New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: Crime

O.C. Sheriff’s DUI sweep nets 25 suspects with outstanding warrants

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

25 Suspects with Outstanding DUI Warrants Caught in Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sweep

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (December 30, 2014) – On December 15,, 2014, Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies fanned out into neighborhoods in search of high risk driving under the influence (DUI) offenders with outstanding arrest warrants. Deputies served warrants and arrested 12 offenders who either failed to show up for a court date or violated terms of their probation in an outstanding DUI case. An additional 13 offenders turned themselves in to court during the two weeks following the warrant event.

“The best bet for anyone with a missed DUI court date is to go to court on their own now,” said Lieutenant Jim England of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Traffic Bureau. “If you don’t, that warrant isn’t going away. We’re going to come find you and take you to jail.” Those caught often face additional jail time for failing to appear in court or for violating probation. Continue reading→

Say adios to the Santa Ana Park Rangers

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Carlos Rojas, Civic Affairs, Crime, David Cavazos, Parks and Recreation, Roman Reyna, Santa Ana, Vince Sarmiento 4 Comments

A couple of state laws that make it illegal for retirees drawing state pension benefits to also be employed as park rangers have led to the dissolution of the Santa Ana Park Rangers, according to the Voice of OC.

Apparently there are four Park Rangers and they are armed – they are all retired cops. They reported to the Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Agency instead of reporting to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) which is a bit odd to say the least.

Our overpaid City Manager, David Cavazos, has come up with a very stupid idea to replace the armed Park Rangers with 15 unarmed “parks ambassadors,” who will “act as community servants, offering the public information about the parks reporting public safety issues to the police.” Continue reading→

Governor Brown pardons over one hundred convicts

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Crime, Jerry Brown 1 Comment

GOVERNOR BROWN GRANTS PARDONS

12-24-2014

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has granted 105 pardons.

The individuals granted pardons all completed their sentences and have been released from custody for more than a decade without further criminal activity.

Individuals who have been convicted of a crime in California may apply to the Governor for a pardon. All applicants for a pardon who were eligible obtained a Certificate of Rehabilitation, which is an order from a superior court declaring that a person convicted of a crime is now rehabilitated. A gubernatorial pardon may be granted to people who have demonstrated exemplary behavior and have lived productive and law-abiding lives following their conviction. Pardons are not granted unless they are earned. Continue reading→

Christmas burglar arrested after homeowner wounds him with a shotgun

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Fullerton Leave a comment

Picture courtesy of ABC News

Anaheim Police Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 25, 2014
Released by: Lt. Bob Dunn, Contact: (714) 497-6330

Subject: Suspect Arrested in Anaheim Hills Residential Burglary

At about 11:30 p.m. on December 24, 2014, Anaheim Police were called to the 8300 block of E. Quiet Canyon Court for a burglary in progress. A homeowner saw a male with a ski mask trying to break into a downstairs window of his home. Before police arrived, the suspect fled on foot and was not located during an area search.

On December 25, 2014 at about 3:30 a.m., Anaheim Police were called to a residence in the 900 block of S. Country Glen Way reference a burglary in progress. A homeowner found a male wearing a black ski mask inside his home. The male resident confronted the suspect and a physical altercation ensued. During the altercation, the suspect struck the male resident with a metal object – believed to be a wrench. The male resident retrieved a shotgun kept inside the home. As the suspect began to flee, the male resident fired one shot at the suspect. The suspect continued to run and was quickly out of sight. Continue reading→

Teen named Angel Arellano shot to death in Roman Reyna’s Ward 5

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana 11 Comments

SAPD Homicide Detectives are currently investigating shooting death in the 500 block of South Sullivan, according to the SAPD’s Facebook page. The shooting appears to be gang related.

NBC News reported that a teenager was shot dead and that he was between 16 and 18-years-old.

He was hit at least once in the torso at the 500 block of South Sullivan Street before midnight, according to the Santa Ana Police Department said. Continue reading→

SAPD seeks help identifying Pronto Pizza robbers

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT ROBBERY DETECTIVES REQUEST MEDIA AND PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IDENTIFYING ROBBERY SUSPECTS

Summary: Saturday, 12/20/14 at 9:57 p.m., two suspects entered Pronto Pizza located at 1734 West First Street, approached the counter where suspect #1 brandished a black semi-auto handgun from his waistband.

