New Santa Ana | Category Archives: SAPD

A Santa Ana man got arrested for pointing a laser at the O.C. Sheriff’s helicopter

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in OC Sheriff, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

A Santa Ana man learned the hard way that pointing a laser at a police helicopter is a very bad idea.

On January 13, 2019, the O.C. Sheriff’s Duke 1 helicopter crew was working a call over the City of Santa Ana. While on the call, the crew was struck multiple times by a green laser. The Duke1 crew used their HD Thermal camera and successfully located the subject in the back yard of a residence and contacted Santa Ana Police units for assistance.

After an investigation, officers were able to identify the suspect and recover the laser he used during the crime. The suspect was arrested for multiple violations of Penal Code Section PC 247.5

Pointing any type of laser at an aircraft in operation, while in motion or in flight, could severely damage the pilot’s ability to control the aircraft. It is a felony and also a Federal offense.

The SAPD has arrested a very dumb bank robbery suspect

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: UPDATE – SAPD Robbery Detectives Arrest Suspect Wanted For Attempted Bank Robbery

Suspect: Samuel Hunter McClintock (20) Garden Grove

Based on a tip received from the community, on January 14, 2019 at approximately 12:30pm robbery detectives with the assistance of patrol officers arrested suspect Samuel Hunter McClintock at his place of work. McClintock was booked into the Santa Ana Jail for attempted bank robbery.

ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

On December 19, 2018 at approximately 2:45 pm, suspect depicted in the photographs entered the Wells Fargo bank located at 3764 W. McFadden Avenue. The suspect walked to the teller window and passed a note demanding money (editor’s note: the note had the robber’s DNA on it). The teller then activated the alarm and the suspect exited the bank (editor’s note: without any money).

Suspect was seen getting into the passenger seat of a teal colored Jeep Wrangler that was being driven by a second suspect described as: male, caucasian between the ages of 40-50 years old. Anyone with information is asked to please contact Detective David Prewett at (714) 245-8323, dprewett@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Santa Ana man charged with sexually assaulting a woman at a bus stop

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, OCDA, OCTA, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

MAN CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMAN AT BUS STOP IN SANTA ANA

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged today with sexually assaulting a woman at a bus stop in Santa Ana.

Erick Alvarez Hernandez, 27, Santa Ana, was charged with one felony count each of kidnapping to commit a sex offense, forcible oral copulation, attempted forcible rape, and assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, with a sentencing enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury to a sexual assault victim and sentencing enhancement allegations for kidnapping and inflicting great bodily injury. He faces a maximum sentence of 41 years to life in state prison. Hernandez is scheduled for a continued arraignment on Feb. 8, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

On Jan. 5, 2019, at approximately 8:30 p.m., 52-year-old Jane Doe was sitting on a bench at a bus stop on the 1000 block of MacArthur Boulevard in Santa Ana. Hernandez is accused of approaching the victim from behind, wrapping his arm around her neck, and pulling her to a secluded area. The defendant is further accused of punching and sexually assaulting Jane Doe, then fleeing the scene when a bus approached the stop.

The incident was partially captured on surveillance video from an OCTA bus and the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) investigated this case.

SAPD identified the defendant following several tips from the public. On Jan. 10, 2019, SAPD arrested the defendant at his workplace in Irvine.

Deputy District Attorney Kristin Bracic of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

The SAPD is looking for a hit and run driver who injured an elderly man on Saturday night

Posted on January 13, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

One of our readers reports that her father-in-law ,who is 72 years old, was struck by a vehicle in a hit and run collision this Saturday night, Jan. 12, at about 5:30 – 6 p.m., in Santa Ana.

The victim was on his way to fill his water bottles at the time and was crossing the street at S. Hickory and E. First St. when he was struck by a vehicle that witnesses reported was a Mustang.

The victim is currently in the ICU with multiple fractures all over his body, broken bones and swelling in his brain.

The police are looking for video camera footage from the alley where it’s believed the vehicle in question came from.

If you have any information about the driver who struck the victim please contact the Santa Ana police department at (714) 245-8049.

The SAPD arrested the suspect who allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at a bus stop

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: UPDATE – SAPD Detectives Arrest Suspect Of Violent Sexual Assault

Suspect: Erick Alvarez Hernandez (27) Santa Ana

Santa Ana Police Detectives arrested Erick Alvarez Hernandez, a 27 year-old resident of Santa Ana, for a sexual assault that occurred on Saturday, January 5, 2019 in the 1000 block of West MacArthur. The assault was captured on surveillance video from an OCTA bus. This case received extensive media attention and detectives have followed up on numerous tips from the public, since the night of the attack.

