A Tustin police officer conducted a traffic stop and contacted Eddie Poncio. During a search of Poncio’s vehicle, the police officer found over 50 items of personal identifying information (Passports, ID cards, credit cards, etc.) not belonging to Poncio.
Poncio also turned out to be a convicted felon in unlawful possession of ammunition, a stun gun, and pepper spray.
Poncio was arrested and booked into jail. Investigators will be attempting to contact all of the involved victims.
A Tustin Police Department officer recently struck up a conversation with David Phan and Priscilla Lopez at an apartment complex. The officer was surprised to find that were drugs and drug paraphernalia in plain view in their vehicle.
A further search of the vehicle yielded a loaded 9mm Beretta handgun. In total, they possessed over 8 grams of methamphetamine, 1.75 grams of heroin, and indicia for drug sales.
Both Phan and Lopez were booked into jail on numerous felony charges, including possession of drugs for sale, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm and a controlled substance, and many more.
This week, the Tustin Police Department handled 1084 calls, took 153 reports, and made 50 arrests.
The Tustin Police Department recently received complaints regarding trespassing and unlawful camping near the railroad tracks by Jamboree Road.
A Tustin Homeless Liaison Officer examined the unoccupied encampment and left a notice ordering its removal. A day later the Homeless Liaison Officer returned to find a majority of the personal items had been removed.
The remaining items were lawfully removed by Field Services.
Hurray for Tustin but where did the homeless people in question go? Tustin does provide a homeless shelter. But in the example above the homeless people in question just left. Where did they go?
This is how most cities deal with the homeless. They just chase them off and they go to the next city, which in this case was probably Santa Ana.
This is why it is important for the County of Orange to open and maintain regional homeless shelters. There are those who complain about the latest shelter being set up here in Santa Ana. But the homeless issue is a regional problem. And Santa Ana is our County seat. It is where many homeless people come to for whatever benefits they can scrounge up.
To make matters worse the drugs that many of the Orange County homeless are addicted to are often found in Santa Ana, where local gangs pad their income by selling Meth and Opiates on the streets.
Not all the homeless are on drugs but many are. The rest have many stories but all have ended the same, with these people living hand to mouth on our streets.
This problem won’t go away by itself. These people need help including drug and mental health treatment. That help is on the way, both at the new Yale Navigation Center and the new homeless shelter the City of Santa is opening.
Should other Orange County cities be doing more? Sure. And several of them are. New shelters have opened this year in several Orange County cities such as Placentia, Anaheim and Costa Mesa. More shelters are on the way. You can see them all on Google Maps. The County of Orange also provides an online directory of such services including shelters here.
TUSTIN, Calif. (November 10, 2020) – On November 14, 2020, OC Animal Care will host the Fur-ever Thankful event and feature low-cost adoptions sponsored by Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
“This event is aimed at bringing the community together to reflect on all the things to be grateful for as we enter the holiday season,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District. “For many of us, that includes our families and what better way to help spread health and happiness than through connecting families with their newest furry family member.”
One-hundred low-cost adoption vouchers will be available during the event to the first one-hundred families who sign up. Vouchers are first-come, first-serve and limited to one per household for up to one hundred vouchers. OC Animal Care will also share highlights of adoptable pets available throughout the day on the OC Animal Care website and social media channels.
The day will also feature the sixth Family Fur-st Drive Thru Pet Food Pantry. This monthly event has distributed over 14,000 pounds of pet food to families in need to date.
Event Information:
Family Fur-st Drive Thru Pet Food Pantry:
The contactless pet food pantry will distribute pet food beginning at 8:00 a.m. while supplies last.
Follow OC Animal Care on all social media platforms for event highlights and to see featured pets available for adoption. For more information and resources, please visit the OC Animal Care website at ocpetinfo.com.
Tustin Police Department police officers pursued a possible stolen box truck on Saturday evening, Nov. 7. The box truck was packed with merchandise.
The suspect finally stopped the vehicle at Hyde Park & Newport Ave. However the suspect then refused commands from the police officers to get out of the vehicle, according to Onscene TV.
