Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Tustin

The Tustin Police arrested a trio of catalytic converter thieves

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Two minutes after 2 AM this Thursday, a Tustin PD K-9 Officer was in the area of Red Hill Ave. and Sycamore Ave. when he noticed a suspicious vehicle exit the Tustin Meadows neighborhood.

The police officer stopped the vehicle and contacted three occupants. The suspects were found to be in possession of a catalytic converter which was taken from a vehicle parked at the Tustin Meadows. Officers searched the area, and they were able to locate the victim’s vehicle.

The suspects were also in possession of a low-profile garage jack, a cordless saw, and drugs.

Richard Delarosa, Patrick Mendez, and Justin Jauregui were all booked at OC Jail for grand theft, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, and drug offenses.

The Irvine police arrested a couple who had a stolen gun and drugs

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On Friday night, an Irvine Police Department officer was patrolling the parking lot of an Irvine business and observed a suspicious vehicle.

As the officer got closer, an adult male exited the vehicle and ran. A female remained in the vehicle and was ultimately arrested for drug related offenses.

In addition to finding narcotics in the vehicle, the officer located a handgun that was determined to be left behind by the male.

Officers searched the area and located the male a short distance away. He was arrested for being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

After conducting follow up, the officer determined the handgun had been stolen from a vehicle in the City of Tustin an hour prior.

Probably not a great idea to leave any valuables in your cars – including guns!

The Tustin police arrested a residential burglary suspect

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In January, the Tustin Police Department investigated a residential burglary in the Old Town Tustin area.

Surveillance video showed the suspect, Santos Diaz, trespass onto the property and enter it.

Several items were taken from the residence.

Through a combined effort from Patrol, CSI, Detectives, and GRADE, the suspect was identified and arrested.

Santos Diaz was booked into jail for residential burglary and prowling.

How to prevent the theft of your catalytic converters and bicycles

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The Tustin Police Department has investigated over 115 catalytic converter thefts since 1/1/2020. The thieves target this vehicle part due to the precious metals of platinum, palladium, and rhodium inside. They use a sawing tool to cut the part away from underneath the vehicle.

The most targeted vehicles are Honda Element, Toyota Prius and Ford trucks. Lesser targeted vehicles include Honda Accord, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota and Chevrolet trucks, vans and SUV’s.

Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Tips:

  • Install a catalytic converter lock on your vehicle. This part typically costs close to $150.
  • Park in a well-lit and non-secluded area.
  • If you hear mechanical or sawing type noises after dark, call the police.
  • If you see the crime occurring, call the police and be a good witness. Do not get involved with criminals. Let the police make contact.
  • This crime can occur at all times of the day, so be alert.
  • Report all suspicious activity. See something, say something.

In 2020, the Tustin Police Department saw a spike in reported bicycle thefts with 133 (2017: 93, 2018: 70, 2019: 69).

YTD in 2021, there have been 12 reported bicycle thefts. In both January and February, The Tustin Police Department arrested an individual for attempted bike theft, interrupting the actual crime.

Bike Theft Prevention Tips:

  • Lock your bicycle. Always secure your bike to a fixed object using a strong lock. While a cable lock might seem strong, many can be cut with a simple hand tool. A metal U-lock offers greater security. Consider combining that lock with wheel locks for increased protection.
  • Report suspicious behavior. We rely on your keen observations to help direct our resources. Our response may include increased patrols, undercover operations, or a technological approach.
  • Record your bicycle’s serial number. Bicycles have stamped serial numbers on the frame which can aid law enforcement in arresting thieves and returning stolen property. Detailed photos of your bike are also useful.

The Orange police have released a picture of a hit and run suspect’s vehicle

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The Orange Police Department has released a picture of the car that was involved in a fatal hit and run accident involving a pedestrian, on January 15, 2021, near the Orange Outlets.

A 29-year-old male pedestrian from Tustin was crossing The City Drive South outside of the crosswalk between Justice Center Way and Outlets Drive on Jan. 15. An Acura traveling south hit the pedestrian. A second unknown white vehicle struck the pedestrian and fled the scene. The pedestrian was taken to a local hospital and pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.

