New Santa Ana

A woman’s legs has to be amputated after a DUI crash in Garden Grove

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Crime, Garden Grove, Public Safety Leave a comment

Andres Ramon Salas, 35, of Garden Grove, was arrested after crashing his vehicle into a 66-year-old Garden Grove woman, whose legs later had to be amputated as a result, and then trying to flee from the scene, according to the O.C. Register.

The Garden Grove police found the victim pinned against her car when they responded to the 8000 block of Larson Avenue shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.

The woman was pinned behind her car when the suspect plowed his car into hers as she was standing behind her vehicle, in her neighborhood.

The suspect then tried to speed off but he proceeded to crash into another vehicle about 700 feet away.

The suspect was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the Garden Grove Police.

The woman ended up at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, where her legs were amputated. She remains in critical condition.

A man was arrested by the OCC Children’s Center after exposing himself

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Cochino Alert, Costa Mesa, Crime, Education, Public Safety 1 Comment

Yesterday, June 19, 2019, at approximately 9:05 a.m., the Orange Coast College Campus (OCC) Safety department received a report of a suspicious man near the E Lot on campus who was hiding in the bushes and looking over the wall of the OCC Children’s Center while indecently exposing himself, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.

Campus Safety quickly responded to the scene and located the suspect, later identified as Sungyoun Jung, 23, San Bernardino (LKA). The suspect was combative and OC Spray was deployed to detain him.

Both the OCC Early Childhood Lab School and the OCC Children’s Center were on a brief lockdown for the safety of children, parents, students, staff, and faculty until the suspect was taken into custody.

The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) arrived shortly thereafter and took the suspect into custody. He was transported to the CMPD Jail and booked on indecent exposure, child annoyance, an out of area warrant, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia. Jung was then transported to OC Jail in Santa Ana, where he is currently in custody.

Anyone with further information on this incident is encouraged to call CMPD Detective Rob Dimel at 714-754-5363.

The SAPD is looking for a man who robbed a B of A customer at an ATM

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

The SAPD is searching for a Male, Hispanic suspect, aged 28-32 years old, 160-180 lbs., with short back hair. He approached a victim on 05/24/19 at approximately 10:49 a.m., at a Bank of America located at 2214 S. Grand Ave., Santa Ana , as the victim was withdrawing cash from the ATM, according to the SAPD.

The suspect simulated a weapon from his waistband and demanded money from the victim. The suspect was last seen walking away southbound from the ATM. He was wearing a gray t-shirt, blue pants, and dark shoes.

Anyone with information identifying the suspect in this case is asked to contact Detective Corporal Padron at (714) 245-8545 or DPadron@santa-ana.org.

The City of Santa Ana is hosting a Down Payment Assistance Workshop tonight

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Affordable Housing, Civic Affairs, Housing, Real Estate, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The City of Santa Ana is pleased to announce the availability of financing to assist Income qualified Santa Ana residents an opportunity to become first-time homeowners. The program is funded through the City of Santa Ana Inclusionary Housing Fund and Community Development Block Grant program. The Program offers zero percent, deferred payment loans of up to $80,000 for Low Income Households and up to $40,000 for Moderate Income Households.

A Homebuyer informational meeting will be held at the City of Santa Ana Council Chambers (22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA) on Wednesday, June 19, at 6:00 p.m.

Eligibility Requirements
• Borrower(s) must be a resident of Santa Ana and/or work in Santa Ana at least 32 hours per week for at least the last 6 months.
• In addition, Borrower(s):
• Must be pre-qualified for a 1st mortgage
• Must be a first time homebuyer
• Make a down payment of at least 3% from own funds
• Must complete the Homebuyer Counseling Program through NeighborWorks of Orange County
• Home must be located in Santa Ana
• Total Annual Income of the household, cannot exceed the Income limits provided below:

Household Size Low Income Moderate Income
1 $ 66,500 $ 82,250
2 $ 76,000 $ 94,000
3 $ 85,500 $ 105,750
4 $ 94,950 $ 117,500
5 $ 102,550 $ 126,900
6 $ 110,150 $ 136,300
7 $ 117,750 $ 145,700
8 $ 125,350 $ 155,100

To learn more about Santa Ana’s Down Payment Assistance Loan Program, please visit www.ci.santa- ana.ca.us/cda/DownpaymentAssistanceProgram.asp or call 714-667-2250.

