New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Orange County

They found Erica Alonso’s car but she is still missing!

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Vehicle Belonging to Missing Person Located

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (March 25, 2015) – On Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at approximately 2:00 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies located a white 2014 Honda Civic EX, California license plate #7FSS563 in the area of Cedarbrook and Redwood, Aliso Viejo in the Glenwood Park neighborhood. The vehicle belongs to Erica Alonso, 27, Laguna Hills, a reported missing person since Sunday, February 15, 2015.

Alonso was reported missing by her family after she was last seen leaving her boyfriend’s house in the city of Irvine. Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators have been actively pursuing leads and information since the report of Alonso’s disappearance. Continue reading→

Man charged with attempted murder after he repeatedly stabbed a female jogger

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12WF2895

Date: March 23, 2015

MAN TO FACE TRIAL FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF FEMALE JOGGER BY STABBING HER MULTIPLE TIMES

WESTMINSTER – A man is expected to face trial tomorrow for the attempted murder of a female jogger by stabbing her multiple times. James Anthony Rivas, 20, Rossmoor, is charged with one felony count each of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and mayhem, with sentencing enhancements for premeditation and deliberation for the attempted murder, great bodily injury and personal use of a deadly weapon. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 11 yearsto lifein state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24, 2015 in Department W-9, West Justice Center, Westminster. The time is to be determined.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2012, Rivas, then 18 years old, is accused of approaching 27-year-old Jane Doe, who was jogging through a residential neighborhood in Rossmoor. Continue reading→

Property owners and managers are needed to house OC Veterans

Posted on March 14, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in homeless, Housing, Orange County, Veterans Leave a comment

Property Owners and Managers are Needed to House OC Veterans

By O.C. Supervisor Lisa Barlett

There are at least 446 veterans who are homeless on any given night in Orange County according to the 2013 Orange County “Point in Time Homeless Count”. In addition, to this number, there are more than 2,000 veterans with incomes below 50% of the County’s median income applied on the Orange County Housing Authority waiting list for housing assistance during a two-week period in February 2012. This demonstrates the immediate needs of local veterans for basic shelter and for long term decent, safe and affordable housing. The 2013 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress stated that many homeless veterans need supportive services and case management to successfully transition from homelessness to permanent housing. In addition, these veterans typically do not have the financial resources to pay rent. They may also face barriers such as poor credit, prior evictions or lack of funds for a security deposit or other move-in expenses. Continue reading→

Car thieves who stole a Santa Ana car nabbed in Placentia

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A car that was stolen in Santa Ana turned up in Placentia on Monday, at around 11 pm, when police in that area spotted the vehicle near South Angelina Drive and Backs Lane, according to the O.C. Register.

The car thieves were pursued by Placentia police and they ended up crashing into a parked car. They then ran away on foot and one man was caught at the scene while another was found in an apartment that was nearby. Continue reading→

Insurance agent busted for massive fraud committed in Orange County

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Brea, Crime, Insurance, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14CF1518

Date: March 6, 2015

FORMER INSURANCE AGENT SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR RECEIVING OVER $900,000 COMMISSION AND PREMIUM PAYMENTS FROM FRAUDULENT INSURANCE POLICIES

SANTA ANA – A former insurance agent was convicted and sentenced today to seven years in state prison for receiving over $900,000 in commission and premium payments from fraudulent insurance policies. Jacob Richard Bonzer, 28, Chicago, Ill. pleaded guilty today to 49 felony counts of grand theft, one felony count of forging a false Department of Insurance report of examination, one felony count of transacting insurance business without certificate of authority, 45 felony counts of insurance fraud, with sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $500,000, and a taking over $200,000. He was also ordered to pay $918,302 restitution to the victims.

Circumstances of the Case

Between 2009 and 2013, Bonzer committed three separate crimes. A joint investigation was conducted by the Brea Police Department, California Department of Insurance (CDI) and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Continue reading→

Wrong way DUI driver convicted after fatal crash on the 91 Freeway

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Anaheim, Crime, Newport Beach, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12NF0309

Date: March 6, 2015

DRUNKEN WRONG-WAY FREEWAY DRIVER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR MURDERING ONE AND INJURING TWO OTHERS IN HEAD-ON CRASH

SANTA ANA – A drunken driver was sentenced today to 15 years to life in state prison for murdering one and injuring two others in a head-on crash after driving the wrong way into oncoming traffic on two separate Orange County freeways. Ruben Gurrola, 26, Pomona, was found guilty by a jury on Nov. 14, 2014, of one felony count each of murder, driving under the influence causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol level .08 percent or more causing injury, and a sentencing enhancement for causing great bodily injury.

