New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Santa Ana

Man convicted of having sex with underage Santa Ana girls and giving them meth

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Drugs, OCDA, Santa Ana 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14NF2910

Date: October 8, 2015

MAN CONVICTED OF HAVING UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH FOUR UNDERAGE GIRLS, PROVIDING THEM WITH DRUGS, AND TRAFFICKING THREE OF THE VICTIMS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was convicted yesterday of having unlawful sexual intercourse with four underage girls, providing them with drugs and trafficking three of the victims. Daryl Anthony Hicks, 57, Midway City, was convicted by a jury yesterday Oct. 7, 2015, of three felony counts of human trafficking of a minor, four felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon, three felony counts of furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, and one misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. He faces a maximum sentence of 26 years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sexual registration at his sentencing Oct. 30, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-40, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Circumstances of the Case

Between February 2014 and July 2014, Hicks met 16-year-old Jane Doe 1 and 17-year-old Jane Doe 2 in Santa Ana. Hicks knew the victims were minors and gave them methamphetamine on multiple occasions, paid Jane Doe 2 to undress and took illegal nude photographs of her, and paid the victims for sex on multiple occasions. Continue reading→

Low income kids have a chance to audition at the Wooden Floor on Oct. 17

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Dance, Entertainment, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The Wooden Floor’s 2014 Auditions

The Wooden Floor, an arts-based youth development nonprofit, is hoping for a large turnout of low-income, primarily Latino families, on Saturday, October 17, 2015, as it opens its doors for its Annual Auditions Day. In order to reach the students who need The Wooden Floor’s services the most, word is spread throughout the community about the opportunity to join The Wooden Floor.

A privately-funded nonprofit organization, The Wooden Floor uses a successful model of strategically-integrating intensive dance education with academic programs, college and career readiness programs, and family support services to help students change the way they think about themselves and aspire beyond the grip of the poverty cycle. Since 2005, 100 percent of The Wooden Floor’s graduates have finished high school on time and immediately enrolled in college-something done by only about 45 percent of their socioeconomic peers. Continue reading→

Man kidnapped by two suspects and forced to withdraw cash from a bank

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A 65-year-old man was walking in the 100 block of South Clara Street at 11:45 a.m. today when another man approached him and somehow convinced him to get into a waiting vehicle, where a second man was waiting, according to the O.C. Register.

The two men drove their victim to a bank where one of the suspects walked inside, pretending to hold a handgun to the victim’s back. The suspect then compelled the victim to withdraw cash from the bank. Continue reading→

The SAPD SWAT team and the OCFA to train together at 4 Hutton Center Dr. on 10/9

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCFA, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Training Advisory: Santa Ana Police Department and Orange County Fire Authority Will Be Conducting Joint Training Exercise

On Friday, October 9, 2015 at about 1430 hrs. the Santa Ana Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) will be conducting a training exercise at #4 Hutton Center Dr., a 10-story high rise office building. The property’s management team and security officers will interact with the SWAT Team throughout the exercise. Orange County Fire Authority will also be present and will take part in the exercise. The training is expected to last 6 to 7 hours. Continue reading→

Man attacked by four men who tried rob him a few blocks from the SAUSD’s HQ

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento Leave a comment

A man was attacked and beaten up by four men during an attempted robbery at the 1600 block of East 4th Street at 8:50 p.m., according to the O.C. Register.

The man was walking home when he was surrounded by the four men, who demanded cash. The victim told them he had no money and they reacted by striking him from behind with what might have been a baseball bat. Then they set upon him, punching him repeatedly before they ran off west on 4th St. Continue reading→

The teachers’ union declares war on SAUSD Trustee Cecilia Iglesias

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Cecilia Iglesias, Education, Politics, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Susan Mercer 10 Comments

The Santa Ana Educators’ Association (SAEA) has declared war on SAUSD Trustee Cecilia Iglesias after she posted a comment on Facebook back in September.

Here is the comment Iglesias posted – that riled up the teachers’ union:

I disagree with the notion of a huge pay increase for teachers. In Santa Ana teachers with 10 years plus seniority are receiving an average of $95k / year + benefits for 180 days of instruction days. And a day is only 6 hours of work including lunch and nutrition.. which will only be 5 hours of instruction total. If you divide $95, 000 by 180 days = $527/ day and divide by 5 hours= $105 an hour. With that type of investment for our teachers I believe our students should be receiving high quality instruction and excelling academically.

Entry level for a teacher is $55k a year plus benefits for 6 months of instruction. If they teach summer school or tutor after school that is additional pay. So can you justify a huge salary increase????

Continue reading→

Man on Santa Ana’s Most Wanted list arrested in Tijuana

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, mexico, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Orange County Cold Case Homicide Task Force Arrests Fugitive On Santa Ana Police Department’s Most Wanted List

Suspect: BRAVO, Dennis (34)

Case #: SAPD # 01-17469, OC Court Case # 01CF1639

On April 21, 2001, Santa Ana Police officers responded to Plumbers Hall, 3904 West 1st Street, regarding a “shots fired” call. The officers located a victim who had been shot, in the abdomen, and critically injured. The victim was transported to the hospital. Continue reading→

Poll – Should City Manager David Cavazos be allowed to date his employees?

