Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Costa Mesa

Suspect arrested for DUI after a five car collision in Costa Mesa

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Several of our Facebook readers asked on October 14 if we knew what had happened on Baker St. and the 405 Freeway. It turns out there was an awful DUI accident at Baker St. and Bear St., just before noon that day, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.

The accident involved five cars. The driver of a minivan rear-ended four other vehicles stopped at a red light.

Costa Mesa Police Officers found used syringes in the minivan, as pictured above.

The driver was arrested for felony DUI causing injury to other motorists.

Two victims were transported to a nearby hospital for complaints of pain and two other victims had minor injuries not requiring transport.

A man was arrested after he tried to burn down the Costa Mesa Police Department HQ this morning

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Fires Leave a comment

The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) front lobby was temporarily closed today after a man set a fire at the front doors.
 
Early this morning, at approximately 1:00 a.m., a man approached the front doors of the police department, placed traffic cones at the doors and lit them on fire.

A Good Samaritan, who was driving by, used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. The police department’s fire alarm was triggered and alerted CMPD’s Watch Commander.
 
The man, 32-year-old Claudio Benjamin Vicente, from Costa Mesa, was located nearby by officers on Newport Blvd. and arrested for arson.
 
The investigation is ongoing. CMPD’s CSI  processed the scene this morning and City Maintenance cleaned up and repaired the doors. The lobby was reopened at 11:30 a.m.

All SR-55 connectors to the SB I-405 to close nightly this week

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All SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connectors to Southbound I-405 will be closed this week, nightly, through Saturday morning. This work is for Caltrans’ crews to complete the Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) for ALL connectors that tie-into the Southbound I-405 and the Off-Ramp to the Orange County/Santa Ana Airport. To accommodate this work, Santa Ana’s Southbound SR-55 MacArthur Boulevard On-ramp will also be closed. Use Bristol Street or MacArthur Boulevard at the I-405 for access instead.

To support this work, I-405 Southbound #5 and #6 lanes between Bristol Street and MacArthur Boulevard will also be closed. However, access from Bristol Street to Southbound I-405 will be open along with the access to the Southbound I-405 to Northbound SR-55 Connector. Similarly, the I-405 Southbound MacArthur Boulevard Off-ramp will be open to access the Airport. These closures will occur each night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting tonight Monday, October 5th through Saturday morning October 10, 2020.

These closures can be expected to cause delays to access the Orange County/Santa Ana Airport. The detour to access the airport from Southbound SR-55 is:

  1. Take Southbound SR-55 to I-405 Northbound,
  2. Exit Bristol Street,
  3. Turn left on Bristol Street,
  4. Turn right onto Southbound I-405 On-ramp, and
  5. Continue south on I-405 and follow the signs to your destination. The Southbound I-405 MacArthur Boulevard Off-Ramp will be open.

The detour for Northbound SR-55 to Southbound I-405 is:

  1. Take Northbound SR-55 to MacArthur Boulevard Exit,
  2. Turn right onto MacArthur Boulevard and continue over the I-405 Freeway, and
  3. Turn left onto the I-405 Southbound On-Ramp or continue straight to the airport.

For Southbound I-405 traffic, take the I-405 south and follow the signs to your destination. The Southbound I-405 MacArthur Boulevard Off-Ramp will be open. Please plan for delays and we appreciate your patience while this important work is completed.

Electronic Freeway Changeable Message signs will notify drivers and work updates are also available via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using Caltrans handle: @CaltransOC

This schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. For more information, you may contact the District 12 Public Information Office at (657) 328-6000.

For anyone with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (i.e. Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please contact Angela Madison at (657) 328-6594 or TTY 711.

Five suspects were arrested in Costa Mesa during probation checks

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Yesterday, Sept. 30, members of the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) Gang Unit and Orange County Probation conducted probation compliance checks on subjects associated with criminal street gangs.