Note: Income Limits Effective June 28, 2019

The Santa Ana City Council has approved a $646 million budget

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Santa Ana 1 Comment

On Tuesday, June 18, the City of Santa Ana City Council approved a $646 million budget for fiscal year 2019-20. The total budget is comprised of $316 million in the general fund; $76.5 million in restricted and special revenue funds; $128 million in enterprise operations; $70.6 million in grant funds; and, $55 million in capital expenditures. The approved, balanced budget reflects City Council priorities based on public input from the various City’s Community Budget Meetings and workshops.

“I am very pleased to see that the City Council has been presented with a balanced budget that includes significant investments in quality of life for our residents and businesses. This year the City will be celebrating its 150th anniversary and I am confident that the investments outlined in this budget will continue to make Santa Ana a prosperous and thriving community for all to enjoy,” said Mayor Miguel Pulido.

Under the new budget, $4.6 million will be set aside for additional staffing for park maintenance, code enforcement, public safety, libraries and recreational programming. Another $2.5 million will address pending maintenance and repairs in the City’s parks. The budget also includes funds for private park security and the establishment of a Family Justice Center.

During fiscal year 2019-20, staff also expects to work with the Youth Commission to distribute the $3.1 million in cannabis revenues reserved for youth services. These funds will benefit a range of youth programs including the Santa Ana Teen Space Center, tutoring, internship and the Catalina youth program.

Along with the budget, the Council also approved the proposed Seven-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which will fund $59.1 million in capital improvement projects during fiscal year 2019-20 and a grand total of $140.2 million through fiscal year 2025-26. Proposed projects include park facility improvements, arterial street rehabilitation, local street resurfacing, streetlight rewiring and repairs, traffic signal synchronization, and automated metering implementation.

The Fiscal Year 2019-20 City Budget is available to view at www.santa-ana.org/finance/budget.

About the City of Santa Ana

Santa Ana is downtown for the world famous Orange County, California. As the County Seat, home to a vibrant evening scene and one of the most diverse communities in California, Santa Ana is gaining national attention for its efforts to innovate and address a changing County. Over 1,200 City employees work hard every day to deliver efficient public services in partnership with our community to ensure public safety, a prosperous economic environment, opportunities for our youth, and a high quality of life for residents. Learn more at http://www.santa-ana.org.

Man wanted for an armed robbery in Santa Ana arrested in L.A.

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Suspect Jared Rodriguez, 47-years-old, was taken into custody by L.A. County for additional robberies. Rodriguez has been identified as wanted suspect for Santa Ana armed robbery.

February 20th UPDATE –

On October 18, 2017 Santa Ana PD detectives released pictures and video surveillance footage of an armed robbery that occurred at 617 E. 17th Street – Santiago Food Mart-76 Gas Station.
This armed robbery suspect remains unidentified and we are requesting media and public assistance to get suspect identified.

ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

Location: 617 East 17th Street. Santiago Food Mart-76 Gas Station

Suspect: Male White, 40-45, 5’7” to 5’9” tall, 170-190 lbs., was wearing a black hoodie with “CALIFORNIA” on the front, blue jeans, beige baseball cap and a blue/white bandana around his neck.

On 10/17/17, at 9:50pm, the suspect entered the store and approached the two cashiers. The suspect quickly pulled out a silver and gray semi-auto handgun and a pink tote bag. The suspect pointed the firearm at the female cashier and ordered her to put the money from the registers into the bag. The cashiers complied with the suspects demands. The suspect fled on foot in an unknown direction with the bag containing the money.