The suspects demanded money and an employee handed suspect #1 an undisclosed amount of cash from the register. Both suspects fled on foot, southbound through the parking lot and southbound onto Raitt Street. Continue reading→

Hit and run driver charged with killing woman and fleeing to Mexico to fix his truck

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, OCDA 2 Comments

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14NF5122

Date: December 19, 2014

DRIVER CHARGED WITH KILLING BICYCLIST AND FLEEING TO MEXICO TO REPAIR VEHICLE

SANTA ANA – A driver was in court today for killing a bicyclist and fleeing to Mexico to repair his vehicle. Junior Rigoberto Lopez, 30, Buena Park, is charged with one felony count of hit and run with permanent injury or death. If convicted, Lopez faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison. Lopez is being held on $500,000 bail. The scheduled arraignment was continued in court today to Jan. 16, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. on Nov. 1, 2014, Lopez is accused driving his pick-up truck and traveling northbound on Magnolia Street in Anaheim. He is accused of approaching the intersection of Magnolia Street and La Palma Avenue and crashing into 44-year-old Daniella Palacios while the victim was riding her bicycle. Instead of stopping to assist the victim or calling 911, Lopez is accused of failing to remain at the scene or rendering any aid and fleeing the scene. The defendant is accused of sustaining damage to his pick-up truck consistent with colliding with a person riding a bicycle. Continue reading→

Two men arrested for a home invasion robbery in Councilwoman Martinez’ Ward 2

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana 8 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD ROBBERY DETECTIVES ARREST TWO FOR HOME INVASION ROBBERY

DETECTIVES BELIEVE ARRESTEES MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHER REPORTED AND UNREPORTED ROBBERIES

Arrested:

1. Alfonso Cisneros (35) Santa Ana
2. Javier Cabezas (46) Santa Ana

On Tuesday 12/16/14, at 9:20 a.m., three victims were sleeping in the rear garage of an apartment unit in the 600 block of South Sycamore Street. They woke up to find two suspects with handguns in the room. All three victims were restrained with zip ties; one of the victims was also pistol whipped across the head and face resulting in a three-inch laceration to his head and facial swelling. The victims were robbed of cell phones, a small amount of money and a gold chain. Robbery detectives responded to assist with the investigation. Continue reading→

Arrest made in fatal hit and run accident

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, buena park, Crime 3 Comments

Anaheim Police Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 18, 2014
Released by: Lt. Bob Dunn, (714) 497-6330

Subject: Arrest Made in Fatal Hit & Run

On November 1, 2014 at 9:10 p.m. Daniela Palacios, 44, of Anaheim was struck by a pick-up truck as she rode her bicycle near the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Magnolia Avenue in Anaheim. After the collision, the pick-up fled the scene and the suspect remained at-large. Palacios was transported to a local trauma center and succumbed to her injuries shortly after 1:00 a.m. on November 2, 2014.

Since the fatal hit and run, Anaheim Police Traffic Investigators have been working to locate the suspect vehicle and its driver. With the assistance of Orange County Crime Stoppers, Junior Rigoberto Lopez, 30, of Buena Park was arrested this morning at the Anaheim Police Department. He is suspected to be the driver of the vehicle that struck Palacios and he has been booked at our temporary detention facility for felony hit and run. His bail is $50,000. Continue reading→

Investigators seek iPhone thieves who robbed a Verizon store in south O.C.

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2014

Contact: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

Investigators Seeking Public’s Assistance Identifying Robbery Suspects

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. – On Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at approximately 7:20 p.m, a robbery occurred at the Verizon 4G Wireless store located at 120 North El Camino Real. The suspects entered the store and demanded iPhones that were being stored in the back of the store. No weapon was seen or threatened by the suspects and they were seen leaving the location in a late model, grey or light blue, Toyota mini-van.

