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Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Santa Ana

The Roman Reyna election scandal is even worse than we thought

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Phil Bacerra, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 6 Comments
Roman Reyna supports free drug needles

I spoke with former Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Phil Bacerra the other day, after we all found out that his Ward 4 City Council opponent Roman Reyna was going to resign from the City Council. What Bacerra had to say about the negotiations that led up to Reyna’s resignation was mind-blowing.

Turns out that Reyna’s legal team tried to get him off the hook, even as he was losing the lawsuit that Bacerra filed regarding Reyna’s horribly botched campaign paperwork. You might recall that Reyna carpetbagged in Ward 4 – and he did it so awfully that he put himself in major legal liability.

Reyna offered to patch things up with Bacerra by putting him back on the Santa Ana Planning Commission. And he offered to have Bacerra’s ex-girlfriend recant all the lies she uttered against Bacerra during the Ward 4 campaign – which amounted to perhaps the worst and most foul smear campaign ever conducted during a Santa Ana election.

The story gets even stranger. It appears that Reyna’s attorney, who usually handles bankruptcies, has been working with Santa Ana City Councilman Vince Sarmiento on a cannabis advisory project in the City of Cudahy.

One has to wonder if it was Sarmiento who was secretly advising Reyna all along?

The fact is Reyna should never have been allowed on the ballot in the first place. And Bacerra should be our Councilman in Ward 4.

I also hear that Reyna’s team had been trying to get the City of Santa Ana to pay his legal fees. Apparently however that is not going to happen after all.

Bacerra, who is half Filipino, would have been Santa Ana’s first Asian City Councilman. If the City Council is not going to appoint Bacerra to replace Reyna perhaps they should consider appointing a Vietnamese or Cambodian candidate to replace Reyna in Ward 4? And that candidate should preferably be a woman as currently we only have one woman on the City Council – Ceci Iglesias.

Santa Ana man arrested for allegedly attacking a cleaning woman in Irvine

Posted on by Posted in Crime, irvine, Santa Ana, Tustin Leave a comment

Irvine, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2019) – The suspect in an attempted rape that occurred in the early morning hours Wednesday, February 6, is in custody. Irvine Police Department Detectives arrested Eduardo Godoy Gonzalez, 21, of Santa Ana at his workplace in Tustin on Thursday around 5 p.m. Gonzalez was in possession of a knife believed to be used in the attack at the time of his arrest. A replica Glock handgun was recovered at the scene.

Police were led to Gonzalez thanks to several tips from citizens who saw media coverage of the case.

On Wednesday around 1:20 a.m., the suspect entered an unlocked door of an office at 17877 Von Karman Ave. and approached a woman who was cleaning the facility. The suspect asked the victim in Spanish if she was the only one there. When she said yes, he made aggressive sexual comments to her and ordered her to have sex with him. When she refused and said she was going to call police, the suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the victim, threatening her life.

He then pushed her into another room and forcefully tried to undress her. For four minutes, the victim is seen on video pleading for her life and fighting off the attacker.

Eventually, the victim was able to overpower the suspect and disarm him. The victim then ran for help in a nearby building.

The gun was found at the location and determined to be a replica Glock handgun. The victim also reported seeing a knife during the attack. She suffered injuries during the assault, including bruising to her arms, hands and breast and scratches to her face.

The investigation in the case is ongoing. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Irvine Police Department Detective Haldor Larum at 949-724-7194.

Orange County public safety agencies launch Text-to-911

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Emergencies, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment
https://youtu.be/qu5pQreGeFw

SANTA ANA, Ca. (February 6, 2019) – Orange County law enforcement and fire dispatch centers are now equipped with Text-to-911 to allow the hearing impaired, speech impaired or those in an emergency situation who are unable to make a phone call reach emergency services dispatchers by text message.

Text-to-911 was jointly launched by every Orange County public safety agency with a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) on February 6. In 2018, more than 1,243,092 calls were made to 911 in Orange County. Eighty percent of those calls came from mobile phones.

Remember to always call if you can, and text if you can’t. Calling provides a faster response, allowing information to be relayed to responding public safety personnel as quickly as possible. It also allows dispatchers to hear background noises or conversations and gather additional information.

“It’s important that every member of our community has a safe and effective way to access emergency services in Orange County, and Text-to-911 provides that,” said Sheriff Don Barnes.

When texting, residents should first provide their location and whether they need law enforcement, fire or medical aid services.

