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Category Archives: Gangs

The SAPD’s weekly crime round-up includes more gun-related arrests

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SAPD police officers responded to a call of 3 subjects driving around, pointing a gun out the passenger side windows. After locating the vehicle, officers initiated a car stop & all 3 subjects were detained.

Directed SAPD Patrol Officers observed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of the Comfort Inn and contacted both occupants of the vehicle. During the investigation, officers recovered a loaded 9mm firearm, narcotics, and a large amount of US currency.

MET detectives responded to a call regarding a discarded firearm found in the front yard of a residence. Further investigation revealed the firearm was associated with a previous case involving a subject convicted of firearm violations. The loaded black .45 cal semi-automatic pistol was recovered and booked.

SAPD Gang detectives authored two search warrants for separate locations, due to an increase in gang violence. Assisted by Directed Enforcement, MET Detectives, Orange County Probation and Orange County DA Investigator’s, detectives served the warrants simultaneously without incident. As a result of the search warrants, a 9mm “ghost gun”, narcotics and ammunition were recovered from the residences. Four suspects were arrested and booked for felony charges.

The SAPD’s weekly crime round-up

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While politicians focus on closing down gun shows the SAPD keeps busting gangbangers with “ghost guns,” which are made on home using gun kits made with CNC machines and 3-D printers and cannot be tracked.

During a probation check and search of two documented gang members, SAPD police officers located a 9mm semi-automatic “Ghost Gun”, 9mm ammunition, and gang indicia. The caliber and ammunition located matched the casings from the previous shots fired call.

While patrolling, SAPD police officers conducted a stop of a vehicle for traffic violations. During their investigation, officers learned that one of the passengers was on probation. After a search of the vehicle, officers located a .22 caliber revolver.

SAPD Gang Detectives developed information related to a probationer in possession of a firearm. With the assistance of the AB109 task force, surveillance was conducted and the probationer was contacted by the detectives.

A loaded semi-automatic handgun, concealed within the front waistband of the probationer, was located. A records check revealed the firearm to be stolen. In addition to the firearm, detectives located methamphetamine in the probationer’s possession.

Two suspected Santa Ana gangbangers charged with murdering a rival gang member

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David Angel Lopez and Anthony Garcia, both 20-years-old, were charged on Monday with a gang-related fatal shooting of 18-year-old Miguel Angel Benitez, a rival gang member in Santa Ana.

The killing happened on Sep. 2, at about 5 pm., at the 1600 block of South Evergreen St., which is just south of Madison Park.

The victim was found with gunshot wounds to his upper body by the responding SAPD police officers. Paramedics rushed Benitez to a hospital where he later died, according to the SAPD.

The motive for the shooting appears to be that Benitez was a member of a gang that is a rival to the gang that Lopez and Garcia belong to.

Lopez and Garcia are facing felony charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, assault with a firearm and participation in criminal street gang activity. They are also looking at sentencing enhancements for gang activity, discharge of a gun causing death, gang member vicarious discharge of a firearm, gang activity, and personally using a firearm. On top of all that Garcia also faces a felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

No word yet if Lopez and Garcia will argue that they were just having a bad mental health day when they allegedly shot and killed Benitez.

Santa Ana gangbanger convicted of killing a taco truck customer

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Junior Gil, a 27-year-old gangbanger, was convicted Thursday of a series of robberies and killing of 31-year-old Jesse Ruben Gomez, in front of a taco truck in Santa Ana.

Gil shot Gomez on Dec. 9, 2018, in the evening, near South Kilson Drive and East St. Andrews Place, according to the prosecutors.

A witness told the responding SAPD police officers about a robbery that took place nearby along a bike trail. There were also other witnesses and victims of robberies along the trail who gave the police descriptions of the suspects.

When the police officers arrived, Gomez’s uncle was trying to revive his nephew at the scene. The uncle said he was outside his home when his nephew went to get tacos from a food truck. The uncle then heard gunshots, and he found his nephew when he drove to the location.

In addition to being convicted of first-degree murder, Gil was also convicted of a count of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery. The jurors also affirmed sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a firearm and gang activity.

Gil will be sentenced on Jan. 7.

Santa Ana Mayor Vince Sarmiento and City Councilman Johnathan Ryan Hernandez have not yet confirmed if they think that Gil was just having mental health issues when he killed Gomez.

The SAPD arrested a gangbanger suspected in a recent fatal shooting

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Last night, SAPD MET Detectives conducted proactive policing in a known gang territory where a recent gang shooting homicide occurred. 

A vehicle was stopped for violating traffic laws and four documented gang members were contacted. 

MET Detectives collaborated with Homicide Detectives and it was discovered that one of the detained occupants was wanted for questioning in a gang homicide. It was also determined that two other occupants in the vehicle were persons of interest on an unrelated incident involving witness intimidation with associated gang enhancements. The fourth occupant was found to be in violation of his probation.