The suspects are described as male, Hispanics or Asians, 5 feet 7 inches tall, medium build, hoodie sweatshirts, dark colored pants and black ski masks. One suspect was wearing a red baseball cap. Continue reading→

Inmate badly beaten in a fight at Theo Lacy Jail

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange, Orange County, Westminster Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

Physical Altercation Involving Inmates at Theo Lacy Jail

UPDATE – (December 17, 2014): The inmate victim, Thiep Truong Nguyen, 49, Westminster, has died at a local hospital.

ORANGE, Calif. – (December 16, 2014) – On Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at approximately 11:57 a.m.; a physical altercation occurred between two inmates at the Theo Lacy Jail. The altercation occurred between a 39 year-old male and a 49 year-old male who were housed together at the jail.

Following the altercation, deputies immediately responded and located the 49 year-old male victim, unconscious inside the cell. Orange County Jail medical staff and paramedics were called and the injured inmate victim was transported to a nearby hospital. The injured inmate victim is listed in extremely critical condition as a result of his injuries. Continue reading→

Two men shot in Councilwoman Amezcua’s Ward 3, at 800 N. Jackson St.

Posted on December 13, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Angelica Amezcua, Crime, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Homicide Detectives investigate shooting death

On Friday, 12-12-14, at approximately 7:11 PM officers responded to the area of 800 N. Jackson (in Ward 3, which is represented by Councilwoman Angie Amezcua) reference a male who was shot. When officers arrived, who found two adult males that had sustained gunshot wounds. OCFA Paramedics responded and transported both males to UCI Hospital for treatment. One of the males subsequently died from his injuries.

Homicide detectives were called to the scene. A preliminary investigation revealed both victims were standing in front of a residence when two unidentified males approached and engaged them in a conversation. Several shots were then fired at the victims. Continue reading→

Marine convicted of DUI crash that killed three of his fellow soldiers

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Military, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 12CF1778

December 10, 2014

DRUNKEN-DRIVER MARINE CONVICTED OF CAUSING CRASH THAT KILLED THREE FELLOW MARINES AFTER CRASHING INTO TREE

WESTMINSTER – A Marine was convicted today of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing a crash that killed three fellow Marines after crashing into a tree. Jared Ray Hale, 27, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, one felony count of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more causing bodily injury, with sentencing enhancements and allegations for driving with a blood alcohol level over .15 percent and causing great bodily injury. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison at his sentencing Jan. 30, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., in Department W-13, West Justice Center, Westminster. Continue reading→

OCDA looking for additional victims of Santa Ana man charged with child molestation

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, PRESS RELEASE

Case # 14CF3934

December 5, 2014

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF MAN CHARGED WITH LURING MINOR BOYS INTO APARTMENT AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING THEM

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) are seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of a man charged with luring multiple minor aged boys into his apartment and sexually assaulting them. Edwin Echeverria, 22, Santa Ana, is charged with 11 felony counts of lewd act upon a child under 14 and three felony counts of lewd acts upon a child with sentencing enhancements of committing the crime against more than one victim. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 275 years to life in state prison. The People will be requesting he be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment this afternoon in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

During the summer of 2012, Echeverria is accused of befriending over 10 boys in his neighborhood located on the 700 block of South Lyon Street in Santa Ana and committing sex acts against some of them. Continue reading→

Church leader sentenced for child molestation and child pornography

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Churches and Religion, Crime, Huntington Beach, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, PRESS RELEASE

Case # 13WF3027

December 5, 2014

CHURCH LEADER SENTENCED TO 36 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING RELATIVE AND PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

SANTA ANA – A Huntington Beach church worship leader was sentenced today to 36 years to life in state prison for sexually assaulting a boy relative and producing child pornography. Jeffrey Adam Tracy, 38, was found guilty by a jury Oct. 16, 2014, of two felony counts of oral copulation of a child 10 years old or younger, four felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, and one felony count of using a minor for sex acts.

In April 2013, U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other members of the Orange County Child Exploitation Task Force (OCCETF) began investigating the defendant for uploading child pornography videos on the Internet using various file sharing programs. On Sept. 25, 2013, members of the OCCETF executed search warrants in connection with the case. Tracy was subsequently taken into custody Sept. 27, 2013. Continue reading→