New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Crime

Santa Ana Zoo lemur thief going to prison for only 90 days

Posted on October 29, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, Santa Ana Zoo 4 Comments

SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man was sentenced today to three months in federal prison for breaking into the Santa Ana Zoo after hours and stealing North America’s oldest ring-tailed lemur in captivity to keep the endangered animal as his pet.

Aquinas Kasbar, 19, of Newport Beach, was given the 90-day prison sentence by United States District Judge Andrew J. Guilford, who also ordered him to pay $8,486 in restitution to the zoo.

Kasbar pleaded guilty on July 8 to one misdemeanor count of unlawfully taking an endangered species. He broke into the Santa Ana Zoo on July 27, 2018 after it had closed for the day. He then used bolt cutters to cut a hole in the zoo’s enclosures for lemurs and capuchin monkeys, which enabled several of the animals to escape, though they were later recovered.

While inside the zoo, Kasbar stole Isaac, a 32-year-old, ring-tailed lemur (lemur catta) and the oldest such lemur in captivity in North America. (Isaac turned 33 years old in July; a lemur’s lifespan typically is between 20 years and 25 years.) The ring-tailed lemur is native to Madagascar and is on a list of the 25 most endangered primates, according to court documents. Ring-tailed lemurs are endangered, in part, because of the illegal pet trade, court papers state.

Kasbar then placed Isaac in a plastic drawer that lacked ventilation holes, court papers state. The next day, Kasbar abandoned the animal in front of a Newport Beach hotel, leaving him in the same plastic drawer with two notes placed on it, which read, “Lemur (with tracker)” and “This belongs to the Santa Ana Zoo it was taken last night please bring it to police,” according to court documents. Kasbar’s actions resulted in a loss to the Santa Ana Zoo of approximately $8,486. Isaac later was returned unharmed to the zoo.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Newport Beach Police Department, and the Santa Ana Police Department.

This matter was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel H. Ahn of the Santa Ana Branch Office and Erik M. Silber of the Environmental and Community Safety Crimes Section.

The County of Orange beat the Needle Exchange Program in court today

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Drugs, Orange County, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Needles found at the Santa Ana River Trail

Santa Ana, Calif. (October 25, 2019) – Today the County of Orange has prevailed in its lawsuit against the Orange County Needle Exchange Program (OCNEP) and is now entitled to Judgment against the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on the County’s claim under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

“This is an incredible victory for the County of Orange and the citizens of Orange County,” said Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “The state of California will now need to comply with its own laws and we can better ensure that the safety and health of our residents can be preserved.”

As a result of this legal determination, and because the CDPH did not comply with CEQA when it approved the OCNEP application, the County will be entitled to a writ of mandate compelling the CDPH to vacate its approval of the drug needle mobile giveaway in the cities of Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Orange, and Santa Ana.

“The state failed to do its due diligence and comply with its own environmental laws when it approved the Orange County Needle Exchange Program,” said Vice Chair Michelle Steel, Second District. “State officials ignored the pleas of local leaders and decided to prioritize easy access to needles for drug addicts over the health and safety of our communities.”

On June 5, 2018 then Chairman Do and then Supervisor Steel jointly presented item S29C to officially oppose OCNEP’s needle exchange. On August 3, 2018 a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held, with all then Supervisors voting to sue the state of California after the California Department of Public Health approved OCNEP’s program despite the Board’s objections.

“OCNEP’s needle exchange program was dangerous and created hazardous conditions for all of Orange County’s residents,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, First District. “Today’s victory means safer and cleaner streets while requiring the state of California to comply with its own statutes.”

In today’s ruling, Judge Wohlfeil determined that the needle exchange program is a “project” subject to review under CEQA, saying “…there is a possibility that the project will result in an increase in used needle litter, a biohazard. This constitutes a tangible change in the areas surrounding operation of the [needle exchange program].”

“The former Board of Supervisors was correct in filing its lawsuit against the state of California,” said Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Third District. “All of our residents will be assured a safer and more secure Orange County as a result of today’s decision.”

The County will also be entitled to recover its attorneys’ fees from the CDPH. Future CDPH authorizations for needle exchange programs across California should now be subject to review under CEQA before CDPH approval may be granted.

“I’m happy to see that the court ruled in the County’s favor regarding the needle exchange program,” said Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee. “This is a safety issue for all of our residents.”

