New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Costa Mesa

The OC Fair & Event Center temporarily cancels large events

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa Leave a comment

Costa Mesa, Calif. (March 12, 202) – Following the directive from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, OC Fair & Event Center is temporarily suspending all events involving attendance of 250 people or more through at least the end of March.

“We are in support of the Governor’s directive in the interest of public safety and want to do our part to contribute to hopefully turning the tide on the advancement of this virus,” said OC Fair & Event Center CEO Michele Richards.

The following events at OC Fair & Event Center (OCFEC) have been impacted:

Orange County Market Place – weekends, canceled for March
VOLTA by Cirque du Soliel – March 18-April 19, suspended; possibly postponed
Crossroads of the West Gun Show – March 21-22, canceled
OC Science and Engineering Fair – March 24-26, canceled
AAOC Trade Show and Conference – March 26, postponed; date TBD
Mom Made Market – March 28-29, postponed; date TBD
Flying Miz Daisy Vintage Market – March 28-29, canceled
Car Lab – March 28-29, canceled
California Bridal & Wedding Expo – March 29, canceled
First Robotics Competition – April 2-4, canceled
Autism Fragile X Foundation Autism Parade – April 11, canceled
Imaginology – April 17-19, canceled
SoCal Sanitary Supply Show – May 6, canceled
Goat Yoga Experience – May 9, canceled
OC PolyFest – May 9-10, canceled
FamFest – June 20-21, canceled

Included in the cancellations is Imaginology, OCFEC’s three-day free S.T.E.A.M. education event that was slated to run from April 17 to 19 with anticipated attendance of nearly 40,000 students, parents and teachers.
“It breaks my heart to cancel Imaginology. As our largest community give-back, Imaginology is near and dear to all of us at OCFEC. It’s a highly interactive, hands-on event that would present many challenges in the current situation,” said Richards. “We felt it was best to allow more time for the response to take hold before offering such an event.”

There are currently no plans to change the dates of the 2020 OC Fair, July 17-Aug. 16. OCFEC will continue to follow directives from the state.
During the next three weeks, OCFEC staff will conduct essential business as usual. “We’re very mindful of the impact the decision will have on the hundreds of part-time event staff, merchants, promoters and contractors who support these large events at OCFEC year-round. The Board and staff are working diligently to minimize that impact and will be prepared to get operations up and running as soon as the situation is contained, so our important employee base can get back to work,” said OCFEC Board Chair Sandra Cervantes. “The Governor has announced relief programs to help the Orange County workforce impacted by this disruption and we’re hopeful that the situation is swiftly resolved.”

At this time Centennial Farm will remain open for visits, but Discovery Days will be modified in size. Garden classes will still take place. Heroes Hall Veterans Museum and Education Center will also remain open as scheduled Wednesday through Sunday.

Precautionary measures being taken throughout the grounds by OCFEC include enhancing onsite communication and preventative actions, placing an increased number of hand sanitizing stations throughout the property, increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and commonly touched objects, and providing ongoing training for staff and partners regarding best practices for providing a safe and healthy environment.

Any updates will be posted on ocfair.com and on the agency’s social media channels, @ocfair on Twitter and @oc_fair on Instagram.

The Costa Mesa police canceled this Friday’s DUI checkpoint due to the rain

Posted on March 12, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Costa Mesa 1 Comment

The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) has cancelled a driving under the influence (DUI) and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, March 13, 2020, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. within the city limits.

Checkpoint locations are based on history of DUI crashes and arrests. During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, as well as check drivers for valid licenses.

CMPD reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription or over-the-counter medications with an “operating heavy machinery” warning on the label can also impair. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

In 2018, 1,069 people were killed on California roads in crashes involving drivers who had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit (.08 or above). Last year, CMPD investigated 72 DUI crashes, which killed four people and resulted in another 109 injuries.