The driver of the Acura remained on scene and drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor. The second white vehicle was last seen traveling south on The City Drive South.

OPD’s Major Accident Investigation Team obtained a photograph of the white vehicle that fled the scene. Anyone with information can call Detectives at 714-744-7342.

Police arrested a crew of catalytic converter thieves in Orange

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At 1:38 in the morning non Feb. 3, an observant resident or Orange called the police when they heard a saw cutting through metal and suspected a catalytic converter theft in progress.

Orange police officers arrived and located the suspect vehicle occupied by three subjects in the area of Feldner and Chapman.

Inside the vehicle, officers recovered a freshly cut catalytic converter, burglary tools, and methamphetamine.

All three suspects were booked at Orange County Jail and the stolen property was returned to the victim.

Theft suspect arrested in Tustin after threatening store employees with a stun gun

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Emily Melheim attempted to leave a local Best Buy without paying for a speaker and brandished a stun gun in a threatening manner when confronted by employees.

The Tustin Police Department GRADE Unit subsequently located and arrested Melheim in the City of Anaheim less than 48 hours later.

Melheim was booked into jail for robbery and possession of stolen property.

The Tustin Police Department announced three recent DUI arrests

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Nationally, more than 10,000 people die each year as a result of drug or alcohol impaired driving. Stopping drunk drivers has been a priority at the Tustin Police Department.

Here are some of the recent Tustin DUI arrests:

  • Nicole Johnson
  • Shibany Kumar
  • Giovanny Rocha

The Tustin Police Department officers are highly trained in the detection and investigation of impaired driving cases.

Please report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911.

Former Tustin bank branch sentenced after stealing over $1M from a customer with dementia

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LOS ANGELES – A former Comerica bank branch manager was sentenced today to 41 months in federal prison for stealing more than $1 million from an elderly customer with dementia, and then using it for her own personal expenses, including gambling and buying luxury items.

Marie Fulle, 38, of Newport Beach, was sentenced via videoconference by United States District Judge Virginia A. Phillips, who also ordered her to pay $1,091,230 in restitution. Fulle pleaded guilty in September 2019 to an information charging her with two counts of bank fraud.

Fulle formerly was a branch manager of a Comerica bank in Tustin. From February 2013 to April 2014, she targeted a vulnerable customer – an elderly man with dementia – and cultivated an exclusive banking relationship with him. Fulle then opened various bank accounts with the victim and used them to create a confusing web in which she could hide unauthorized transfers, and forged withdrawals with cashier’s checks.

Between February 2013 and May 2013, Fulle embezzled approximately $43,400 over the course of six transactions. After Fulle lost an anticipated promotion at work in May 2013, she began embezzling larger amounts of the victim’s money, unilaterally changing the address for one of the victim’s accounts, which prevented the statements from being delivered to the victim and his bookkeeper. Fulle manipulated this account for her embezzlement and, after she changed the address, significant amounts of the victim’s money began flowing through it. Fulle also conducted much of the victim’s banking activities one-on-one in private, away from the view of other bank personnel or security cameras.

During the scheme, Fulle used the money she stole from the victim to pay for Tiffany jewelry, at least one Louis Vuitton bag, spa days for herself and her then-boyfriend, and trips to Las Vegas, where she gambled.

Comerica fired Fulle in April 2014 for embezzling money from her cash drawer. When Comerica subsequently discovered the fraud Fulle committed against the victim, it reimbursed the victim nearly $1.3 million for disputed transactions that Fulle processed, lost interest and attorneys’ fees. The total loss that Fulle caused to the victim was $1,057,230. The restitution amount includes the victim’s attorneys’ fees.

This matter was investigated by the FBI.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly D. Jaimez of the Major Frauds Section.

Tustin suspect facing multiple charges after being caught with a gun, meth, cash and stolen property

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Tustin Police Officers investigated a suspicious occupied vehicle in the area of Tustin Ranch and Warner, in a commercial area across from Lowe’s Home Improvement.

Within the vehicle, officers located a loaded unregistered handgun, methamphetamine packaged for sales & related indicia, personal identifying information of others, burglary tools, stolen property, and other contraband.

The driver, Michael Harding, will be charged with a multitude of criminal offenses.

