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Tag Archives: police

An off-duty SAPD crashed in an undercover vehicle in Anaheim

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An off-duty Santa Ana police officer in an undercover vehicle was involved in a three-vehicle traffic crash Saturday in Anaheim, according to NBC News.

The crash happened very early in the morning, just before 3:30 a.m., at Beach Blvd. and Ball Road, near Glee Donuts & Burgers.

It is not known yet if the off-duty SAPD police officer was injured. Two people were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, according to the Anaheim police.

The Anaheim Police reported that DUI was not suspected in the car crash.

The incident remains under investigation.

The Costa Mesa police arrested an armed suspect who shot at them

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On December 31, 2019, at approximately 3:43 p.m., the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) received a call of a possible suicidal subject armed with a handgun in the area of Orange Ave. and Palmer St.

An officer in the area observed Steven Fernandez, who matched the description of the subject in question. When Fernandez saw the officer, he began to flee on foot while firing several shots at the officer with a handgun. The officer returned fire and Fernandez continued to run and shot at the officer several more time. Neither Fernandez or the officer were hit during the exchange.

Fernandez fled to a garage in the 200 block of Knox Pl. where he shot at a resident. Fernandez was confined to the location by the perimeter established by responding officers.

CMPD SWAT responded and attempted to negotiate with Fernandez. As negotiators were occurring, Fernandez displayed a weapon which led to an officer involved shooting. Fernandez sustained a gunshot wound and was transported to OC Global hospital where he is expected to survive.

Two handguns were recovered from Fernandez. No community members or officers were injured during the incident. This is an ongoing investigation being handled by the CMPD and OC DA’s Office.

The SAPD is conducting 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, December 27, 2019. It will begin at 9:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30 AM. It will be conducted in the area of 3200 W. 5th Street (Santa Ana, CA).

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 is searching for a man who has been missing since 1987

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Missing Person: Taurino Lagunas Velazquez (24)

On 07/30/2016, a family member reported Taurino missing to Santa Ana Police Department. The family had not heard from Taurino since sometime in 1987. Taurino came to the United States from Mexico in 1985 and was reportedly working and living in Santa Ana. He kept in regular contact with his family in Mexico but suddenly all communication stopped in 1987.

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

A fight at a Santa Ana laundromat turned into a stabbing and a carjacking

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You may have noticed a ruckus last night, at a laundromat located at Grand and Fairhaven in Santa Ana. Turns out there was a fight that turned into a stabbing and then a carjacking, according to CBS.

Apparently a fight broke out among a group of young men at the laundromat. Not sure what they were doing there. Perhaps laundry? The other stores at that plaza include a massage business and a Big Lots as well as Buccaneer Pizza, which makes terrific gourmet pizzas.

One of the boys who was attacked in the fight called his mom and asked for a pickup. The fight then moved to nearby streets in Tustin.

The dutiful mom showed up to pick up her attacked son but then the situation got uglier as she was carjacked at Fairhaven and Eastwood. Thankfully she was not hurt.

The carjacked vehicle was a Ford Expedition. The police put out an alert about the vehicle and it was eventually spotted in the area by police officers. They subsequently arrested three juvenile suspects at about 10:45 p.m. Monday night at the 13300 block of Flint in Tustin.

Eventually a man showed up at a local hospital with stab wounds. He is expected to survive but he was arrested and police believe he is the one who started the fight at the laundromat.

The SAPD is also apparently looking for the young man who called his mom for a pickup, inadvertently setting off the carjacking incident.

A man was shot in the leg near Lathrop Intermediate School yesterday afternoon

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We reported yesterday afternoon on our Facebook page that the SAPD had closed part of Main St. Now we know what happened. Apparently a man was shot in one of his legs on Monday afternoon, at an auto detailing center, according to the O.C. Register.

The shooting happened about 3:20 p.m. at 1117 S. Main St., according to the SAPD. That is at W. McFadden, close to Lathrop Intermediate School and just west of the Pacific Electric Park.

