Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Gangs

Outside interests launch cowardly attack on Mayor Pulido’s family

Posted on by Posted in 2012 Elections, Costa Mesa, David Benavides, Elections, Eric Alderete, Gangs, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana 30 Comments

Mayor Pulido’s cowardly opponents have targeted his children

By now you have probably seen the horrible anonymous mailers that have been attacking Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido – accusing him and his family of hosting a party where a teen was reportedly raped.

The story was reported by the Voice of OC, an online news website that I have at this point lost all respect for.  Their seed funding came largely from the Orange County Employees Association, a government workers union headed up by Nick Berardino, who has had some unknown beef with Pulido for some time.  And the Voice of OC’s board members include lobbyist Joe Dunn, who tried to move the O.C. Federal Court of Appeals to Irvine but was famously blocked by Pulido. Continue reading→

SAPD Gang Homicide Detectives investigating the shooting of a 20 year old male

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

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Gang Homicide Detectives investigating the shooting death of a male victim (20)

On October 19, 2012, at approximately 0054 hrs, officers responded to the 4500 block of Westminster Ave on a call involving a subject down. Upon arrival officers found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The Orange County Fire Authority responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased. The identity of the victim male hispanic (20) is being withheld pending family notification. Continue reading→

The SAPD arrests four suspects in shooting of a 15 year old female

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Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Gang Homicide Detectives arrest four suspects in shooting of 15 year old female

Location: Thornton Park (Park), 1801 W. Segerstrom

Arrested:

1. Daniel Villanueva (20) – shooter
2. Alexandra Jaimez (21) Continue reading→

Gang member facing felony charges after grabbing and sniffing 10-year-old boy

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

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: GANG MEMBER CHARGED WITH ATTACKING YOUNG BOY ON HIS WAY TO SOCCER PRACTICE ON SANTA ANA PARK TRAIL

SANTA ANA – A gang member has been charged with attacking a 10-year-old boy who was on his way to soccer practice by grabbing him on a park trail and smelling the victim’s arm. Victor Joseph Espinoza, 55, Santa Ana, has been charged with one felony count each of false imprisonment and street terrorism with sentencing enhancements for committing a crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang and a prior strike conviction for street terrorism in 2007. If convicted, Espinoza faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The People will be requesting that the defendant be held on $250,000 bail at his arraignment today, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Gang member who shot a man while arguing about Mexico’s best state sentenced

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

For Immediate Release: September 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 40 YEARS TO LIFE FOR SHOOTING-MURDER OF INNOCENT RESTAURANT PATRON IN SANTA ANA

SANTA ANA – A gang member was sentenced today to 40 years to life in state prison for the unprovoked shooting-murder of an innocent man outside of a restaurant in Santa Ana. Ricardo Guerra Rocha, 19, Santa Ana, who was 17 years old at the time of the crime and charged as an adult, was found guilty by a jury June 27, 2012, of one felony count of murder, one felony count of street terrorism, and sentencing enhancements for the vicarious discharge of a firearm causing death by a gang member and criminal street gang activity. Continue reading→

SAPD Alert – Turtle burglars strike at reptile supply business in Santa Ana

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

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Turtle Burglary in southeast portion of Santa Ana

On September 2nd, 2012 a group of suspects entered the yard and building of a reptile supply business in the southeast portion of Santa Ana. One suspect stole about 10 “Ornate Wood” turtles worth $750. He and his vehicle (also pictured) were captured on video. Continue reading→

SAPD arrests four suspects wanted for July 17th, 2012 murder of Edgar Ortiz

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Gangs, Public Safety, Santa Ana 11 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Police Department Gang Homicide Detail arrest four suspects wanted for July 17th 2012 murder

On Tuesday, July 17, 2012, at approximately 2120 hrs. patrol officers responded to the area of 700 E. Chestnut St. on a call involving shots fired and a wounded male. Upon arrival, officers found 18-year-old Edgar Ortiz suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Continue reading→

What if Latino cops had shot a white guy in Anaheim Hills?