The police then boxed in the truck with a police van.
A officer in the police van then fired a less than lethal round through the windshield to break it. It is not known if the suspect was wounded.
The police officer in the van then fired his taser at the suspect.
Not surprisingly after the suspect was tasered he finally complied with the police commands and exited the vehicle.
The suspect was taken into custody.
The Tustin Police did not identify the suspect.
Around 6:00 AM on Wednesday morning, Oct. 14, the Tustin Police Department received calls from alert residents who noticed a suspicious subject walking from house to house.
When officers contacted this subject, he was standing on a front porch, in the process of going through a victim’s mailbox on Kalua, near Charloma Dr.
During the detention, officers identified 28-year-old John Campbell. During a probation search, Campbell was found in possession of stolen property from two different thefts from vehicles. These thefts occurred in the neighborhoods near Red Hill Ave. and Bryan Ave., including street like Lance Dr., Bryan Ave., First St., and Kalua Ln.
At the conclusion of the investigation, Campbell was arrested and booked at Orange County Jail for theft and possession of stolen property.
If you believe you were a victim or have camera footage matching Campbell’s appearance as depicted in this post, specifically the black and white still images taken at the time of the crime, please telephone the Tustin PD Dispatch Center at 714-573-3225. Officer Alfonso is handling the investigation.
A commercial burglary suspect who accessed the storage yard of the Saf-T-Co Supply Inc. warehouse, located at 1300 E. Normandy Place, in Santa Ana, and stole several tools with an estimated value of approximately $1,400.00, is now under arrest courtesy of the Tustin Police Department.
The suspect, who has not been identified by name, was arrested in Tustin on a different criminal charge unrelated to the Santa Ana case..
Anyone with additional information on the suspect is asked to please contact Detective Garcia at (714) 245-8732 or JGarcia@santa-ana.org.
The Tustin Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit has been investigating a series of peeping style crimes. During these crimes the suspect videotaped, or attempted to videotape, unsuspecting victims through the windows of their homes.
Through the course of the investigation the suspect was identified as 24-year-old Joshua Russell Callihan, of Tustin.
On Sunday, September 13, 2020 Callihan was witnessed by Tustin Police Officers entering a gated apartment community in the 16000 block of Mcfadden Avenue., the same location where he is previously alleged to have committed the crime of peeping into an inhabited building.
During the course of the officer’s observations, Callihan was witnessed loitering on private property with the intent to commit a crime.
Callihan was arrested and booked at Orange County Jail.
Callihan was previously arrested and charged with six counts of peeping into an inhabited building, two counts of loitering on private property with the intent to commit a crime, and one count of annoying a child under 18 years of age.
Callihan committed this recent crime while released on bail for his previous arrest.
We are seeking anyone who believes they may be a victim or witness to similar crimes involving Callihan.
Anyone with information regarding this case or any similar case is encouraged to contact Detective Haug at 714-573-3246.
The Tustin Police Department’s Gang Reduction and Directed Enforcement (GRADE Unit) stopped a vehicle on Sunday and searched a related hotel room, according to their Facebook page.
The police officers recovered a loaded AR-15 rifle, a loaded 9mm handgun, a shotgun, 5.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 23 grams of heroin, drug paraphernalia, and a large amount of cash.
Two suspects were arrested for what the Tustin Police said were “many” charges and booked into jail.
The GRADE Unit was formed on February 19, 2018. GRADE is combination of the department’s former Special Enforcement Detail (SED) and Gang Unit.
The GRADE unit’s focus is suppressing gang activity and addressing identified Crime and Traffic Analysis and Policing Strategies (CTAPS) issues with self-initiated and proactive problem solving enforcement through a combination of high visibility uniformed patrols and plainclothes surveillance.
In honor of World Rabies Day, there will be Free* Rabies Vaccinations on Thursday, September 3rd at 6 p.m. at the Monthly Low-Cost Clinic hosted at OC Animal Care! While supplies last. Three vaccines per household.