The victim was not identified. He was treated at a local hospital for a wound deemed to be non-life-threatening.

The victim seems to have not cooperated with the SAPD.

The SAPD has received more State funding for DUI checkpoints

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The Santa Ana Police Department has been awarded a $585,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a yearlong enforcement and public awareness program. The traffic safety program is intended to educate the public on safe roadway habits and deter people from violating traffic laws or practicing other unsafe behaviors that lead to injuries and fatalities.

“Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any controlled substance is a serious problem that every year results in the death and injury of motorists and pedestrians. This grant funding will permit us to focus our attention on the problem in a more efficient and effective manner. For example our “Behind The Line” community program, gives community members insight into what occurs at proactive DUI enforcement operations. Vehicular and pedestrian safety is one of our community’s high priorities” commented Chief of Police David Valentin.

The grant from OTS will fund various education and enforcement activities for the 2020 federal fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2020):

• DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to take suspected alcohol/drug-impaired drivers – and those unlicensed or with a revoked/suspended license – off the road.
• Traffic safety education presentations for youth and community members on distracted, impaired and teen driving, and bicycle/pedestrian safety.
• Patrols at intersections with increased incidents of pedestrian and bike collisions.
• Checking for seat belt and child safety seat compliance.
• Motorcycle safety operations in areas with high rider volume and where higher rate of motorcycle crashes occur.
• Speeding, red light and stop sign enforcement.
• Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets” identifying repeat DUI offenders
• Specialized DUI and drugged driving training to identify and apprehend suspected impaired drivers.

The SAPD is looking for a grand theft suspect who allegedly ripped off her employer

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On 6/16/2017, wanted suspect Brittany Jeanene Carter (31) resigned from her employer located in the city of Santa Ana. After her resignation, Carter did not return company computer devices and stole company gift cards.

Carter also used the company credit card to purchase airline tickets after her resignation without authorization. On 3/13/2018, an arrest warrant was issued for Carter.

Description: 5’00”, 130 lbs., Black Hair and Brown Eyes.

Anyone with information Carter’s whereabouts is asked to contact Investigator Willingham at (714) 245-8431 or kwillingham@santa-ana.org.

A fatal shooting occurred in north Santa Ana today

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On Friday, November 22, 2019, at 2:30 AM, SAPD Officers responded to reports of a shooting in the parking lot of the Waterstone Park Apartments. Officers located an adult male down in the parking lot suffering multiple gunshot wounds.

Orange County Fire Authority paramedics responded and attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful. Paramedics declared the man deceased at 2:47 AM. SAPD detectives, in conjunction with the Orange County Coroner’s Office, identified the decedent as Adrian Real.

The preliminary investigation revealed an unknown person(s) took the victim’s 2008, silver, 4-door, Mitsubishi, Lancer bearing California license plate 8BRF172 from the scene. Detectives have not determined whether the shooting was motivated by the theft of the vehicle. Detectives entered the victim vehicle into the law enforcement database as stolen/armed and dangerous (refer to previously released Attempt to Locate Flier for further information on victim vehicle).

During the shooting, gunfire struck the family dog. Detectives do not suspect the dog was an intended target. Orange County Animal Control responded and transported the dog to a local animal hospital where veterinarians provided treatment. It is unknown if the dog will survive.

Decedent: Adrian Real (20) Santa Ana

Location: Waterstone Park Apartments – 2833 N. Bristol Street, Santa Ana

Victim’s Vehicle Description: 2008, silver, 4-door, Mitsubishi, Lancer
CA license plate# 8BRF172

Detectives encourage anyone with information about this shooting to contact the SAPD Homicide Section at (714) 245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers https://occrimestoppers.org/

A Santa Ana man who was arrested for murder also kidnapped a man

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<iframe width="476" height="267" src="https://abc7.com/video/embed/?pid=5710697" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Antonio Silva Lopez, 27, a Santa Ana man, was arrested late Monday on suspicion of murder and kidnapping for ransom after dozens of SWAT team officers stormed his home, at the 2500 block of Bristol Street in Santa Ana, and found two kilograms of fentanyl and even a kidnapped man, according to the L.A. Times.