“It’s critical that those using Text-to-911 accurately share their location and offer as many clear details as possible,” said Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy. “Being precise means we can more quickly reach those who need help most.”

More about Text-to-9-1-1
• Ensure location services on your mobile phone are turned on and be prepared to provide your location in the text.
• To get started, type “911” in the “to” field of the text message and, in addition to your location, provide the type of emergency services you need (police, fire or medical).
• Use plain text and refrain from abbreviations.
• Dispatchers cannot accept pictures, videos or icons.
• Text-to-9-1-1 cannot be used in a group text.
• If your text does not go through, you should receive a message to make a voice call.
• Calling or texting 9-1-1 when it is not an emergency is a crime punishable by up to a year in County jail and a fine of up to $1,000.¬¬¬

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Who will replace Roman Reyna in the Santa Ana City Council’s Ward 4?

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Civic Affairs, Phil Bacerra, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Roman Reyna’s latest term on the Santa Ana City Council is already over, as we reported last night on our Facebook page.

Reyna was just elected in November, to Ward 4, after his allies conducted a horrific smear campaign against his opponent, former Santa Ana Planning Commissioner Phil Bacerra.

Bacerra however sued Reyna on the grounds that Reyna had not proven he was eligible to run for Ward 4. Reyna agreed to a settlement which will see him step down from the City Council by March 1. Reyna also agreed not to seek appointment or run in a special election for the Ward 4 seat.

The City Council can now appoint someone to replace Reyna in Ward 4. They could also call for a Special Election however that is most unlikely due the high cost of conducting such an election.

So who will replace Reyna in Ward 4? My sources tell me that there is no consensus candidate. One might argue that Bacerra should be appointed however the smear campaign against him cost him support on the City Council – and a few of the current City Council Members were allied with Reyna in the last election.

The City Council last night approved the MOU with the Santa Ana Police Officers Association. However they were unable to approve a means to fund that new contract as they lacked one vote – as Reyna blew off last night’s meeting.

While Reyna could return to the City Council in two weeks my sources tell me that the City Attorney has asked him not to vote on any other items as he could open the city up to lawsuits. So don’t be surprised if he continues to skip out on meetings while getting paid up to March 1.

The City Council also had to delay a decision on the apartment development project at 2525 Main St. Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido had to continue the public hearing on that development when 150 public speakers showed up and the hearing dragged on until 11:30 p.m. That matter will be resolved at the next City Council meeting, in two weeks.

While the current City Council lacks a consistent majority they will have to muster at least four votes to replace Reyna. It will be very tough to find a decent candidate in Ward 4. If the replacement won’t be Bacerra my personal inclination would be to find a woman candidate to replace Reyna as the current City Council only features one woman – Ceci Iglesias.

Santa Ana College student arrested for stalking a woman and making threats to Century High School

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD, SAUSD Leave a comment

A 20-year-old convicted stalker, Kevin Cacho, was charged Tuesday with making threats against Century High School as well as a woman he met while both were students at the Santa Ana campus and subsequently rejected his romantic advances, according to the O.C. Register.

Cacho pleaded not guilty to one count each of making criminal threats and violating a domestic violence order with a prior conviction for domestic violence, both felonies. He must return to the court on Feb. 14, which ironically is Valentine’s Day, for a pretrial hearing in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

Cacho reportedly sent threats to the high school and the victim, who befriended him while they were both students at Century, according to the SAPD.

Cacho was apparently “infatuated” with the unnamed woman in high school, but when he told her this she indicated that she was not attracted to him. Things escalated at that point.

Cacho was already sentenced previously on Oct. 10, after he plead guilty to stalking the same woman. At the time he was sentenced to 364 days in jail.

However Cacho seemed not to have learned his lesson. On Jan. 8, the victim received a number of “intimidating” text messages, from an unknown phone number. from an unknown phone number.

The SAPD arrested Cacho, a Santa Ana College student, on Friday.

SAUSD employee arrested for offering drugs to two female minors

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

On January 25, 2019, two female minors were contacted in the parking lot of a business by the suspect, Julio Torres, who was driving a white Ford Explorer. He initially asked the victims for directions to where he could go to purchase drugs. Torres then attempted to coerce the victims into his vehicle by providing drugs to them. The victims declined and fled the location.

Prior to leaving the area, they were able to take a photo of the suspects’ vehicle and provided information that led to his arrest. Torres was booked in Orange County Jail.