They conducted 14 probation checks/searches and made 5 arrests.

The arrests were for narcotics related offenses and PRCS/Probation holds for violations.

Fair Food Drive-Thru extended into October at the OC Fair & Event Center

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The drive-up food fun will continue through October, making the fall even sweeter for fans of delicious fair fare.

The Fair Food Drive-Thru will take place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25 at OC Fair & Event Center. New hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. There is no parking and no entrance fee. Guests drive up and order from the vendors and some take credit cards only.

Concessionaires remaining through October are Dole Whip, Funnel Cake, Roasted Corn, Juicy’s, Fried A Fair and Who Fried the Cheese.
On Oct. 2, these vendors will be added to the lineup: Australian Battered Potatoes, Chicken Charlie’s, Kettle Corn, Mom’s Bakeshoppe, Pink’s Hot Dogs and Old Tyme Ice Cream. And JP’s Old West Cinnamon Rolls joins the fun on Oct. 9.

Menu items will vary and new choices will be added each week. View the weekly maps and menus here: ocfair.com/drivethru.

The Costa Mesa police arrested four suspects who were allegedly selling cocaine

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On Monday, Costa Mesa police officers were dispatched to a vehicle stop of a probationer who had four others in the car including a juvenile.

It turned out that the suspects were in possession of $10,000 and about 13 ounces of cocaine.

The suspects were all promptly arrested for possession for sales.

There are 28 grams in an ounce. A line of cocaine is perhaps 0.1 or 0.2 of a gram to multiple grams. So 13 ounces of cocaine is quite a lot of this illegal drug.

According to the World Drug Report, cocaine in the U.S. costs between $25 and $200 a gram, with typical prices checking in at about $112 per gram.

The Costa Mesa Police Department is trying to locate a critical missing person

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Public Safety, Seniors 1 Comment

The Costa Mesa Police Department is seeking public assistance in locating a missing man, Thor Wahlgren, male, white.

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Sept. 10. 5, 2020) – At approximately 8:45 a.m., Wahlgren left his care facility at the 130 block of 18th Street. Wahlgren suffers from Alzheimer’s and dementia and walks with a slight hunched back. He was last seen wearing a red and black short-sleeve shirt and brown pants. He does not have a cell phone.

  • Age: 60 years old
  • Height: 6’00”
  • Weight: 150 lbs.
  • Hair: black and curly
  • Eyes: blue

The Costa Mesa Police Department is actively searching for him. If you see Wahlgren or know of his whereabouts, please contact Costa Mesa Police Communications at (714) 754-5252.

Caregiver arrested for elder abuse in Costa Mesa

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Fullerton, Seniors Leave a comment

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2020) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) on Tuesday, Sept. 1, arrested Rima Abikaram, 50, Fullerton, on suspicion of elder abuse after she was caught on camera striking 91-year-old Jane Doe while in her care.
 
In 2015, Abikaram, a friend of the victim’s family, was hired as one of two caregivers to provide 24-hour care for 91-year-old Jane Doe, who lives in her Costa Mesa home and is confined to a medical bed.
 
Prior to the arrest, the second caregiver became concerned for the victim after noticing Jane Doe had sustained visible injuries and reported her concerns to Jane Doe’s family. The family subsequently installed a hidden camera in Jane Doe’s home to monitor the victim’s care. Ultimately, the hidden camera revealed Abikaram abusing and striking the victim.
 
On Aug. 18, 2020, after terminating Abikaram as a caregiver, the victim’s family called CMPD to report the elder abuse. That same day, an officer responded to the victim’s home and took a report.
 
During the investigation, video footage was reviewed and it was found that over a 4-day period, Abikaram struck the victim over 150 times. Medical reports showed that Jane Doe’s injuries included swelling to her face, a black eye, and a laceration to her arm. 
 