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Gangs, Latinos, Politics, Public Safety 4 Comments

Imagine if you will that instead of an unarmed Manuel “Stomper” Diaz getting chased down and shot in the back, the victim had been some random white skateboarder in Anaheim Hills? And what if the shooter had been a Latino cop? Oh my. What a different outcome we would have – or would we?

The O.C. Register today asked for calm in Anaheim, opining “The Register’s Editorial Board urges calm and healing at this time of division in the community. We believe a small minority may feel there is something to be gained by inciting further violent confrontations. Nothing is to be gained by fanning animosity on either side of the issue.” Continue reading→

Torii Hunter donated $50,000 to O.C. kids and anti-gang programs

Posted on by Posted in African Americans, Anaheim, Baseball, Charities, Education, Gangs, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Sports, Volunteer Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: June 22, 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

ANGELS OUTFIELDER TORII HUNTER MAKES PERSONAL $50,000 DONATION IN SUPPORT OF ORANGE COUNTY KIDS AND ANTI-GANG PROGRAMS

ANAHEIM – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Angels) outfielder Torii Hunter surprised the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) today with a $50,000 donation from his personal account to the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP) to keep Orange County kids in school and out of gangs. Continue reading→

Angels to host over 1,200 at-risk students at today’s baseball game

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, buena park, Charities, Education, Gangs, Garden Grove, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sports, Youth Activities Leave a comment

 

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release: June 1, 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

*STUDENTS HIT ANTI-GANG CHALLENGE OUT OF THE BALLPARK*
ANGELS HOST OVER 1,200 AT-RISK STUDENTS AT BASEBALL GAME IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL AND OUT OF GANGS

*Media interested in attending this event are asked to arrive at Angel Stadium at 3:00 p.m. to obtain a press pass

ORANGE COUNTY – In an ongoing effort to keep children out of gangs, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Angels) will open their gates Monday, June 4, 2012, for the fourth consecutive year to over 1,200 at-risk students as a reward for improved behavior and for staying out of gangs. This is the largest-ever number of students to participate and succeed in the challenge. Continue reading→

Possible gang shooting claims a life in Santa Ana this morning

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

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Santa Ana Police Investigate Early Morning Homicide

On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at approximately 0127 hrs., patrol officers
responded to the apartment complex located at 502 E. Pine St. on a call involving shots fired and a wounded male. Upon arrival, officers found an unidentified male suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. The incident occurred in the underground parking lot of the complex.

The Orange County Fire Authority Paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the subject dead. Continue reading→

Sotello, 14, charged with attempted murder of S.A. High School student

Posted on by Posted in Courts, Crime, Education, Gangs, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release, For Immediate Release: May 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

14-YEAR-OLD GANG MEMBER CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER FOR SHOOTING A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY IN THE CHEST

SANTA ANA – A 14-year-old gang member was charged today with attempted murder for shooting and causing great bodily injury to a 16-year-old boy outside Santa Ana High School. Oswaldo Sotello, 14, Santa Ana, is being charged as an adult with one felony count of attempted murder and one felony count of street terrorism with sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and criminal street gang activity. If convicted, Sotello faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in state prison and is being held on $1 million bail. Sotello is scheduled for a continued arraignment hearing on May 25, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

The SAUSD reacts to the arrest of a 14 year old for shooting a student

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

SAUSD Superintendent Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana, Ph.D. issued a statement today in reaction to the arrest of a 14 year old suspected of shooting a Santa Ana High School Student:

“I commend both the Santa Ana Police Department and Santa Ana Unified School District Police Department on today’s arrest of the suspect in the Santa Ana High School student shooting. 

This is another important example of how both agencies work collaboratively and cohesively to ensure that justice prevails.  Continue reading→

Shooting homicide at 1000 N. Riverine Ave. today may be gang related

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Gangs, Public Safety, Santa Ana 11 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Shooting Homicide – 1000 N. Riverine Ave.

Location of occurrence: 1000 N. Riverine Ave.

Details:

On Friday, April 27, 2012, at approximately 16:35 hours, officers responded to 1000 N. Riverine Ave. on a call involving shots fired with a subject down. Upon arrival officers found a 21-year-old male victim, identification withheld pending next of kin notification, suffering from a gunshot wound. The Orange County Fire Authority Paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased. Continue reading→