CMPD offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that does not involve a DUI:
Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
If you see someone who is clearly impaired try and drive, take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
If you are hosting a party, offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor those who are drinking and how they are getting home.
A DUI charge is not cheap. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to CMPD by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Federal Government has opted not to place COVID-19 patients at the Fairview Developmental Center

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Disease, Federal Government Leave a comment

Santa Ana, Calif. (February 28, 2020) – Today the United States Federal Government filed a Federal Notice of Movement to remove Fairview Development Center in Costa Mesa as a site to house persons who have tested positive for COVID-19.

“I am happy to see that the Federal government has made the right decision in removing Fairview Development Center in Costa Mesa as a place to house persons who have tested positive for COVID-19,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District. “This facility was not a good location for patients nor the residents of Costa Mesa. We greatly appreciate the support of all the residents and advocates that let their voices be heard in order to stop this site from being used.”

“The Federal government did the right thing in removing Fairview Development Center as a possible location to house persons who have tested positive for COVID-19,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District. “The Federal government lacked a completed operational plan for the facility which caused me a great deal of concern. In addition, this site would not only house Californians but residents from across the country.”

“Fairview Development Center in the heart of Orange County was never the right location to house persons who tested positive for COVID-19,” said Supervisor Donald Wagner, Third District. “I am very happy to see that the Federal government reversed course and decided to take Fairview out of consideration.”

“The County of Orange values our relationships with all of our government partners but Fairview Development Center was not the proper location for patients testing positive for COVID-19,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District. “It’s my hope that we can all work more collaboratively and have better communication with all of our government partners moving forward.”

“The Federal government reversing course on the Fairview Development Center was the right decision,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “We understand how important it is to protect the lives of our fellow Californians during this time of crisis but there are better solutions to solve this critical issue. It’s my hope that all governmental entities can work effectively moving forward to combat COVID-19.”

The O.C. Board of Supervisors is joining the fight against Covid-19 patient quarantining in Costa Mesa

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Disease, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana, Calif. (February 25, 2020) – Today the County of Orange Board of Supervisors unanimously directed the Office of County Counsel to file an Amicus brief with the United States District Court regarding pending federal litigation in the City of Costa Mesa, et. al v. United States of America, et. al. regarding the use of the Fairview Development Center for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Further details including the Amicus brief will be provided at a later time.

Judge extends restraining order keeping novel Coronavirus patients out of Costa Mesa

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Courts, Disease, Health and Medical, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

COSTA MESA, CA — A federal judge ruled on Monday that a Temporary Restraining Order preventing the State and Federal Government from moving infected Novel Coronavirus patients to Fairview Developmental Center should be extended for a week, directing the parties to meeting and confer and giving the city an opportunity to present more information.

“We are grateful that the judge saw through the inconsistencies in the federal and state positions, and has extended the restraining order to see if the government can comply with its own protocols for quarantine and isolation of people with serious, communicable and possibly deadly disease., Mayor Katrina Foley said. “While we have nothing but compassion for those who are suffering from this virus, the health and welfare of our community is our top priority. Bringing those infected into this densely populated area is simply the wrong approach.”

The city requested and was granted a temporary restraining order last Friday by the Honorable U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton, after the city learned that federal and state authorities were considering moving between 30 to 50 infected individuals to Fairview.

City officials contend that transporting persons infected with or exposed to the Coronavirus to any place within Costa Mesa until an adequate site survey has been conducted would be irresponsible. In addition, the city contends the populations of Costa Mesa and surrounding communities puts these infected patients in a much too-densely populated area.

The city contends that any designated site that has been determined suitable for this purpose will need all necessary safeguards and precautions put in place, and the public and local government informed of all efforts to mitigate risk of transmission of the disease.

The City still has not received critical information needed to keep the public safe and to be an effective partner in responding to any emergency arising from the use of Fairview to isolate Coronavirus patients.

Information needed by the city includes:

· The identities of the lead agencies, their roles, and the incident commanders for each agency; operational details of how FDC will be used: when it is expected to begin operations as an isolation location, how long it is expected to be used for this purpose, will the site be expanded, what is the maximum number of patients to be housed, will the number of buildings used on site will change over time, and whether state and federal agencies have considered or identified overflow sites.

