New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Gangs

Judge approves a new gang injunction in Santa Ana

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: January 16, 2015

JUDGE ENJOINS 13TH ORANGE COUNTY VIOLENT STREET GANG FROM TERRORIZING NEIGHBORHOOD IN SANTA ANA

*This is the second gang injunction in the City of Santa Ana

SANTA ANA – A violent Santa Ana criminal street gang has been permanently enjoined from terrorizing the community and acting as a public nuisance, marking the 13th injunction to be brought against Orange County gangs and the second in the City of Santa Ana. This injunction is in response to decades of violent crimes committed by this gang and numerous residents pleading with law enforcement to eliminate the gang presence so that they no longer have to live in fear.

During the litigation on this case, a minor who was an active participant in the gang was murdered, a witness suffered a brutal assault, a woman was shot while waiting for a bus, a loaded sawed-off shotgun was discovered concealed in bushes in the gang’s claimed territory, and the gang’s graffiti vandalism has continued to plague the area. Ten individuals still contesting the injunction will be given a court hearing to contest their gang involvement. Continue reading→

OCDA claims that teen died because he was exempted from a gang injunction

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Santa Ana 2 Comments

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: January 8, 2015

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CHRISTMAS EVE MURDER OF JUVENILE DOCUMENTED GANG MEMBER IN SAFETY ZONE

SANTA ANA – Law enforcement is seeking additional information on a murder of a juvenile documented gang member inside a gang injunction safety zone on Christmas Eve. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) had filed a preliminary gang injunction in August 2014 against a Santa Ana criminal street gang, which named and sought to enjoin 17-year-old Angel Arellano, who was murdered inside the safety zone named in the injunction. At the time of the murder, Arellano was contesting the injunction and was not subject to its terms. There is a pre-trial scheduled on the injunction on Jan. 13, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., in Department C-14, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

On the night of Dec. 23, 2014, Arellano and some fellow gang members were armed and looking for rival gang members in the safety zone named in the injunction. Before midnight, Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) officers responded to a call of four to five shots fired on South Sullivan Street. While at the scene, SAPD officers were informed that Arellano had been taken and abandoned at Coastal Communities Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. Arellano was immediately transported to Western Medical Center Santa Ana in critical condition, where he later died as a result of his gunshot wounds. Continue reading→

Teen named Angel Arellano shot to death in Roman Reyna’s Ward 5

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana 11 Comments

SAPD Homicide Detectives are currently investigating shooting death in the 500 block of South Sullivan, according to the SAPD’s Facebook page. The shooting appears to be gang related.

NBC News reported that a teenager was shot dead and that he was between 16 and 18-years-old.

He was hit at least once in the torso at the 500 block of South Sullivan Street before midnight, according to the Santa Ana Police Department said. Continue reading→

Two young men shot in broad daylight in Councilwoman Martinez’ Ward

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana 11 Comments

Two men, both 18, were shot in the upper torso, on Friday in Santa Ana, at around 12:45 p.m. in the 700 block of East Chestnut Avenue, according to the O.C. Register. The men were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and they are expected to survive, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

The shooting happened on the north side of the campus of Roosevelt Elementary School. It is highly disturbing that the incident occurred at mid-day. The area in question is in Councilwoman Michele Martinez’ Ward 2. She has previously admitted to selling drugs when she was a teenager and the local law enforcement associations opposed her reelection campaign this year. Continue reading→

The OC Superior Court rejects the proposed Townsend Street gang injunction

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

An Orange County Superior Court judge on Wednesday rejected an effort by District Attorney Tony Rackauckas to enforce a preliminary gang injunction in Santa Ana’s Townsend Street neighborhood against a group of individuals who are contesting their inclusion in the action, according to the Voice of OC.

Attorneys defending these individuals – a group of 14 adults and minors – praised Judge Franz E. Miller for ensuring that this group’s freedom of movement and liberties aren’t restricted until they have an opportunity to challenge the DA’s allegations of their active gang participation. Continue reading→

At-risk students earn over $25K in turkey dinners from the OCDA

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: November 18, 2014

AT-RISK STUDENTS EARN OVER $25,000 IN TURKEY DINNERS IN 5TH ANNUAL THANKSGIVING GANG PREVENTION INCENTIVE

SANTA ANA – Turkey dinners will be awarded tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, to 855 at-risk students who succeeded in the Orange County Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership’s (OC GRIP) 5th annual Thanksgiving challenge to improve student attendance, behavior, and grades.