Late on the night of Jan. 28, 2012, Gurrola left a Newport Beach bar with his then 24-year-old girlfriend Allison Poon after several hours of drinking alcohol with friends. The defendant took a cab with Poon to a friend’s house. After arriving at the home, Gurrola got into the driver’s seat of a Honda sedan and drove away with Poon in the passenger seat. At approximately 1:40 a.m., the defendant drove under the influence of alcohol on the wrong side of the freeway into oncoming traffic, heading northbound in the southbound lanes of the 241 toll road. Several motorists called 911 and had to swerve to avoid being hit by the defendant. Continue reading→

Local company wants to clean up the dog poop in your yard

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Environment, irvine, Orange County, Pets, Waste 4 Comments

Press Release

Dog Poop Ruining Your Yard? New OC Company Will Scoop It Up For You!

OC Company ‘Scoop Up Poop’ Takes Care of #2 so You Have More Time for #1 – You!

Irvine, CA February 13, 2015: Do you smell that Orange County? Neither do we! Our yards and trash cans aren’t filled with dog poop anymore. If you are like us, you just don’t have time to clean up after your dog. After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is scoop up poop! And you definitely have better things to do on weekends. Well we have good news for you, Irvine based company, Scoop Up Poop Pet Waste Removal, will come clean up after your pets for you.

The company offers residential and commercial waste removal to the entire OC, cleaning up as often as the owner wants — weekly, multiple times per week, bi-weekly, or monthly. The most popular choice for single dog owners is once a week, and twice a week for multiple dog owners. One-time cleanups also are available, such as before a large event. Commercially, the company services apartment and condo complexes that allow pets. They will also clean up at kennels, at parades, dog shows, or anything else that needs a professional Pooper Scooper. Continue reading→

Permit process for Lyft and Uber approved for John Wayne Airport

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation Leave a comment

Contact: Jenny Wedge, (949) 252-5182, JWedge@ocair.com

Process Approved for Transportation Network Companies to Serve John Wayne Airport

(Santa Ana, CA) — The Orange County Board of Supervisors has approved an operating permit that will allow Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), which include “ridesharing” services such as Uber and Lyft, to begin serving John Wayne Airport.

Under regulations set by the California Public Utilities Commission, TNCs may not operate at airports unless specifically authorized by the airport authority. Board approval of the TNC permit process will lead to TNC drivers being able to pick up passengers who have arranged for rides as well as drop off passengers. Continue reading→

Teachers now accused of sex, booze and drugs on the beach with students

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Beaches, Crime, Education, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15HF0219

Date: March 2, 2015

ADDITIONAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST TWO TEACHERS FOR UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND ILLEGALLY PROVIDING ALCOHOL AND COCAINE TO UNDERAGE STUDENTS DURING CAMPING TRIP AT SAN CLEMENTE BEACH

NEWPORT BEACH – Additional charges were filed today against two high school teachers for unlawful sexual intercourse and illegally providing alcohol and cocaine to a group of underage students after organizing a camping trip at San Clemente Beach. Melody Suzanne Lippert, 38, Covina, is facing additional charges of one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse, one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, and a sentencing enhancement for being four years or older than the minor, in addition to the original previous charge of one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Co-defendant Michelle Louise Ghirelli, 30, West Covina, is facing additional charges of one felony count of unlawful sexual intercourse, one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, one felony count of oral copulation of a minor, and a sentencing enhancement for being four years or older than the minor, in addition to the original previous charge of one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Continue reading→

Survey shows vast majority of OCTA bus riders satisfied with service

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in OCTA, Orange County, Santa Ana, Transportation 2 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 26, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713; Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697

Survey Shows Vast Majority of OCTA Bus Riders Satisfied With Service

Study of bus riders’ opinions indicates 90 percent are pleased with transit service

ORANGE – Results of a new customer satisfaction survey show that an overwhelming majority of bus riders in Orange County are pleased with the fixed-route bus service that transports nearly 1 million people each week to work, to home, and to retail and entertainment destinations countywide.