On the night of the assault, Hernandez went to the Buffalo Wild Wings at 3800 south Bristol, just blocks from where the attack occurred. Hernandez was asked to leave the restaurant for his belligerent behavior. Evidence from the restaurant helped lead to Hernandez’ identity.

Detectives conducted hours of surveillance and arrested Hernandez at his workplace in the city of Irvine. Santa Ana Police detectives stopped Hernandez’ vehicle as he left work and took him into custody. Hernandez was charged with multiple sexual assault charges including kidnapping and booked at the Orange County Jail. His bail was set at $1,000,000.00.

ORIGINAL MESSAGE :

Santa Ana Police Detectives are investigating a sexual assault that occurred in the 1000 block of West MacArthur, on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at about 8:30 p.m. The suspect sexually assaulted a woman in her 50’s, who was waiting at a bus stop. The violent attack occurred on the sidewalk as numerous motorists drove by.

The suspect, described as a Hispanic male, was wearing a Dallas Cowboys #82 jersey. An OCTA bus arrived at the stop, and the suspect fled the area. Video surveillance from the bus captured the suspect running eastbound from the area.

Santa Ana Police Department Detectives are advising the public of this attack as the suspect has not been identified and is not in custody. Detectives are asking for anyone with information to contact Detective Gerry Corona at 714-245-8343, Gcorona@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The SAPD has arrested a suspect on various arson related charges

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Fires, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Arrest Suspect For Various Arson Related Charges

On Wednesday, January 9, 2019, Burglary detectives, working in collaboration with Orange County Fire Authority, arrested Danny Noriega, a 61-year-old Santa Ana resident, who was identified as a suspect during an arson-related investigation.

On Saturday, December 15, 2018, Santa Ana Police Officers and Orange County Fire Authority responded to the 2700 block of W. Maywood Avenue regarding a possible arson. A resident in the home reported he looked outside after hearing a loud noise. Upon doing so, he observed a small fire inside his property near his vehicle, which was parked in the driveway. He immediately extinguished the fire using his water hose and called the police.

The resident reviewed his home surveillance system and observed his neighbor, identified as Danny Noriega, threw a lit object over the fence. The neighbor fled the scene on a bicycle. The object thrown by Noriega was examined by Orange County Fire Authority and found to be similar to a Molotov cocktail that contained an incendiary device.

Noriega was booked into the Santa Ana Jail on various arson-related charges. Burglary detectives are continuing their investigation with the Orange County Fire Authority.

The SAPD is looking for a suspected bank robber

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Robbery Detectives Request Assistance In Identifying Suspect Wanted For Attempted Bank Robbery

On December 19, 2018 at approximately 2:45 p.m., suspect depicted in the photographs entered the Wells Fargo bank located at 3764 W. McFadden Avenue. The suspect walked to the teller window and passed a note demanding money. The teller then activated the alarm and the suspect exited the bank.

Suspect was seen getting into the passenger seat of a teal colored Jeep Wrangler that was being driven by a second suspect described as: male, caucasian between the ageas of 40-50 years old.

Anyone with information is asked to please contact Detective David Prewett at (714) 245-8323, dprewett@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

An elderly woman was saved after her car got stuck on a Santa Ana train track

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, OCFA, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

An elderly Santa Ana woman in her 90’s was saved by two witnesses after she got involved in a car accident on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at about 3:15 p.m. Her car, a white Pontiac Grand Am, got stuck on the train tracks at 17th and Lincoln Ave. after the two-car collision, as a train was approaching. That’s when two witnesses rushed to her aid, according to the O.C. Register.

Two people pushed her car off of the railroad tracks before an oncoming Amtrak train struck the sedan’s open driver side door.

A Fullerton resident, Kanwar Singh, was driving home from a doctor’s appointment, when he saw the collision. He pulled over to help and was able to carry the woman out of her vehicle just in time.

The woman was taken to an area trauma center by OCFA medics. The SAPD was investigating incident, according to the OCFA.

The SAPD is looking for a man who sexually assaulted a woman at a bus stop

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD 2 Comments

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Requesting Media And Public Assistance In Violent Sexual Assault

Santa Ana Police Detectives are investigating a sexual assault that occurred in the 1000 block of West MacArthur, on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at about 8:30 p.m. The suspect sexually assaulted a woman in her 50’s, who was waiting at a bus stop. The violent attack occurred on the sidewalk as numerous motorists drove by.

A Santa Ana mom was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend, in Tijuana

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, mexico, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Monica Tapia Alvarado, a 29-year-old Santa Ana resident, turned up dead in Tijuana, Mexico, after disappearing on Christmas Eve. Her boyfriend, Alexis Jesus Alanis, also 29, was arrested in Tijuana as a homicide suspect, according to KTLA.