During the investigation, #GardenGrovePD investigators learned that Torres is employed by the Santa Ana Unified School District. Investigators are asking any additional victims or witnesses to please come forward and contact Inv. Marchand at 714-741-5704.

The Santa Ana Macy’s shoplifting and assault suspect has been arrested

Posted on by Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Advisory: SUSPECT WANTED IN ROBBERY AND ASSAULT W/ DEADLY WEAPON: CASE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED/ARRESTED

  • UPDATE –

Suspect: Ryan Quinten Hancock (43) Orange, CA

On Monday, February 4, 2019 at approximately 4:30 PM, Ryan Quinten Hancock (43) of Orange, was arrested by the Orange Police Department. He was booked at OCJ on a warrant for his arrest for the Macy’s robbery and assault with a deadly weapon incident.

He has been charged by the District Attorney’s Office for two counts of robbery and one count of assault with a deadly weapon. Detectives received several tips identifying suspect Hancock after we requested media and community assistance.

  • ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

Location: Macy’s – 2850 N. Main Street

On January 16, 2019 at approximately 7:01 PM, the above pictured suspect entered Macy’s and removed clothing from the racks. The suspect proceeded to exit the store when he was confronted by two loss prevention officers. The suspect produced a knife from his pants pocket and swung it towards one of the loss prevention officers. The suspect dropped the clothing and fled eastbound through the parking lot.

Any with information is asked to contact Detective D. Prewett at (714) 245-8323, dprewett@santa-ana.or or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The Santa Ana City Council can still vote to open a public hearing regarding the 2525 Main St. apartment development this Tuesday

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Development, Housing, Miguel Pulido, Planning, Santa Ana, Steven Mendoza 5 Comments
2525 N Main St. Development

Are you wondering why the Santa Ana City Council meeting agenda for this Tuesday’s meeting was suddenly altered on Friday – to read that there should not be a public session regarding the proposed apartment development, The Addington, at 2525 Main St.?

It turns out that the acting City Manager, Steven Mendoza, got bamboozled by Mayor Miguel Pulido, who might be a lame duck in his last term but is still acting like his voice is the only one that matters on the City Council.

Mendoza indicated on Friday that the delay was due to issues with a traffic study, pertaining to the apartment development project. However Planning Director Minh Thai told the developer of the project that Mendoza was ordered by Pulido to pospone the meeting.

The Planning Agency has already finished the project’s EIR and they indicated that they approved of the project. While the Planning Commission later voted against the project they are an advisory body and the City Council can easily overrule them.

Here is the kicker – despite Pulido’s last-minute machinations the City Council, on Tuesday, can still vote to open the public session on 2525 Main St. They just need four votes – and that seems very likely to happen.

In fact there are only two City Council Members that, to my knowledge, oppose this project – and Pulido is one of them.

The City Council absolutely should vote to approve this project. The proposed project generates more funding for the City, provides for more affordable housing units, funds more park improvements and supports a series of benefits to the neighboring Park Santiago neighborhood that simply would not materialize if the site remained vacant or was developed into a new office building.

In its first year, the project will pay more than $16 million in permit fees, of this more than $5 million will go directly to the City’s general fund. The project’s net annual fiscal benefit to the City of Santa Ana will be more than $1.2 million annually or more than $1.1 million than the existing office structure. These funds can be used to fund much needed City programs and services including youth programs, education, city improvements, parks improvement and more.

The project will remit more than $3.5 million in property taxes annually, of that $1.5 million will go to the Santa Ana Unified School District. However, the project anticipates multi-family residents having far fewer children, so the cost to school children from the project will be less than $500k annually, resulting in a net benefit of more than $1 million to our school district.

The Addington proposal is consistent with all of the City’s General Plan goals and policies, and helps to support its Gateway Designation. This project helps to realize the goals for Main Street that previous City Councils established with the help of significant community input.

The plan for 2525 Main Street was the product of nearly a year of community input, and was sensitively designed to limit impacts to privacy, reduce car trips through surrounding neighborhoods, and eliminate the need for guests to park on nearby streets.

The City of Santa Ana is in dire financial straits. I cannot imagine that very many of our elected City Council members will vote to turn their backs on the vast tax revenues that will be created by The Addington. In fact given Pulido’s outrageous actions on Friday I suspect the vote to approve this project will now be 6-1 with Pulido casting the only “no” vote.

Pulido can vote no as he is terming out in two years so he won’t have to deal with the City’s financial problems much longer.