All suspects were arrested and transported to the Santa Ana Police Department where they were interviewed by Homicide Detectives. 

One of the arrestees was subsequently booked for PC 187, Murder.  The investigations are ongoing.

 – ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

On Thursday, September 2, 2021, at approximately 5:01 PM, the Santa Ana Police Department responded to the 1600 South block of Evergreen Street after receiving calls of a shooting. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male with apparent gunshot wounds to his upper body. Officers immediately began life saving measures. Orange County Fire Authority paramedics arrived on scene and transported the victim to a local hospital. The victim underwent emergency surgery but ultimately succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The Orange County Coroner’s Office conducted their investigation and identified the victim as Miguel Angel Benitez.

This is still considered an active homicide investigation. This investigation is a gang related homicide and qualifies for the Gang Homicide and Felony Assault Reward Program.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Homicide Unit is handling the investigation. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact (714) 245-8390.

Editor’s Note – Santa Ana City Councilman Johnathan Ryan Hernandez has been actively trying to defund the SAPD MET division.

SAPD weekly gun and drug arrest report

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While on patrol, SAPD police officers stopped a vehicle after observing the driver commit a vehicle code violation.

Upon contacting the driver and obtaining consent to search the vehicle they located a loaded semi-automatic pistol that was reported stolen.

The driver is a convicted felon and was arrested for felony firearm violations.

SAPD Patrol Officers stopped a vehicle for vehicle code violations. The driver admitted to being in possession of narcotics and a loaded firearm.

Officers located a loaded 9mm handgun and narcotics during the search of the vehicle.

The driver was arrested for felony firearm and narcotic violations.

SAPD Directed Patrol Officers attempted to stop a vehicle for observed traffic violations. When attempting to stop the vehicle, the driver fled from officers and a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit entered the city of Tustin where officers lost sight of the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle was located unoccupied behind a business.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded semi-automatic firearm.

The investigation is ongoing as the driver has been identified.

SAPD gang detectives contacted three subjects smoking narcotics in a vehicle.

Two of the three subjects in the vehicle were convicted felons on probation for firearm related charges.

Detectives recovered two loaded 9mm semi-automatics pistols and all three subjects were arrested for felony violations.

SAPD police officers arrested three gangbangers and seized a gun and drugs

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While on patrol in the area of the 1000 block of S. Austin Street, SAPD police officers conducted a vehicle stop and were immediately able to identify the subjects occupying the vehicle as gang members.

During their contact, the police officers observed a loaded handgun in between the legs of the rear passenger and apprehended all of the occupants without incident.

During a search of the individuals and the vehicle, officers also located narcotics, U.S. Currency and indicia related to narcotic sales.

All three subjects were booked at the Santa Ana Jail.

Santa Ana Mayor Vince Sarmiento has not spoken out yet about whether or not the suspects were actually criminals or were just having mental health issues.

The SAPD is investigating the fatal shooting of a man in the Pico-Lowell Neighborhood

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On Thursday, September 9, 2021, at approximately 10:57 PM, Santa Ana Police Officers responded to reports of shots fired at the 900 block of South Shelton Street, in the Pico-Lowell Neighborhood.

Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound to his upper torso.

Orange County Fire Authority treated the victim at the scene and subsequently transported him to a local hospital. The victim underwent emergency surgery but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

The identity of the decedent is pending identification by the Orange County Coroner’s Office.

The initial investigation revealed this is possibly a gang related homicide and qualifies for the Gang Reward Program.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Homicide Unit is handling the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call SAPD Homicide Unit at (714) 245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The SAPD seized several guns from a gang member and booked him on felony charges

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SAPD gang detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence of a subject believed to be in illegal possession of firearms.

As a result of the investigation, detectives located an AR rifle, a second .223 ca rifle, .22 ca semi-automatic pistol, narcotics for purposes of sales, weapons manufacturing equipment and US currency.

The suspect was arrested for several felony charges.

Santa Ana’s gangbangers are buying guns with the money they make on illegal fireworks

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It makes sense when you think about it. The local gangbangers have gotten pretty good at distributing meth and other drugs in Santa Ana. Why wouldn’t they use that business acumen to make a fortune selling illegal fireworks to our residents as well?

It turns out that is exactly what the gangs are doing, all over California. Even worse they are using the money they make importing and selling illegal fireworks to pay for the guns they use to commit crimes. Those guys by the way are increasingly ghost guns, made with 3-D printers. Such guns are unmarked and untraceable.

The gangbangers are buying the illegal fireworks in Nevada and in Mexico then stashing them in their cars and slipping them past our borders.

