Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Crime

SAUSD police dept. swears in former student and presents a life saving award

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Santa Ana Unified School District Police Department Swears in Alumni Recruit, Also Presents Officer with Life Saving Award

Felix Rivera, a 2006 graduate of SAUSD’s Saddleback High School, was sworn in as an officer today, and Officer Brian Singer received the Life Saving Award

(Dec. 19, 2017) – The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) Police Department today honored two of its own during a special recognition ceremony at the district office that was attended by Board of Education members, Superintendent Dr. Stefanie Phillips, district leaders, police department staff, and other supporters. Continue reading→

Pimp gets 34 years to life in prison for trafficking a teenager in Orange County

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

December 21, 2017

Case # 16NF1774

MAN SENTENCED TO 34 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR FORCIBLY RAPING AND TRAFFICKING 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL, PIMPING AND PANDERING WOMAN

FULLERTON, Calif. – A man was sentenced to 34 years to life in state prison for forcibly raping and trafficking a 15-year-old girl, then pimping and pandering a woman.

Defendant: Raymond Lee Gibson, 29, Colton

Found guilty by a jury on Oct. 12, 2017, of one felony count each of: Continue reading→

Santa Ana man who informed on the Mexican Mafia gets a reduced prison sentence

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 05CF3926

Date: December 22, 2017

GANG INFORMANT SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR 2005 ATTEMPTED MURDER OF RIVAL GANG MEMBER

*Sentence reduced based on testimony that led to federal and state convictions of 79 gang members affiliated with the Mexican Mafia; FBI in collaboration with U.S. Attorneys’ Office request leniency in detailed letter

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Oscar Daniel Moriel, a gang informant, was sentenced today to 17 years in state prison for the attempted murder of a rival gang member in 2005. The defendant’s informant work and testimony led to the federal and state convictions of 79 criminal street gang members affiliated with the Mexican Mafia, a notorious Hispanic prison gang infamous for their violence and criminal enterprise, and resulted in dozens of prison sentences totaling 293 years. Continue reading→

Female gangbanger gets 45 years in prison for dragging a woman to death in Little Saigon

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 10WF0524

Date: December 22, 2017

FEMALE GANG ASSOCIATE SENTENCED TO 45 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDERING WOMAN BY DRAGGING HER WITH CAR

*Co-defendant in this case was previously convicted and sentenced

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A female associate of a criminal street gang was sentenced to 45 years to life in state prison today for murdering a woman by dragging her several blocks on the outside of her car.

Defendant: Lynn Ai Quach, 27, Garden Grove

Found guilty by a jury on Sept. 4, 2014, of: Continue reading→

Three burglary suspects who targeted O.C. real estate open houses arrested

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OCSD arrests three in open house burglary scheme

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Dec. 21, 2017) – Investigators with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department South Directed Enforcement Team (DET) have arrested three suspects accused of burglarizing multiple homes using a distraction scheme during real estate open houses.

Investigators believe the suspects started running the scheme in October 2017. A male suspect would distract the real estate agent, while two female suspects would search other areas of the home and steal items. Continue reading→

A Good Samaritan saved a Santa Ana woman who was being sexually assaulted in a vehicle

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Arrest Suspect In Attempted Rape Case, Believe There May Be Additional Unreported Victims

Jorge Cruz De Armas (27) Tustin, suspected of kidnapping and attempting to sexually assault a 28-year-old woman, was arrested in Costa Mesa last night. Santa Ana Police detectives arrested 27-year-old Jorge Cruz De Armas at his workplace after evidence at the crime scene led police to his identity.

On Monday at about 4:30 p.m., De Armas contacted the victim and offered her a ride. The victim accepted the offer and willingly entered his vehicle. Moments later, De Armas asked the victim if she wanted to have sex with him and she refused. De Armas drove the victim to an alley in the 1600 block of East Palm Street in Santa Ana where he attacked the victim. Continue reading→

The SAPD is conducting a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, Dec. 22

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Santa Ana Police Department

AdvisorySAPD conducting DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint Fri, December 22th, 2017, 9:30PM – 2:30AM, 500 W. 1st 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 22nd, 2017. It will begin at 9:30 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30 AM. It will be conducted in the area of 500 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. Continue reading→

Pregnant Santa Ana mother facing life in prison after severely torturing 15-month-old twins

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 17CF3201

Date: December 19, 2017

PREGNANT MOTHER OF FOUR FACING LIFE IN PRISON FOR TORTURING 15-MONTH-OLD TWINS RESULTING IN BONE FRACTURES AND BRAIN BLEED

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A pregnant mother of four is scheduled to be arraigned today and faces 26 years to life in prison for torturing 15-month-old twins in her care, resulting in multiple bone fractures and bleeding in the brain.