Lets collaborate to vaccinate during this annual event with services provided by HEART – Healthcare & Emergency Animal Rescue Team!* Please note appointments are required for this service.
The first 100 rabies shots will be free with the exception of the 3 year Purevax Feline Rabies vaccines which will receive a $26 credit.
To make a reservation click here. Reservations are required! OC Animal Care is located at 1630 Victory Road, in Tustin.
World Rabies Day is held annually to raise awareness about rabies prevention. Rabies is 100% preventable, but the CDC reports that more than 59,000 people die from the disease annually all over the world. The only way to help eliminate this deadly disease is to vaccinate! As a pet owner it’s your responsibility to make sure your pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations.
TUSTIN, Calif. (September 1, 2020) – OC Animal Care will host the Fur-ever Family event aimed at assisting pet lovers in the community with a pet food giveaway and low-cost adoptions sponsored by Fourth District Supervisor Doug Chaffee of the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
On September 12, OC Animal Care social media platforms will highlight adoptable pets. Families ready to adopt will have the opportunity to virtually sign up for one of one-hundred low-cost adoption vouchers sponsored by Supervisor Chaffee. Vouchers are first-come, first-serve and are limited to one per household for up to one hundred vouchers.
“We support companionship and positive mental health and what better way than to do that while also connecting homeless pets with new families.” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District. “We know pets lower anxiety and stress as well as promote healthy habits for people of all ages.”
The event will also feature the contactless Family Fur-st Drive Thru Pet Pantry where Supervisor Chaffee and staff will work alongside volunteers to distribute pet food to families in need from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. or while supplies last. This will be the fourth pet food pantry hosted by OC Animal Care in conjunction with community partners Animal Assistance League of Orange County, SoCal Animal Response Team, and The Shamrock Rescue Foundation. To date, the pet food pantry has given out over 7,000 pounds of food to help feed more than 550 pets in Orange County.
All pet owners in need are welcome while supplies last!If you would like to help keep families together, please donate through the AALOC’s Amazon Wishlist or OC Animal Care’s Wishlist.
OC Animal Care is located at 1630 Victory Road, in Tustin.
“We truly appreciate Supervisor Chaffee for supporting our mission and helping all the pet lovers in the community.” added OC Animal Care Interim Director Andi Bernard. “We hope families join us virtually as we feature pets onsite and in foster homes who are waiting for their perfect match.”
To sign up for a low-cost adoption voucher, adopters need to submit an online form on the OC Animal Care website starting at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. The first one hundred families will receive an email confirmation with a voucher and have 30 days to make an appointment and adopt their new pet.
For more information and resources, please visit the OC Animal Care website at ocpetinfo.com.
OC Animal Care is the largest municipal animal shelter in Orange County. IT services 14 cities and takes in over 18,000 animals each year. For more information about OC Animal Care please visit www.ocpetinfo.com.
A Tustin Meadows resident reported a suspicious subject riding around the neighborhood on a bicycle on Tuesday morning, August 17, according to the Tustin Police Department. The subject’s reported actions indicated he may be involved in vehicle burglary.
Tustin PD officers detained the subject in the neighborhood and began investigating. The subject was in possession of a confirmed stolen bicycle, burglary tools, and drug paraphernalia. He was placed under arrest without incident and the bicycle will happily be returned to the owner. The subject may be tied to additional thefts from vehicles in the area.
This event highlights the importance of reporting any suspicious activity. You can call Tustin PD Dispatch at 714-573-3225 to report any non-emergency and 911 for emergencies.
Josselyn Jazmine Anguiano of Santa Ana, a 21-year-old, pleaded guilty on July 2 to charges stemming from a terrible car accident that happened over two years ago in Tustin, when she was behind the wheel and was speeding at the 16000 block of Legacy Road at about 2:50 a.m. on March 23, 2018.
Anguiano, who was 18-years-old at the time, lost control of her Infiniti M37 as she was driving at about 75 mph in a 35 mph zone before attempting to make a turn. The car hit a curb while going 47 mph before slamming into multiple poles and flipping on its side, according to the OCDA.