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Civic Affairs, David Benavides, David Cavazos, Michele Martinez, Miguel Pulido, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 7 Comments

Santa Ana City Manager David Cavazos in a letter released Tuesday night acknowledged having a romantic relationship with a city employee, according to the Voice of OC.

The whole mess came to the surface when Mayor Miguel Pulido “harshly criticized Cavazos for carrying on the relationship during a meeting with union leaders. The mayor went so far as to as to name the city employee in the meeting.” Continue reading→

Man stabbed while arguing with another man a half mile from the SAPD’s HQ

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Two men were arguing at the 1200 block of West Second Street, in Santa Ana, this evening at around 6:55 p.m., when one of them stabbed the other multiple times, according to the O.C. Register.

The stabbing victim was taken to the UCI Medical Center in Orange. While he was in serious condition he is expected to survive. Continue reading→

Walk-to-School Day set for Oct. 7 at Romero-Cruz Elementary School

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Entertainment, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Fitness and Safety Promoted at Walk-to-School Day – October 7, 2015

Romero Cruz Elementary School in Santa Ana

Join the Santa Ana Unified School District, the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Santa Ana School Police and Santa Ana Police Department as they participate in the Annual International Walk to School Day. Students, parents, and community members will take part in this global event to bring awareness to the importance of practicing safe walking, biking, and traffic skills. In addition, participants will review ways to maintain secure routes before, during and after school hours throughout the city of Santa Ana, while promoting physical activity.

Walk to School day will be held throughout the city of Santa Ana; however, a program acknowledging participation throughout the school district will be held at Romero Cruz Elementary School at 8:15 a.m. Students, parents, staff, and friends will walk from surrounding neighborhoods between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. which is a perfect opportunity to capture video, photographs and interviews. Continue reading→

Another senseless gang shooting kills a man near El Salvador Park

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana 1 Comment

A man was shot and killed near El Salvador Park last night at the 700 block of North Western Ave., in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The shooting was preceded by a question that often leads to violence – “where you from?”

The SAPD showed up at the scene and came across two unidentified males. One of them, whose age has not been revealed, had gunshot wounds in his abdomen and lower leg. He died at the scene. Continue reading→

Man shot while riding a bike on the Santa Ana River Trail bikepath near Edna Park

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Bicycles, Crime, Gangs, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A man said he was shot in the leg Friday night while he was riding his bicycle on the Santa Ana River Trail bikepath near Edna Park. The man said that he heard up to five gunshots come from behind him, according to the O.C. Register.

The victim was shot in the leg but somehow he was able to pedal his bike for almost a mile, to a liquor store at North King and West 17th streets. The SAPD found him there at about 9:30 p.m. when someone who saw him bleeding near the store called the police. Continue reading→

Vietnamese family to be charged with fraudulently receiving housing assistance

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, Vietnamese, Westminster 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF2249

Date: October 2, 2015

SIX FAMILY MEMBERS TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR DEFRAUDING OVER $100,000 IN GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES BY FALSIFYING INFORMATION TO RECEIVE HOUSING ASSISTANCE

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Six family members are scheduled to be arraigned today for defrauding over $100,000 in government subsidies by falsifying information to receive housing assistance. The defendants are each being held on $175,000 bail and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned today, Oct. 2, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

Charges

Thang Chinh Ly, 66, and Thu Ha Le, 53, both of Westminster, are each charged with one felony count of aid by misrepresentation, one felony count of grand theft by public housing fraud, and sentencing enhancement allegations for over $100,000 loss, aggravated white collar crime over $100,000, property damage or loss over $65,000. Thang Ly is additionally charged with seven felony counts of perjury by declaration and Le is additionally charged with six felony counts of perjury by declaration. If convicted, Thang Ly faces a maximum sentence of 13 years and four months in state prison and Le faces a maximum sentence of 12 years and eight months in state prison. Continue reading→

Two Santa Ana men among six men convicted of trying to hook up with prostitutes

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: October 1, 2015

SIX MEN CONVICTED OF LOITERING WITH INTENT TO COMMIT PROSTITUTION OR AGREEING TO ENGAGE IN PROSTITUTION

*Conviction details of sex purchasers are featured on the OCDA website

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) convicted six men in September 2015 of loitering with the intent to commit prostitution or agreeing to engage in prostitution. The defendants in these cases approached a woman whom they believed to be a prostitute, or loitered in areas known for prostitution and human trafficking in Orange County. Each of the defendants below agreed to engage, or loitered with the intent to engage, in commercial sex with a woman and were subsequently arrested by law enforcement.

Defendant/Conviction/Sentence: Continue reading→

Man on new motorcycle slams into the back of a street sweeper and dies

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Motorcycles, Santa Ana 5 Comments

Mateus Castro

A 25-year-old man was riding a Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle southbound on Red Hill Avenue this morning died at 6:45 a.m. when he slammed into the back of a street sweeper, according to the O.C. Register.

The victim has been identified as Mateus Castro. He was ejected from his motorcycle when he crashed into the street sweeper, near the 2800 block of Red Hill, according to the SAPD.

According to his girlfriend, Kenia Plazola, Castro was riding her motorcyle because the brake lights on his own motorcycle were not working and his license plate had broken off. Continue reading→