Santa Ana Police Department
On May 13th at 11 AM, an SAPD patrol officer was driving north bound Harbor Boulevard at Hazard when a 50 year-old, male frantically flagged him down. The male, who was at the bus stop, advised the officer that two males just robbed him at knife point. Continue reading
Brother of Santa Ana shooting victim
Santa Ana residents rang in Mother’s Day weekend with a gang-related shooting in front of a house and a DUI crash into an SAPD cop car.
Santa Ana police Cmdr. Jason Viramontes said the shooting happened in the 4700 block of West Oakfield Avenue about 11:45 a.m. after a man driving a gray, newer model pickup truck drove past three men standing in front of a home. After some looks were exchanged, the truck made a u-turn and pulled up in front of the house, he said. The driver asked the men where they were from and fired eight to nine shots with a handgun, hitting two of them several times in their lower bodies before speeding off, according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # TBA: May 9, 2014
WESTMINSTER – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Seal Beach Police Department (SBPD) are seeking potential additional victims of a youth sport camp owner and coach who is charged with committing lewd acts on a boy attending the camp. Scott Anthony Durzo, 49, Seal Beach, was charged today with nine felony counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, seven felony counts of lewd acts upon a child age 14 or 15, one felony count of sodomy with a minor, one felony count of displaying pornography to a minor, and a sentencing enhancement allegation for substantial sexual conduct with a child. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration. The People will be requesting he be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment scheduled this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster.
At the time of the crime, Durzo owned and operated a youth sport and recreation facility in Seal Beach called Scott Durzo’s Total Sport Camp for the past 30 years. Durzo was also a former basketball coach at Los Alamitos High School. Continue reading
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF2226: May 9, 2014
SANTA ANA – A mother was convicted and sentenced today for abusing her 4-year-old daughter by depriving her of food and medical care, causing the child to be severely under-weight at only 18 pounds. Antonia Benitez, 36, Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to the court to three felony counts of child abuse with sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury to a child under 5. She was sentenced to a court offer to two years in jail, three years of formal probation, and one year participation in a child abuser program. The People advocated for a state prison sentence.
At the time of the crime, the defendant was a mother to nine children ranging in age from 4 to 16 years old. Continue reading
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, (714) 904-7042, JHallock@ocsd.org
Investigators Seeking Public’s Assistance Identifying Hit and Run Suspect Vehicle
STANTON, Calif. – (May 8, 2014) – On Wednesday, April 23, 2014, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian. The pedestrian victim was struck by the vehicle as he crossed the street near the intersection of Chapman Avenue and Beach Boulevard in the city of Stanton. The driver of the vehicle failed to stop and render aid at the scene and fled westbound on Chapman Avenue.
The 24 year-old male victim was critically injured as a result of the collision and remains hospitalized in the burn unit recovering from his injuries. He suffered burns and abrasions to over 20 percent of his body and a severe laceration to his head requiring 38 staples. Continue reading
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 11HF0928: May 5, 2014
SANTA ANA – A parolee from Vermont was convicted and sentenced today to seven years and four months in state prison for stealing over $280,000 from a 98-year-old widow. John Thomas Windsor, 44, Costa Mesa, pleaded guilty to one felony count each of first degree residential burglary, caretaker theft from an elder, fraudulently using an access card, and three felony counts of forgery with sentencing enhancements and allegations causing over $100,000 in loss, aggravated white collar crime over $100,000, and property loss over $200,000. Windsor was also ordered to pay $296,000 in restitution and fined over $592,000. Continue reading
Santa Ana Police Department Advisory
Victim Identified: Homicide 2900 block North Bristol
On May 6th at 0232 AM, Officers responded to a shooting call at 2900 block N Bristol and found the victim VIDAL QUEVEDO (27), Santa Ana, with a gunshot wound to the upper torso. The Victim was found in the north alley/parking lot of the apartment complex. Victim Quevedo was transported to UCI Medical Center where a short time later he died of his injuries.
Witnesses heard 1-2 shots fired and two possible male suspects were observed running from the scene. Continue reading
Press Release, For Immediate Release, Case # 12ZF0128: May 2, 2014
SEAL BEACH SALON SHOOTER PLEADS GUILTY TO LARGEST MASS MURDER IN ORANGE COUNTY HISTORY
*The case will move onto the penalty phase, pending hearings
SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of murdering eight people and attempting to murder a ninth in the largest mass-murder in Orange County history. Scott Evans Dekraai, 44, Huntington Beach, pleaded guilty to eight felony counts of special circumstances murder for committing multiple murders and one felony count of attempted murder.
Dekraai’s sentencing date will be determined pending completion of ongoing hearings. The defendant faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Continue reading
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lt. Jeff Hallock (714) 904 7042
JHallock@ocsd.org
The “AVOID the 38” DUI Taskforce is Cracking Down on Drunk Driving this Cinco de Mayo
SANTA ANA, California (May 2, 2014) – Cinco de Mayo is a time for many Californians to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage by attending parties, barbecues and festivals with friends and family. With alcohol being such a big part of these festivities, it’s no surprise that drunk driving is especially high on May 5th. In an effort to prevent any roadway tragedies, the Orange County “Avoid the 38” DUI Task Force is joining with others across the state and nation to remind partygoers that drunk driving should never be part of your Cinco de Mayo plans.
