New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: police

The SAPD responded to an alleged riot at the OC Pride Festival on Saturday night

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, LGBT, Police Brutality, Santa Ana 5 Comments

A riot apparently broke out at the OC Pride Festival event that was held this Saturday, August 1, 2015, in Downtown Santa Ana. Details are sketchy but I did receive a number of pictures and the video above from an anonymous source who said that the trouble started late and the Santa Ana Police were there in large numbers by 11 p.m.

This disturbance has not been reported in the local media but it does show up on Crimeapping.com, which notes that there was a “Disturbing the Peace” arrest at the 300 block of N. Spurgeon St., in DTSA, at 11:51 p.m. on August 1.

There was also a riot in 1989, when six people were arrested after a fist-swinging brawl broke out among more than 50 militant gays and fundamentalist Christians at Orange County’s first Gay Pride Festival, as reported by the L.A. Times. Continue reading→

Opponent of the Townsend Neighborhood gang injunction shot by the SAPD

Posted on August 2, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Armando Antunez

Armando Antunez, a defendant in the Gang Injunction in Santa Ana’s Townsend Neighborhood has been shot by the SAPD, according to Santa Ana community activist Igmar Rodas.

The shooting has now been corroborated by the O.C. Register, which reported that “at about 6:15 p.m. Santa Ana police fired at a suspect in the 800 block of South Townsend Street. A weapon was recovered at the shooting scene, but police didn’t immediately disclose how it related to the situation.” Continue reading→

The SAPD is seeking a female suspect who stole a USPS package from a residence

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Property Crimes Detectives request assistance in identifying suspect committing theft of delivered package.

Suspect: Female-Hispanic, 20-25 years old, brown shoulder length hair, medium build, wearing a black V-neck tee-shirt, black tennis shoes. The suspect was last seen riding a purple or dark metallic mountain bike.

Summary: On 7-30-2015 at approximately 1:40 pm in the 1100 block of N. Linwood the female suspect is observed riding her bike up to the victim’s doorstep and removing a United States Postal Service package that had just been delivered. Continue reading→

Injured man claims he was stabbed at Original Mike’s restaurant

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A man who was bleeding from a stab wound to the chest who was found by the SAPD while he was walking near the Center Justice Center courthouse on West Civic Center Drive and North Flower Street, early this morning at around 1:20 a.m. claimed that he was stabbed at at Original Mike’s Restaurant, located at 100 S. Main St., in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The victim was located nearly a mile away from Original Mike’s when he was found by the police. The SAPD was not able to find any evidence at Original Mike’s restaurant showing anyone was stabbed in the area. Continue reading→

Parolee sex offender being monitored by GPS convicted of pimping in Santa Ana

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF0630

Date: July 30, 2015

PAROLEE SEX OFFENDER ON GPS MONITORING DEVICE CONVICTED OF PANDERING AND ATTEMPTED PIMPING OF 18-YEAR-OLD WOMAN

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A parolee sex offender on a GPS monitoring device was convicted yesterday of pandering and attempted pimping of an 18-year-old woman. Eddie Bridges III, 36, Compton, was found guilty by a jury of one felony count of attempted pimping and one felony count of pandering by procuring. The defendant’s sentencing enhancements for prior prison convictions in 1996 and 1998 in King County, Washington, for possession with the intent to sell a controlled substance, a prior prison conviction for possession of marijuana in Maricopa County, Arizona, a prior prison conviction in Los Angeles County in 2007 for the pimping and pandering of a minor, and pimping and pandering of an adult, a prior prison conviction in Los Angeles County in 2011 for attempted pandering, and serving separate prison terms but not remaining free for five years were also found to be true. Bridges faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison at his sentencing on Sept. 11, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Man charged with trafficking a 16-year-old girl in Garden Grove, Santa Ana and Oakland

