ORIGINAL MESSAGE – Wanted Suspect: Tawnya Nicole Little (37)
On 04/06/2018, Tawnya Nicole Little entered the Wells Fargo Bank branch at 3764 W. McFadden Ave, Santa Ana. Little presented a stolen personal check that had been washed and forged. Little has an outstanding felony warrant for Forgery and Possession of Fictitious Instruments. Anyone with information on the suspects whereabouts is asked to contact PIS F. Munoz at FMunoz@santa-ana.org
Wanted Suspect: Tawnya Nicole Little (37)
On 04/06/2018, Tawnya Nicole Little entered the Wells Fargo Bank branch at 3764 W. McFadden Ave, Santa Ana. Little presented a stolen personal check that had been washed and forged.
Little has an outstanding felony warrant for Forgery and Possession of Fictitious Instruments.
Anyone with information on the suspects whereabouts is asked to contact PIS F. Munoz at FMunoz@santa-ana.org.
Alejandro Galindo Dominguez, a 45-year-old man, pleaded guilty Tuesday, April 23, and was immediately sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for shooting and killing two Wienerschnitzel employees in Santa Ana during a robbery in 1991, according to the O.C. Register.
Dominguez shot Wienerschniztel employees Andres Bello, 28-years-old, and Juan Cabral, 18-years-old, on July 23, 1991, during a robbery of the restaurant, according to the OCDA. He then put the victims’ dead bodies in a freezer at the restaurant and escaped from the scene.
He would have gotten away with it but Dominguez ended up turning himself in to border patrol agents on Feb. 23 of last year. His last known residence was in Ensenada, Mexico. He was charged with the two murders in December of last year.
Dominguez accepted several felony charges including two counts of murder and admitted sentencing enhancements for the use of a firearm, multiple murders and a special circumstance allegation of killing during a robbery.
Suspect: Albert Solano Diaz (38) Santa Ana
On Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at approximately 12:01 AM, a Santa Ana Police Officer was traveling south on S. Standard Avenue when he came across a female lying in the roadway just north of E. Edinger Avenue.
Upon contacting the female, the officer found her to be unconscious and not breathing. Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel responded and attended to the victim before she was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries.
Officers conducted an area check and found an unoccupied vehicle with major front end damage in the immediate area and observed a male walking away from the general area. The male was detained and found to be intoxicated. Video surveillance footage showed the male getting out of the vehicle and walking away just before officers locate it.
The male observed walking away from the vehicle was identified as Alberto Solano Diaz. Diaz was ultimately arrested for investigation of DUI. He was booked into the Santa Ana City Jail for (felony) DUI causing injury and (felony) Hit & Run. The female pedestrian remains unidentified and in extremely critical condition. The collision continues to be investigated and alcohol is believed to have played a role.
The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) responded to the collision and handled the investigation. Anyone having possible information about this collision is asked to contact the Santa Ana Police Corporal Brett Nelson at (714) 245-8208.
A carjacking was reported on Monday night in Santa Ana and a man who was shot and wounded ended up in the hospital, according to KTLA.
The incident went down at the 500 block of East Central Ave., which is just south of Delhi Park, Monroe Elementary and the Santa Ana Armory.
The SAPD police officers who responded to the scene found the victim, who was not identified, with a gunshot wound to his upper body and arm.
The victim is now in stable condition at a local hospital. Unfortunately the carjacked vehicle, a 2004 Ford F-150, is still missing.
The victim told the police that he had picked up a woman in the area of South Bristol Street and Central Avenue, which is located just north of the South Coast Global Medical Center.
The woman who was given a ride then apparently asked the victim to give her two male friends a ride to a different location.
That subsequent ride did not work out as the men eventually carjacked the victim, shot him and left him just south of Delhi Park.
The SAPD police investigators have not provided a description of ths suspects. They did however indicate that the Ford F-0150 that was carjacked had dark gray stock rims.