· The city is also requesting how information will be shared among the different levels of government, how requests for resources and mutual aid will be made, how media and public inquiries will be handled, and how emergencies will be communicated.

· The city is requesting general safety information that first responders need to be aware of how far the Coronavirus can travel, how far it can be transmitted by airborne means, whether there will be physical barriers preventing access to Fairview, how tall and secure those barriers will be, how far they will be from the buildings and publicly accessible areas, and how the facility will be guarded.

· The city also wants to know the conditions of the facilities and plans to maintain and repair them given the aging and obsolete infrastructure. The City also must know how will the housing, feeding, and movement of Fairview support personnel happen, when will patients be moved on and off the facility, what the testing procedures for patients includes, and protocols for removal to local hospitals, if necessary.

Sen. Moorlach opposes quarantining Novel Coronavirus patients in Costa Mesa

Posted on February 23, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Disease, John Moorlach Leave a comment

COSTA MESA – Senator John M. W. Moorlach has been apprised and briefed of the situation by both the Governor’s office and the leadership of the city of Costa Mesa.

Here is his statement on these recent events:

“The coronavirus patients from California should have finished their quarantine on the cruise ship in Japan. Now that they are in the state, they should not be sent to Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa. Nor to any other highly populated area.

“Because the facilities have air vents, it is not prudent to house them off of a main thoroughfare like Harbor Boulevard. It would be better that they are sent to a retired military base in the desert.

“The coronavirus patients should be treated humanely and with the best medical care available. But the first priority must be to contain the virus and make sure it doesn’t jump into the local population, in this case, the citizens in my 37th Senatorial District or any other densely populated Senatorial District.”

Sen. Moorlach responds to Gov. Newsom’s plan to use the Fairview Developmental Center as a homeless shelter

Posted on February 22, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Costa Mesa, Gavin Newsom, homeless, John Moorlach Leave a comment

COSTA MESA – Earlier today Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he intends to use Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa as a site to house the homeless. This announcement comes on the heels of his State of the State address on Wednesday in which he discussed the need to solve California’s growing homelessness crisis.

In response to this sudden announcement, Senator John Moorlach released the following statement:

“I am disappointed the Governor has rushed to announce his intention to use Fairview Developmental Center as a homeless shelter before doing the site assessment I negotiated in the fiscal year 2017-18 budget to evaluate the feasibility and best use of the property. Orange County, much like the rest of California, is facing a crisis surrounding mental health and homelessness which must be addressed in a smart, consistent and safe way. This rush to place homeless Californians on a property where there is an uncertain determination of its disposition is premature and reactive. And it doesn’t consider the many good-faith discussions I’ve tried to have with this and the previous Administration over the last five years.

I’m proud of the progress that has been made in Orange County by its agencies and the medical and nonprofit community to build a system of care for the mentally ill. Engaging mental health professionals, while crafting public policy and using public resources, is essential to getting this right. The Fairview property provides a unique opportunity to provide services in a safe, secure and effective way. I would ask Governor Newsom to consider the needs of Orange County and the work that is already being done here. And I call on him to be a part of the solutions already being pursued, rather than rush to use Fairview as a Band-Aid by converting the property into a homeless shelter.”

Fairview is a 116-acre state-owned property in the heart of Costa Mesa that has been used as a medical facility to treat the developmentally disabled for the last 60 years. The site has been gradually closing for the past five years and is scheduled to be fully shut down by 2022. The announcement of Fairview’s closure has begun a discussion on the future use of the property.

Senator John M. W. Moorlach represents California’s 37th Senate District. He is a member of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus and previously Chaired Orange County’s Commission to End Homelessness while a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

Last of four suspects arrested in connection to kidnapping, torture, robbery in Costa Mesa, and attempted kidnapping in Yorba Linda

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, OC Sheriff Leave a comment

COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) and the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) have arrested the last suspect connected to two similar cases in Costa Mesa and Yorba Linda.