About two weeks before Christmas, Alvarado and her 2-year-old daughter traveled to Mexico to visit Alanis, who lives in Tijuana, according to the SAPD.

Alvarado left her daughter with Alanis , and came back to the U.S. She then returned to Mexico on Dec. 21 to pick up her daughter so that she could bring her back to celebrate Christmas in Southern California with her family. That was the last time they saw her alive.

Alvarado’s family, including her other daughter, who is 13-years-old, reported her missing, to the SAPD, on Dec. 24. They had not heard from her in a while and had become concerned.

SAPD police detectives worked closely with their Mexican counterparts. Alvarado was a U.S. citizen but the Mexican police took the lead on the case as the crime occurred in Tijuana.

The Mexican police suspected Alanis but could not find him until, on Dec. 29, they found him at a house, where he was renting a room. When the police went to that home they found Alvarado’s body and determined she had been murdered.

The Mexican police have not offered details about how Alvarado died or the condition of her body when it was found.

A witness reported seeing Alanis flee with the child, from the scene of the crime.

When the Mexican police finally arrested Alanis, on Dec. 31, the little girl was still with him. She was initially placed at a childcare facility in Mexico but was at last reunited with her family in Santa Ana on Thursday night.

The SAPD is working with the Mexican police to return Alvarado’s body to the U.S. However the autopsy will be conducted in Mexico, where the investigation will continue.

An SAPD police horse passed away on Friday in her stable

Posted on January 6, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Pets, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

A Santa Ana Police Department horse named Bonita died “suddenly and unexpectedly” on Friday, according to the SAPD’s Twitter account.

Bonita served on the SAPD’s Mounted Unit for six years.

Bonita was partnered with Cpl. Verdugo.

Bonita did not have any known medical problems before she was found dead in her stable, according to the SAPD.

A local police officer did however tell me today that Bonita had been ill before she passed away but he did not know the nature of her illness.

SAPD Chief David Valentine said “On behalf of the (Santa Ana) community, I appreciate Bonita’s years of service and that of her partner, Cpl. Verdugo.”

The SAPD has identified the two people who died in a house fire on Jan. 1

Posted on January 3, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Fires, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: January 1st Homicide Investigation Update – Decedents Identified

On Tuesday, January 1st, 2019, at 10:34 A.M., SAPD Officers responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at 2314 W. Manly Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found the interior of the residence engulfed in flames. Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived on scene and extinguished the fire.

Two decedents were then discovered within the residence. The deaths were determined to be suspicious in nature therefore SAPD Homicide Detectives took over the investigation.

The decedents have been identified by the Orange County Coroner’s Office as Charlene Twee Nguyen (57) and Ahmad Alassad (39), husband and wife who resided at that location. The official cause of death remains unknown as autopsies are still pending.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call SAPD Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 245-8390, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Two died after a car and a motorcycle collided in Santa Ana this afternoon

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, OCFA, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

A crash between a motorcycle and car in Santa Ana left two dead on Wednesday afternoon, according to the O.C. Register.

The collision occurred at around 1:30 p.m. on Raitt Street, between McFadden and Edinger avenues.

A 35-year-old man was driving a motorcycle south on Raitt St. while a 40-year-old woman was making a U-turn in a Dodge Charger, going from north to south on the same street, when the crash took place, according to the SAPD.

Both vehicles caught fire after the accident. OCFA firefighters removed the woman from her car while onlookers pulled the motorcyclist away from his motorcycle and other residents put the fire out with their garden hoses.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The woman died at a local trauma center due to her severe injuries and burns.

The SAPD is investigating the incident to determine which party was at fault.

The names of the victims were not released as their next of kin have to be notified.

A man was shot and wounded in Santa Ana on New Year’s Day

Posted on January 2, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

An unidentified man was shot and wounded on New Year’s Day in Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

The shooting happened just before 9 p.m. in a residential neighborhood located at Golden West Avenue near McFadden Avenue.

The victim is expected to survive after getting shot in the shoulder, according to the SAPD.

The SAPD is not sure as to the motive for the shooting. But they did arrest a suspect, whose name was not released to the public.

The SAPD is conducting a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint on 12/28

Posted on December 27, 2018 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory SAPD conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, December 28, 2018 in the area of 2100 S Raitt Street

SANTA ANA POLICE STEP UP DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, December 28th, 2018. It will begin at 9:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:30 AM. It will be conducted in the area of 2100 S Raitt Street, 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 checkpoint 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 is.

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.