Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Author Archives: Art Pedroza

Two arrested in Fountain Valley for possession of meth and heroin after a traffic stop

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Kayla Steele

Fountain Valley police officers conducted a traffic stop Thursday night at Newhope and Heil for a traffic violation. Officers contacted the occupants and determined the driver was on probation. Officers then searched the vehicle and found illegal drugs and evidence of drug sales.

The driver, 44-year old Adolpho Delgado of Fountain Valley, was arrested for sales and transportation of meth and heroin along with other charges. The passenger, 21-year old Kayla Steele of Huntington Beach, was arrested for possession of illegal drugs.


Adolpho Delgado

Officers conducted a probation search at Delgado’e residence and found additional evidence. In total, Officers seized 53 grams of methamphetamine, 4 grams of heroin, other prescription drugs, indicia of drug sales, a military “flak” jacket, replica firearms, and brass knuckles.

Man arrested for stealing from gym lockers all over Orange County

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Todd Neubauer

Fountain Valley Police Detectives arrested 29-year old Todd Neubauer of Fullerton for numerous thefts from lockers at 24 Hour Fitness and Crunch Gyms throughout the county.

Neubauer would cut the locks off gym lockers, steal the property and then use any credit cards obtained to fraudulently purchase items from various stores.

The Fountain Valley Detective Bureau investigated this case, developed several leads and ultimately identified Neubauer as the suspect.

He was arrested in Fullerton and had stolen property in his possession as well as bolt cutters and a lock picking set.

He was booked into Orange County Jail for burglary, possession of stolen property, identity theft, fraud and possession of burglary tools.

Just a reminder to the public, the safest practice is not to keep valuables in your vehicle or in a gym locker. Any possible victims are encouraged to call the Detective Bureau and (714) 593-4468.

This week’s Cochino List includes Big Saver Foods, Carnitas Sahuayo and PizzaRev

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Insects, OC Health Care, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The OC Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of Dec. 26, 2018 to Jan. 4, 2019. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved. Here is the list:

  • Big Saver Foods, 420 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 31, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Jan. 2
  • Carnitas Sahuayo, 402 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 3
  • Las Casuelasa, 312 N. Bush St., Santa Ana, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • PizzaRev, 3605 S. Bristol St., Suite D, Santa Ana, Closed: Dec. 27, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 28
  • Goc Ha Noi Corner, 8516 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove, Closed: Jan. 3, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Dickey’s Barbecue Pit at Buena Park Downtown, 8300 La Palma Ave., Suite A1, Buena Park, Closed: Jan. 3, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: Jan. 4
  • Pizza Pub, 1501 W. Whittier Blvd., La Habra, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 3
  • Growers Direct, 101 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, Closed: Jan. 2, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Jan. 3
  • 17 Cafe Ramen, 4250 Barranca Parkway, Suite Q, Irvine, Closed: Dec. 27, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 28
  • Phin Smith, 12921 Main St., Garden Grove, Closed: Dec. 27, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Dec. 28
  • Tana Ethiopian Restaurant & Market, 2622 W. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, Closed: Dec. 27, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Active Friends, 1951 E. La Habra Blvd., Suite D, La Habra, Closed: Dec. 27, Reason: Insufficient hot water
  • Kitchen Republic at Bella Terra, 7821 Edinger Ave., Suite 110, Huntington Beach, Closed: Dec. 26, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Dec. 28
  • The Salvation Army ARC, 1300 S. Lewis St., Anaheim, Closed: Dec. 26, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 26
  • Kitchen at Salvation Army Residence, 1300 S. Lewis St., Anaheim, Closed: Dec. 26, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: Dec. 29
  • I-Tea Cafe, 15435 Jeffrey Road, Suite 110, Irvine, Closed: Dec. 26, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: Dec. 27
  • Updates: Hong An Bo 7 Mon Restaurant at 9862 Westminster Blvd., Suite B, Garden Grove, closed Dec. 26 because of a cockroach infestation, reopened Dec. 27.
  • Update: Frisco’s Meats & Deli at 129 E. Collins Ave., Orange, closed Dec. 21 because of a cockroach infestation, reopened Dec. 31.