On Sept. 1, 2020, Abikaram was located at her home and arrested without incident. The case was then turned over to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Orange County adds a second COVID-19 testing site at the OC Fairgrounds

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Large-scale drive-through coronavirus testing opens at OC Fair & Event Center August 26

Santa Ana, Calif. (August 25, 2020) – Just six weeks after opening the Anaheim Supersite, the County of Orange announced today a second supersite opening at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on
August 26.

360 Clinic will be conducting no-out-of-pocket cost testing leveraging personal insurance reimbursements and federal government assistance for the uninsured, with additional financial support from the County.

“I’m so pleased that we are opening this new test site to offer additional convenient access to testing for our residents, particularly for those within my district,” said Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman
Michelle Steel, Second District. “Testing is one of the keys to our ability to slow the spread of the virus and still go about our business of getting back to work and enjoying life in our community.”

“This new site in Costa Mesa bolsters our local testing capacity, enabling more symptomatic and asymptomatic Orange County residents within priority groups, to access free contactless testing with quick turnaround times on results,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District. “To make our testing network better still, the county is establishing a call center and making website registration options accessible in multiple languages to ensure that all residents, no matter their primary language, have equal access to vital testing services.”

Tests will be available for individuals prioritized for testing by the California Department of Public Health:

  • People with symptoms
  • Close contacts with people known to have COVID-19
  • Healthcare workers, first responders
  • Residents and employees of congregate living facilities
  • Essential workers (grocery store, food supply, utility workers, public employees and teachers)

“There are three key messages we want to convey to people who may have been reluctant to get tests –particularly at our supersites,” said Third District Supervisor Donald P. Wagner. “1. Wait times in your car are
generally no more than 30 minutes. 2. The tests are self-administered, safe, easy and pain-free. 3. Results are available in 24 to 48 hours so you can quickly determine whether you test positive for COVID-19 or not and plan
accordingly.”

“We are committed to continuing to offer testing options to our residents that are easy and convenient for all of Orange County’s residents. Tests are just one tool in our arsenal to beat the novel coronavirus, but it’s a powerful
tool,” said Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee.

Fifth District Supervisor Lisa A. Bartlett added, “Our goal is to do everything we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 including making it as easy and convenient as possible for residents to get tested. The addition of the Costa Mesa Supersite will hopefully bring us one step closer to achieving that goal. The more options that are available for people to get tested and get results in a timely manner, the quicker we can mitigate the spread of the
virus. In addition to the extensive test site locations, we’ve launched major marketing, advertising and community outreach campaigns centered around the importance of protecting yourself and each other by wearing a face covering, washing hands frequently and staying six feet apart.”

Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley added, “We know that mass testing with prompt results combined with mask wearing and social distancing is necessary for our kids to return to in-person school and our business community to reopen. This Supersite, the second largest in California, opens up another path on our road to recovery. We are grateful that the City of Costa Mesa and the OC Fair will host and support this important public health program.”

“The good news is that our seven day daily case count is going down compared to where we were in July. This is especially encouraging given the additional testing capacity we’ve added,” said Orange County Director of the OC Health Care Agency and Acting County Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau.

Orange County residents who meet the Public Health criteria may register online starting today at https://360clinic.fulgentgenetics.com/. Participants will be asked to provide their contact information along with their health insurance information (if they have it) while selecting their appointment date and time. Once a resident has successfully registered, they will receive a confirmation text or email. They will be required to show this confirmation on the date and time of their registration in order to be tested.

Starting on Wednesday, August 26, the Costa Mesa Supersite will operate Mondays – Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Questions can be directed to 360 Clinic representatives at (800) 446-8888. More information about testing
as well as other testing sites across Orange County may be found at: ochealthinfo.com/covidtest.