Arrestee: Cedrick Reynolds, 28, San Bernardino (arrested by CMPD)
Arrestee: Leonard Berry, 31, San Bernardino (arrested by OCSD)
Arrestee: Marvin Brown, 25, Diamond Bar (arrested by OCSD)
Arrestee: Veronica Berry, 25, San Bernardino (arrested by CMPD)

Yorba Linda Attempted Kidnapping

On Nov. 30, 2019, at 6:15 p.m., OCSD received a 911 call from a Yorba Linda resident, who reported he was attacked by three unknown suspects in his driveway after returning home from work.

After a brief struggle, the victim was able to fight off the suspects. The victim sustained moderate injuries to his face and neck. The suspects left the area before responding deputies arrived.

Investigators believe the alleged suspects planned to kidnap the victim from his home and burglarize his jewelry business in the City of Orange.

After an extensive investigation in partnership with CMPD and the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, the suspects involved in the alleged attempted kidnapping were identified as Cedrick Reynolds, Leonard Berry and Marvin Brown. The suspects were later connected to a Costa Mesa kidnapping, torture, and robbery incident which occurred four days later.

Costa Mesa Kidnap, Torture, and Robbery

On Dec. 4, 2019, at 10:13 p.m., CMPD received an audible alarm at the Diamond and Jewelry Exchange, located at 1808 Newport Boulevard. Responding officers found the door to the location unlocked. The business had closed at 6:00 p.m. and the male storeowner could not be located. After speaking to the owner’s family, a missing person report was initiated.

Prior to the audible alarm, at approximately 6:36 p.m., Cedrick Reynolds, Leonard Berry, and Marvin Brown are accused of kidnapping the storeowner from the rear parking lot of his business. The victim was abducted, placed in the back seat of the suspects’ vehicle, and tortured over several hours. The suspects returned to the jewelry store and stole cash and jewelry. They fled the scene after the alarm was activated. Following the robbery, the suspects drove seven miles to a parking lot in the City of Santa Ana, where the victim was pushed from the vehicle.

In the early morning hours of Dec. 5, 2019, the storeowner was located by the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD). He was found with serious injuries and bound with duct tape. SAPD determined that the storeowner was the victim of a kidnapping and robbery that had just occurred in Costa Mesa, and they contacted CMPD to take over the investigation. The victim was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Working collaboratively, CMPD detectives, OCSD investigators, and the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, identified the suspects connected to both cases.

Cedrick Reynolds was arrested on Dec. 18, 2019, on suspicion of robbery, kidnapping for ransom, torture, false imprisonment, and battery with serious bodily injury. He is being held on $1 million bail and is expected to appear in court March 10, 2020.

Leonard Berry was arrested on Dec. 22, 2019, on suspicion of a parole violation, and was booked Jan. 24, 2020, on additional charges including suspicion of attempted kidnapping, conspiracy to commit a crime, kidnapping for ransom, torture, false imprisonment, and robbery. He is being held on $1 million bail and is expected to appear in court March 10, 2020.

Marvin Brown was arrested on Jan. 28, 2019, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime, kidnapping, kidnapping for ransom, torture, robbery, false imprisonment, and battery with serious bodily injury. He is ineligible for bail and is expected to appear in court March 10, 2020.

Yesterday, Feb. 12, 2020, the last outstanding suspect was arrested. Veronica Berry, Leonard Berry’s wife, was arrested for possession of stolen property and being an accessory after the fact. She was booked at the CMPD jail and was later be transported to Orange County jail.

The OCDA dropped charges against a woman who stabbed a Costa Mesa man in self-defense

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, OCDA 4 Comments

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer has dismissed murder charges against a woman who was assaulted by the man she ended up killing. New evidence discovered during the course of the investigation into this case revealed Amber Angelovic had acted in self-defense.

On March 14, 2017, 21-year-old Amber Angelovic was charged with one felony count of murder and an enhancement of the personal use of a weapon for killing 32-year-old Derek Valentine inside Valentine’s Costa Mesa home.

On March 11, 2017, Angelovic and Valentine took an Uber to Valentine’s home after a night of drinking at a Costa Mesa bar. The two had been on one date prior to that night.