Anyone with information identifying the suspect in this case is asked to contact Detective Greaver at (714) 245-8362 or DGreaver@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Santa Ana man gets 17 years in prison after attacking police officers twice last summer

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Courts, Crime, Domestic Violence, Drugs, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Braulio Victorio Hernandez, a 30-year-old man, pleaded guilty Monday and was immediately sentenced to 17 years in prison for two separate attacks on SAPD police officers over two months last summer, according to NBC.

Hernandez admitted to a number of felonies, including four counts of resisting arrest, two counts of battery on a peace officer, a count of assault with a weapon on a peace officer, and a count of battery.

Hernandez also plead guilty to several misdemeanors including three counts of resisting arrest, a count of unlawful entry of a noncommercial dwelling, a count of possession of drug paraphernalia, and a count of possession of a drug.

Hernandez’ long list of crimes included sentencing enhancements for committing a crime while out on bail on another case.

Hernandez’s legal problems began back on July 15, 2018, when SAPD police officers responded to a dwelling at the 800 block of South Orange Avenue regarding a fight between the Hernandez and his ex-girlfriend. The area residents told the police officers that Hernandez was high on drugs and they wanted him to leave, but he had refused.

When the police officers arrived Hernandez immediately got into a fight with them and tried to grab at their guns. Then the police tried to stop him by using a stun gun but he ended up on the roof of another house. Police again tried to subdue him by using a stun gun but he continued to resist, according to the SAPD.

More police officers responded and they were ultimately able to arrest Hernandez, who of course was found to be in possession of Meth.

Hernandez was booked but then he was released after he posted a posted $25,000 bail on July 24, 2018.

On Sep. 8, 2018, it hit the fan again as the police were called by the family of a former girlfriend of Hernandez about a disturbance he had caused.

This time when the police officers arrived at the scene they found Hernandez in a car with his ex-girlfriend. He jumped out of the car and immediately rushed the police officers. He ended up gouging an officer in the eye and that policeman had to go to a local hospital for treatment.

Hernandez also tagged a police camera with graffiti while he was in custody after his second arrest in September.

Homeless man who stole alcohol from a Rite Aid arrested by the SAPD

Posted on June 18, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Alcohol, Crime, homeless, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

UPDATE – Suspect Michael Boyce Davis was taken into custody Friday night by patrol officers after a citizen called in to report seeing him, according to the SAPD.

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

Wanted Suspect: Michael Boyce Davis (35) Transient

On 6/1/19 at approximately 8:59 AM, Suspect Davis entered the Rite Aid located at 3325 S. Bristol St. Davis removed a bottle of alcohol from a shelf and attempted to leave without paying for the item.

When Davis was contacted by store security, he raised the bottle in the air as if he was going to strike the security guard. Fearing for her safety, the security guard backed away and Davis left the location with the merchandise.

Davis is homeless and currently on informal probation for robbery. An arrest warrant has been issued for Davis in the amount of $150,000.00.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of suspect Davis, please contact Detective D. Prewett at (714) 245-8323 or dprewett@santa-ana.org

A man was shot and wounded in Costa Mesa on Saturday night

Posted on June 17, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime Leave a comment

On Saturday, June 15, 2019, at approximately 11:30 p.m., a confrontation that started at a bar located at the 800 block of West 19th Street, moved to a parking lot across the street, and resulted in a suspect with handgun shooting a 23-year-old Costa Mesa man, according to the Costa Mesa Police.

During the confrontation, the suspect also fired rounds that struck some vehicles and businesses nearby before fleeing the scene. Police were dispatched and responded shortly thereafter. The victim, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was transported to a local hospital to be treated.

This is an active investigation and detectives are focusing on several parties of interest. Based on the data gathered at present, detectives believe this is an isolated incident and have no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat to public safety. CMPD will update the community once more information becomes available.

Anyone who has information about this incident or was a witness is asked to contact Detective David Sevilla, at 714-754-5360.