More Information:

  • OC Health Care Agency Network of Testing, visit ochealthinfo.com/covidtest
  • To find out what to do while waiting for test results or if a COVID-19 test is positive, go to ochealthinfo.com/protecteachother

A hit and run driver sheared of a fire hydrant at the South Coast Plaza

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A hit and run driver sheared off the top of a fire hydrant at Sunflower and Bristol, next to Maggiano‘s, on Saturday, August 22, according to the Costa Mesa Police Dept.

Traffic was temporarily shut down on eastbound Sunflower due to flooding.

Costa Mesa Fire Department crew members utilized a special tool to shut off the fire hydrant and provided assistance to all those individuals involved.

The cause was a hit and run traffic collision and the Costa Mesa Police are investigating.

The O.C. Fair to launch Fair Food Drive-Thru starting Aug. 28

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COSTA MESA (Aug. 21, 2020) – OC Fair fans won’t have to miss out on their food fix this year after all. Starting Aug. 28, the Fair Food Drive-Thru will offer summer treats from four food vendors bringing a taste of the OC Fair to go.

Guests longing for their favorite delightful indulgences can head to the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa and choose from special menus from one or all of the following:

• Cathy’s Cookies
• Dippin’ Dots
• Hawaiian Chicken Bowl
• Hot Dog on a Stick and Veggie Dog on a Stick

Menu items include turkey legs, teriyaki chicken bowls, hot dog and cheese dog on a stick, and chocolate chip cookies. See a map and full menu at ocfair.com/drivethru.

Guests will enter through Gate 1 off Fair Drive, and will be directed toward the order lane or passing lane. Guests will be required to stay in their vehicle and wear a mask while ordering from the vendor. Credit card payment is preferred. No walkups will be allowed and no parking will be available.

Fair Food Drive-Thru, starting Aug. 28
Fridays & Saturdays, noon-8 p.m.
Sundays, noon-6 p.m.

For more information, visit ocfair.com.

Also coming to the fairgrounds:

DRIVE-IN CONCERT EXPERIENCE

Autosonic Concerts presents Dead Man’s Party in a drive-in concert experience at OC Fair & Event Center on Sept. 27. The Oingo Boingo tribute band will perform live while guests enjoy the concert from the comfort of their vehicles. Tickets are on sale now at autosonicconcerts.com.

DRIVE-THRU HALLOWEEN HAUNT

Urban Legends of Southern California has come to save Halloween! The drive-thru Halloween haunt will run from Oct. 1 through Nov. 1. Tickets are on sale now at urbanlegendshaunt.com.

FARMERS MARKET

Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., local farmers and merchants sell fresh produce, food items, home goods and more. Parking and admission are free. See safety guidelines and more info at ocfair.com/events.

OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa is home to the annual OC Fair and Imaginology. Year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. Throughout the year, events ranging from recreation shows to cultural festivals are held at the Fairgrounds. For more information, visit ocfair.com.

Support of OC Fair & Event Center provides year-round educational opportunities and helps fund community give-back programs.

Two anti-face mask demonstrators were arrested for trespassing in Costa Mesa

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An anti-face mask rally in Costa Mesa on Saturday afternoon, August 15, resulted in the arrest of two women on suspicion of trespassing, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department’s Facebook page.

The trespassing occurred at the Mother’s Market located at 1890 Newport Blvd., before 2:15 p.m., which is when a store manager called the police.

The Costa Mesa Police Department did not clarify what the protesters did to get arrested. Their identities were also kept private.

Demonstrators have been protesting COVID-19 restrictions near Newport Boulevard and 19th Street regularly.

Free food distribution this Saturday at the MainPlace Mall and the OC Fair

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The Power of One Foundation (POOF) is offering free drive-through food distributions on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana and OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa.

Details:

• MainPlace Mall, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 8-10 a.m.; the line begins at MainPlace Drive and Main Street beginning at 7 a.m.

• OC Fair & Events Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon); line begins on Fairview Boulevard at Gate 3 beginning at 6 a.m.

Please stay in your car with the windows rolled up when receiving food. Make sure your vehicle trunk is empty so food can be placed in it.