Free sandbags now available at the Santa Ana City Yard

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City of Santa Ana

Advisory: CITY OF SANTA ANA SANDBAGS AVAILABLE AT CITY YARD / CUIDAD DE SANTA ANA SACOS DE ARENA DISPONIBLES EN LA YARDA CORPORATIVA

The City of Santa Ana has made sandbags available to City residents and businesses during winter storms or rain events. Up to ten (10) sandbags are available per Santa Ana residence location or Santa Ana business location.

The self-service sandbag station is available at:

City of Santa Ana Corporate Yard
215 S. Center St., Santa Ana, CA 92703
Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

To view an informational video with additional details, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A8IG1QY4ME.

For additional information, please contact Public Works Agency Dispatch at (714) 647-3380 between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm.

CIUDAD DE SANTA ANA – AGENCIA DE OBRAS PÚBLICAS
SACOS DE ARENA DISPONIBLES EN LA YARDA CORPORATIVA
La ciudad de Santa Ana ha hecho disponible sacos de arena a residentes y negocios de la ciudad durante las tormentas de invierno o eventos de lluvia. Hasta diez (10) sacos de arena están disponibles por residencies y negocio en Santa Ana.

La estación de autoservicio de sacos de arena está disponible en:
Yarda Corporativa de la Cuidad de Santa Ana
215 S. Center St.
Santa Ana, Ca 92703
Lunes – Viernes: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sábado – Domingo: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Para ver un video informativo con detalles adicionales, visite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLQDV7sXEfQ

Para obtener más información, llame a la Agencia de Obras Públicas al (714) 647-3380 entre 7:00 am y 4:00 pm.

The SAPD is looking for a critical missing elderly man with Alzheimer’s

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Melvin Davis

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Elderly critical missing with advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. He is also in need of medication

Melvin Davis (71years old) was last seen at his residence in the area of 3400 S. Ramona on January 2, 2019.

He is believed to be driving a black 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2 door pick up truck with California license plate 7J66927.

If anyone has seen or know Mr. Davis’ whereabouts please call the Santa Ana Police Department at ‪714-245-8665‬.

Santa Ana’s largest Rosca de Reyes celebration is set for Jan. 6 at the Bowers Museum

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Santa Ana’s largest Rosca de Reyes celebration is set for this Sunday, January 6, at 4 p.m. at the Bowers Museum. This is a free event and there is no need to RSVP!

This event will include:

  • 500 free gifts for the children
  • Champurrado and the delicious Rosca de Reyes bread

The Bowers Museum is located at 2002 N. Main St., in Santa Ana, just north of 17th St. and south of the 5 Freeway.

This event is sponsored by Los 32 de Mexico, El Mexicanisimo and Santos Flowers.

From Wikipedia:

Rosca de reyes (ring of the kings) is a Spanish pastry traditionally eaten to celebrate Epiphany. Rosca de Reyes , the roscón de reyes generally has an oval shape due to the need to make cakes larger than 30 cm (12 inches) across for larger parties. Recipes vary from country to country. For decoration, figs, quinces, cherries or dried and candied fruits are used.

It is traditionally eaten on January 6, during the celebration of the Día de Reyes (literally “Kings’ Day”), which commemorates the arrival of the three Magi or Wise Men. In most of Spain, Spanish America, and sometimes, Hispanic communities in the United States, this is the day when children traditionally get presents, which are attributed to the Three Wise Men (and not Santa Claus or Father Christmas).

The SAPD has identified the two people who died in a house fire on Jan. 1

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: January 1st Homicide Investigation Update – Decedents Identified

On Tuesday, January 1st, 2019, at 10:34 A.M., SAPD Officers responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at 2314 W. Manly Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found the interior of the residence engulfed in flames. Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.

Two decedents were then discovered within the residence. The deaths were determined to be suspicious in nature therefore SAPD Homicide Detectives took over the investigation.

The decedents have been identified by the Orange County Coroner’s Office as Charlene Twee Nguyen (57) and Ahmad Alassad (39), husband and wife who resided at that location. The official cause of death remains unknown as autopsies are still pending.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call SAPD Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 245-8390, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Two died after a car and a motorcycle collided in Santa Ana this afternoon

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A crash between a motorcycle and car in Santa Ana left two dead on Wednesday afternoon, according to the O.C. Register.

