Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana’s playgrounds, volleyball courts and tennis courts to close
March 31, 2020 - Civic Affairs, Disease, Emergencies, Parks and Recreation, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Sports, Youth Activities - No Comments

The City of Santa Ana is closing its playgrounds, volleyball courts and tennis courts beginning Wednesday, April 1, in order to prevent gatherings and protect the public from COVID-19. The City has already shuttered its enclosed parks, recreation and other facilities and canceled all programs and classes except the take-out senior meals program. Those include:…

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The County of Orange has launched an Economic & Business Recovery Call Center
March 31, 2020 - Business, Disease, Emergencies, Orange County, Santa Ana - No Comments

Effective March 30, Orange County Community Services has implemented a call center to meet the needs of businesses impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Economic & Business Recovery Call Center will offer information and resources to help Orange County businesses navigate the current economic climate. These resources will support businesses with challenges such…

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Santa Ana businesses can get help from a Small Business Incentive Grant
March 31, 2020 - Business, Civic Affairs, Emergencies, Santa Ana - No Comments

The City of Santa Ana is offering a grant of $2,500 to $5,000 for Santa Ana-based microenterprises through the Santa Ana Small Business Incentive Program. Applicants must qualify for the Small Business Incentive Grant. Details are available at www.santa-ana.org/SBIP. Eligibility Qualifications The program provides a reimbursement grant for eligible businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. Grant…

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Understanding Santa Ana’s moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures
March 31, 2020 - Business, Disease, Emergencies, Housing, Real Estate, Santa Ana - No Comments

The City of Santa Ana has created webpages in English, Spanish and Vietnamese to help residential and commercial tenants understand the City and State moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webpages include frequently asked questions, a sample letter that renters can use to advise their landlord of their inability to pay…

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Thai Viet Phan for the Santa Ana City Council

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Santa Ana mother of four arrested for suspected child abuse

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 3 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Arrest Mother Of Four For Child Abuse – 13 Month Old Child In Critical Condition

Sacil Lucero (26) Santa Ana, a 26-year-old mother of four, was arrested Sunday for physically abusing her 13-month-old twins. Sacil Lucero, currently pregnant with her fifth child, was arrested after her daughter was taken to UCI Medical Center unresponsive and lifeless. Lucero claimed her child fell in the bathroom but the victim had major trauma to her head and had signs of physical abuse. The victim had multiple injuries and is listed in critical condition. Continue reading→

The SAPD has arrested a suspect in yesterday’s murder of a woman in DTSA

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Prentis John Hill

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Make Arrest In Homicide -300 Block East Fourth Street

SAPD Detectives Make Arrest In Homicide -300 Block East Fourth Street

Victim/DECEASED: Shannon Pearce Likens, (38), Santa Ana.

Suspect/ARRESTED: Prentis John Hill (39), Santa Ana.

On Saturday, December 16, 2017, at 11:33 AM, SAPD officers responded to a domestic violence call at 316 West 4th Street, #209. Upon arrival, they found the apartment door closed. There was no answer. Neighboring tenants reported a violent altercation and that the male suspect fled the building prior to the arrival of police. Continue reading→

A woman was murdered in her Downtown Santa Ana apartment today

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Detectives Investigating Homicide – 300 Block Of West Fourth Street

On Saturday, December 16, 2017, at 11:33 a.m., SAPD police officers responded to a domestic violence call at 316 West 4th Street #209. Upon arrival, they found the apartment closed. There was no answer at the door. Neighboring tenants reported a violent altercation and the male half fleeing the building prior to the arrival of police. Continue reading→

Crime prevention tips for holiday shopping

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Crime Prevention Tips for Holiday Shopping

Shopping in stores:

  • Never leave your valuables unattended, phone, purse, wallet, etc.
  • Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information.
  • Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit.
  • Deter pickpockets by carrying your purse close to your body and keeping it closed.
  • Men keep your wallet in an inner coat pocket or front pants pocket.
  • Do not buy more than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car.
  • Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
  • Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.

Continue reading→

A pimp from Fontana got an 8 year prison sentence for trafficking a minor in Santa Ana

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

December 15, 2017

Case # 17CF1135

FONTANA MAN SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON FOR TRAFFICKING MINOR FROM SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY AND PIMPING VICTIM IN SANTA ANA

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Fontana man was sentenced to eight years in state prison today for trafficking a minor girl from San Bernardino County and pimping the victim in Santa Ana.

Defendant: Armani Montrale Green, 21, Fontana

Found guilty by a jury on Nov. 21, 2017, of one felony count each of: Continue reading→

Santa Ana car thieves led police on a pursuit before crashing near Corona on Friday night

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Three people in a stolen car were arrested Friday night, Dec. 15, after a police pursuit that began in Santa Ana and ended near Corona, according to the O.C. Register.