L.A. “Knock-Knock Style” burglary crew arrested in Costa Mesa

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Los Angeles County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

On October 15, 2019, at approximately 12:30 PM, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD), Major Crimes Bureau (MCB), Burglary-Robbery Task Force (BRTF), observed four suspects appear to commit a residential burglary in the city of Costa Mesa. The detectives had been conducting a burglary investigation in the vicinity when they saw three suspects quickly run from the side-yard of a residence and enter an awaiting silver Mercedes Benz SUV that was idling nearby. The vehicle quickly drove away from the area.

Detectives confirmed a burglary had in fact occurred, with a rear window forced open and interior of the home ransacked.

As the vehicle and suspects began to leave the neighborhood, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Detectives coordinated with responding Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) patrol units who conducted a traffic stop of the silver SUV. All three suspects ( Izaiah Yeav and two juveniles) who exited the victim’s property, along with the driver ( Chanddries Srey), were detained by Sheriff’s Detectives and CMPD Officers without incident. Detectives recovered stolen jewelry, personal property, and burglary tools from within the vehicle.

Suspects/Subjects:

Chanddries Srey, Asian 20 years old (photo attached)
Izaiah Yeav, Asian 18 years old (photo attached)
Male Hispanic Juvenile 15 years old
Male Hispanic Juvenile 17 years old
Suspect Vehicle 2003 Silver Mercedes Benz SUV (photo below)

Suspect Srey (driver of silver Mercedes Benz SUV), of Long Beach, was booked on charges of Residential Burglary (459 PC), Receiving Stolen Property (496 PC), Conspiracy (182 PC) and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (272 PC).

Suspect Izaiah Yeau, of Long Beach, was booked on charges of Residential Burglary (459 PC).

The two male juveniles, from Long Beach, were detained for Residential Burglary charges. They were transported to a juvenile detention facility pending the outcome of the investigation.

The criminal case filing for this burglary is being handled by detectives from CMPD in collaboration with Sheriff’s Detectives. This crew is suspected in burglaries throughout Southern California. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Burglary-Robbery Task Force is working closely with the CMPD, and other Southern California police agencies in determining what recent residential burglaries may be associated with the criminal crew.

The investigation and arrest of this residential burglary crew is an example of the ongoing cooperation and collaboration between the Sheriff’s Department and local municipal police departments. These agencies are committed to impacting the Southern California wide residential burglary epidemic. The LASD Major Crimes BRTF works closely and consistently with most Southern California agencies in its mission to identify, investigate, and arrest organized burglary and robbery suspects.

The LASD MCB BRTF was formed over nine years ago to combat the ever increasing trend of organized crews who are committing daytime residential burglaries.Typically known as “Knock-Knock” burglars, these crews, often formed by gang members, utilize high-end luxury vehicles and rental cars to blend in to middle class and affluent neighborhoods where they break into homes and businesses, ransacking and stealing valuables such as cash, jewelry, and weapons.The MCB BRTF works closely in support of all LASD station’s detective bureaus, as well as other Southern California law enforcement agencies.Residents and business owners are reminded to secure their properties, be aware of suspicious and unusual persons or vehicles, and to alert their local law enforcement immediately if suspicious activity is observed.

The SAPD is looking for a vagrant who stole his mother’s car

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in automobiles, Crime, homeless, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On 10/08/2019, at 11:30 AM, the victim arrived at the Extra Space Storage and parked her vehicle in front of the storage unit. The victim’s transient son, wanted suspect Jorge Edward Mendoza (39), was present without her permission and in violation of a restraining order.

As the victim was placing items into the backseat, Mendoza got into the driver’s seat of her vehicle and refused to get out. The victim was afraid to force Mendoza out of the driver seat due to his history of violent behavior and he appeared to be under the influence of drugs. The victim yelled at Mendoza to stop when he drove past her. Mendoza rammed the closed gate to the facility and exited the location.

Anyone with information on wanted suspect Mendoza’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Greaver at (714) 245-8362 or DGreaver@santa-ana.org

The SAPD is trying to find a car involved in a hit and run with a bicyclist

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Bicycles, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On October 13th, 2019 at 5:19 am, the victim (bicyclist) was struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Warner Avenue and Main Street. The vehicle briefly stopped then proceeded west on Warner.

The victim sustained major head trauma and is in grave condition. A witness described the possible involved vehicle as a 1995-1996 Honda Civic, 4-door, dark blue, unknown plate and the driver as a Male Hispanic. The vehicle should have moderate to major front-end damage to include broken headlight lenses and possibly a shattered windshield.