As for the Nimby’s who are opposing this project, one of them is now suggesting that residents of North Santa Ana should break away from the
City of Santa Ana and form their own city!

How insane is that? If anything this proves that the privileged, entitled Nimby’s in North Santa Ana don’t care about the rest of our city.

Ironically these Nimby’s are ignoring the real threat in the Santiago Park neighborhood – the lawless vagrants that live in Santiago Creek. The Addington project will include around the clock security not only in the apartment project but also in Santiago Park and in the adjacent neighborhood. This project will actually solve the vagrant problem and make us all safer in the process.

The public session on this project should be held on Feb. 5 at the City Council meeting. And the City Council should at last approve this project without further delays!

A few facts about the new proposed Santa Ana police contract

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana, SAPD 8 Comments

The next Santa Ana City Council meeting will be a contentious one as the big topic of debate will be a new contract with the Santa Ana Police Officers Association (POA) – the union that represents our police officers. The meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 5:45 p.m.. at the City Council Chamber, located at 22 Civic Center Plaza.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that has been negotiated by the Santa Ana City Council and the POA amounts to a 2.5% retroactive pay increase and a 4% pay increase this year, as well as a 4% pay increase next year. The total pay increase will come to 13%.

The response thus far from some in the community has been bordering on hysteria so let’s take a look at some facts that have perhaps been overlooked:

  • The POA has 456 POA employees not the 465 that are listed on the city’s staff report.
  • There are currently 111 vacancies in the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD), as noted by the City on their midyear budget report on the agenda #65C – on page 31. That is approximately $12M dollars in budgeted surplus.
  • Agenda #65C – exhibit 3 shows an SAPD budget of $132M and “actual” expenditures of 62M YTD. That’s a $6.4M dollar projected surplus in SAPD budget alone.
  • The City’s own numbers show either a $12M surplus in the 61 funded vacancies or $6.4M surplus in “actuals” budgeting. At $750K per 1% the annual cost of raise is approx. $4M.
  • CPI is 3-4%. The $4M dollar per year contract is less than 3% of the SAPD’s budget & 1.5% of the City’s budget. 3-5% is usually the margin of error in any budgeting allotted.
  • If the SAPD is 49% of the City’s budget then in theory Measure X funds, 49% of which is $30M, should go to the SAPD. No Measure X funds are however actually needed for the SAPD as budgeted vacancies can absorb the added budget.
  • Staff compounds raises in a graph to a total of $25M (which is inaccurate) but does not compare the SAPD budgeted compounded for the same period, which would be $408M including a 3% annual increase.
  • In total for 2018 – 2019’s budget, City staff revised their estimated revenue from $254M to $262M thus passing a historic sales tax when there was actually about a $12M dollar surplus – misleading the voters as the projected expenditures are $255M and that includes the SAPD MOU.
  • The Santa Ana School PD received a 2 year contract with a 14% increase.
  • The LAPD received a 1 year 5% pay boost.
  • Many police departments are in negotiations right now but on average pay increases of 4-8% are common with 5% raises being the average.
  • The MOU with the POA is a 3 year contract with a 13% pay increase. Consider that the SAPD is not at the top or competitive part of the market and is the only City agency with astronomical vacancies.

Public safety is the number one issue in our city. Santa Ana is a lot more dangerous than surrounding cities. Many of our top police officers over the past few years have left for greener pastures in part due to the lower pay here and also because of our previous Police Chief, who was a total disaster. This is one of the reasons we continue to have so many vacancies in the SAPD.

If we want to keep our younger police officers here and attract good veteran officers to Santa Ana then we are going to have to pay these officers at minimum market rate and remain competitive. This is the only way to attract the best, which minimizes liabilities. Our community deserves and demands the best possible when it comes to public safety.

Over the past few years the City Council majority, led by now termed out City Councilman Sal Tinajero, handed out raises to the City’s top executives and bamboozled the voters into giving the City Council a raise too. Many who are now complaining about the POA increase were silent when those other raises were handed out!

The numbers clearly show that we can afford the POA increase. Don’t be fooled by the hysteria from some quarters. A safe Santa Ana is a city that can prosper.