On Saturday, April 20th, 2019 at approximately 9:18 pm the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) Dispatch began receiving numerous calls reporting a traffic collision with a vehicle on fire in the 3200 block of S. Bear Street.
As the first officers arrived on-scene, they found the vehicle to be fully engulfed in flames. Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel responded to the collision scene and extinguished the flames. Inside the vehicle, police and fire personnel located two deceased occupants –
Jerman Marquez, 39, and Richard Inda, 29.
The preliminary investigation of this collision has revealed the unidentified vehicle was headed north on Bear Street from MacArthur Boulevard possibly involved in a street race with another vehicle. As the two involved vehicles passed through Alton Avenue, one of them lost control before striking a tree in the center median of Bear north of Alton. The other vehicle involved in this possible street race and its driver are outstanding and unidentified. The cause of this collision remains under investigation, according to the SAPD.
The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigation Unit (CIU) responded to the collision and handled the investigation. Anyone having possible information about this collision is asked to contact the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200.
The family and friends of Marquez have launched a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for his funeral.
The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a large-scale anti-cruiser enforcement operation on April 21st, Easter Sunday. It will begin at 6:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:00 AM. In years past, the City of Santa Ana has contended with large crowds, congested roadways, criminal activity; and quality of life issues that affect our residents, businesses and visitors. Road closures, lane restrictions and extra patrol officers will help the Santa Ana Police Department crack down on the annual tradition of cars cruising on Easter Sunday.
Therefore, to mitigate these issues; an increased police presence with a zero tolerance approach along with lane restrictions and road closures will be in effect in the following areas: Bristol Street from 17th Street to Callen’s Common, Main Street from 17th Street to Dyer Road, Edinger Avenue from Main Street to Raitt Street and Harbor Boulevard between Westminster Avenue and Edinger Avenue.
Minor traffic delays should be expected by anyone who does not avoid the targeted areas. We are requesting if you see cruising starting to occur or suspected criminal activity to call 714-834-4211 (or 9-1-1 if it is an emergency).
Update: Suspect Victor Martinez(35) In Custody
On 4-19-2019 at approximately 1:30 pm, the SAPD Patrol Officer who handled the original response to this investigation observed the suspect in this case (Victor Martinez) walking in the 1000 Block of North Flower Street. The Suspect was transported to SAPD where he was interviewed by Detectives and booked into SAPD Jail for Burglary, Robbery and Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Original Details:On 4-18-2019 at 5:00 am, officers responded to the 900 block of West Riviera reference a male suspect who had broken into the victim’s residence. The female victim was sleeping on the family room couch was awoken and confronted by the suspect. The victim attempted to flee and was struck by the suspect with the chair. The suspect then grabbed the victim by the throat and demanded her vehicle keys. The victim complied and handed the car keys to him. The suspect took the victims keys and fled out the front door where he was captured on home video surveillance. The suspect stole the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene.
During the investigation, the California Highway Patrol advised the suspect vehicle had crashed into the center divider of the I-5 Freeway at Main Street where he fled on foot. With the assistance of the CHP, officers searched the freeway and immediate area, the suspect was not located and remains at large. The investigation remains active at this time. Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect seen on the video is asked to contact Robbery Detective D. Greaver at 714-245-8362.
SANTA ANA, Calif. – Two men have been charged in connection with a complex scheme to use fraudulent social security numbers, drivers licenses and employer information to illegally buy dozens of vehicles and attempting to buy 90 more vehicles illegally. The total loss exceeds $1.2 million.
Arsenio Stanley Pierre, 27, Riverside and Marcus Darren Ginyard, 43, Moreno Valley have been charged with a combined 14 felony counts of making false financial statements and 14 felony counts of unlawfully taking a vehicle with sentencing enhancements for aggravated white collar crime over $100,000.
Pierre and Ginyard were arrested in Rancho Cucamonga in February by detectives and investigators from the Orange County Auto Theft Task Force (OCATT), along with members of the United States Secret Service (USSS) and the Los Angeles County Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention (TRAP), arrested two suspects in Rancho Cucamonga.