Location: ‪100 E. Warner Avenue, Santa Ana, CA‬

‪Vehicle: ‬1995-1996 Honda Civic, 4-door, dark blue, unknown plate and the driver as a Male Hispanic

The Santa Ana Police Department requests your assistance in locating/identifying the vehicle similar to the one depicted in the photo above. Any with information, please contact Corporal ‪Brett Nelson‬ at ‪714-245-8208‬ or the Watch Commander at ‪714-245-8700‬.

DUI suspected after a Santa Ana street racer crashed into a tree

Posted on October 11, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On Thursday, October 10, 2019 at approximately 11:35 pm, Santa Ana Police Officers were dispatched to the 3200 block of W. Warner Avenue in regards to reported street racing activity. As the officers arrived in the area, they observed a vehicle exhibiting speed and being operated in a reckless manner. Upon seeing the police vehicles, the driver fled east on Warner Avenue at a high rate of speed. Officers went after the vehicle in an attempt to initiate a traffic stop for the observed vehicle code violations. The suspect did not yield and the officers initiated a pursuit.

The vehicle fled continued east, as it passed through the intersection of Warner Avenue and Raitt Street, failing to stop for the overhead red signal light. After passing through the intersection, the driver began to lose control and collided into a tree in the center median of the roadway. The driver and passenger were trapped in the vehicle. The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) responded to the scene and had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate both occupants from the wreckage. Both occupants were briefly treated at the scene before being transported by CARE Ambulance to a local hospital with major and life threatening injuries. Drugs are believed to have played a role in this collision. The investigation is ongoing.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) responded to the scene and handled the investigation. Anyone having possible information about this collision is asked to contact the Santa Ana Police Collision Investigator Wes Hadley at (714) 245-8216 or Corporal Brett Nelson at (714) 245-8208.

Santa Ana men indicted for selling guns without a license

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Guns, Justice, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, California – Law enforcement has arrested six Orange County residents charged in an indictment alleging three defendants conspired to traffic more than two dozen firearms – including 12-gauge shotguns and AR-style rifles – while other defendants, including a convicted sex offender, illegally possessed firearms and ammunition.

The 11-count indictment, unsealed today, charges seven defendants with multiple federal felonies, including conspiracy to sell firearm without a license, and selling firearms without a license. The arrested defendants are scheduled to make their initial court appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana.

Over the course of the six-week investigation, law enforcement seized a total of 68 firearms – 30 of which were “ghost guns” or firearms that bore no serial numbers – more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and 1.3 pounds of methamphetamine.

According to the indictment, between August 21 and September 18, the defendants illegally possessed and some conspired to illegally sell firearms such as a .40-caliber Glock pistol, a .243-caliber Savage Arms rifle, and a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, among other weapons, some of which bore no serial numbers.

Pedro Javier Villalobos, 22, of Santa Ana, arranged to sell firearms to customers and eventually received a fee for brokering firearms sales, according to the indictment. The indictment further alleges that Villalobos enabled defendants Michael Rivera Delgado, 38, a.k.a. “Player,” of Anaheim, and Rosember Jiménez Jr., 29, a.k.a. “Junior,” of Santa Ana, and others to sell firearms to customers without being federally licensed.

For example, on September 3, Villalobos allegedly agreed to sell firearms to a customer, who in fact was an undercover agent. The following day at Villalobos’s home, Jiménez allegedly sold the agent a Mossberg shotgun, a Spike’s Tactical rifle, and an AR-type rifle bearing no serial number, for $4,800. That same day, Villalobos accepted $300 from the agent for brokering the sale of the three firearms from Jiménez, the indictment alleges.

In addition to the unlawful firearms dealing charges, the indictment alleges that other defendants, including Jiménez, were convicted felons in possession of firearms and ammunition. Jiménez’s criminal history includes convictions for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor and aggravated assault on a firefighter or peace officer.

The statutory maximum penalties for unlicensed firearms dealing and being a felon in possession of firearms or ammunition is 10 years in federal prison. A conviction on a conspiracy charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Costa Mesa Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anne C. Gannon of the Santa Ana Branch Office.

Santa Ana man who cybserstalked and threatened Parkland shooting victims’ families convicted

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Federal Government, Justice, Santa Ana Leave a comment

MIAMI – Today, a federal jury in South Florida convicted Brandon Michael Fleury, 22, of Santa Ana, California, of cybserstalking and sending a kidnapping threat to families of victims of a mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, announced U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge George L. Piro of the FBI’s Miami Field Office.