This week’s Cochino List includes the Valencia Seafood Market

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Restaurants, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The OC Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of Jan. 25 to Feb. 1, 2019 . Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved. Here is the list:

  • Valencia Seafood Market, 1128 S. Standard Ave., Suite A, Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 25, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 25
  • Pizza Hut, 2091 N. Tustin St., Orange, Closed: Jan. 28, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 29
  • Myung Dong Kal Guk Su, 1000 N. Euclid St., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 30, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 31
  • Paradise Market, 3111 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 30, Reason: Rodent infestation
  • ExtraMile at Chevron station, 3901 E. Riverdale Ave., Anaheim, Closed: Jan. 30, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 30
  • Half Time Restaurant, 13187 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, Closed: Jan. 29, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Cafe International, 3198 Airport Loop Drive, Suite H2A, Costa Mesa, Closed: Jan. 28, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 30
  • Zpizza, 32341 Camino Capistrano, Suite B, San Juan Capistrano, Closed: Jan. 28, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Jan. 30
  • Update: Cafeteria at Kimberly-Clark, 2001 E. Orangethorpe Ave., Fullerton, closed Jan. 23 because of a cockroach infestation, reopened Jan. 25
  • Update: Kitchen at Salvation Army Residence, 1300 S. Lewis St., Anaheim, closed Jan. 23 because of a cockroach infestation, reopened Jan. 31.

The new Santa Ana Veterans Village will help homeless U.S. Veterans

Posted on by Posted in homeless, Housing, Santa Ana, Veterans Leave a comment

Community: Jamboree Housing Breaks Ground on Santa Ana Veterans Village

A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday, January 7, 2019 to celebrate what will become the largest veterans housing community in Orange County. The Santa Ana Veterans Village, located in west Santa Ana on First Street near Harbor Boulevard, will provide 75 permanent supportive housing units for homeless veterans and their families.

The completed village will include a Spanish-style, u-shaped three story building containing furnished one- and two-bedroom apartments, a 4,500-square foot community center and 10,000 square feet of active open space including barbecues, a community garden, dog run, and basketball half court.

With funding provided by the City of Santa Ana and County of Orange, Santa Ana Veterans Village is a project of Jamboree Housing. Jamboree’s design concept for this innovative development is “to be a sanctuary of stability and a hub of hope” for some of Orange County’s most vulnerable veterans. A comprehensive veteran services center will provide onsite mental health counseling, wellness services, employment services and legal assistance to help tenants rebuild their lives after struggling with homelessness.

A 2017 survey of Orange County’s homeless population found that 12% of the homeless were veterans. Since the release of the survey, the County of Orange adopted a plan to fund construction of 2,700 supportive housing units over the next three to five years. Jamboree’s Santa Ana Veteran’s Village is the first project of this countywide plan.

“Our success is possible in Santa Ana because of our commitment to our residents and the most vulnerable members of our community, especially our military veterans,” said Mayor Pro Tem Villegas. “As we continue all of our collective efforts to provide shelter, housing and effective law enforcement we will see less street homelessness and a better quality of life for all.”

Federal Judge David Carter spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony and recognized the project as another best practice and model for addressing homelessness in Orange County.

About City of Santa Ana

Santa Ana is downtown for the world famous Orange County, California. As the County Seat, home to a vibrant evening scene and one of the most diverse communities in California, Santa Ana is gaining national attention for its efforts to innovate and address a changing County. Over 1,200 City employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at http://www.santa-ana.org.

The SAPD clarifies their record destruction policy

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana, SAPD 2 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Record Destruction Matter – Joint Acting City Manager / Police Chief Statement

STEVEN MENDOZA, Acting City Manager, City of Santa Ana

In my role as Acting City Manager I requested that we pull an item from the City Council agenda for the January 15, 2019 meeting that addressed authorization for destruction of some police records. My responsibilities as a professional are to ensure I have a thorough understanding of the matters coming before the City Council I serve, and in this case, there were a series of statewide matters that complicated the picture. Specifically, legislation that went into effect just 14-days prior (Senate Bill 1421) to the council meeting and a follow up statewide advisory from the Attorney General created a dynamic environment in which asking the council to authorize record destruction warranted further understanding.

Since pulling the agenda item, I have had additional conversations with our Police Chief and City Attorney, and I am now confident that destruction of these specific records is not only consistent with all legal requirements, but equally important, consistent with a routine record destruction policy that the City Council authorized in 2013 and has been actively used in the years since.

DAVID VALENTIN, Chief of Police, Santa Ana Police Department

Since 2017, the Santa Ana Police Department has made huge strides in transparency and public engagement. Creating and sustaining community trust are essential for our Department and the community we serve. We also take great pride in conducting best practices and defensible police actions in compliance with the law.

