Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: SAPD

The SAPD is searching for two burglary suspects caught on video

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On October 27, 2019, at approximately 1:42 AM, the female and male wanted suspects were captured on video surveillance burglarizing the victim’s vehicle. The loss at this time were tools and a car jack.

Upon inspection of the vehicle, it appeared that the suspects attempted to steal the vehicle using a shaved key (which was found broken off inside the vehicle) and the ignition was tampered with.

Anyone with information identifying the suspects in this case is asked to contact Detective B. Romero at (714) 245-8529.

The SAPD raided an illegal gambling operation early this morning

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The SAPD raided an illegal gambling operation masquerading as a smoke shop at the 2031 block of E. First St. in Santa Ana early this morning, at about 7 am, according to their Twitter feed.

The operation housed a good number of video machines used for illegal gambling.

Unfortunately for that area this gambling den was also attracting drug trafficking and prostitution.

The SAPD indicated that more information about this raid would be made available later today.

An SAPD police cruiser crashed into an SAPD motorcycle this evening

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On Sunday, November 17, 2019, at approximately 8:28 pm a Santa Ana Police Motor Officer and Patrol Sergeant were attempting to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on McFadden Avenue from Graham Lane.

As the police motor and vehicle proceeded after the traffic violator, they collided on McFadden just east of Pacific Avenue. The motor officer and sergeant were both injured and transported to local hospitals for treatment. The cause of this collision is under investigation.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) responded to the scene and handled the investigation.

Anyone possibly having information about this collision is asked to contact Corporal Brett Nelson at (714) 245-8208

An armed Santa Ana robbery suspect turned himself into the SAPD today

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After releasing the robbery video to the media and community, suspect Anthony Sanchez (18) Santa Ana turned himself in to Santa Ana PD Robbery Detectives. Suspect has been booked for armed robbery.

ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

Suspect #1: Male Hispanic, 18-25 years old, 5’-5” to 5’-7” and 140-160lbs, armed with a semi-auto firearm with extended mag. Suspect had some black colored substance on his face in an attempt to alter his identity.

Suspect #2: Driver Female Hispanic, unknown age, 5’-3”, 120-130lbs, with long dark hair

Vehicle Used: 2015-2017 Dodge Charger, Black in color, tinted windows and five star rims

On 6/22/2019, at 10:40pm, the above-pictured Charger parked on the north side of Nady’s Liquor store located at 652 S. Harbor Blvd. A female exited the driver’s door and appeared to look inside the liquor store through the large window. The female sat back in the driver’s seat and shut the door. The male suspect then exited the passenger side and entered the liquor store. The suspect pulled a semi-auto firearm with an extended magazine from his waistband and threatened the victim. The suspect demanded money from the register and the victim complied. After taking money from the victim, the suspect entered the left rear passenger seat of the Charger, which fled westbound on McFadden Ave.

Please forward information to Detective Greaver at (714) 245-8362 or DGreaver@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The SAPD is searching for a man accused of sexually assaulting a relative for a year

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On or about 09/07/2019, wanted suspect Jose Alejandro Guevara repeatedly sexually assaulted a family member for approximately one year.

Guevara fled from his residence prior to police arrival and is aware he is being sought out for this crime.

Shortly after fleeing, Guevara contacted family members and is believed to still be in the area. Guevara is known to frequent bars in the area of Main & McFadden and Standard & McFadden.

Suspect Description: 5’05”, 170 lbs., black hair and brown eyes

Vehicle Description: 2007 Silver, 4-Door Toyota Camry. License Plate# 8JOY543

Anyone with information on Guevara’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Gallardo at (714) 245-8378 or JGallardo@santa-ana.org

Suspects in a stolen car were arrested by the SAPD after a car crash

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We reported a hit and run crash very early yesterday morning, at Flower Street and Warner, after getting a tip from a reader, who also sent us a picture of the scene.

Now we know what happened! Two people were injured after a stolen SUV filled with suspects crashed into another vehicle, late on Monday night, according to the City News Service.

A Chevrolet Suburban stolen in the City of Covina, and occupied by four suspects, crashed into another vehicle at around 11:05 PM.

While the suspects ran off as police officers responded to the scene, they were quickly caught and arrested.

The drivers of both vehicles were taken to local hospitals with injuries describes as non-life threatening.

An unfortunate utility pole was also damaged in the crash, which led to area roads being closed for several hours.

The SAPD is still investigating this incident. No details were released regarding the suspects.

The SAPD is looking for two armed suspects who robbed a liquor store

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On 6/22/2019, at 10:40 p.m., the below-pictured Charger parked on the north side of Nady’s Liquor Store located at 652 S. Harbor Blvd. A female exited the driver’s door and appeared to look inside the liquor store through the large window. The female sat back in the driver’s seat and shut the door. The male suspect then exited the passenger side and entered the liquor store.

The suspect pulled a semi-auto firearm with an extended magazine from his waistband and threatened the victim. The suspect demanded money from the register and the victim complied. After taking money from the victim, the suspect entered the left rear passenger seat of the Charger, which fled westbound on McFadden Ave.

Suspect #1: Male Hispanic, 18-25 years old, 5’-5” to 5’-7” and 140-160lbs, armed with a semi-auto firearm with extended mag. Suspect had some black colored substance on his face in an attempt to alter his identity.