According to evidence introduced at trial, Fleury used thirteen different Instagram accounts, using aliases including alleged Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz, notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, and others, to target families and friends of Parkland shooting victims with messages over the course of three weeks between Dec. 22, 2018 and Jan. 11, 2019. Many of the messages, including ones written under usernames referring to Cruz and containing Cruz’s profile picture, taunted the message recipients about the deaths of loved ones in the Parkland shooting. On Dec. 25, 2018, Fleury, sent a message stating, “I’m your abductor I’m kidnapping you fool.” On January 9, 10, and 11, 2019, Fleury continued to harass, intimidate, and threaten the message recipients from multiple Instagram accounts. These included messages sent under the username “the.douglas.shooter,” and using a profile picture of Nikolas Cruz. These messages included statements like, “With the power of my AR-15, you all die,” and “With the power of my AR-15, I take your loved ones away from you PERMANENTLY.”

After examining Fleury’s tablets, law enforcement found thousands of saved images of Ted Bundy, images of the targeted victims, and saved screenshots of the messages that he had sent the victims.

Fleury was convicted of interstate transmission of a threat to kidnap, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(c), and interstate cyberstalking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2261A. Fleury is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 2, 2019 by United States District Judge Rudolfo A. Ruiz II (Case No. 19cr60056). Fleury faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigatory efforts of the FBI’s South Florida Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force and Broward Sheriff’s Office in this matter. U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan also thanked the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office and task force members. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared M. Strauss and Ajay Alexander.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Montebello man charged with the 2012 kidnapping and rape of a child in Santa Ana

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

Santa Ana, Calif. – Twelve felony charges have been filed against a Montebello man for kidnapping and raping a child under the age of 11 years old in Santa Ana in 2012.

Francisco Javier Lopez, 45, of Montebello has been charged with one felony count of kidnapping to commit a sex offense, one felony count of oral copulation of a child under the age of 11, three felony counts of sexual penetration of a child under the age of 11, one felony count of sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 11, five felony counts of a forcible lewd and lascivious act with a child under the age of 14, and one felony count of dissuading a witness.

Lopez has also been charged with four sentencing enhancements of causing bodily injury to a child under 14 and aggravated kidnapping.

He faces life without the possibility of parole if convicted of all charges.

He is currently being held at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange.

Woman suspected in a recent hit and run accident turned herself into the SAPD

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On Sunday, October 6th, 2019 at approximately 8:31pm, the Santa Ana and Garden Grove Police Departments received several calls of a pedestrian versus vehicle traffic collision in the 2500 block of N. Fairview Avenue. Officers from both departments responded to the area and found an elderly female pedestrian to still be down in the roadway.

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel responded and began to treat the pedestrian before she was transported by CARE Ambulance to the UCI Medical Center with major internal injuries. The vehicle involved in this collision, identified as a possible silver sedan, fled from the scene prior to the officers’ arrival.

The preliminary investigation has revealed the female pedestrian and a male companion were crossing Fairview from west to east when she was struck by the vehicle which was headed north. After striking the pedestrian, the vehicle continued north on Fairview.

On October 7th, 2019 at approximately 2:00 pm. a female came to the front lobby of the police department accompanied by her attorney to turn herself in, in regards to this collision. The female, identified as Karina Garcia, a 25 year-old Irvine resident, admitted to striking a pedestrian in the area of Fairview and Trask Avenues on October 6th around 8:00 pm while operating her silver Honda Civic. She later disclosed the location of the involved vehicle and it was located and secured as evidence within the City of Irvine. The vehicle was found to have obvious, moderate damage consistent with striking a pedestrian.

Driver Karina Garcia was booked in the Santa Ana Police City Jail on one count of 20001(a) CVC, Hit & Run Causing Injury (Felony) and 14601.2(a) CVC, Driving on a License Suspended for DUI (Misdemeanor). The collision remains under investigation.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigation Unit (CIU) is handling the investigation. Anyone possibly having information about this collision is asked to contact Corporal Brett Nelson at (714) 245-8208 or the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200.

A female pedestrian was injured in a hit and run crash in Santa Ana

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

An unidentified woman is in critical condition after she was struck by a hit-and-run driver while she was crossing a street with her husband in Santa Ana on Sunday, according to ABC News.

The crash took place at about 8:30 p.m. near Fairview Street, between Trask Avenue and Garden Grove.