This week, the Orange County Transportation Authority Board reviewed results of the 2014 Fixed Route Bus Services Customer Satisfaction Survey, which showed that nine out of 10 bus riders say they are satisfied with OCTA’s bus service. Continue reading→

T.V. bounty hunter charged with embezzling over $18K in bail bond money

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF0025

February 25, 2015

BOUNTY HUNTER FEATURED ON REALITY SHOW CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLING OVER $18,000 IN CONNECTION WITH BAIL BOND TRANSACTION

SANTA ANA – A bounty hunter who was featured on a reality show was arrested today and will be arraigned for embezzling over $18,000 in connection with a bail bond transaction. Arturo Alfred Torres, 52, Winnetka, is charged with one felony count of grand theft by embezzlement. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of three years in Orange County jail and is expected to be arraigned this week, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time and date are to be determined.

Torres had previously appeared on the television reality show “Bounty Wars” on the Discovery Channel as a bounty hunter. Continue reading→

Man charged with neglecting a dog that chewed off part of his own leg

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OC Animal Care, Orange County, Pets, Westminster Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15WM01698

Date: February 25, 2015

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR NEGLECTING TO CARE FOR DOG’S ENTANGLED LEG CAUSING DOG TO CHEW PART OF HIS OWN LEG OFF

WESTMINSTER – A man is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow on animal abuse charges for allowing his dog to become entangled in the backyard, causing the dog to chew a part of his own leg off. Samer Samir Ibrahim, 23, Westminster, is charged with one misdemeanor count of keeping an animal without proper care and one misdemeanor count of animal abuse by a caretaker. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Feb. 26, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-4, West Justice Center, Westminster.

Ibrahim is accused of owning and caring for an 11-month-old German Shepherd named Rocky. He is accused of only allowing the dog to remain in the backyard in conditions where the dog caught fleas and was significantly thinner than an average healthy German Shepherd. Continue reading→

Woman charged with embezzling money from Holy Family’s fundraising program

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Churches and Religion, Crime, Education, Orange, Orange County 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF0347

Date: February 24, 2015

FORMER OFFICE MANAGER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR EMBEZZLING MONEY FROM CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUNDRAISING PROGRAM

SANTA ANA – A former office manager is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for embezzling money from a Catholic school’s fundraising program. Adela Maria Tapia, 40, Tustin, is charged with two felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement, 13 felony counts of money laundering with sentencing enhancement allegations for aggravated white collar crime over $100,000, and property loss of over $200,000. If convicted, Tapia faces a maximum sentence of 14 years and four months in state prison. The People will request that she be held on over $438,000 bail and must prove that the money comes from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond at her arraignment tomorrow, Feb. 25, 2015, at 10:00 a.m., in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

In September 2006, Tapia was hired as the scrip card coordinator at the Holy Family Cathedral School (HFCS) in Orange. The scrip card program is utilized by HFCS to raise funds for the operating costs of the school by selling scrip cards, which act similarly to gift cards, to school families or parishioners at face value. HFCS purchases scrip cards at a discount and their profit is based on the difference between the purchase value and sale value of the scrip cards sold. The scrip card program raises approximately $200,000 for the school each year. Continue reading→

Investigators seeking additional victims after arrest of sexual assault suspect

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org

Investigators Seeking Additional Victims Following Arrest

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. – (February 24, 2015) – On Thursday, February 19, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators arrested Raymond Newton Baker, 72, Laguna Niguel, following a three week investigation into allegations he sexually assaulted a victim under the guise he was training her to use a medical device. Continue reading→

Girlfriend to be charged with stabbing her boyfriend to death

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # TBA

Date: February 23, 2015

GIRLFRIEND TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR STABBING-MURDER OF BOYFRIEND IN THEIR HOME

SANTA ANA – A girlfriend is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for stabbing and murdering her boyfriend in their home. Michele Lynn Green, 50, Laguna Niguel, was charged today with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a knife. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in state prison. The People will be requesting Green be held on $1 million bail at her arraignment tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1. Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→