SAPD police officers tried to pull over a stolen Nissan Sentra near the intersection of Broadway and Cubbon St. just before 9 p.m. on Friday night, but the suspects sped off staring a pursuit that proceeded north on the 5 Freeway and then East on the 91 Fwy. Continue reading→

A man was shot dead while driving near Mater Dei High School on Friday night

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Advisory: Detectives Investigating Homicide – 1300 Block Of South Bristol

On Friday, December 15, 2017, at 10:42 PM, the Santa Ana Police Department received reports of shots fired and a traffic collision in the area of Bristol Street and McFadden Avenue. Officers responded to the area and located the scene of an apparent single vehicle traffic collision. Officers observed a compact pick-up truck on the green belt east of the east sidewalk at 1300 South Bristol Street. Continue reading→

OCDA prosecutor honored as prosecutor of the year for battling insurance fraud

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fraud, Insurance, OCDA, Santa Ana 1 Comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: December 13, 2017

OCDA PROSECUTOR SHADDI KAMIABIPOUR HONORED AS “PROSECUTOR OF THE YEAR” BY COALITION AGAINST INSURANCE FRAUD

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Senior Deputy District Attorney Shaddi Kamiabipour of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) was honored by the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF) as the 2017 Prosecutor of the Year for her extensive work prosecuting medical and workers’ compensation insurance fraud cases. The award was presented last night at CAIF’s annual meeting at theOmni Shoreham hotel in Washington, DC.

CAIF is a nonprofit alliance of insurers, consumer groups, and government agencies combating all forms of insurance fraud. Each year, CAIF recognizes prosecutors whose outstanding ability and professional dedication to fighting insurance fraud merit the respect and admiration of prosecutors statewide. Kamiabipour, of the OCDA’s Insurance Fraud Unit, has successfully prosecuted 55 defendants in massive insurance fraud cases, including the shutdown of a $40 million fraudulent medical billing and kickback operation where she filed charges against over 22 doctors, pharmacists, and business owners. Kamiabipour has prosecuted numerous workers’ compensation insurance fraud cases with losses exceeding $520 million in total. Continue reading→

The City of Santa Ana’s updated holiday street sweeping and trash collection 2017 and 2018 schedule

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City of Santa Ana

Community: City of Santa Ana Holiday Street Sweeping and Trash Collection Schedule for 2017 and 2018

As a reminder, please be aware that the City of Santa Ana does not provide street sweeping on City observed Holidays. The 2017 and 2018 holiday street sweeping schedule is provided below for your information and includes the trash collection holiday schedule, which indicates the days where there will be a one-day collection delay.

To maximize street sweeping quality, please locate your trash cart on your curb, parkway or driveway when street sweeping and trash collection fall on the same day due to the holiday schedule. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Agency at (714) 647-3380.

2017 Calendar: Continue reading→

Tinajero named state educator of the year by National Speech & Debate Association

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News Release: Santa Ana Unified’s Sal Tinajero Named State Educator of the Year by National Speech & Debate Association

Tinajero was selected from more than 5,000 member coaches and teachers across the country because of his unwavering commitment to speech and debate education

Sal Tinajero, a Program Specialist for the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD), has been named the 2017-2018 California Educator of the Year by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA).

Tinajero was selected from more than 5,000 member coaches and teachers across the country because of his unwavering commitment to speech and debate education, and because his passion for speech and debate has enhanced the quality of education in California and beyond, according to NSDA. Continue reading→

OC Sheriff’s Department, SAPD partner to arrest armed robbery suspects

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (Dec. 12, 2017) – A man and a woman suspected of robbing a Lake Forest hotel at gunpoint and fleeing with an unknown amount of cash were arrested early Monday morning.

Deputies at about 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10, were dispatched to reports of an armed robbery at a hotel in the 23000 block of Lake Center Drive in Lake Forest. Continue reading→

The SAPD is looking for a total loser who tried to rob Craig Liquor

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Detectives Requesting Media And Community Assistance In Identifying Attempt Robbery – Assault And Battery Suspect

Location: Craig Liquor, 1200 W. MacArthur Blvd., Santa Ana, CA

A robbery suspect attempted to steal by force a twelve pack of beer and fought with the clerk. The suspect threw several beer cans at the clerk, striking him. The suspect ran out of the store and left the location in a green SUV. Continue reading→

An armed Santa Ana man got arrested in Costa Mesa after tampering with vehicles

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On Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, at approximately 4:55 a.m., the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) responded to the 3300 block of Nevada Avenue regarding a man looking into and tampering with vehicles.

A neighbor told the suspect, Trinity Crummie, 37, Santa Ana, to leave. Crummie then pulled a knife out of an arm sheath. Continue reading→

Las Vegas man gets eights years in prison for pimping a teenage girl in Costa Mesa

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

December 11, 2017

Case # 17CF2948

LAS VEGAS MAN SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON FOR TRAFFICKING AND PIMPING 16-YEAR-OLD UTAH GIRL IN COSTA MESA

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Las Vegas man was convicted and sentenced to eight years in state prison today for trafficking and pimping a 16-year-old Utah girl in Costa Mesa.

Defendant: Brandon Antwan Hunter, 31, Las Vegas

Pleaded guilty today to the following felony counts: Continue reading→

Santa Ana woman gets three years in prison for fatal hit and run and insurance fraud

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 17CF0363

Date: December 11, 2017

WOMAN CONVICTED AND SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR FATAL HIT-AND-RUN, INSURANCE FRAUD, AND FALSELY REPORTING VANDALISM

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A woman pleaded guilty and was sentenced today to three years in state prison for fatally hitting a pedestrian, fleeing the scene, committing insurance fraud, and falsely reporting the vehicle damage as vandalism to her insurance company and police.

Defendant: Belen Guadalupe Sicairos, 24, Santa Ana

Pleaded guilty today to the following counts: Continue reading→