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Date: July 28, 2015

Case # 15WF1641

MAN TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR TRAFFICKING 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL TO ENGAGE IN COMMERCIAL SEX ACTS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man is expected to be arraigned today for trafficking a 16-year-old girl to engage in commercial sex acts throughout California. James Justin Williams, 31, Oakland, is charged with one felony count each of human trafficking of a minor, pimping a minor, and pandering with a minor over 16 years old by procuring with a sentencing enhancement for human trafficking by force or fear. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison. The People will request he be held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

Circumstances of the Case

Williams is accused of being a human trafficker/pimp who exploits women and/or children for financial gain. Pimps often establish rigid rules that their victims are expected to follow including setting daily quotas that the victims are expected to fulfill. The victims are required to turn over all payment they receive for sex acts from sex purchasers to their pimp. Failure to follow these rules can result in physical and/or emotional abuse. Continue reading→

Gang member Alberto Licona facing felony charges after fleeing police and crashing

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Alberto Licona, Picture Courtesy of Facebook

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF1658

Date: July 28, 2015

GANG MEMBER CHARGED WITH DRIVING RECKLESSLY TO AVOID PEACE OFFICERS AND CAUSING CRASH THAT INJURED PASSENGERS

*Firearm tossed from vehicle still not recovered

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A criminal street gang member was arraigned today on charges of driving recklessly to avoid peace officers and causing a crash that injured his passengers. Alberto Licona, 18, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of evading a peace officer and driving against traffic, one felony count of evading while driving recklessly and causing serious bodily injury or death, and sentencing enhancement allegations for criminal street gang activity. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in state prison. Licona is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing, Aug. 5, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At the time of the crime, Licona is accused of being an active member of a criminal street gang. Continue reading→

SAPD police pursuit ends with a suspect crashing his car into a pole

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Pursuit

SAPD gang detectives were apparently working on gang suppression in Santa Ana on Sunday night, in an area where there have been several shootings recently, when a vehicle they deemed to be of interest suddenly sped off.

There was a brief police pursuit of less than a minute when the suspect’s vehicle crashed into a pole, at about 9:22 p.m. in the 1300 block of South Flower Street, in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading→

Another 6-year-old boy hit by a vehicle, just south of Madison Park

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident

This has already been one of the bloodiest summers in Santa Ana with regard to pedestrian versus car accidents. A week after a 6-year-old boy on a skateboard was killed by a car in the parking lot of the Villa Del Sol apartment complex another 6-year-old boy was injured by a minivan on Sunday night, at around 9:40 p.m., in the 1800 block of South Evergreen Street, in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The victim in this latest accident allegedly ran between two parked cars into the street when he was hit by the minivan. He suffered facial injuries and was taken to a local hospital but he did not suffer any major injuries, according to the SAPD. Continue reading→

One fatality as two pedestrians are struck by a car near Jerome Park

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Pedestrian Accident

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Traffic Unit Investigate Fatal Collision-Vehicle vs Pedestrians

Deceased Pedestrian – Margarita Hernandez (85) of Madera, California

SAPD was informed by the Orange County Coroners Office that 85 year old Margarita Hernandez of Madera, California was removed from life support and died earlier today

On Saturday, July 25th, 2015 at 12:18 p.m., patrol officers along with the Orange County Fire Authority responded to a traffic collision at Center St. and McFadden Ave. (southwest corner of Jerome Park). Initial reports indicated that the vehicle struck two pedestrians. Continue reading→

Three men were shot on South Minnie Street early on Saturday morning

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Gangs, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana shooting

It was another bloody Saturday in Santa Ana as three men were shot in the early morning, at around 4 a.m., near the 800 block of South Minnie Street, a few blocks from Villa Fundamental Intermediate School, according to the O.C. Register.