Anguiano was not alone in her car that day. There were six passengers in the car and they were all students at Century High School in Santa Ana. Her brother, 17-year-old Jason Anguiano and 17-year-old Pedro Fuentes were killed in the horrific car crash. Two other passengers were also injured, including one who suffered a broken jaw and another whose pelvis was fractured, according to the O.C. Register.
Anguiano accepted charges of two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and one count of child abuse and endangerment, all felonies. She also admitted an infraction for not using seatbelts. She is scheduled to report to jail in September to serve a nine-month term. She will also be placed on five years of formal probation.
Sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury were dismissed as part of the plea deal.
SANTA ANA, Calif. – Beginning on June 16, 2020, library patrons can now pick up their holds thanks to OC Public Libraries new contactless Curbside Pick-up service. This announcement follows the reopening of book drops on June 9 as OC Public Libraries continues to follow State and County guidelines.
This service is available today at all County library branches with the exception of Costa Mesa Donald Dungan library, which will launch contactless Curbside Pick-Up on June 20.
Contactless Curbside Pick-Up will be available Tuesday through Friday from 12-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours for contactless Curbside Pick-up vary at the Laguna Hills Technology library and Laguna Woods library. Please contact those locations directly for curbside service availability.
Library users who wish to pick-up new library books through contactless Curbside Pick-Up can do so in six easy steps:
OC Public Libraries continues to provide a wide variety of virtual programs, including Virtual Storytimes, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) crafting projects, food literacy demonstrations, teen gaming, fun activities, and more. These can all be accessed at ocpl.org/virtualprograms.
Additionally, the library has curated a dynamic list of resources that can be used for at-home learning for all ages available at ocpl.org/elib/elearning.
Book donations are not being accepted at any library location until further notice.
For more information about OC Public Libraries and updates on service expansion, visit ocpl.org.
To find an O.C. Public Library near you click here. There are two Public Libraries in Garden Grove and one in Tustin. Santa Ana residents may sign up for free Orange County Library cards!
TUSTIN, Calif. (June 3, 2020) – OC Animal Care will be kicking off the Family Fur-st Drive Thru Pet Pantry to support Orange County families in need of pet food. The Family Fur-st Pet Food Pantry events will take place on the second Saturday of every month while food is available, and the need is still present in the community.
In collaboration with the Animal Assistance League of Orange County, SoCal Animal Rescue Team, and The Shamrock Foundation, the first event will take place on Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the OC Animal Care facility located at 1630 Victory Road in Tustin.
“This event will provide a helping hand to families with pets who are experiencing financial strain during these challenging times,” said Chairwoman Michelle Steel, Second District Supervisor.
Pet owners will get a bag of food for their dog, cat, or rabbit while supplies last.
“The financial burden suffered by many people because of COVID-19 has made it very difficult for people to feed and provide for their pets,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor. “The goal of the drive-thru pantry is to support Orange County residents and make it easier for them to hopefully keep their pets and not give them up for financial reasons.”
The event will follow public health recommendations and allow attendees to remain in their vehicle while volunteers load the food. Families are asked to leave their pets at home to make this event run as efficiently as possible.
“The County recognizes pets have played an important role during this stressful time and is focused on connecting families with available resources.” added Supervisor Donald Wagner, Third District.
Pet owners will also get information on other resources for their pet. Anyone interested in supporting this effort can donate food directly to the Animal Assistance League Amazon wish list.
“We are happy to partner with organizations who are focused on providing help to our community during difficult times,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District. “By partnering and working together, we can make Orange County a better place for everyone.”
OC Animal Care is still closed to visitors but continues to provide essential services including adoptions by appointment only. For more information about the Family Fur-st Pet Food Pantry and future events, please visit the OC Animal Care website at ocpetinfo.com.
“We will continue to find new ways to help support the pet owners in Orange County.” Said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “Together we can help keep families whole.”
OC Animal Care is the largest municipal animal shelter in Orange County. It services 14 cities and takes in over 18,000 animals each year. For more information about OC Animal Care please visit www.ocpetinfo.com.