Santa Ana man and two others arrested for selling drugs

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During the months of December 2020 and January 2021, the Fountain Valley Police Department Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) investigated an individual that was known to sell narcotics and firearms throughout Orange County. CSU learned this seller was staying at the Fairfield Inn in Tustin.

On January 14, 2021, surveillance was established at the hotel. Arnoldo Meraz, a 20-year-old resident of Santa Ana, Alexander Almaraz, a 21-year-old resident of Irvine, and a juvenile were contacted at Meraz’s vehicle in the parking lot of this hotel.

A search of the vehicle yielded a loaded .22 caliber revolver in the passenger door, 31 Oxycodone, 244 Adderall, 94 Xanax pills and approximately $4,900 in cash.

Search warrants were obtained for Meraz’s two hotel rooms as well as his residence in Santa Ana. 351 Oxycodone, 82 Xanax pills, 41 Suboxone strips and approximately one ounce of cocaine were located in one of the hotel rooms. Ammunition, firearm parts and 11 grams of cocaine were located at Meraz’s residence.

Meraz was already out on bail for weapons and narcotics trafficking violations.

Meraz and Almaraz were booked into OCJ for various weapons and narcotics trafficking violations as well as child endangerment.

The juvenile was booked into OC Juvenile Hall for various weapons and narcotics trafficking violations. Incident 21-01314

BB gun robber arrested in Orange

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24-year-old Eric Ramirez from Orange robbed the Arco at 2493 N Tustin. Ramirez on Jan. 21, in the morning. Ramirez brandished a BB gun and fled with over $100, Modelos, Gatorade, and sunglasses.

Ramirez then went to the McDonald’s at 2401 N. Tustin and demanded a free meal while brandishing the BB gun.

City of Orange Police Officers arrested Ramirez, who was also in possession of a knife, at the McDonald’s and booked him at the Orange County Jail for two counts of robbery.

All of the stolen items were recovered and returned back to the owners.

The Tustin police arrested three armed drug dealers

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Tustin Police Officers stopped a vehicle in the area of Bryan and Parkcenter. One of the passengers, a male juvenile, immediately fled the vehicle on foot.

The three other vehicle occupants were detained and the fleeing passenger was quickly located in the nearby area.

Among other illegal items, a search of the vehicle yielded an unlawfully possessed handgun and drugs packaged for sale. During a search of the area where the passenger fled, another handgun was located.

Balatazar Santos, Chase Hauser, and the male juvenile were arrested.

A pedestrian was killed after being struck by two cars near the O.C. Juvenile Hall

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A 29-year-old male pedestrian died after being struck by two vehicles on Friday, Jan. 15. At approximately 6:00 p.m., a pedestrian from Tustin was crossing The City Drive South outside of the crosswalk between Justice Center Way and Outlets Drive., near the O.C Juvenile Hall.

An Acura traveling south hit the pedestrian. A second unknown white vehicle struck the pedestrian and fled the scene. The pedestrian was taken to a local hospital and pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.

The driver of the Acura remained on scene and drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor. The second white vehicle was last seen traveling south on The City Drive South.

OPD’s Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the collision. Southbound traffic on The City Drive South will be closed from Justice Center Way to Outlets Drive until midnight. Anyone with information can call the Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444.

O.C. MLK Day food shopping spree for children set for Jan. 18

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Operation Warm Wishes Presents: The Great! The Amazing Food Shopping Spree and Budgeting Lesson for Children in Need! A Shopping Spree like No Other on Monday, January 18, 2021.

It’s more than food; it’s an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our children and families in need.

Each child will receive a $40 groceries gift card and a shopping list with items that must be purchased (cereal, pasta, canned goods, fruits, vegetables and bread – any of their choosing, as long as it does not over $40) along with coupons and healthy and inexpensive meal ides and recipes. Each child will be teamed up with a shopping coach and a calculator to help them shop and budget.

The purpose of this event is not to only provide children and their families with food, but to also give them a lesson on budgeting and working together.

Monday, January 18th 7am to 11am at Albertsons in the city of Tustin (13270 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA 92780).

To register your child and for more details please contact TyRon Jackson at (714) 363-6621 or www.OperationWarmWishes.com.