For more information on POOF food events, visit www.powerofonefoundation.org.

Comida Gratis el Sábado 15 de Agosto en MainPlace Mall y OC Fai

The Power of One Foundation (POOF) está ofreciendo distribuciones gratuitas de alimentos en carro el sábado 15 de agosto de 2020 en MainPlace Mall en Santa Ana y OC Fair & Events Center en Costa Mesa.

Detalles:
• MainPlace Mall, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 8-10 a.m.; la línea comienza en MainPlace Drive y Main Street a partir de las 7 a.m.
• OC Fair & Events Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, de las 8 a.m. a las 12 p.m. (mediodía); la línea comienza en Fairview Boulevard en la Entrada 3 (Gate 3) a partir de las 6 a.m.

Por favor, quédese en su automóvil con las ventanas cerradas cuando reciba alimentos. Asegúrese de que el baúl de su vehículo esté vacío para que se puedan colocar alimentos adentro.

Para más información sobre los eventos de comida de POOF, visite www.powerofonefoundation.org.

Weekend closure of the S. and N. 55 Fwy. connectors to the S. 405 Fwy.

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The Southbound SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connector to I-405 will be closed for the next three consecutive weekends so that Caltrans crews can complete the Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) for this connector that ties-into Southbound I-405 and the Off-Ramp to the Orange County/Santa Ana (SNA) Airport. The Northbound SR-55 Freeway Ramp Connector to I-405 Southbound will also be closed to accommodate this work. The entire weekend closures will be on the following dates:

• Friday, August 14, 2020 starting at 10 p.m. until Monday, August 17, 2020 at 5 a.m.
• Friday, August 21, 2020 starting at 10 p.m. until Monday, August 24, 2020 at 5 a.m.
• Friday, August 28, 2020 starting at 10 p.m. until Monday, August 31, 2020 at 5 a.m.

These closures will cause significant delays to access the Airport and the detour to access the Airport from Southbound SR-55 is:

1. Take Southbound SR-55 to I-405 Northbound,
2. Exit Bristol Street,
3. Turn left on Bristol Street,
4. Turn right onto Southbound I-405 On-ramp, and
5. Continue south on I-405 and follow the signs to your destination.

The detour for Northbound SR-55 to Southbound I-405 is:

1. Take Northbound SR-55 to MacArthur Boulevard Exit,
2. Turn right onto MacArthur Boulevard and continue over the I-405 Freeway, and
3. Turn left onto the I-405 Southbound On-Ramp or continue straight to the Airport.

Please plan for delays and we appreciate your patience while this important work is completed.

Electronic Freeway Changeable Message signs will notify drivers and work updates are also available via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using Caltrans handle: @CaltransOC

This schedule is subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and/or construction-related issues. For more information, you may contact the District 12 Public Information Office at (657) 328-6000.

For anyone with sensory disabilities requiring alternate formats (i.e. Braille, large print, sign language interpreter, etc.) and those needing information in a language other than English, please contact Angela Madison at (657) 328-6594 or TTY 711.

Demonstration set for 5 p.m. today at the corner of Bristol and Sunflower

Posted on by Posted in Civil Rights, Costa Mesa Leave a comment

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Aug. 10, 2020) –  The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) is aware of the planned peaceful demonstration expected to start at 5:00 p.m. on the corner of Bristol Street and Sunflower Avenue today, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020.

The CMPD has been in contact with the organizer and will keep an open line of communication throughout the event to ensure a safe environment for the public and participants. This demonstration is in support of opening salons.
 
CMPD is dedicated to giving peaceful demonstrators a safe environment to exercise their First Amendment rights. While CMPD supports the public’s right to peaceably assemble and demonstrate, it does not tolerate violence, vandalism, and destruction of property. Those planning to attend are asked to please be safe, remain peaceful, respect others’ property, and report those individuals inciting violence and criminal activity.