She was rushed to the University of California Irvine Medical Center with head trauma, according to CBS News.

Her husband was not injured in the crash.

The police did not reveal any No details were available on the suspect vehicle. Investigators are searching for any nearby surveillance video.

An ex-worker and her friend wrecked the Maggiano’s in Costa Mesa

Posted on October 6, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Fullerton, Restaurants 1 Comment

At approximately 1:30 p.m., today, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) officers responded to a restaurant, Maggiano’s, at the 3300 block of Bristol Street in the South Coast Plaza area.

Preliminary reports were about a female suspect with a bat who had entered the restaurant and was disrupting the establishment. There were no injuries reported by restaurant patrons that were present.

The female suspect, later identified as former employee Passion Shenay Coleman, 27, Fullerton, was known to the restaurant staff.

It was reported that Coleman used a bat and vandalized a television, table settings, and plates causing thousands in damages.

Patrons of the restaurant had to leave and evening reservations were due to be cancelled.

A second female, later identified as Laglennda Damona Carr, 24, Fullerton, was there with Coleman and was reportedly yelling and being disruptive as well.

Once officers arrived at the scene, they located the suspects in a nearby parking lot attempting to drive away. Officers were able to pull them over and both Coleman and Carr were detained.

Carr was arrested at the scene and booked at CMPD Jail on assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, felony vandalism, burglary, and felony conspiracy to commit crimes. Her bail was set to $25,000 and she was later transported to OC Jail.

Coleman was found to have cuts to her hands and Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue was dispatched for medical aid. She was treated at the scene and transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment of her wounds.

Once she was released from the hospital, Coleman was transported to CMPD Jail. She was booked for assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, felony vandalism, burglary, felony conspiracy to commit crimes, and a misdemeanor warrant for a suspended license. Her bail was set to $500,000.

Prior to this incident, at approximately 11:40 a.m., Coleman had shown up to the restaurant. It was reported that she had made criminal threats and had thrown a plate at a restaurant employee before fleeing the scene. The restaurant employee then contacted South Coast Plaza Detail Officers to report the incident. Once those officers responded, they searched for the suspect. She was not located at the time and officers subsequently took a report.

The SAPD is looking for a MainPlace Mall robbery suspect who pepper sprayed a store employee

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On September 11, 2019, at approximately 3:50 PM, the wanted suspect entered a store at the Mainplace Mall and placed several items into her bag.

When confronted by a store employee, the suspect sprayed the employee with pepper spray. The suspect exited the mall and fled in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information identifying the suspect in this case is asked to contact Detective Prewett at (714) 245-8323.

Two men suspected in 21 burglaries of collectible coin stores including one in Santa Ana arrested

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, California – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) working together with local law enforcement arrested two individuals yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging them with committing and attempting 21 early-morning burglaries of collectible coin and precious metal stores, along with a federal firearms licensee in Southern California and Nevada in 10 weeks, netting more than $292,000 in stolen coins and merchandise.

An ATF task force comprised of detectives from Brea Police Department and Fullerton Police Department, with the assistance of the Signal Hill Police Department and Huntington Beach Police Department, successfully investigated and identified the suspects responsible for a string of burglaries across Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties in California as well as, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The ATF task force conducted extensive surveillance of these subjects across two states leading to the arrests.

Caleb Jamal Griffin, 20, of Long Beach, and Owen Lazaro Thompson, 49, of Las Vegas, Nevada, were arrested yesterday and are scheduled to make their initial appearances in United States District Court this afternoon. Each man has been charged with interstate transportation of stolen goods.

Griffin was arrested yesterday in Fullerton after he was observed burglarizing a coin dealer. Thompson was arrested at his residence without incident, and a search warrant executed there resulted in the seizure of suspected stolen merchandise from the crime spree.

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Griffin and Thompson conspired to commit at least 21 burglaries or attempted burglaries of retailers between July 10 and September 29. During the burglaries, Griffin and Thompson typically entered the businesses by breaking the glass window at the front of the stores, sometimes tying a tow line to a Jeep SUV to pull off the stores’ security gates by driving away from the business, the complaint alleges. The suspects remained inside each of the businesses for less than 90 seconds and the burglaries typically occurred between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., the complaint alleges.

During one burglary in Fullerton, Griffin and Thompson allegedly drove a vehicle through the front of the store. During another burglary, the defendants allegedly used a blow torch to cause the store window to shatter.