This week’s Cochino List includes the Burger Stop and a 99c Only Store

Posted on June 15, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Disease, Food, Food & Health, Health, Health and Medical, Insects, OC Health Care, Orange County, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The OC Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of June 6 to June 14. Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved. Here is the list:

Pho Moc Restaurant, 3708 Westminster Ave., Santa Ana, Closed: June 11, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit, Reopened: June 11
The Burger Stop, 2302 S. Broadway, Santa Ana, Closed: June 11, Reason: Insufficient hot water
99c Only Stores, 2311 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, Closed: June 10, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: June 11
Birrieria Barba Loca, 2031 E. First St., Suite A5, Santa Ana, Closed: June 7, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: June 10
Peking Kitchen, 413 W. 17th St., Suite 101, Santa Ana, Closed: June 6, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: June 7
Charley’s Philly Steaks at The Outlets at Orange, 20 City Blvd., Suite F4, Orange, Closed: June 10, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: June 11
La Langosta, 13571 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, Closed: June 13, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: June 14
Inka Grill, 260 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, Closed: June 13, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: June 14
Fa-Sai Thai, 12910 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, Closed: June 12, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: June 13
Aioli, 2540 Main St., Suite L, Irvine, Closed: June 12, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: June 13
Ding Tea, 9828 Garden Grove Blvd., Suite 104, Garden Grove, Closed: June 12, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: June 12
Anaheim Moose Lodge, 317 W. Cerritos Ave., Anaheim, Closed: June 11, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: June 11
Donut Depot, 1660 Dove St., Newport Beach, Closed: June 11, Reason: Cockroach infestation
Terrace Grille at Mission Viejo Country Club, 26200 Country Club Drive, Mission Viejo, Closed: June 11, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: June 11
Cafe International, 3198 Airport Loop Drive., Suite H2A, Costa Mesa, Closed: June 10, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: June 13
Jersey Mike’s Subs, 23572 El Toro Road, Suite B, Lake Forest, Closed: June 10, Reason: Ongoing foodborne illness investigation, Reopened: June 11
Pom & Olive, 1400 Bristol St., Suite C, Costa Mesa, Closed: June 10, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: June 11
Kitchen at St. Justin Martyr, 2050 W. Ball Road, Anaheim, Closed: June 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation
Oggi’s, 2595 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, Closed: June 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation
W Cafe, 16205 Sand Canyon Ave., Suite 110, Irvine, Closed: June 7, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: June 7
Walt’s Wharf, 201 Main St., Seal Beach, Closed: June 7, Reason: Rodent infestation
Chao Village, 430 S. Euclid St., Anaheim, Closed: June 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: June 7
Kitchen at Glowzone, 7227 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, Closed: June 6, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: June 7

The SAUSD has jobs available in their after school program

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Jobs, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

The SAUSD is looking to hire 95 After-School Instructional Support Providers, at a starting salary of $16.35 per hour. A high school diploma and at least 48 hours of General Education College Units is required.

Educational experience should be supplemented by training and/or working with children in a learning situation.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.). This is a non-benefited, Grant Funded position.

Click here to apply.

Former SAUSD volleyball coach and security guard gets only one year in prison after having sex with four girls

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Education, OCDA, Santa Ana, SAUSD, Sports 5 Comments

Omar Rojas, 28, a high school volleyball coach and security guard for the Santa Ana Unified School District’s police force pleaded guilty to having sex with four girls and has been sentenced to only a year in jail, according to the O.C. Register.

Rojas, a Santa Ana resident, pleaded guilty back on Friday, June 7, to having sex with four teen girls. Apparently he worked out a plea deal with the O.C.D.A. that included waiving him a year’s worth of credit behind bars since he was arrested last August.

Rojas was originally arrested for having sex with three teenage girls on his volleyball team then a fourth victim was added to charges later.

Rojas will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The victims included two 17-year-old girls and a 15-year-old girl who were on the volleyball team at Century High School in 2015, according to the SAPD.

Rojas was so brazen that he would have the victims excused from class so he could meet up with them to have sex on campus during school.