The collision occurred at around 1:30 p.m. on Raitt Street, between McFadden and Edinger avenues.

A 35-year-old man was driving a motorcycle south on Raitt St. while a 40-year-old woman was making a U-turn in a Dodge Charger, going from north to south on the same street, when the crash took place, according to the SAPD.

Both vehicles caught fire after the accident. OCFA firefighters removed the woman from her car while onlookers pulled the motorcyclist away from his motorcycle and other residents put the fire out with their garden hoses.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The woman died at a local trauma center due to her severe injuries and burns.

The SAPD is investigating the incident to determine which party was at fault.

The names of the victims were not released as their next of kin have to be notified.

The City of Santa Ana is now accepting community development block grant applications

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City of Santa Ana

Advisory: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 4, 2019

Approximately $872,543 of funding will be available to experienced nonprofit organizations for public services that include an emphasis on:

• Crime prevention, intervention, and/or suppression efforts for children, youth and/or families;
• Economic Development;
• Tenant Services, assistance and programs; or
• A Sumer Night Lights Program.

Programs will be funded from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

NONPROFITS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GUIDLINES AND CRITERIA:

Meet the national objective of activities that provide a benefit to low- & moderate-income persons. Programs must serve at least 51% low- to moderate-income persons, provide a new service or augment existing City of Santa Ana services, and be aligned with one of the following City of Santa Ana Strategic Plan Goals:

• Community Safety;
• Youth, Education, Recreation;
• Economic Development; or
• Community Health, Livability, Engagement & Sustainability

For more information or to submit for an application, visit: www.santa-ana.org/cdbg

A man was shot and wounded in Santa Ana on New Year’s Day

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An unidentified man was shot and wounded on New Year’s Day in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The shooting happened just before 9 p.m. in a residential neighborhood located at Golden West Avenue near McFadden Avenue.

The victim is expected to survive after getting shot in the shoulder, according to the SAPD.

The SAPD is not sure as to the motive for the shooting. But they did arrest a suspect, whose name was not released to the public.

Two people and a cat died in a Santa Ana house fire this morning

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A deadly house fire killed two people and a cat at a home located at 2314 Manly Ave., according to the O.C Register.

The OCFA reported that the blaze began on the second floor of the building. It was a two alarm fire due to the windy conditions.

The fire began at 10:45 a.m. and was quickly knocked down by the OCFA firefighters.

The firefighters found multiple dogs and cats in the two-story home. They rescued one of the dogs.

The names of the victims have not yet been revealed.

Homicide investigators were en route to the scene “because of the suspicious circumstances of behind the fire,” according to ABC News.

A protective order was taken out just four days ago for an alleged victim of domestic abuse, according to the O.C Register.

The man named on that order lived at the Santa Ana home. Ahmad Alassad, 39, was arrested on Dec. 29 on suspicion of domestic violence. That is when the protective issue was ordered. He was jailed but then bailed out on Dec. 30, according to the SAPD.

Alassad lived at the home with his wife and three renters. His wife’s family believes she died in the blaze with him. The SAPD is looking into whether or not this might have been a case of murder-suicide.

The O.C. Women’s March is coming to DTSA on Jan. 19

Posted on by Posted in Politics, Santa Ana, Women 1 Comment

The annual O.C. Women’s March is set for January 19, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – 1PM

While you don’t need a ticket to attend, the event organizers ask that you please sign up on their event page so they can have a better idea of how many people are coming.

About the 2019 OC Women’s March:

Thousands of women, men, and families peacefully took to the streets in Orange County for the past two years to make their voices heard on a variety of issues and to demand change.

Our diverse groups marched together under the idea that women’s rights are human rights and to make Orange County and our nation, more safe, fair and supportive of all women.

At the OC Women’s March this year, we want to emphasize and celebrate our pride in all we have accomplished together. Our county’s newfound strength was confirmed this past November when the activism in Orange County fueled the biggest transformation our community has ever seen.