She called 9-1-1 from Valentine’s bedroom to report that Valentine prevented her from leaving and began hitting her in the face and throwing her down.

Fearing that she would be raped or killed, Angelovic said she grabbed a knife which she carries for personal protection and engaged in a self-defense drill she learned in a self-defense class.

Costa Mesa police officers found Valentine dead at the bottom of the stairs with two stab wounds to his chest.

A search of Valentine’s home revealed drug paraphernalia, books on how to get women to have sex with you, a white board with handwritten notes about how to stalk women, and numerous text messages in which he denigrates women and discussions about overcoming women’s will to have sex.

A search of his computer also revealed internet searches for date rape drugs.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown appeared in court on February 10, 2020 to ask the court to dismiss the charges.

“The People have obtained additional evidence and are now convinced Ms. Angelovic had a lawful right to self-defense and therefore are unable to proceed,” said Brown. “The People are making a motion to dismiss based on lack of sufficient evidence and in the interest of justice.”

“The decision to dismiss criminal charges – especially charges that involve the death of a person – is not a decision that is made lightly,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “As prosecutors we must not only consider the evidence; we must also consider all possible defenses. After a thorough review and careful consideration there is insufficient evidence in this case to prove murder beyond a reasonable doubt. It is for that reason – and that reason alone – that I am requested these charges be dismissed.”

The District Attorney’s Office obtained express permission from Angelovic and her attorney John Barnett to identify her as an assault victim.

Costa Mesa man arrested for stealing from his employer

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Fountain Valley Leave a comment

On December 18, 2019, an employee of a local restaurant supply company, in the 18000 block of Pacific Ave, Fountain Valley, stole a commercial Wolf stove valued at $9300 from the business and sold it to a subject in Huntington Beach.

Fountain Valley PD Detectives investigated and contacted Guillermo Ramirez, a 28 year old resident of Costa Mesa, who admitted to the theft.

Detectives were able to recover the stove and return it to the restaurant supply company. During a search of Ramirez’s residence, additional stolen property was recovered. Ramirez was arrested for embezzlement and grand theft.

Woman arrested for armed grand theft robbery after stealing $2 million of jewelry at South Coast Plaza

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime Leave a comment

COSTA MESA, Calif. – On Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at approximately 12:00 p.m., a female suspect entered a jewelry store located inside the South Coast Plaza shopping center at 3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa. She asked to look at and try on several pieces of high-end jewelry. After putting on the jewelry, the suspect asked if she could view the jewelry in the sunlight. She was informed the jewelry could not leave the store while she began walking toward the entrance, where she was stopped by the store security. The suspect then brandished a large knife and threatened the security officers. She fled the store and was followed to the parking lot, where store security was able to obtain the license plate of the vehicle as she drove away.

Based on the license plate information and witness identifications, the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) detectives identified the suspect as Karen Yvonne Floyd, 54, Newport Beach, and obtained a search warrant for Floyd’s residence.

On Jan. 13, 2020, detectives contacted Floyd in the lobby of her apartment building and placed her under arrest with no incident. Floyd was promptly booked and is still in custody, being held without bail. Detectives searched Floyd’s residence and recovered the stolen jewelry and the knife used in the robbery. The jewelry, valued at over 2 million dollars, was subsequently returned to the store.

Suspect shot in the face by Costa Mesa police on New Year’s Eve facing 12 felony charges

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, OCDA 1 Comment

Santa Ana, Calif. – A 26-year-old man who survived being shot in the face by police after firing at an officer during an hours-long New Year’s Eve standoff was charged today with 12 felonies and one misdemeanor. Fernandez is also accused of holding one woman at gunpoint and shooting at another as she drove her car into her garage.

Steven Taylor Fernandez, 26, of San Diego, is facing a maximum sentence of 62 years to life plus 31 years and eight months if convicted on all charges.