Suspect #2: Driver Female Hispanic, unknown age, 5’-3”, 120-130lbs, with long dark hair

Vehicle Used: 2015-2017 Dodge Charger, Black in color, tinted windows and five star rims

Please forward information to Detective Greaver at (714) 245-8362 or DGreaver@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The SAPD is searching for a woman who has been missing since 2017

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On September 11, 2017, missing person Shirley Cassel was reported missing by her landlord.

Cassel was last seen at her residence on August 21, 2017 and it appears she left in her vehicle and has not been seen or heard from since that date.

Missing Person: Shirley Mae Cassel (63)

Last Seen: Monday, August 21, 2017

Vehicle Description: 2005 White 4-Door Nissan

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Shirley Cassel are asked to contact Investigator Jurado at (714) 245-8353 or Detective Garcia at (714) 245-8408.

Two car accidents in Santa Ana early this morning and one involved an SAPD police car

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An SAPD police officer crashed his patrol car into another vehicle at about 2 a.m. this morning, at S. Main and W. Camille Streets., according to the O.C. Register.

The police officer was on the way to a pursuit when the accident occurred. His patrol vehicle struck the motorist’s vehicle and a light pole.

Both the police officer and the other motorist were injured and both were conveyed to local hospitals.

Another car accident occurred at approx 3:30 a.m. at the 2200 block of South Shelton, near Memorial Park. In that incident a vehicle struck a cement wall after a car accident.

Responding firefighters used the “jaws of life” to cut out three patients trapped in the car . Three adult males were transported to a local hospital.

The SAPD is investigating, according to the OCFA’s Twitter account.

Three men stole fragrances from the MainPlace Macy’s last night

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On Thursday, 11/7/2019, at 7:53 pm, three male black adults entered the Macy’s store at the MainPlace Mall during normal business hours. They were wearing hoodies and possible bandannas covering their faces.

The suspects walked directly towards the fragrance counters and shattered the glass display cases. The suspects removed fragrances and placed them inside black duffel bags, which they carried into the store.

The suspects then exited the store via the south doors to an awaiting vehicle, possibly a silver sedan. The vehicle was last seen leaving the parking structure, northbound onto Main Street and out of sight.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Lim at (714) 245-8417 / Slim@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The SAPD will conduct a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint this Friday night

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The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday November 8th, 2019. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 400 N Fairview Street, in the City of Santa Ana.

The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver is.

The checkpoint will be staffed by officers trained in the detection of alcohol and drug impairment to provide on-the-spot assessments of drivers suspected of alcohol or drug impairment. All checkpoints are conducted in accordance with the guidelines for DUI checkpoint operations outlined in the California Supreme Court decision, Ingersoll v. Palmer.

All vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and / or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The SAPD has arrested an auto theft suspect

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Suspect Pedro Junior Lopez (33) has been located and arrested.

ORIGINAL MESSAGE – On 10/09/2019 at 8:20 AM, wanted suspect Lopez was caught on video surveillance stealing a vehicle from the rear parking lot of the Jack In The Box.

Prior to being reported stolen, Lopez was stopped in the vehicle in the area of Chestnut and Standard Avenue, and provided a false name. The vehicle was later found abandoned at 100 S. Cedar and was partially stripped. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lopez please contact Detective Romero at (714) 245-8529.

The SAPD is looking for a chunky burglar who stole tools from a Home Depot

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On April 20, 2019, wanted suspect Daniel Anthony Puig (50) entered Home Depot and removed several power tools from their boxes and walked out without paying for them. Puig is a repeat offender at Home Depot. An arrest warrant has been issued for Puig.

Description: 6’0”, 260 lbs., Black hair, Brown eyes

Anyone with information on Puig’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Garcia at (714)245-8732 or jgarcia@santa-ana.org

The SAPD is looking for a missing person with mental health issues

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Missing person John Isaac Chadwell (47) was reported missing on Sunday, 11/03/2019 after he left his girlfriend’s residence in Santa Ana.

Prior to being reported missing, he was in the hospital for several unrelated medical issues and suffers from mental health related issues.

Vehicle Information: black 4-door 2018 Mercedes. License# 8GTD524.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of John Isaac Chadwell is asked to contact Detective Garcia at (714) 245-8408.

A bicyclist was killed in an early morning hit and run crash today near Heritage Park

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On Monday, November 4th, 2019 at approximately 3:00 am, the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) received several calls of a male down in the roadway who was possibly on a bicycle near the intersection of Newhope and Camille Streets.

Officers responded to the area and found a male down in the roadway with major trauma. Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel responded and began to treat the male before pronouncing him deceased at the scene.

Danny Martinez, from his Facebook Page

The preliminary investigation has revealed the male, who was either walking alongside or riding a bicycle, was in the roadway when he was struck by a vehicle headed south on Newhope. The vehicle involved in this collision fled from the scene prior to the officers’ arrival. The vehicle remains outstanding and it, along with the driver, remain unidentified. Alcohol is believed to have played a role in this collision. The collision remains under investigation.

(Editor’s Note – The victim was identified as Danny Martinez by one of our readers. He was a Santa Ana resident according to his Facebook page.)

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigation Unit (CIU) is handling the investigation. Anyone possibly having information about this collision is asked to contact Corporal Brett Nelson at (714) 245-8208 or the Collision Investigation Unit at (714) 245-8200.