Antonio Silva Lopez

Silva is suspected in the death of Adrian Darren Bonar, 34, of Escondido, whose body was found wrapped in a tarp in the trunk of a car found near Gypsum Canyon in Anaheim on Oct. 17., according to ABC.

Around 10:45 am on October 17, 2019, APD officers responded to a call to assist CHP with an abandoned vehicle along Santa Ana Canyon Road west of Gypsum Canyon. The vehicle was in a dirt lot on the north side of the road. CHP officers discovered a suspicious object wrapped in a tarp in the trunk of the car. The object was a similar size and shape of a human body. it turned out to be Bonar’s corpse, according to the Anaheim police.

Adrian Darren Bonar

Bonar, the son of a Scottish restaurateur Brian Bonar, grew up in Escondido. He was honorably discharged after serving in the Army during the Iraq War, according to the O.C. Register.

Adrian Darren Bonar

The kidnapped victim found in Lopez’ home was an adult male who had been held hostage at the home for at least several days. He was sent to a local hospital for care of minor injuries and then he was released the next morning.

The police found a variety of handguns and a few rifles, according to the Anaheim Police Department. The two, 2-pound bags of fentanyl have a street value of about $30,000 each, according to the Anaheim police.

Officials said they are still investigating the case. If anyone has more information, they can call Anaheim police at 714-321-3669.

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

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.

Costa Mesa male nanny charged with molesting 17 young boys in his care

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SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man who served as a male nanny for families across Southern California was charged with additional felony child molestation charges today for victimizing 17 young boys under his care. The boys ranged in age from two to 12 years old.

Matthew Antonio Zakrzewski, 30, of Costa Mesa, was arrested on May 17, 2019 by Laguna Beach Police Department detectives at a local airport after deplaning an international flight. Zakrzewski was originally charged with three felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, and one felony count of oral copulation of a child under the age of 10. He was also charged with one felony count of possession of child pornography.

Zakrzewski pleaded not guilty to the original charges in May. He is currently being held at the Orange County Jail on $1.25 million bail.

Zakrzewski now faces a total of 33 felony counts, including 27 felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14, one felony count of oral copulation of a child under the age of 10, and one felony count of possession of child pornography. He also faces one felony count of using a minor for sex acts, two felony counts of distributing pornography to a minor for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct, and one felony count of an attempted lewd or lascivious act with a minor under the age of 14.

Prosecutors allege the crimes were committed between January 1, 2014 and May 17, 2019. He faces 690 years to life plus eight years if convicted on all charges.

Investigators asked for the public‘s help in locating any other potential victims. As the investigation progressed, additional victims were identified through video evidence and tips from the public, resulting in additional charges being filed against Zakrzewski.

In early May 2019, a Laguna Beach couple had reported to Laguna Beach Police that their babysitter, Zakrzewski, had touched their eight-year-old son inappropriately and was concerned for the safety of their son and potentially other children.

The couple had hired Zakrzewski to care for their eight-year-old child through one of his several babysitting websites. The Laguna Beach Police Department’s Major Crimes & Intelligence Unit immediately opened an investigation, which led to the identification of a second seven-year-old victim in the City of Los Angeles, and ten more boys from across Southern California.

“These parents were led to believe that they could trust this man with the most precious thing in their entire world – their children,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Instead, he preyed on these innocent boys and violated that trust in a vile and sadistic way.”

Anyone who has information related to this investigation or any other unreported incidents involving Zakrzewski is urged to call the Laguna Beach Investigations Division line at (949) 715-1300.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Heidi Garrel of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.