The investigation began in December 2018 and involved the fraudulent purchase/theft of 37 vehicles with an additional 90 attempted thefts. Early in the investigation, it was discovered the United States Secret Service (USSS) was conducting a similar investigation on the same suspects. The OCATT and the USSS combined their investigations. TRAP assisted with the joint investigation and helped during the take down and interviews.
Pierre and Ginyard are accused of working together and fraudulently purchasing 37 newer high end vehicles. The fraudulent information used to purchase each vehicle included California driver licenses, out-of -state driver licenses, social security numbers, pay stubs, utility bills, and/or cell phone bills. The defendants are accused of using their real names and DOB, along with fraudulent SSN, fraudulent employer, and income information, to purchase half of the vehicles. Pierre and Ginyard are also accused of purchasing the remaining half of the vehicles using fictitious profiles of individuals who do not exist. The majority of the fraudulent social security numbers used belong to children. Federal charges are pending and the suspects will be turned over to federal custody in the near future.
The federal case will include the 37 vehicles in addition to the 90 attempted thefts, which will bring the total loss amount to approximately $3 million. This case was investigated by California Highway Patrol Investigator David Navarro, who is assigned to OCATT.
OCATT
OCATT’s collaborative approach, which allows law enforcement to assist in investigations with allied jurisdictions, has resulted in a 55 percent decrease in auto theft in Orange County since the taskforce was created in 1993.
OCATT is a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement program comprised of personnel from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, National Insurance Crime Bureau, Department of Motor Vehicles – Investigations Unit, Brea Police Department, Buena Park Police Department, Fullerton Police Department, and Tustin Police Department.
Investigators work to identify career auto theft criminals and investigate suspicious businesses by searching for “chop shop” activity. OCATT investigates sophisticated auto theft rings that are not related to common car thefts. The task force documents various trends of auto theft including Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) switches, title washing, and rental car fraud, trains local law enforcement to identify these trends, and uses digital media to create public awareness and communicate tips to the public preventing auto theft.
In 2018, OCATT initiated 309 investigations, assisted agencies in 713 investigations, and recovered 251 stolen vehicles valued at more than $3.5 million.
Questions regarding the investigation may be directed to OCATT Investigator Dave Navarro at (714) 532-9645.
On 11-05-2018, SAPD Homicide Detectives investigated the shooting death of 20-year-old Victor Palomera in the 2300 block of South Ramona. This homicide was determined to be gang related.
During their investigation, detectives were able to identify Vincent Alcaraz (47) a Santa Ana Gang Member and Dorsa Pourhajir (21) and Santa Ana Gang Associate as suspects in the crime and both were taken into custody for unassociated criminal violations.
On 04-18-2019, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed charges of Homicide and associated enhancement(s) in both Alcaraz’s and Pourhajir’s names.
Update: Suspect Ruben Valdez Garcia (44) In Custody
On 4-19-2019 at approximately 1:45pm a community member contacted SAPD Communication advising, the wanted arson suspect they saw posted on social media was walking southbound in the 700 block of South Harbor Blvd. Responding officers located suspect Garcia in the 1100 block of South Harbor Blvd where he was taken into custody without incident. Garcia was booked into SAPD Jail for the charge of Arson.
Original Post: Suspect: Ruben Valadez Garcia (44) Santa Ana: Male Hispanic, 5-6, 190, Black Hair and Brown Eyes
On 4-18-19 at 8:47am, Officers were dispatched to assist the Orange County Fire Authority with a fire located at the Gable Estates Mobil Home Park, 4800 Block of West First Street. After the fire was extinguished by the OCFA, their Arson Investigators responded and took over the investigation. Arson Investigators worked with detectives from SAPD and determined the fire was an arson. The suspect was identified as Ruben Valdez Garcia (44). Video from the complex shows Garcia walking up to an inhabited mobile home where he lit two large bushes on fire that were located along the west side of the mobile home. The fire spread causing the front of the home to catch fire. At the time of the fire, there were two residents inside who were able to escape unharmed.
