for numerous thefts from lockers at 24 Hour Fitness and Crunch Gyms throughout the county.

Neubauer would cut the locks off gym lockers, steal the property and then use any credit cards obtained to fraudulently purchase items from various stores.

The Fountain Valley Detective Bureau investigated this case, developed several leads and ultimately identified Neubauer as the suspect.

He was arrested in Fullerton and had stolen property in his possession as well as bolt cutters and a lock picking set.

He was booked into Orange County Jail for burglary, possession of stolen property, identity theft, fraud and possession of burglary tools.

Just a reminder to the public, the safest practice is not to keep valuables in your vehicle or in a gym locker. Any possible victims are encouraged to call the Detective Bureau and (714) 593-4468.

The SAPD has identified the two people who died in a house fire on Jan. 1

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: January 1st Homicide Investigation Update – Decedents Identified

On Tuesday, January 1st, 2019, at 10:34 A.M., SAPD Officers responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at 2314 W. Manly Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found the interior of the residence engulfed in flames. Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.

Two decedents were then discovered within the residence. The deaths were determined to be suspicious in nature therefore SAPD Homicide Detectives took over the investigation.

The decedents have been identified by the Orange County Coroner’s Office as Charlene Twee Nguyen (57) and Ahmad Alassad (39), husband and wife who resided at that location. The official cause of death remains unknown as autopsies are still pending.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call SAPD Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 245-8390, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

A man was shot and wounded in Santa Ana on New Year’s Day

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An unidentified man was shot and wounded on New Year’s Day in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The shooting happened just before 9 p.m. in a residential neighborhood located at Golden West Avenue near McFadden Avenue.

The victim is expected to survive after getting shot in the shoulder, according to the SAPD.

The SAPD is not sure as to the motive for the shooting. But they did arrest a suspect, whose name was not released to the public.

The Orange Police Department is looking for two stabbing suspects

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The City of Orange Police Department is trying to identify two suspects involved in a stabbing.

On December 23, 2018, at approximately 6:36 p.m., three victims were walking in the area of Glassell St. and W. Wilson Ave. when they were approached by the suspects who demanded money. When the victims refused to give the suspects money, two of the three victims were stabbed.

The victims were visiting for the holidays and have been released from the hospital.

Contact the Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444 if you have any information.

Ridesharing O.C. driver accused of molesting developmentally disabled women

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Rusty Lee Love

Costa Mesa Police Department

Advisory: We are seeking potential additional victims of a ridesharing driver arrested for sexually assaulting developmentally disabled women

Arrestee: Rusty Lee Love, 52, Huntington Beach

COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) is seeking potential additional victims of a ridesharing driver who was recently arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting three developmentally disabled adult women.

Detectives have been conducting an ongoing investigation involving sexual assault allegations made by three developmentally disabled adult female victims. Love, who is an acquaintance of the victims, was identified as the man suspected of sexually assaulting each of the victims in their Costa Mesa homes while providing unlicensed massage services between 2017 and 2018.

On Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, CMPD Detectives arrested Love in the 20000 block of Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach. He was booked into Orange County Jail on several charges of sexual assault against developmentally disabled persons and later posted bail.

After Love’s arrest, detectives learned he had been working as a ride-booking services driver, operating between Orange and San Diego County. Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying potential additional victims Love might have had access to through his employment as well as his personal network.

Incident/DR#: 18-5627

Arrest: Dec. 21, 2018, out of custody on $50,000 bail

Arrest Charges: one count of rape, one count of digital penetration of a developmentally disabled person, and one count of oral copulation of a developmentally disabled person

The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with additional information, or who believes they have been a victim, is encouraged to contact CMPD Detective Rob Dimel at (714) 754-5363.

The SAPD is conducting a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint on 12/28

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory SAPD conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, December 28, 2018 in the area of 2100 S Raitt Street

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, December 28th, 2018. It will begin at 9:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30 AM. It will be conducted in the area of 2100 S Raitt 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 investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred after a hit and run accident

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Collision Investigation Unit Handling Fatal Auto Vs Ped. Collision – 900 Block of W. 1st Street

Decedent: Mark Stephen Keller (40) Brea

On 12/23/2018 at approximately 5:53 a.m., Dispatchers received numerous calls regarding a vehicle that had struck a tree in the center median of 1st Street east of Flower Street. Subsequent callers reported that the vehicle occupants were walking away westbound on 1st Street. When officers arrived on scene, they located two males lying in the roadway of 1st Street west of Flower Street. One of the males had significant head trauma and was unconscious.