At the time of the crimes Rojas was not a school safety officer.

Rojas worked as a District Safety Officer at Sierra Preparatory Academy, according to the Santa Ana Unified School District.

The SAPD is looking for a homeless man who stole alcohol from a Rite Aid

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

On 6/1/19 at approximately 8:59 AM, Suspect Michael Boyce Davis, a 35-year-old transient, entered the Rite Aid located at 3325 S. Bristol St. Davis removed a bottle of alcohol from a shelf and attempted to leave without paying for the item, according to the SAPD.

Davis is homeless and currently on informal probation for robbery. An arrest warrant has been issued for Davis in the amount of $150,000.00.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of suspect Davis, please contact Detective D. Prewett at (714) 245-8323 or dprewett@santa-ana.org

The SAPD arrested two suspects for stealing marijuana plants after they crashed into a house in Garden Grove

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, Drugs, Garden Grove, Marijuana, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Santa Ana police arrested two suspects early this morning, who they say fled from officers in a stolen car after they stole marijuana plants and then crashed into an unoccupied house in Garden Grove, according to the O.C. Register.

At about 2 a.m. officers near Hazard Avenue and Euclid Street saw a car speeding. They tried to pull the driver over at about 2:15 a.m., according to KABC.

However the police lost sight of the suspect’s car and then finally noticed that the driver had crashed into a home at the 10400 block of West Hazard in Garden Grove, according to the SAPD.

The suspects took off on foot, leaving their damaged vehicle. The police officers then set up a perimeter and began to search for them. Local residents informed the police officers that the suspects were hiding in a backyard. They were both arrested.

One of the suspects, a juvenile, was determined to have been a passenger in the car. He was arrested and then taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries incurred in the crash.

The police officers found two replica handguns in the car as well as several marijuana plants. The passenger admitted that they had stolen the plants from a house in Santa Ana. In Santa Ana residents can legally grow certain types of marijuana grows in their homes.

The police arrested the driver, an unidentified adult. He was arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto, petty theft and driving under the influence.

The police officers later found the owner of the marijuana plants who said the suspects jumped over his fence and stole the plants from his backyard.

The SAPD is searching for a transient who ransacked a law office in DTSA

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Art Pedroza Posted in Crime, homeless, Lawyers, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On 8/11/16, Santa Ana Police officers responded to the offices of Frank P. Barbaro & Associates located at 1111 N. Broadway after a burglary alarm activated, according to the SAPD.

Upon arrival, they contacted an employee who advised them that upon her arrival she observed an unknown male hiding between the trash cans of the business. Upon seeing her, the unknown male fled the scene.

Officers conducted a perimeter check of the building and located an open door. Once inside they realized the interior had been ransacked.

Crime Scene Investigators responded and processed the scene for evidence. While doing so, CSI was able to retrieve fingerprint(s) off an item manipulated by the Suspect. The fingerprint(s) were examined and a match returned and identified the Suspect as, Yosimar Villalba. Villalba is currently a transient in Santa Ana and frequents the Northeast portion of the city. Villalba has two outstanding bench warrants for Burglary.

Anyone with information on Villalba’s whereabouts is asked to contact detective j. Garcia at (714) 245-8732 or jgarcia@santa-ana.org

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

The SAPD has arrested a suspect in several armed robberies

July 16, 2019 - Crime, Garden Grove, Little Saigon, Santa Ana, SAPD - No Comments

The City of Santa Ana has hired a new City Clerk

July 16, 2019 - Civic Affairs, Santa Ana - No Comments

This week’s Cochino List includes El Sahuayo Mexican Food, Los Amigos Market & Liquor and Seventeen Food Store

July 12, 2019 - Food, Food & Health, Health and Medical, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana - No Comments

The SAPD is not aware of any intended ICE actions in Santa Ana

July 12, 2019 - Crime, Federal Government, ICE, immigration, Santa Ana, SAPD - 1 Comment