New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: Crime

Man to face trail for raping women while cleansing their spirits with raw eggs

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

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 12CF1076: April 15, 2014

MAN TO FACE TRIAL FOR THE FORCIBLE RAPE OF TWO WOMEN HE MET ONLINE UNDER PRETENSE OF PERFORMING SPIRITUAL CLEANSING

*Second victim came forward after seeing media coverage on the original case

SANTA ANA – A man will face a jury trial tomorrow for forcibly raping two women after luring them under the pretense of performing a spiritual cleansing. Alberto Flores Ramirez, 39, San Clemente, was charged in April 2012 for Jane Doe #1 with one felony count each of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, and sexual penetration by foreign object by force. In May 2012, he was charged for Jane Doe #2 with one felony count each of forcible rape, forcible oral copulation, and attempted forcible oral copulation. He faces a sentencing enhancement for sex crimes against multiple victims. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 75 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-43, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Woman convicted for kidnapping a baby girl from a Garden Grove hospital

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, OCDA Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 12WF2112: April 17, 2014

WOMAN SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN STATE PRISON FOR SEARCHING ROOMS AND KIDNAPPING NEWBORN BABY GIRL IN HOSPITAL

SANTA ANA – A woman was convicted and sentenced Tuesday to 13 years in state prison for kidnapping a newborn baby from Garden Grove Medical Center after searching multiple hospital rooms in two different hospitals for a baby to steal. Grisel Ramirez, 50, Garden Grove, pleaded guilty April 15, 2014, to one felony count of kidnapping of a child under 14 years old and five felony counts of first degree burglary with a sentencing enhancement for the kidnapping of a child to deprive the parent of custody. Continue reading→

19 men convicted for trying to hook up with prostitutes in Orange County

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release: April 16, 2014

19 MEN CONVICTED OF LOITERING, SOLICITING, ENGAGING, AND/OR AGREEING TO ENGAGE IN PROSTITUTION

SANTA ANA – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) convicted 19 men of loitering, soliciting, engaging, and/or agreeing to engage in prostitution. The men were convicted in March 2014. The defendants in these cases approached a woman, whom they believed to be a prostitute, in areas known for prostitution and human trafficking in Orange County. They agreed to engage in commercial sex, engaged in prostitution, loitered with intent to commit prostitution, and/or solicited another to engage in prostitution with a woman or an undercover officer and were subsequently arrested by law enforcement.

The Buena Park Police Department, Garden Grove Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and Santa Ana Police Department investigated these cases. Deputy District Attorney Michael Bardeen of the HEAT Unit prosecuted these cases. Continue reading→

Serial murderers of missing Santa Ana women arrested in Anaheim

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Santa Ana 5 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Serial Murder Arrest

On March 14, 2014 at 10:38 AM, Anaheim Police Officers were called to the recycling center in the 1100 block of N. Blue Gum Street to investigate the discovery of a deceased female, who was located by employees. Anaheim Homicide Detectives responded to continue investigation when evidence at the scene indicated the female, later identified as Jarrae Nykkole Estepp, 21, Resident of Oklahoma, had likely been murdered.

During the initial phase of our murder investigation, Homicide Detectives from the Santa Ana Police Department contacted us with information about three women, reported missing from their city. Based on information from our murder investigation and information from their missing person cases, a joint investigation was initiated. The missing women from Santa Ana have been identified as follows: Kianna Jackson, 20, Resident of Las Vegas. She was last seen in Santa Ana on October 6, 2013. Josephine Vargas, 34, Resident of Santa Ana. She was last seen in Santa Ana on October 24, 2013. Martha Anaya, 28, Resident of Santa Ana. She was last seen in Santa Ana on November 12, 2013. Continue reading→

SAPD DUI checkpoint set for 4/11 at 1500 E. McFadden Ave.

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Police Department conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint Fri, April 11th, 9:00PM – 3:00AM, 1500 E. McFadden Ave.

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, April 11th, 2014. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 3:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 1500 E. McFadden Avenue, in the City of Santa Ana. Continue reading→

18-year old shot four times on West Hemlock Way this morning

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

A shooting that occurred in the 1100 block of West Hemlock Way in Santa Ana left a victim wounded in the street and nearly hit a sleeping elderly woman in a nearby apartment early Monday morning at around 1:15 a.m according to ABC News.

Santa Ana police Commander Enrique Esparza says the 18-year-old victim was walking on the street early Monday when a suspect drove up, got out of his car and opened fire according to the AP. Continue reading→

Man charged with killing a passenger and hurting others while driving drunk

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 14CF0838: April 2, 2014

DRIVER UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR KILLING PASSENGER AND INJURING THREE OTHERS AFTER LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE IN RAIN

SANTA ANA – A man who was driving under the influence of alcohol is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for killing his passenger and injuring three others after losing control of his vehicle while driving at an unsafe speed in the rain. Ulises Mendoza, 20, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one felony count of driving under the influence causing great bodily injury to another, with sentencing enhancements for causing great bodily injury and causing brain injury resulting in a coma. If convicted, Mendoza faces a maximum sentence of 21 years in state prison. He is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Thursday, April 3, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Santa Ana man kills a 12-year old girl in a high speed chase in Westminster

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, Westminster 2 Comments

Santa Ana resident kills a 12-year old girl in a high speed chase

Based on information provided by the Westminster Police Department

Westminster patrol officers attempted to stop a wanted suspect who was driving in the area of Sigler Park, just after 6 pm on Friday, April 3, 2014. The suspect was wanted for weapons violations and narcotics trafficking. When officers attempted to make contact in the area of Olive St. and Plaza St., the suspect intentionally crashed into a marked patrol vehicle and fled. Officers pursued the suspect vehicle.