This year, thousands of people will take to the streets again to claim our victory and more importantly demonstrate unity and solidarity in the work ahead.

Tips for a great 2019 OC Women’s March

  • Promote the March!
  • Download and print flyers to distribute to your local organizations, churches, cultural clubs, community bulletin boards, book clubs… where ever!
  • Download and print the “Our Movement” poster. Write in why you’re marching, snap a picture, and then tag us on social media. We’ll try to share all picture entries.
  • Tag your friends on social media to encourage them to march with you.
  • Use Hashtags. #OCWomensMarch #OurMovement
  • Get your friends together for a sign making party. Please remember that this is a peaceful, family-friendly March so offensive, violent, and obscene posters are not allowed

Day of the March:

  • Wear comfy shoes! Between the parking lot to the March start and the March loop, you’ll definitely get your steps in.
  • Don’t forget your sunscreen, water bottle, a snack, and of course, your sign.
  • Have a plan. Parking information will go out a few days before the March. We highly encourage you to carpool and have a meeting plan in case you get separated from friends. With over 20,000 people, cell service can be impacted.
  • Clean up: Please remember that we are walking through beautiful downtown Santa Ana where people work and live. Be respectful at all times and don’t leave a mess. Dispose of your signs at home. Please do not leave them at the March.

A body was run over by several cars on the 5 Freeway in Santa Ana early this morning

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A person was found dead after being run over several times early Monday morning on the 5 Freeway in Santa Ana, according to the L.A. Times.

The CHP started getting calls at about 1.am. after at least one driver reported that they had run over something that might have been a body, on the northbound 5 Freeway at the 22 Freeway, adjacent to William Elridge Park, just north of the MainPlace Mall, the Discovery Cube and the Santiago Creek – where dozens of homeless people camp out illegally.

The CHP later confirmed that the body was in the No. 2 lane and it was struck by several vehicles.

There were also unconfirmed reports that the victim had jumped from the 22 Freeway onto the 5.

The Orange Police Department said it had been in contact with the person, who had been walking the streets of Orange not far from where the body was found.

The incident resulted in the closure several lanes of the 5 Freeway that were finally reopened at about 3:30 a.m.

The Orange Police Department is looking for two stabbing suspects

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Orange 1 Comment

The City of Orange Police Department is trying to identify two suspects involved in a stabbing.

On December 23, 2018, at approximately 6:36 p.m., three victims were walking in the area of Glassell St. and W. Wilson Ave. when they were approached by the suspects who demanded money. When the victims refused to give the suspects money, two of the three victims were stabbed.

The victims were visiting for the holidays and have been released from the hospital.

Contact the Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444 if you have any information.

Ridesharing O.C. driver accused of molesting developmentally disabled women

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Huntington Beach, OCDA Leave a comment
Rusty Lee Love

Costa Mesa Police Department

Advisory: We are seeking potential additional victims of a ridesharing driver arrested for sexually assaulting developmentally disabled women

Arrestee: Rusty Lee Love, 52, Huntington Beach

COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) is seeking potential additional victims of a ridesharing driver who was recently arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting three developmentally disabled adult women.

Detectives have been conducting an ongoing investigation involving sexual assault allegations made by three developmentally disabled adult female victims. Love, who is an acquaintance of the victims, was identified as the man suspected of sexually assaulting each of the victims in their Costa Mesa homes while providing unlicensed massage services between 2017 and 2018.

On Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, CMPD Detectives arrested Love in the 20000 block of Beach Boulevard in Huntington Beach. He was booked into Orange County Jail on several charges of sexual assault against developmentally disabled persons and later posted bail.

After Love’s arrest, detectives learned he had been working as a ride-booking services driver, operating between Orange and San Diego County. Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying potential additional victims Love might have had access to through his employment as well as his personal network.

Incident/DR#: 18-5627

Arrest: Dec. 21, 2018, out of custody on $50,000 bail

Arrest Charges: one count of rape, one count of digital penetration of a developmentally disabled person, and one count of oral copulation of a developmentally disabled person

The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with additional information, or who believes they have been a victim, is encouraged to contact CMPD Detective Rob Dimel at (714) 754-5363.