Illegal fireworks also enter into California through the port of Long Beach from Mexico and China and are ostensibly headed out of state to be sold legally, but some somehow never make it to their intended destinations. These fireworks are then sold online, in parking lots and from warehouses at double or triple their cost, according to the O.C. Register.

Over 250,000 pounds of illegal fireworks are seized by various police agencies in California every year and turned into the State Fire Marshall to be destroyed. However these are the proverbial tip of the iceberg as anyone in Santa Ana can attest. Every 4th of July is insane in Santa Ana with illegal fireworks booming overhead all night long into the wee hours.

These illegal fireworks are not safe. Every year dozens of Californians blow off their fingers and/or hands. Sometimes large quantities of fireworks blow up in the homes they are stored in, presenting a distinct hazard to our neighborhoods. That is not to mention the fire risk in a state that is bone dry.

The officials cannot stem the tide of illegal fireworks in California. It is up to you! Stop buying the illegal fireworks and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Don’t provide money to the gangs so they can turn around and buy more guns!

The SAPD took more guns away from local gangbangers

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SAPD gang detectives obtained a search warrant for a subject suspected of selling illegal firearms to local gang members. The subject was detained outside his residence without incident. Detectives searched his residence and located a stolen AR 15 rifle, another AR 15 rifle with an extended magazine, (2) Ghost Style 9mm pistols, .40 cal ghost style pistol, weapons manufacturing equipment, and several magazines. The suspect was subsequently arrested and booked for several felony charges.

Last week SAPD MET detectives attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle occupied by two subjects. The vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, a firearm was thrown out the window. The passenger then exited the vehicle and fled on foot while the driver continued to evade police. A perimeter containment was established in the city of Garden Grove and the passenger was located hiding in the rear yard of a residence. The driver of the vehicle eventually stopped and a felony car stop was conducted. The firearm was located and both subjects were taken into custody without incident.

SAPD gang detectives conducted a probation check last week of the residence of a gang member on probation believed to be in possession of an illegal firearm. During their search of the residence, detectives located a loaded .380 semi-automatic pistol. The serial number to the pistol had been removed.

Two L.A. gangbangers arrested for killing a man in Garden Grove

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On January 17, 2021 at approximately 3:48 AM, Garden Grove Police Department officers responded to the Hyatt Regency Hotel, located at 11999 Harbor Blvd., regarding a gunshot victim. Upon arrival, they located Eddie Barajas (28-years-old of Stanton), with a single gunshot wound to the head.

All subjects involved in the incident had fled the scene, prior to officers’ arrival. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

After hours of investigation, police detectives were able to locate witnesses who assisted with identifying the suspects as Los Angeles gang members.

On May 18, 2021 at 5:00 AM, a multi-location search warrant was executed in Los Angeles County that led to the arrest of suspects Enrique Torres (19-years-old of Los Angeles) and Agustin Cortez (31-years-old of Hawthorne) for PC 187(a), homicide with Gang Enhancements.

Several Garden Grove Police Department internal units including the K9Unit, SIU, GSU, CIU and SWAT and a number of outside agencies including the El Segundo Police Department SWAT, Hawthorne Police SWAT, North County SWAT, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Ana Police Department, Orange County District Attorney and the Long Beach Police Department Gangs Unit assisted and made the search warrant successful.

Santa Ana female gang shooting suspect arrested

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Santa Ana PD 04/28/2021 Most Wanted Wednesday suspect Patricia Noyola (27) has been taken into custody.

Original Message –

Wanted Suspect: Patricia Noyola (27) Santa Ana

Description: Female, Hispanic, 5’03” tall, 140 lbs., brown eyes, black hair and has a mole under her right eye.

On 02/02/2020, Patricia Noyola and a second suspect confronted the victim about his gang affiliation as he exited a convenience store. During the confrontation, the victim was shot in the upper body. The second suspect has been taken into custody.

Noyola is known to frequent the area of Pacific Avenue and Warner Avenue, Santa Ana.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Noyola is asked to contact Homicide Detective Corporal Lemmon at (714) 245-8363 or MLemmon@santa-ana.org

The SAPD is searching for a woman involved in a gang-related shooting

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On 02/02/2020, Patricia Noyola and a second suspect confronted the victim about his gang affiliation as he exited a convenience store. During the confrontation, the victim was shot in the upper body. The second suspect has been taken into custody.

Noyola is known to frequent the area of Pacific Avenue and Warner Avenue, Santa Ana.

Wanted Suspect: Patricia Noyola (27) Santa Ana
 
Description: Female, Hispanic, 5’03” tall, 140 lbs., brown eyes, black hair and has a mole under her right eye.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Noyola is asked to contact Homicide Detective Corporal Lemmon at (714) 245-8363 or MLemmon@santa-ana.org