The dinners will include a full Thanksgiving dinner, complete with side dishes, to feed a family of 10 and will be delivered to participating OC GRIP schools for the successful students and their families to pick up on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, starting at 4:00 p.m. Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas will be at Viejo Elementary in Mission Viejo to personally greet the students and their families. Media interested in attending may contact the OCDA Public Affairs Unit at (714) 347-8408. Continue reading→

SAPD seeks help in identifying suspect who shot and killed 15-year-old Edgar Campos

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Homicide Detectives Request Public Assistance in Shooting Death of 15 Year Old Victim

Victim: Edgar Jovany Campos (15) Santa Ana

Details: On Friday, 11-07-2014, at approximately 6:40 PM, officers responded to the area of 400 North Laurel (located in Councilman Roman Reyna’s Ward 5) reference a male who had been shot. When officers arrived, they located the 15-year old victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. OCFA Paramedics responded to the scene and transported the victim to UCI Medical Center for treatment.

SAPD Homicide Detectives responded to the scene to take over the investigation. Their preliminary investigation revealed the victim was walking in the area of 400 North Laurel when suspect(s) in a vehicle fired an unknown type firearm at the victim striking him once in the upper torso. The suspect vehicle then fled in an unknown direction after the shooting. There is currently no description for the vehicle or any suspect(s) at this time. Continue reading→

15-year-old boy shot in Reyna’s Ward 5 is now on life support

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Police say a 15-year-old boy was on life support at UCI Medical Center in Orange on Tuesday following a shooting in an alleyway last week, according to the O.C. Register.

The incident happened at about 6:40 p.m. Friday in the 400 block of North Laurel Street, which is in Santa Ana Councilman Roman Reyna’s Ward 5. Police say the shooting was gang related. Continue reading→

15-year-old boy shot in Roman Reyna’s Ward 5

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Police say a 15-year-old boy was hospitalized in critical condition after he was shot in an alleyway Friday night at about 6:40 p.m. in the 400 block of North Laurel Street, according to Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department, according to the OC Register.

The boy was shot in City Councilman Roman Reyna’s Ward 5. Reyna lost badly in this year’s Santa Ana Mayoral election after a picture of him with two hard core gang bangers emerged on Facebook. The picture cost Reyna every single law enforcement endorsement and he was hammered with campaign mailers that touted his alleged gang connections. Continue reading→

Anaheim Police arrest two suspects in Murder of 9-year old Ximena Meza

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Gangs Leave a comment

Anaheim Police Department

Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2014

Subject: Anaheim Police Arrest Two Suspects in Murder of Ximena Meza – Press Conference Scheduled to Discuss the Investigation

Incident Overview

On Wednesday, October 22, 2014 around 7:15 P.M. Anaheim Police Officers were called to the 2300 block of W. Greenacre Ave. to investigate the shooting of 9 year-old Anaheim resident Ximena Meza. Meza had been to the front of her apartment complex playing with her sisters when gunshots rang out. Meza was struck once in her chest by an assailant’s bullet. She was rushed to a local hospital and succumbed to her injuries around 8:00 P.M. Continue reading→

Orange County anti-gang curfew sweep results in arrest of 31 juveniles

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2014

LAW ENFORCEMENT NET 31 JUVENILES IN 6TH ANNUAL OC GRIP CURFEW SWEEP

ORANGE COUNTY – Over 180 law enforcement officers from 19 agencies netted 31 juveniles in violation of city curfew laws last night in the 6th annual curfew sweeps by the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP). OC GRIP aims to prevent juveniles from being victims of or participants in gang crimes by identifying at-risk youth, increasing school attendance, and decreasing gang activity.