Defendant: Sacil Siglaly Lucero, 26, Santa Ana

Charged today with the following felony counts: Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for two thieves who have stolen expensive motorcycles in the South Coast Metro area

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Detectives Request Assistance In Identifying Motorcycle Theft Suspects and Vehicle

The suspects shown above were captured on video surveillance driving into the parking garage of 15 MacArthur Place in a white Chevrolet Astro van (no plates) on 12/8/17 at 5:45pm. Both suspects exited and stole the victim’s red 2015 Ducati 1299s motorcycle (CA#23E6499), placing it in the back of the van.

A similar motorcycle theft was made by the same suspects in the same area approximately two months ago. Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for an identity theft suspect who used an ATM at a local 7-11 store

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Detectives Request Assistance In Identifying Suspect In Identity Theft Case

On 9/16/2017, at approximately 1:58 PM, the suspect entered the 7-Eleven store at 103 S. Harbor Blvd., in Santa Ana, and used the ATM inside multiple times. The suspect fraudulently withdrew $1,000.00 from a victim’s bank account.

Suspect appears to be wearing a shirt that says “Basketball Never Stops” and red shoes. The suspect is believed to have made fraudulent withdrawals at 7-Eleven ATMs in Upland and Westminster as well. Continue reading→

The Santa Ana School Police are investigating a shooting threat at Valley High School

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One of our readers sent us a note tonight regarding a threat that was discovered regarding an alleged shooting that was supposed to take place tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 18, at Santa Ana’s Valley High School.

The note, which was sent by Valley High School Principal David Richey, states that the Santa Ana Police Department is investigating this matter. However school will be in session on Monday, despite the threat. Continue reading→

Santa Ana mother of four arrested for suspected child abuse

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Arrest Mother Of Four For Child Abuse – 13 Month Old Child In Critical Condition

Sacil Lucero (26) Santa Ana, a 26-year-old mother of four, was arrested Sunday for physically abusing her 13-month-old twins. Sacil Lucero, currently pregnant with her fifth child, was arrested after her daughter was taken to UCI Medical Center unresponsive and lifeless. Lucero claimed her child fell in the bathroom but the victim had major trauma to her head and had signs of physical abuse. The victim had multiple injuries and is listed in critical condition. Continue reading→

The SAPD has arrested a suspect in yesterday’s murder of a woman in DTSA

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Make Arrest In Homicide -300 Block East Fourth Street

SAPD Detectives Make Arrest In Homicide -300 Block East Fourth Street

Victim/DECEASED: Shannon Pearce Likens, (38), Santa Ana.

Suspect/ARRESTED: Prentis John Hill (39), Santa Ana.

On Saturday, December 16, 2017, at 11:33 AM, SAPD officers responded to a domestic violence call at 316 West 4th Street, #209. Upon arrival, they found the apartment door closed. There was no answer. Neighboring tenants reported a violent altercation and that the male suspect fled the building prior to the arrival of police. Continue reading→

A woman was murdered in her Downtown Santa Ana apartment today

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Detectives Investigating Homicide – 300 Block Of West Fourth Street

On Saturday, December 16, 2017, at 11:33 a.m., SAPD police officers responded to a domestic violence call at 316 West 4th Street #209. Upon arrival, they found the apartment closed. There was no answer at the door. Neighboring tenants reported a violent altercation and the male half fleeing the building prior to the arrival of police. Continue reading→

Crime prevention tips for holiday shopping

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Crime Prevention Tips for Holiday Shopping

Shopping in stores:

  • Never leave your valuables unattended, phone, purse, wallet, etc.
  • Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information.
  • Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit.
  • Deter pickpockets by carrying your purse close to your body and keeping it closed.
  • Men keep your wallet in an inner coat pocket or front pants pocket.
  • Do not buy more than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car.
  • Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
  • Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.

Continue reading→