Griffin and Thompson are suspects in the following burglaries:

Fullerton Coins, 123 N. Raymond Ave., Fullerton, California July 10;
Fullerton Coins, 123 N. Raymond Ave., Fullerton, California, July 14;
Tangible Investments, 32001 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California, July 27;
Covina Coin & Jewelry, 204 S. Citrus Ave., Covina, California, July 28;
Attempted burglary at About Face Coins, 475 N. Tustin St., Orange, California, Aug. 4;
Attempted burglary at Liberty Coin, 10122 Ave., Huntington Beach, California, Aug. 11;
Morgan’s Jewelers, 50-C Peninsula Center, Rolling Hills Estate, California, Aug. 13;
Morgan’s Jewelers, 22200 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance California, Aug. 13;
Laguna Coins, 23583 Moulton Pkwy, #112, Laguna Woods, California, Aug. 16;
Sahara Coins, 7293 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada, Aug. 18;
Liberty Coins, 2201 East Willow St., Signal Hill, California, Aug. 26;
CNC Coins Vault, 1814 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana, California, Aug. 26;
Quicksilver Coin Company, 22421 El Toro Road, #H, Lake Forest, California, Aug. 27;
Imperial Pawnbrokers, a federal firearms licensee, 777 W. Imperial Highway, Brea, California, Aug. 29;
Fullerton Coins, 123 N. Raymond Ave., Fullerton, California, Aug. 29;
Liberty Coins, 2201 East Willow St., Signal Hill, California, Sept. 1;
Liberty Coin, 10122 Ave., Huntington Beach, California, Sept. 8;
Las Vegas Coin Company, 9555 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada, Sept, 17;
Alhambra Coin Center, 254 E. Main St., Alhambra, California, Sept. 21;
Hough Coin, 16816-D Main St., Hesperia, California, Sept. 24;
Fullerton Coins, 123 N. Raymond, Fullerton Ave., California, Sept. 29.

“The investigation and prosecution of these dangerous individuals is not possible without the extraordinary partnership ATF possesses with local law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Central District of California,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge of Los Angeles Field Division Carlos A. Canino. “Through collaboration with our law enforcement partners, ATF identifies and removes these criminals from our communities.”

This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott D. Tenley and Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chemerinsky of the Santa Ana Branch Office.

For more information about Los Angeles ATF visit https://www.atf.gov/los-angeles-field-division and follow ATF on Twitter @LosAngelesATF.

A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Garden Grove man going to prison for over 19 years after a carjacking and high speed chase that cost an SAPD police dog his teeth

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Garden Grove man who carjacked a woman and led police on a televised high-speed pursuit that ended with the suspect being bitten by a police K-9, causing the dog to lose its front teeth has pleaded guilty.

Antonio Padilla Jr., 38, was sentenced to 19 years and four months in state prison.

Padilla pleaded guilty today to one felony count of carjacking, one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon, one felony count of assault on a police animal and one count of felony evasion.

Padilla was arrested on February 26, 2018, a week after he attempted to run over a Garden Grove Police motor officer who had pulled him over for speeding and was writing him a ticket. The officer managed to jump out of the way and was not harmed.

Garden Grove police tracked Padilla’s vehicle to Santa Ana on February 26, 2018, and asked Santa Ana police to assist in stopping the defendant.

Padilla refused to stop for police, and began driving more than 60 miles an hour on surface streets while running stop signs and traffic lights.

The high speed pursuit continued into the City of Irvine, where he dragged a 22-year-old woman out of the SUV she was driving and carjacked her. The woman’s brother witnessed the carjacking and began struggling with Padilla. While the two men struggled, Padilla accelerated the vehicle, narrowly missing hitting the carjacking victim’s brother.

Padilla continued the pursuit in the carjacked vehicle, hitting several other vehicles until he hit a raised curb, disabling the vehicle.

Padilla got out of the SUV and ran from the pursuing police officers. Sana Ana Police deployed K9 Puskas, who brought Padilla down.

While being held by Puskas, Padilla continued to hit the K9. The chase and arrest was covered live by multiple television stations.

Puskas suffered multiple injuries, including the loss of most of the dog’s upper and lower teeth, and had to undergo surgery. Puskas recovered from his injuries and returned to work patrolling the streets of Santa Ana.

“Our K-9s are invaluable assets to our law enforcement family, and it is due to the training and dedication of Puskas and his human partners that a dangerous criminal is off the streets and behind bars,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.