Last night and early this morning, officers patrolled Orange County cities and unincorporated areas for children ages 17 and under out in public past curfew, in violation of city laws. Curfews in Orange County begin at 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m., depending on the city, and last until 5:00 a.m. the following day. Minors are prohibited from being in public during these hours unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian or are subject to circumstantial exceptions made for minors participating in employment, educational, or emergency activities. Continue reading→

Santa Ana police officers want to know why Reyna is hanging out with gang bangers

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Civic Affairs, Crime, Gangs, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana 103 Comments

Picture Courtesy of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association

October 14, 2014

COUNCILMAN ROMAN REYNA
SANTA ANA CITY COUNCIL
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
P.O. BOX 1988, M31
SANTA ANA, CA 92701

Dear Councilman Reyna,

I write on behalf of the Santa Ana Police Officers’ Association, its Board of Directors and Political Action Committee.

It has come to our attention that you, along with two other men, recently posed for a photograph that was posted on Facebook. We find it very disturbing that you posed with these men. Both are known to Orange county law enforcement as being affiliated with Santa Ana criminal enterprises. Furthermore, the individual believed to have posted the photograph identified you in his post as the “the new Mayor of Santana old homie from the hood…”

We are aware many friends can be called a “homie” and people do identify themselves as living in or being from the “hood”. These words alone should not produce a negative opinion of another person. However, when coupled with a photograph of known members of a Santa Ana criminal enterprise, and posted on an Internet social media website, we feel that far exceeds mere poor judgment. As a city policymaker, this photograph and comments presents the appearance and perception of your lack of ability to be a trustworthy and effective community leader. Continue reading→

The Association of OC Deputy Sheriffs rejects Benavides, Reyna and Martinez

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Crime, David Benavides, Gangs, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Mirna Velasquez, Politics, Public Safety, Santa Ana 9 Comments

The Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs PAC has rejected Santa Ana Council Members David Benavides and Michele Martinez as well as their colleague Roman Reyna, who is running an ill-advised campaign against Mayor Miguel Pulido.

All three of these candidates are thought to have connections to Santa Ana’s gangs. They were all involved in firing our former Chief of Police, Paul Walters, and they voted to get rid of the SAPD’s Strike Force. All three of them were also caught ignoring several SAPD officers who were being honored a few weeks ago at a Santa Ana City Council meeting. Continue reading→

Team Santa Ana falls apart as Benavides declares war on Tinajero

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Alex Padilla, Angelica Amezcua, Gangs, John Palacio, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Mirna Velasquez, Planning, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Valerie Amezcua 21 Comments

Team Santa Ana Broken

Team Santa Ana appears to be finished as Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides posted a snarky picture of the Team Santa Ana walk piece with Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinajero’s face covered up. The picture was posted on Benavides’ Facebook page, Twitter account and Instragam account before he came to his senses and deleted the entries. The damage however was already done. The Santa Ana Spring is over.

What happened? This all goes back to the ongoing ruckus on the Santa Ana Planning Commission where Commissioner Phil Bacerra has dug in his heels and steadfastly refused to turn in his communication disclosure forms. All of the other Planning Commissioners have done so but Bacerra had to be threatened by the Santa Ana City Council’s Ethics Committee, which consists of Tinajero and Councilwoman Angie Amezcua, before he finally turned in what I am told are heavily redacted disclosure forms that may not in fact be all that accurate.

Why do these forms matter? It all comes down to transparency. The public deserves to know who the Planning Commissioners are talking to about city business. Why did Bacerra drag his feet for so long before finally turning in the forms, after being threatened with removal from the Planning Commission? That is the crux of the matter. Has Bacerra been shaking down those who have business with the Planning Commission for donations to the Benavides reelection campaign? Is this why Benavides has been running interference for Bacerra? Continue reading→

Have Council Members Martinez and Reyna really left their pasts behind?

Posted on September 23, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2014 Elections, Crime, David Benavides, Gangs, Michele Martinez, Mirna Velasquez, Politics, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 23 Comments

Roman Reyna and Michele Martinez may tell you that they have left their criminal pasts and gang lives behind but we don’t think this is true. Don’t be fooled for even a second by the self-proclaimed “reformed” drug dealer and tough guy.

Reyna allegedly verbally threatened Martinez’ top opponent, Mirna Velasquez, warning her that something may physically happen to her if she ran for the City Council against Martinez. Luckily, that did not deter Velasquez from running; she filed her papers in spite of these threats. Reyna even tried to talk Velasquez into moving and running against Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinjero, telling her that he is the weakest link on the city council and that she could easily beat him. Continue reading→