Special DUI saturations patrols will be deployed this weekend in numerous cities within Orange County looking to identify and stop suspected drunk drivers. Additionally, every routine traffic and patrol officer assigned to duty will be on heightened alert to prevent another senseless tragedy. Continue reading
Neighbors in north Santa Ana’s Floral Park and Park Santiago neighborhoods have been buzzing about an increase in burglaries in their areas over the past few weeks. This comes just after the Santa Ana police officers got a new contract and, I am told, that the City Council has extended an offer to their current Temp Chief of Police, Carlos Rojas.
The City of Santa Ana generally looks out for these neighborhoods as they are filled with VIPs, including Mayor Miguel Pulido, who lives in Floral Park, and Parks and Agency Director Gerardo Mouet, who lives in Park Santiago.
One suspected burglar, pictured above, has been seen zipping around Park Santiago on a motor bike and he was even followed by a resident, who asked him if he lives here. He threatened to call the police but left after the concerned resident invited him to do so. Continue reading
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0801: April 24, 2014
MAN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR PIMPING THREE WOMEN AFTER POSTING AD ON SEX WEBSITE
*Defendant was arrested in undercover sting operation
SANTA ANA – A man was convicted and sentenced yesterday to four years in state prison today following an undercover sting operation for pimping three women for financial gain after advertising the victims on a sex website. Harvey Rashad McNight, 30, San Diego, pleaded guilty yesterday, April 23, 2014, to three felony counts of pimping. Continue reading
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 23, 2014
Contacts: Deidra Powell, Chief Communications Officer, 714-558-5555
Press Release: Santa Ana Unified School District Releases Results of Investigation involving arrest of 14-Year Old
Santa Ana, CA – April 23, 2014 – The results of an investigation involving a Santa Ana Unified School District School Police Officer’s arrest of a 14 year old male was released at the April 22, 2014 regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting.
Police Chief Hector Rodriguez, ED.D, stated that 99% of the police department’s contact with students is positive and that this particular incident was an unfortunate, isolated incident. Continue reading
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 14NF1794: April 21, 2014
MAN CHARGED WITH HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND PIMPING “MINOR” HE CONTACTED ON FACEBOOK
*“Minor” was an undercover police officer
FULLERTON – A man faces charges of human trafficking and pimping a minor who was actually an undercover police officer on Facebook. Dwight Lamith Garris, 34, Palmdale, is charged with one felony count each of human trafficking of a minor, pandering, and pimping of a minor. If convicted, Garris faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison. Garris is being held on $50,000 and must prove the money is from a legal and legitimate source before posting bond. He was charged and arraigned on Friday, April 18, 2014, and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing April 28, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department N-12, North Justice Center, Fullerton.
Circumstances of the Case
Garris is accused of being a pimp/modern-day slave owner who exploits women and/or children for financial gain.
Between April 8, 2014, and April 16, 2014, Garris is accused of befriending an undercover officer on Facebook, whom he believed to be a 17-year-old girl. The defendant is accused of attempting to recruit her to work for him as a prostitute and instructing her to recruit other sex workers for Garris.
On April 16, 2014, Anaheim Police Department (APD) investigators traveled to Los Angeles County and arrested Garris. Continue reading
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13CF0340 & 13CF1025: April 18, 2014
HUSBAND CONVICTED OF 2004 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES CONSPIRACY-MURDER BY SOLICITING MURDER OF WIFE
SANTA ANA – A husband was convicted yesterday of the 2004 solicitation-murder of his wife. Magdi Faiz Girgis, 61, Westminster, was found guilty by a jury April 17, 2014, of one felony count of special circumstances murder, one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder, and sentencing enhancements for murder for financial gain and murder to prevent testimony were found true. He faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility at his sentencing on May 30, 2014, in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Co-defendant Anthony Edward Bridget, 40, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder, one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder, one felony count of aggravated assault, one felony count of false imprisonment by violence, and sentencing enhancements for murder for financial gain, murder by lying in wait, and murder during the commission of a burglary. If convicted, he faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Bridget is scheduled for a preliminary hearing June 20, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-57, Central Justice Center. Continue reading
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 12HF3657: April 18, 2014
MAN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR FIRING SEMI-AUTOMATIC WEAPON AT FASHION ISLAND
SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today and sentenced to 12 years in state prison for discharging his gun at Fashion Island. Mark Sariana Gurrola, 42, Garden Grove, pleaded guilty to a court offer to 54 felony counts of shooting at an occupied building and two felony counts of aggravated assault with sentencing enhancements for the use of a firearm. The People objected to the sentence, advocating for a lengthier state prison term.
At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2012, Gurrola drove his white Honda Civic and parked in the Macy’s parking lot at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. He exited his vehicle armed with a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun and six magazines. He raised his firearm and discharged 54 rounds of ammunition in the direction of the Macy’s building. As a result of the shooting, Gurrola caused a mother and her 4-year-old daughter to suffer injuries from being pushed by panicked shoppers, who were running for cover. None of the bullets struck the building. Continue reading