Record destruction is a routine process that all departments of public agencies commonly execute. The City Council has a strict policy on record destruction that has been in effect for nearly six years, and our request to have authorization to destroy records was guided by Council policy and not in response to any recently enacted legislation.

In our continued support of transparency, I have directed my staff to ensure that record retention and destruction activities strictly comply with the law and I am confident we are meeting all legal requirements. Additionally, I am working with the law enforcement agencies in Orange County and our District Attorney to develop best practices and standards to be both transparent with the public and fulfill our operational need to destroy outdated records; again, in compliance with the law and our well established City policy.

Santa Ana man arrested in connection with a shooting in Anaheim

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SUBJECT: ANAHEIM POLICE ARREST THREE AFTER FOUR-MONTH
MURDER INVESTIGATION; NO 2018 UNSOLVED CASES REMAIN
ANAHEIM, CALIF

(January 30, 2019) – Anaheim Police homicide detectives have arrested three suspects in connection with the September shooting death of a 36-year-old Placentia resident, clearing the city’s last 2018 unsolved homicide.

Around 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2018, officers were dispatched to a cul-de-sac in the 1200 block of North Sunshine Way regarding a dead man found near a trash dumpster enclosure. The
decedent, Julio Cesar Munoz, had a single gunshot wound to his
head.

Homicide detectives determined that the shooting had
occurred just after midnight in the cul-de-sac during a “factory
party.”

Factory parties are held at various locations throughout the region on a revolving basis and are often staged in industrial areas where guests park their cars and participate in illicit activities, including the inhalation of nitrous oxide, also known as “nos.”

Over the course of the past four months, detectives interviewed dozens of witnesses, reviewed video footage and authored approximately 20 search warrants before identifying Larry Robert Douglass II, 19, of Artesia, Johnathan Michael Rowe, 19, of Santa Ana, and Zachary Jay Goemaat, 19, of Santa Ana, as suspects in this case. Douglass and Rowe were arrested yesterday without incident. Goemaat was arrested today without incident.

All three suspects were booked into the Anaheim Detention Facility for murder before being transferred to Orange County Jail where they
are being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Detectives are not releasing details about possible motives, but they
do not believe the killing was gang motivated. The Orange County
District Attorney’s office will review the investigation to determine
what charges may be alleged.

The Anaheim Police Department investigated seven homicides in
2018, all of which have now been cleared by arrest.

“We treat every murder investigation with the same sense of duty
and urgency,” APD homicide Sgt. Jeff Mundy said. “Our detectives
doggedly work these cases until every lead is exhausted, regardless
of how long it takes. We are happy to finally bring closure to Mr.
Munoz’s family.”

Photographs of each suspect are attached below:

Johnathan Rowe
Larry Douglass
Zachary Goemaa


The SAPD will be looking for borrachos on Superbowl Sunday

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 2 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Don’t Get Super Busted on Super Bowl Sunday by Driving Impaired

Law enforcement will be out looking for impaired drivers

Santa Ana, Calif. – Santa Ana Police Department is encouraging all football fans to celebrate Super Bowl LIII responsibly by not driving impaired, or letting other fans get behind the wheel when they shouldn’t.

“Millions of people will be watching the Super Bowl at parties and bars across the country,” David Valentin, Chief of Police. “Please don’t put others at risk because you chose to break the law and drive impaired.”

Santa Ana Police Department also reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

If you’re hosting a party, be a team player and have plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic drinks available for designated sober drivers. Be sure to monitor who is drinking and how they are getting home. If you plan to drink, don’t plan to drive. Even one drink can be one too many so have your sober friend be the “MVP” and get you home, use ride-share or take public transportation. Anyone who sees a drunk driver should call 911.

No matter who you are rooting for on Super Bowl Sunday, we are all on the same team when the game ends so remember to go safely.

An unidentified man was shot and wounded in Santa Ana on Wednesday

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

An unidentified man in his 20’s was shot in the torso in Santa Ana and was recovering in a hospital on Wednesday, Jan. 30, according to the O.C. Register.

The shooting was reported at 4:55 p.m. near the intersection of West 3rd and N. Euclid Streets, according to the SAPD.

Responding SAPD police officers found a man inside a sedan suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso.

The victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive.

The police did not identify the victim nor did they release any information about the attacker(s).