Fernandez has been charged with one felony count of attempted murder of a peace officer, one felony count of attempted murder, five felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, one felony count of criminal threats, one felony count of vandalism, and one felony count of carrying a loaded firearm in public. He has also been charge with one felony count of discharging a firearm at an inhabited building, one felony count of grossly negligent discharge of a firearm, and one misdemeanor charge of brandishing a firearm capable of being concealed.

Fernandez has also been charged with five felony enhancements of personal use of a firearm during the commission of a serious felony, one felony enhancement of attempted premeditated murder, two felony enhancements of personally using a firearm, and two felony enhancements of discharge of a firearm.

Officers were notified of a man in distress who was in possession of a handgun near Orange Avenue and Palmer Street in the city of Costa Mesa around 3:43 p.m. on December 31, 2019.

The man, later identified as Fernandez, shot several times at police, who returned fire. Fernandez ran to a residential garage on the 200 block of Knox Place and opened fire on a resident. The resident was not hurt.

Fernandez barricaded himself in the garage and was subsequently shot by officers.

He was taken to Orange County Global Hospital where he remains in custody. Fernandez is scheduled to be arraigned on January 10, 2020 in Department C5 at the Central Justice Center.

Deputy District Attorney Laila Nikaien of Special Prosecutions is prosecuting this case.

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

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Gangs Leave a comment

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.

Costa Mesa jewelry store owner found in Santa Ana after a robbery and kidnapping

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

COSTA MESA, Calif. – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) is investigating a jewelry store robbery and kidnapping of the storeowner, who was assaulted and left with serious injuries.

On Dec. 4, 2019, at 10:13 p.m., CMPD received an audible alarm alert from a jewelry store located at the 1800 block of Newport Boulevard. Officers found the door to the location unlocked. A search of the business did not reveal any signs of a theft and the safe was secure. The business had closed at 6:00 p.m. and the owner could not be located. After speaking to the owner’s family, a missing person report was initiated.

In the early morning hours of Dec. 5, 2019, the storeowner was located in Santa Ana by the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD). He was found with serious injuries and bound with duct tape. SAPD determined that the storeowner was the victim of a kidnapping and robbery that occurred in Costa Mesa, and they contacted CMPD to take over the investigation. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for the non-life threatening injuries he sustained.

At this time, no arrests have been made. This is an active investigation and no further details are being released at this time.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact:

Detective David Sevilla
714.754.5360
dsevilla@costamesaca.gov

and/or

Sergeant Scott Stafford
714.754.4933
sstafford@costamesaca.gov

Two young people arrested after posting threatening online messages about a Costa Mesa school shooting

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Education, Public Safety Leave a comment

COSTA MESA, Calif. – On Dec. 2, 2019, at about 11:10 p.m., the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) was made aware of a social media post involving a possible threat to a local school. As officers investigated the threat, they discovered a social media post of a subject holding what appeared to be a rifle with a caption of “Don’t go to school tomorrow.” There was a second post indicating there would be a “mass shooting” at Estancia High School on December 5. These posts were shared on many different social media sites.

This photo was posted on Instagram and was part of a social media post that led to a police investigation into a possible threat against Estancia High School in Costa Mesa

CMPD notified the Newport-Mesa Unified School District of the threat and worked with school personnel in an effort to identify any possible suspects. On the morning of Dec. 3, 2019, CMPD detectives identifed and arrested a 17-year-old female Estancia High School student responsible for one of the posts. The investigation revealed the original post was made by Lenny Vega and sent to others, including the juvenile suspect. Vega is not an Estancia High School student.

During the course of this investigation, two homes were searched and a BB gun air rifle was recovered, which was used in the post. At this time CMPD has determined there is no threat to the high school; however, a strong police presence will continue at the school throughout the week.

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CMPD received numerous calls from the public as the threat was viewed on social media. We would like to thank everyone that reported the threat and would like to remind the public, “If You See Something, Say Something.”

Incident/DR#: 19-017471
Arrestee: Lenny Vega, 18, Costa Mesa
Arrestee: Female juvenile, 17, Costa Mesa
Arrest Charges: PC 422, terrorist threats
Bail: $50,000