Officers chased the suspect vehicle north on Olive St. through Westminster Blvd. The vehicle continued to Trask Ave. where the suspect attempted to make a left turn. As he did, he broadsided a minivan. The suspect lost control of his vehicle and collided with a fourth vehicle, which caused the suspect vehicle to overturn. When the vehicle came to rest, the suspect fled on foot from the scene. Continue reading→

Garden Grove man suspected of stealing gas from several OC gas stations

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Garden Grove, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County Sheriff’s Department
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, (714) 904-7042, Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840

Suspect Arrested in Theft of Gasoline from Service Station

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. – (April 1, 2014) – On Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at approximately 10 a.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Zahir Shabazz, 49, Garden Grove after he stole approximately 120 gallons of gasoline from a 76 gas station.

Shabazz was taken into custody by deputies after the gas station employee confronted Shabazz and physically detained him until deputies arrived. Continue reading→

OC Sheriff’s Department to join crackdown on texting and driving

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock (714) 904-7042, Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840

Orange County Sheriff’s Department Joins Crackdown on Texting and Handheld Cell Use Behind the Wheel

SANTA ANA, California (April 1, 2014) – As part of April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be joining with over 200 other local law enforcement agencies and the California Highway Patrol in a month long “zero tolerance” enforcement campaign to curb those texting or operating hand-held cell phones while driving. Deputies will be on alert throughout the month for those who break the cell phone laws and place themselves and others in danger. Special high visibility enforcement operations to cite cell phone violators will take place on April 3, 8, 17, and 22. Continue reading→

Irvine man convicted of raping women in Irvine and in Newport Beach

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, irvine, Newport Beach, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 11HF1885: March 27, 2014

MAN CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TWO WOMEN IN IRVINE AND NEWPORT BEACH

SANTA ANA – A man was convicted today of sexually assaulting two women in Irvine and Newport Beach. Travis Dewayne Batten, Jr., 31, Irvine, was found guilty by a jury of two felony counts of forcible rape, one felony count each of assault with intent to commit a sexual offense, assault with intent to commit a sexual offense during the commission of first degree burglary, sodomy by force, sexual penetration by foreign object by force, and kidnapping to commit a sex offense. The sentencing enhancement allegations for committing sexual offenses during the commission of a burglary and tying up or binding a person were found true. Batten faces a maximum sentence of 120 years to life in state prison at his sentencing, May 23, 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-27, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

South OC soccer coach arrested for lewd acts with a minor

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Orange County Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, (714) 904-7042, Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840

Soccer Coach Arrested for Lewd Acts with a Minor

LAGUNA NIGUEL, California – (Thursday, March 27, 2014) – On Wednesday, March 26, investigators from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Detail arrested Ronnie Gamez, 27, Laguna Niguel, in the city of Laguna Niguel. Gamez, a soccer coach associated with several south Orange County club organizations, was arrested for lewd acts on a minor stemming from an incident in early March 2014. Parents of the victim found inappropriate communications between their child and Gamez, and reported the incident to law enforcement. The inappropriate sexual relationship allegedly began in February 2014 through March 2014. Continue reading→

SAPD DUI checkpoint set for Friday, 3/28 at 500 W. First St.

Posted on March 26, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory

Police conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, March 28th, 9:00PM to 3:00AM 500 W. First Street.

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, March 28th, 2014. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 3:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 500 W. First Street, Santa Ana, CA. Continue reading→

Local arts leader argues that crime in DTSA is on the rise

Posted on March 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, David Benavides, Santa Ana 6 Comments

When Ellie Soto, a student at Santa Ana College, posted this on Facebook: “The community of Santa Ana is asking for more green spaces and less drinking spaces. The city may have an increase in sales, business license, and income but it has become a very dangerous city to be in,” Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides immediately responded – “Really? Santa Ana has become a ‘very dangerous city to be in’? I would be very interested to see the statistics that the persons that are making this claim have to support this theory. In fact, Santa Ana crime statistics have been on a nose dive the last few years, in fact the OC Register wrote about it not too long ago. If someone has statistics that prove the OC Register or the SAPD wrong please present them to me, that would be very concerning to me.”

The response, from none other than local arts leader Pocha Pena, was downright incredible: Continue reading→

Suspect arrested for residential burglary in unincorporated Santa Ana

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, (714) 904-7042, Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840

Suspect Arrested for Residential Burglary and Possession of Stolen Property

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (March 21, 2014) – On Sunday, February 23, 2014 Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Natanael Garcia, 30, Orange, on suspicion of residential burglary and possession of stolen property. Garcia is suspected of forcing entry through a rear window and stealing property from a residence in the 10200 block of Crawford Canyon Road in the unincorporated Santa Ana area. Continue reading→