During the investigation, it was determined that the driver and his passenger were fleeing the scene of the collision on foot. They crossed 1st Street southbound in the west crosswalk of Flower Street. While crossing 1st Street, both were struck by a westbound vehicle. The driver of this vehicle remained at scene and cooperated with officers.

On 12/26/2018, at 5:26 p.m. the pedestrian (the person identified as driver in the initial collision) died as a result the injuries sustained in subsequent the traffic collision. The initial investigation has revealed the deceased pedestrian/driver was under the influence of a drug at the time of both collisions.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Gangbanger gets prison time after defacing a popular mural in Santa Ana

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Eric Alan Cabrera

Eric Alan Cabrera, 20, Garden Grove, AKA Eric Alan Cabrera Mora, will serve the 16-month sentence concurrently with a two-year term for burglary, according to the Orange County Register. Cabrera got caught vandalizing a mural depicting nearly 200 portraits of Mexican-American men and women who served in the U.S. Military in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Cabrera was accused of vandalizing a mural, “Among Heroes,” on the side of a small business on Washington Avenue in Santa Ana by spray painting graffiti on the wall, between March 11, 2018, and March 12, 2018.

He was also accused of vandalizing a clothing store on 1st Street in Santa Ana by tagging graffiti on its exterior wall, at approximately 2:30 a.m. on March 12, 2018. That incident was captured on surveillance cameras and reported to the Santa Ana Police Department, who investigated this case.

The popular mural, which was painted onto the side wall of the historic La Chiquita market, was restored by its artist with the help of more than $11,000 raised by SAPD police officers and a crowdfunding campaign. The father of Officer John Rodriguez, one of the police officers who helped raise the money, is featured on the wall and was present to help hand a donation check to Aguilar, according to the Orange County Register.

Cabrera got caught because SAPD police officers viewed surveillance footage and were able to see his vehicle’s license plate number and thus linked him to the crime.

Cabrera apparently committed these crimes on behalf of a criminal street gang.

On March 15, 2018, Cabrera was arrested in Anaheim on unrelated charges.

Santa Ana woman to be charged with vehicular manslaughter after fatal car accident

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19-YEAR-OLD DRIVER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER OF TWO MINORS AFTER FATAL CRASH IN TUSTIN

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A 19-year-old driver is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for the vehicular manslaughter of two minors after a fatal crash in Tustin.

Defendant: Josselyn Jazmine Anguiano, 19, Santa Ana

Charged on Nov. 27, 2018, with the following felony counts:

  • (2) Vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence
  • Child endangerment by caretaker
  • Infraction:
  • Seat belt required
  • Sentencing Enhancement: (4) Great bodily injury

Maximum Sentence: 10 years and four months in state prison

Court Date on Dec. 27, 2018, 8:30 a.m. at Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana

Circumstances of the Case

  • On March 23, 2018, Anguiano is accused of driving a five passenger sedan with a total of seven occupants in the vehicle including 17-year-old John Doe 1 and 17-year-old John Doe 2.
  • The defendant is accused of reaching 75 miles per hour (mph) before attempting to turn on a street with a 35 mph speed limit near the District in Tustin.
  • The vehicle struck a curb at approximately 47 mph, hit multiple steel/concrete poles, flipped on its side, and slid for a short distance before coming to rest.
  • John Doe 1 was pronounced dead at the scene and John 2 later died on March 25, 2018. Injuries among two other minor passengers include a broken jaw and a fractured pelvis.
  • Tustin Police Department investigated this case.
  • Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney Brian Orue, Homicide Unit

DNA evidence led to the arrest of a man for allegedly kidnapping and raping a girl in Costa Mesa

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Rodolfo Jimenez, a 32-year-old man, is scheduled to be arraigned next month on charges of kidnapping a girl in Costa Mesa and raping her, according to NBC.