When SAPD officers arrived, they found two adult men struck by gunfire, both hit in the upper torso area. The victims were taken to a local hospital. A third victim, age 16, later came into the hospital with a gunshot wound in one of his legs. All of the victims are expected to survive. The teenager was treated and released to his parents. Continue reading→

Man sentenced to two years in prison for trying to pimp a woman in Santa Ana

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

OCDA Seal

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF0403

Date: July 24, 2015

MAN SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON FOR ATTEMPTED PIMPING OF WOMAN

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was convicted and sentenced to two years in state prison today for attempting to pimp a woman. Samuel Lee Hart, 29, Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty to one felony count of attempted pimping.

Circumstances of the Case

In February 2015, Hart drove 28-year-old Jane Doe to areas known for prostitution in Orange County with the intent to derive support from the money that Jane Doe received from performing commercial sex acts. The defendant pandered to the victim by promising her more money and encouraging the victim to engage in commercial sex.

On Feb. 25, 2015, officers from the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) noticed Jane Doe loitering in areas known for prostitution in Santa Ana. An SAPD officer approached the victim and conducted further investigation, in which they found that the defendant had attempted to arrange for the victim to perform commercial sex acts with the intent that the victim give him all of the money that she collected from sex purchasers. Continue reading→

Man who allegedly sexually abused an underage girl in Tustin arrested in Stanton

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Stanton, Tustin Leave a comment

Carmen Simonetta

Arrest of Sexual Assault Suspect

Tustin Police Department

On July 21, 2015, a 24-year-old female came into the Tustin Police Department to report she had been sexually abused in the City of Tustin between the ages of 12 and 15. Tustin Police Detectives investigated the incident and were able to quickly corroborate the victim’s statements. The suspect was arrested the same day at his residence in the City of Stanton.

The suspect, Carmen Simonetta, 54-years old, was booked at the Orange County Jail on charges of lewd acts on a child, sodomy, digital penetration and continual sexual abuse of a minor. Continue reading→

Church volunteer charged with sexually assaulting young boys

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Churches and Religion, Crime, Garden Grove, Orange County Leave a comment

Isai Beltran, Courtesy of the Orange County District Attorney’s office

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15WF1312

Date: July 23, 2015

OCDA AND GGPD SEEK PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF YOUTH GROUP VOLUNTEER CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL BATTERY OF MULTIPLE YOUNG BOYS

WESTMINSTER, Calif.– The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) and the Garden Grove Police Department (GGPD) are seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of a youth group volunteer charged with sexually assaulting two boys under the age of 18. Isai Beltran, 25, Long Beach, is charged with two felony counts of performing lewd acts on a child under the age of 14, one misdemeanor count of sexual battery, and one misdemeanor count of child annoyance. If convicted, Beltran faces a maximum of 10 years in state prison. Beltran is out of custody on $100,000 bail, and is scheduled for a continued arraignment, tomorrow, July 24, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in Department W-12, West Justice Center, Westminster.

Between January 2013 and December 2014, Beltran is accused of working as a youth group volunteer at several churches in Los Alamitos and Cypress. Continue reading→

Costa Mesa cop accused of filing a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

OC Fraud News

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15CF1637

Date: July 23, 2015

COSTA MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER CHARGED FOR COMMITTING INSURANCE FRAUD AGAINST CITY OF COSTA MESA

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) officer was charged today for committing insurance fraud by presenting a false insurance claim and making false material statements related to the claim. Ryan Patrick Natividad, 30, Corona, is charged with one felony count of insurance fraud and one felony count of making a fraudulent statement. If convicted, Natividad faces a maximum sentence of six years in jail. He is expected to be arraigned tomorrow in Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

On Sept. 23, 2014, Natividad is accused of reporting a work-related injury to his employer CMPD. Natividad is accused of falsely claiming earlier in the day, he had struck his fist against a wall when attempting to prevent an arrestee from stumbling into the wall while escorting the arrestee from the patrol vehicle into jail. Natividad is accused of filing a fraudulent workers’ compensation claim. He was subsequently directed by CMPD to seek immediate medical attention. Continue reading→