Video Surveillance: https://youtu.be/sT5RkL9gRvg
Suspect Garcia resides at the Gable Estates Mobil Home Park; however, has not returned to his residence since the fire and remains at large. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of suspect Garcia is asked to SAPD Detective A. Castro at 714-245-8375, acastro@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
Suspect: Ruben Valadez Garcia (44) Santa Ana: Male Hispanic, 5-6, 190, Black Hair and Brown Eyes
On 4-18-19 at 8:47am, SAPD police officers were dispatched to assist the Orange County Fire Authority with a fire located at the Gable Estates Mobil Home Park, 4800 Block of West First Street. After the fire was extinguished by the OCFA, their Arson Investigators responded and took over the investigation. Arson Investigators worked with detectives from SAPD and determined the fire was an arson.
The suspect was identified as Ruben Valdez Garcia (44), by the SAPD. Video from the complex shows Garcia walking up to an inhabited mobile home where he lit two large bushes on fire that were located along the west side of the mobile home. The fire spread causing the front of the home to catch fire. At the time of the fire, there were two residents inside who were able to escape unharmed.
Suspect Garcia resides at the Gable Estates Mobil Home Park; however, has not returned to his residence since the fire and remains at large.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of suspect Garcia is asked to SAPD Detective A. Castro at 714-245-8375, acastro@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday April 19th, 2019. It will begin at 6:30 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 1:30 AM. It will be conducted in the area of 500 W. Warner Avenue, in the City of Santa Ana.
The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI / Driver’s License check point is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver.
The checkpoint will be staffed by officers trained in the detection of alcohol and drug impairment to provide on-the-spot assessments of drivers suspected of alcohol or drug impairment. All checkpoints are conducted in accordance with the guidelines for DUI checkpoint operations outlined in the California Supreme Court decision, Ingersoll v. Palmer.
All vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and / or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Santa Ana Police Special Crimes Detectives arrested Michael Komoto, a 59-year-old male, for engaging in sex acts with a minor. Komoto met the victim, a 15-year-old boy, on the Grindr dating app. On Sunday, April 14, 2019, Komoto picked up the victim near his home. Komoto agreed to take the victim shopping in exchange for “making out” with him.
Komoto drove the victim to his business in the 1300 block of East Edinger Avenue in Santa Ana. Komoto engaged in sex acts with the minor victim. After assaulting the victim, Komoto took the victim shopping at South Coast Plaza. While shopping, the victim messaged a friend and said he was scared of the suspect. The victim’s friend picked him up and reported the crime to the Santa Ana Police.
On April 18, 2019, Detectives arrested Komoto at his business. Komoto was arrested and booked for engaging in sex acts with a minor. His bail has been set at $100,000.00.
Santa Ana Police Department Detectives believe there may be additional victims and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Julio Gallardo at 714-245-8378, jgallardo@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. The Santa Ana Police Department would like to remind parents to closely monitor their child’s social media activity for any inappropriate content.
On 4-18-2019 at 5:00 am, SAPD police officers responded to the 900 block of West Riviera reference a male suspect who had broken into the victim’s residence, according to the SAPD.
The female victim was sleeping on the family room couch was awoken and confronted by the suspect. The victim attempted to flee and was struck by the suspect with the chair. The suspect then grabbed the victim by the throat and demanded her vehicle keys. The victim complied and handed the car keys to him. The suspect took the victims keys and fled out the front door where he was captured on home video surveillance. The suspect stole the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene.
During the investigation, the California Highway Patrol advised the suspect vehicle had crashed into the center divider of the I-5 Freeway at Main Street where he fled on foot. With the assistance of the CHP, officers searched the freeway and immediate area, the suspect was not located and remains at large. The investigation remains active at this time.
Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect seen on the video is asked to contact Robbery Detective D. Greaver at 714-245-8362.