Jimenez was connected to the victim via DNA evidence. He claims not to know the victim.

Jimenez was charged on Wednesday with kidnapping for child molestation, forcible lewd act on a child, sexual penetration by force of a child younger than 14 and rape, all felonies.

The attack happened on Aug. 18.

Jimenez will be arraigned on Jan. 11, at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

An SAPD parking control officer helped to nail two mail thieves

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Renee Marie Paredes

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Santa Ana PD Parking Control Officer Assist Patrol officers In The Arrest Of Mail Thieves

Santa Ana Parking Control Officer observed a suspicious male subject around a U.S. postal mailbox near Main and Washington. She observed him placing a red cord into the mailbox and removed several pieces of mail. Suspect then ran into a waiting pickup truck driven by a female suspect.

The Parking Control Officer provided responding officers updates on the suspect’s location, who were then able to locate and stop the vehicle. The suspect was arrested for possession of phishing tools (glue rat traps tied to a dog leash) and possession of stolen U.S. mail. The driver provided false information but further investigation revealed she had outstanding warrants. Both suspects were arrested and transported to Santa Ana Jail for booking.


Jose Manuel Jimenez

The suspects were identified as Jose Manuel Jimenez (39) Santa Ana and Renee Marie Paredes (49) Santa Ana.

Mail theft tools found on the supsects

Tips to Prevent Mail Theft:

  • Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight!
  • If you don’t receive a check or other valuable mail you’re expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately!
  • Mail sensitive or financial information from your local post office.
  • Have mail and package deliveries suspended when you are out of town.
  • Don’t send cash in the mail.

And always remember if you see something, say something!

Santa Ana man gets 10 years in prison after an armed robbery and carjacking attempt in Garden Grove

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Abel Joseph Orduna, a 21-year-old Santa Ana man, pleaded guilty and was immediately sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison for a violent robbery and attempted carjacking in Garden Grove, according to the O.C. Register.

Orduna pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and one count each of robbery, possession of a short-barreled shotgun and attempted carjacking, all felonies.

Garden Grove police officers responded on Nov. 17, just before 2:30 p.m., to reports of shots fired at Harbor Blvd. and Buaro St., in Garden Grove. The responding police officers found two male victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

Both of the victims survived wounds to their necks and chests.

Orduna did not stop there. After the attack he brandished a sawed-off rifle while trying to carjack a victim at Harbor and Garden Grove Blvds. The police finally caught him nearby, recovered the weapon and stolen property, and arrested him.

The SAPD will be conducting DUI Saturation Patrols until Jan. 1

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT HELPING KEEP ROADWAYS SAFE OVER CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAYS

Santa Ana, Calif.—The Christmas and New Year’s holidays are ways to spend time with family and friends ringing in another year, but also a time when people can make poor choices that put themselves and others at risk on the road.

To help spread the message about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, Santa Ana Police Department is partnering with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to get impaired drivers off roads.

During the high-visibility enforcement campaign Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, which runs from Dec. 14-Jan. 1, Santa Ana Police Department will have more officers on the road conducting saturation patrols looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Santa Ana Police Department also reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Marijuana, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

During the 2017 Christmas (Dec. 22-25) and New Year’s (Dec. 30-Jan. 2) holiday periods, 25 people were killed and 643 injured on California roads, according to data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS).

“Drunk driving continues to be a huge problem in this country, and more recently, marijuana and drug-impaired driving,” Chief of Police David Valentin. “People are out and about shopping for the holidays and going to or hosting parties, so it is important that everyone acts responsibly behind the wheel.”

A Santa Ana man and two others were arrested for stabbing a man in Old Towne Orange

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Police arrested three people on Tuesday, Dec. 18, including a Santa Ana resident, Armando Alvarez, 18, on suspicion of stabbing a man the night before in Old Towne Orange, according to the O.C. Register.

The victim of the attack, an unidentified man, was hospitalized with life-threatening wounds to his chest, but he was expected to survive, according to the Orange Police.

The other suspects that were arrested on Tuesday, on suspicion of attempted murder, were identified as Daniel Rivera, 26, of Orange and Isack Valdez, 26, of Anaheim.

The Orange Police do not yet know what the motive was for the stabbing attack.