Santiago Park burglary suspect
A brazen burglar stole a security camera right off a home in Santa Ana’s Park Santiago Neighborhood on February 9, but the camera caught his image and now the home owner is hopeful that someone will recognize the suspect.
The suspect was wearing a hooded poncho, khaki pants and black work boots. Continue reading
Santa Ana River Homeless Camp. Photo by Vern Nelson.
The ACLU requested a temporary restraining order Friday against county officials, demanding they remove the fences they erected this week around part of the homeless encampment along the Santa Ana River, according to the O.C. Register.
Earlier this week the O.C. Department of Public Works erected multiple six-foot, chainlink fences around the Santa Ana Riverbed between the Chapman and Orangewood bridges, entrapping nearly 100 individuals and their belongings, according to the ACLU. Continue reading
Trisha Verdugo and her family
As we reported yesterday, 27-year old Trisha Irene Verdugo of Orange, was maliciously run over and killed on Thursday at the parking lot of the vacant Food 4 Less store at 1900 N. Grand Ave., in Santa Ana. Verdugo was there to pay her respects for her 23-year old cousin Joseph Frank Garcia who was shot and killed at the same location the night before.
Verdugo left behind a 2-year old daughter and her partner, Rene Acosta. Her family is now trying to raise money to pay for her funeral services. Click here to donate. Continue reading
Hakeem Lipscomb
Santa Ana Police Department
Advisory: Vice Detectives Conduct Prostitution Operation-Arrest Three For Human Trafficking
Arrested For Human Trafficking:
On 2-10-17, at approximately 0400 hours, members of the SAPD Vice and Narcotic Unit conducted a prostitution related operation targeting the activity on north Harbor Blvd. Continue reading
Robert Jesus Wilson, 53, a man convicted of stabbing 39-year-old Robert Carranza to death at Tustin’s Frontier Park, was sentenced Friday to 56-years-to-life in prison, according to the O.C. Register.
Wilson claimed that he acted in self-defense when he stabbed Carranza in the neck during a fight at Frontier Park at 3:15 in the afternoon. Wilson was on parole at the time of the attack. Continue reading
Santa Ana Police Department
Advisory: Detectives Investigating Homicide By Vehicle 1900 Block Of North Grand Avenue
Victim: Trisha Irene Verdugo (27) Orange
On Thursday, February 9, 2017, at 10:41 PM, SAPD Officers responded to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic collision in the parking lot of the Dollar Tree store located at 1900 North Grand Ave.
Upon arrival, officers located a 27-year old adult female, Trisha Irene Verdugo of Orange, down in the parking lot with multiple injuries. Verdugo died at the scene as a result of her injuries. Continue reading
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joel Zlotnik (714) 560-5713, Eric Carpenter (714) 560-5697
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 9, 2017
Two O.C. Transportation Projects on State Priority List for Federal Funds
The I-405 Improvement Project and OC Streetcar among 51 projects forwarded to federal government for funding consideration
ORANGE – Two major Orange County transportation improvement projects were included Wednesday on a priority list that the Governor’s office says should be considered in the development of a federal infrastructure funding package.
The list of projects prioritized for federal funding from across California includes the I-405 Improvement Project, which runs from SR-73 in Costa Mesa to the county’s border with Los Angeles, and the OC Streetcar, which will run through the cities of Santa Ana and Garden Grove. Continue reading
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE
Case # 15CF0763
Date: February 9, 2017
MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERING HIS SISTER’S BOYFRIEND BY SHOOTING HIM BEFORE FLEEING TO MEXICO
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was convicted today of murdering his sister’s boyfriend by shooting him before fleeing to Mexico. Adan Rodriguez Leon, 34, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of first degree murder, and a sentencing enhancement for personal discharge of a firearm causing death was found to be true. Leon faces a maximum sentence of 52 years to life in state prison at his sentencing on April 14, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-44, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading
The former Food 4 Less supermarket located at 1900 N. Grand Ave. has been vacant for many years and now 23-year old Joseph Frank Garcia, a resident of Orange, has been found shot to death behind that store, according to the SAPD.
The body was found in an alley late on Wednesday night, at around 10:30 p.m., by a security guard. The victim is a man who appeared to be in his 20s, according to the SAPD. Continue reading
The City of Santa Ana is hosting a number of new programs at the Santiago Park Nature Center, including three types of events reoccurring monthly: guided nature walks, volunteer habitat restoration projects, and children’s book readings, such as:
On Feb 5, 2017 Melissa Guadalupe Hernandez, a student at Jim Thorpe Fundamental, lost her life in a tragic car accident. Hernandez was riding in a Honda Civic, with her father, when their car was broadsided by a Toyota Camry, according to the SAPD.
Melissa was a vibrant 9 year old girl full of life. She was dearly loved and will be tremendously missed. Her parents are struggling to cope emotionally and financially. Continue reading
A shooting incident was reported at Memorial Park on Tuesday, February 7, at 7 p.m., according to SAPD Case #17-03581.
Four to five rounds were fired and fortunately no one was injured. Continue reading
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE
Case # 11CF0862
Date: February 7, 2017
GANG MEMBER CONVICTED OF MURDERING INNOCENT 51-YEAR-OLD FATHER OF THREE
*Defendant was previously convicted but granted a new trial
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A jury found a criminal street gang member guilty today of murdering an innocent 51-year-old father of three. Eric Vasquez Ortiz, 27, Santa Ana, was found guilty of one felony count of second degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for participation in a criminal street gang. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison at his sentencing on June 2, 2017, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-43, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Co-defendant Sergio Avila Cabezas, 29, pleaded guilty on July 31, 2012, to one felony count each of voluntary manslaughter and participation in criminal street gang activity, with a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity. Cabezas was sentenced to six years in state prison on Jan. 24, 2014.
Continue reading
City of Santa Ana
The City of Santa Ana announces the availability of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for nonprofit organizations. The program supports cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- to moderate- income persons.
Funding will be available to experienced nonprofit organizations for the provision of public services that include an emphasis on crime prevention, intervention, and/or suppression efforts for children, youth and/or families. Programs will be funded from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.
GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA: Continue reading
Arrested: