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Category Archives: Fullerton

Man arrested for selling drugs and guns in Fountain Valley

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Drugs, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Guns, Santa Ana Leave a comment

On October 1, 2020, undercover Detectives from the Fountain Valley Police Department Crime Suppression Unit developed information that Jesus Castaneda, a 22-year-old resident of Fullerton, was selling narcotics and firearms.

Police detectives began surveilling Castaneda’s activities and he was subsequently detained in the area of Orangethorpe and Gilbert in the City of Fullerton.

Undercover Detectives also conducted a search of Castaneda’s residence. Detectives located $17,000 in cash, a loaded firearm, 540 Xanax (Alprazolam) tablets, 543 grams of “molly” (MDMA/Ecstasy), and an assortment of cocaine, acid (LSD) and marijuana.

Castaneda was arrested on multiple charges including possession of narcotics with the intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a loaded firearm.

Castaneda was booked into Orange County Jail.

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.

Free food distributions in and around Santa Ana on Saturday, July 11

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Food, Fullerton, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Power of One Foundation (POOF), working with the City of Santa Ana and other nonprofit groups and businesses, is providing an emergency food assistance distribution at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana. The Power of One Foundation also is having one at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa.

The Sikh Center of Orange County is having a drive-through food pantry in Santa Ana as well.

Here are the details for all three food events on Saturday, July 11:

• MainPlace Mall, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 8-10 a.m.; the line begins at MainPlace Drive and Main Street no earlier than 7 a.m.
• OC Fair & Events Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon)
• Sikh Center of Orange County, 2530 Warner Ave., Santa Ana, 9-11 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. For more on the Sikh Center, go to www.facebook.com/SikhCenterofOrangeCounty/.

The SAPD is searching for a suspect wanted for vandalism and trespassing

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fullerton, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On 2/20/2020, Wanted Suspect Jonathan Valdez, age 31, was captured on video surveillance breaking the victim’s bedroom sliding door and making entry while holding a knife.

The victim was not at home at the time of the incident.

A warrant for vandalism and trespassing has been issued for Valdez’s arrest. Valdez frequents the cities of Anaheim and Fullerton.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of wanted suspect Valdez is asked to contact Officer A. Carranza at (714) 245-8451 or ACarranza@santa-ana.org.

O.C. is going to relocate the emergency cold weather homeless shelters

Posted on by Posted in Fullerton, homeless, Housing, Orange County, Santa Ana, Weather Leave a comment

Due to the Governor’s activation of the National Guard to assist in food and supplies distribution, the Cold Weather Emergency Shelters located at the Fullerton and Santa Ana National Guard Armories will be relocated by Tuesday.

The Emergency Cold Weather Shelter in Fullerton will be relocated to the Independence Park Gymnasium, 801 W. Valencia Drive. The shelter includes ample, secured outdoor space for persons to remain during daylight hours.

The Santa Ana Cold Weather Emergency Shelter will be relocated to the Salvation Army site at 2603 W. First St. in Santa.

The Cold Weather Emergency Shelters are scheduled to close on April 15, but the County is working with City partners to extend that date and continue 24-hour access to address the current situation.

While housed at the Cold Weather Emergency Shelters individuals will receive supportive services including medical and housing, and will be entered into the County’s Coordinated Entry System for future housing opportunities and continued services.

The County is working to develop alternate locations to shelter COVID-19 symptomatic and vulnerable homeless persons.

For medical questions about COVID-19, please call the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

For non-medical questions, contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085. 

An ex-worker and her friend wrecked the Maggiano’s in Costa Mesa

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Fullerton, Restaurants 1 Comment

At approximately 1:30 p.m., today, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) officers responded to a restaurant, Maggiano’s, at the 3300 block of Bristol Street in the South Coast Plaza area.

Preliminary reports were about a female suspect with a bat who had entered the restaurant and was disrupting the establishment. There were no injuries reported by restaurant patrons that were present.

Passion Shenay Coleman

The female suspect, later identified as former employee Passion Shenay Coleman, 27, Fullerton, was known to the restaurant staff.

It was reported that Coleman used a bat and vandalized a television, table settings, and plates causing thousands in damages.

Patrons of the restaurant had to leave and evening reservations were due to be cancelled.

A second female, later identified as Laglennda Damona Carr, 24, Fullerton, was there with Coleman and was reportedly yelling and being disruptive as well.

Once officers arrived at the scene, they located the suspects in a nearby parking lot attempting to drive away. Officers were able to pull them over and both Coleman and Carr were detained.

Carr was arrested at the scene and booked at CMPD Jail on assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, felony vandalism, burglary, and felony conspiracy to commit crimes. Her bail was set to $25,000 and she was later transported to OC Jail.

Coleman was found to have cuts to her hands and Costa Mesa Fire and Rescue was dispatched for medical aid. She was treated at the scene and transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment of her wounds.

Once she was released from the hospital, Coleman was transported to CMPD Jail. She was booked for assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, felony vandalism, burglary, felony conspiracy to commit crimes, and a misdemeanor warrant for a suspended license. Her bail was set to $500,000.

Prior to this incident, at approximately 11:40 a.m., Coleman had shown up to the restaurant. It was reported that she had made criminal threats and had thrown a plate at a restaurant employee before fleeing the scene. The restaurant employee then contacted South Coast Plaza Detail Officers to report the incident. Once those officers responded, they searched for the suspect. She was not located at the time and officers subsequently took a report.

A measles exposure may have occurred in Santa Ana between April 23 to 25

Posted on by Posted in Disease, Fullerton, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed the first case of measles in 2019, a resident of Placentia in her 20s who reported recent international travel to one of many countries currently experiencing widespread measles activity. The individual is considered infectious between April 23 and May 1, 2019 and is currently under voluntary isolation at home.

Orange County residents may have been exposed to measles since the ill person visited public locations while infectious. Community members with questions related to measles or potential exposure to this case may call the HCA Health Referral Line at 1 (800)-564-8448.

The HCA has been working with the facilities listed below to contact people who may have been exposed to this case and who are at increased risk of severe outcomes, such as infants, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.

Potential exposure locations and times:

People who were in the location(s) above around the same time as the individual with measles should:

  • Review their vaccination history if they have not previously had measles; people who have not had measles or the measles vaccine are at higher risk after an exposure, so they should talk with a health care provider about receiving Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination.
  • Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop); if symptoms develop, stay at home and call a health care provider immediately.
  • Although this is the first case confirmed in the county this year, an increase in measles cases has been reported throughout the U.S. and globally. Additional cases and exposures may occur here related to returning travelers and Orange County residents are encouraged to be up-to-date with their vaccinations.

“Measles is a highly contagious and potentially severe disease that causes fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes,” said Dr. Nichole Quick, Interim County Health Officer. “It spreads very easily by air and by direct contact with an infected person, and is contagious from approximately four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. The MMR vaccine is a simple, inexpensive, and very effective measure to prevent the spread of this serious virus.”

For more information about measles, visit www.cdc.gov/measles or www.ochealthinfo.com/measles.

Serial O.C. sex offender heading to prison for 100 years to life

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Churches and Religion, Cochino Alert, Crime, Fullerton, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Carlos Antonio Chavez , a 59-year-old Anaheim man, was sentenced on Friday to 100 years to life in prison for molesting two cousins and the sister of one of the boys in and around a Fullerton church, according to the O.C. Register.

Chavez was convicted on Feb. 19 of three felony counts of lewd acts with a child younger than 14, after being given credit for serving 1,130 days in custody.

The Judge in the case, Gary Paer, noted Chavez’ long history of sex offenses before he announced his sentence.

Chavez’ past convictions:

  • He was convicted of molesting a girl at a McDonald’s restroom in 2001 in Orange County. The victim is 21 years-old now.
  • Chavez attempted to solicit an undercover police officer for sex in a public restroom in 2012.
  • Chavez exposed himself to a “young kid” in Santiago Park in Santa Ana, in 1984.

The Judge felt his sentence would serve to keep Chavez away from children.

Chavez molested a girl and her brother at their Church, Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal. They finally told their father about this in 2014, after they had seen Chavez again at their church.

The molestations occurred between 2004 and 2007. The boy said that Chavez offered him candy and chips one day, at church, when the boy was only five years old. They then went to a nearby liquor store to get the snacks and when they returned Chavez took the boy into the bathroom and sexually assaulted him, according to the prosecutor.

As the boy told his father what happened his sister then said that Chavez had touched her too.

As police detectives conducted their investigation they found out that Chavez had also molested a relative of the boy and girl – their cousin. That victim was at first reluctant to cooperate with the police but the by changed his mind a few years later. He told investigators that Chavez molested him when he was 5 years old, at a bathroom at their church. Chavez was pretending to help the boy to get something off a high shelf when the incident happened.

Armory Shelters in Santa Ana and Fullerton Extend Hours Due to Rain

Posted on by Posted in Fullerton, homeless, Housing, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana, Calif. (February 14, 2019) – With coordination and support from the California Military Department, the Orange County Armory Emergency Shelter Program in Santa Ana and Fullerton is operating on a 24-hour basis beginning today through Saturday morning to provide shelter and protection to the homeless community during the current and predicted rain.

Due to the severe weather event in Orange County and the region, the County of Orange, in conjunction with Mercy House Living Centers Inc., is providing shelter services all day at the Santa Ana and Fullerton armories from Thursday, February 14 through Saturday morning, February 16 at 6 a.m. The armories are scheduled to resume regular operations the evening of Saturday, February 16 with operating hours from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The Santa Ana and Fullerton armories provide a total of up to 400 beds per night. Individuals experiencing homelessness will receive a nutritious meal, a warm shower and a safe place to sleep.

In addition to the seasonal armories, the County operates the Courtyard Transitional Center in Santa Ana and Bridges at Kraemer Place in Anaheim. For additional information about the County’s shelters, visit the OC Housing & Community Development webpage.

Man arrested for stealing from gym lockers all over Orange County

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fountain Valley, Fullerton Leave a comment

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.

A woman from Fullerton went missing in Santa Ana on Oct. 1

Posted on by Posted in Fullerton, Mental Health, Public Safety, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Lorena Gonzalez, a resident of Fullerton, has been missing since October 1. Her brother Alex Gonzalez reports that she is off her medication.

Gonzalez fell back into depression and was last seen around downtown Santa Ana in Orange County at 1 a.m. on Oct. 1. Continue reading→

Three men led police on a pursuit from Fullerton and were arrested in Santa Ana last night

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fullerton, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

You might have heard a commotion last night, Dec. 28, with police helicopters and lots of sirens, at the 5 Freeway. Turns out it was a police pursuit that led to the arrest of three men, according to the O.C. Register.

The incident began at around 8:20 p.m. when Fullerton police officers tried to pull over the suspects as they were driving a Dodge Ram truck, for a vehicle registration violation. This prompted the suspects to flee – and one of them three a handgun out of the window of the vehicle. Continue reading→

Man suspected of armed robberies of liquor stores in Fullerton and in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Fullerton, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

An armed robber was captured on surveillance video when he robbed Valley Liquors, located at 2429 West Edinger, in Santa Ana, just after midnight on Wednesday morning, according to KTLA.

The SAPD and the Fullerton Police are trying to figure out if this suspect is also the man who robbed JJ’s Liquor, located at 2238 W. Orangethorpe Ave., in Fullerton, at around 10:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading→

A man who shot at a Santa Ana truck driver on the 91 is heading to prison for only five years

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Fullerton, OCDA, Santa Ana 3 Comments

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NEWS RELEASE

Case # 14NF3221

Date: July 21, 2017

MAN SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR DRIVE-BY SHOOTING ON 91 FREEWAY

SANTA ANA – A man was sentenced today to five years in state prison for shooting at a man in another car on the 91 Freeway.

Defendant: Jerry Valentin, 35, Scottsdale, Arizona

Pleaded guilty on April 12, 2017, to: Continue reading→

A suspected DUI driver killed a Century High School student in a crash on the 57 on Sunday morning

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Fullerton, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Luis Torres, a 15-year old student at Century High School, was killed this morning while he was in the back of a 2009 Honda that was pulled over on the shoulder of the southbound 57 Freeway, in Fullerton, according to the O.C. Register.

The crash happened early on Sunday morning, at 1:59 a.m., just north of the Yorba Linda Boulevard off-ramp when Nicole Cortinas, 28, of Moreno Valley swerved a 2015 Honda off the freeway lanes and onto the shoulder, striking the 2009 Honda, according to the CHP. Continue reading→