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Tag Archives: sapd

The SAPD is looking for a mother who abducted her infant child

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On 03/26/2020 at approximately 2:20 PM, during a scheduled visitation at a local McDonald’s, Rosa Erika Lima Avila, the biological mother, drove away with Emiliano Lima.

Lima Avila’s vehicle has been located. The whereabouts of Emiliano Lima and Rosa Lima Avila are not known at this time.

Description: Male Hispanic, 2’04” tall, 22 lbs., black hair , brown eyes, last seen wearing a bright green shirt, yellow sweater and striped brown pajama bottoms.

Missing Child: Emiliano Barrera Lima (1)

If you have information on their whereabouts, please contact Detective Gus Moroyoqui (714) or gmoroyoqui@santa-ana.org.

Three transients arrested and charged with killing a man at Santiago Park

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On Saturday, March 21, 2020, Santa Ana PD responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon at the entrance to Santiago Park at 2535 N. Main Street. Multiple suspects beat and stabbed the victim, Cesar Gamaliel Gonzalez (39), a transient residing in the City of Santa Ana, to death. Patrol Officers and Homicide Detectives collaborated through the night and into Sunday, March 22, 2020. The investigation resulted in the identification and arrest of three suspects:

1. Daniel Ruben Gallegos (M/H, 47 – Santa Ana transient)
2. Gustavo Nunez, Jr. (M/H, 32 – Santa Ana transient)
3. Lisa Marie Herrera (F/H, 41 – Santa Ana transient)

On Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed the following charges:

1. Daniel Ruben Gallegos
– CPC 187(a) – Murder
– CPC 12022(b)(1) – Person use of a weapon (knife)

2. Gustavo Nunez, Jr.
– CPC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon

3. Lisa Marie Herrera
– CPC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon

A suspected drunk driver crashed into an SAPD squad car during a police pursuit

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A suspected drunk driver crashed into an SAPD police officers squad car on Saturday night, March 20, as the officer pursued a third vehicle.

The officer was not injured, according to the O.C. Register.

The incident began at 9:45 p.m. when SAPD police officers tried to pull over a driver who was suspected of street racing at the 3000 block of South Fairview St.

The suspected driver failed to pull over and a police pursuit began. The driver ended up abandoning his vehicle at the 300 block of South Halladay Street. He was arrested after a foot chase.

The officer who ended up in the collision with the suspected drunk driver had responded to the pursuit when the collision took place at West Parton and South Highland Streets.

The suspected drunk driver was arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence. A passenger was in the vehicle. That passenger had a minor injury but declined medical attention.

Guillermo Amezcua wanted for grand theft in Santa Ana

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Wanted suspect Guillermo Amezcua committed a grand theft of several thousand dollars from a local credit union with the use of fictitious checks. A warrant is outstanding for his arrest on these incidents.

The family claims Amezcua is working out of state at an unknown location. Amezcua has family in the City of Anaheim.

Anyone with information on Amezcua’s whereabouts is asked to contact Police Investigative Specialist F. Munoz at (714) 245-8560 or fmunoz@santa-ana.org

The SAPD is searching for two suspects in the case of a missing 12-year-old girl

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Santa Ana Police Department is currently attempting to locate an at risk 12 year old female identified Penelope Zaranda she was last seen on March 6, 2020 at the Ross store located at 3900 S. Bristol Street in Santa Ana. She was seen leaving the store voluntarily with an unknown Hispanic female wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.

Zaranda was in the care of the foster mother when she was last seen. She may have gone to North Hollywood where her grandmother lives.

Zaranda used an unknown Hispanic male’s cell phone while inside the store before fleeing.

The Santa Ana Police Department is seeking any information regarding Zaranda’s whereabouts and the identities of the female in the red sweatshirt and the unknown male. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Zaranda please contact Detective E. Nunez at (714) 245-8357 or ENunez@santa-ana.org

ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

Missing Person: Penelope K. Zaranda (12)

Description: Female, Hispanic, 5’00”, 100 lbs., medium build, straight long hair, brown eyes, medium complexion.

Last Seen Wearing: Black T-Shirt “Thug Life” Tupac on the front, camo sweatpants with white and red stripe on the side and white basketball shoes.

Missing Person Penelope Zaranda was last seen on 03/06/2020 at approximately 2:25 PM, exiting Ross Department Store at 3900 S. Bristol Street, Santa Ana. She was seen via security cameras going southbound through the parking lot towards South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Zaranda was in the care of her foster mother when she was last seen. She may have gone to North Hollywood where her grandmother and mother live.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Zaranda please contact Detective Moroyoqui at (714) 245-8731 or Investigator Jurado at (714) 245-8353.

The SAPD made another meth bust and seized a gun as well

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While conducting a follow up in the area of the 1600 block of East 1st Street, SAPD police officers made contact with a suspect who was found to be in possession of approximately 238 grams of methamphetamine and packaging material for sales, according to the SAPD’s Twitter page.

Many of our local homeless are addicted to meth. Their furor for this drug causes all sorts of petty crimes in our city! Taking these drugs off the streets is an important step in dealing with these drug addicts.

In a separate incident SAPD MET Detectives seized a Springfield Armory .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol from a driverm while conducting a traffic stop last night. The driver was taken into custody for a firearm violation.

No further details were provided. Either the weapon was not properly registered or not properly stowed or the gun owner was a criminal, perhaps on probation or parole, and was not allowed to carry such a weapon.

The SAPD has arrested domestic violence suspect Mario Ramirez

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The SAPD has posted on Twitter that thanks to tips provided by the community, wanted suspect Mario Ramirez is now in custody after a short foot pursuit with detectives.

Previous Post –

On 07/30/2019, wanted suspect Mario Ramirez was involved in a physical altercation with victim, causing multiple injuries to her body. Ramirez has previously been arrested for Domestic Violence and Resisting Arrest. Ramirez is known to frequent the area of the 3000 block of S. Main Street and a warrant for his arrest has been issued.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ramirez is asked to please contact Investigator Ruvalcaba at (714) 245-8348.

Santa Ana man arrested for allegedly molesting two little girls

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On March 10, 2020, Santa Ana Police arrested Jesus Herrera, a 43-year-old resident of Santa Ana for child abuse. Police investigated allegations made by a 12-year-old girl that reported being sexually molested by Herrera when she was only 7-years-old. The victim was being cared for by Herrera’s mother, who was running an unlicensed day care facility from her home.

In 2019, Santa Ana Police arrested Herrera after investigating similar allegations of child abuse made against him. The victim in that case is now 19-years-old and reported she was sexually assaulted by Herrera when she was 10-years-old. Both victims were being cared for by Herrera’s mother at the day care and both cases occurred in a similar fashion.

Herrera was arrested following this investigation and was booked at the Orange County Jail for multiple Child Molest charges. His bail has been set at $1,000,000.00.

Santa Ana Police Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking that anyone who might have information to contact Detective Mario Lopez at 714 245-8530, mlopez5@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Santa Ana 7-11 robber identified by the SAPD and he is in custody

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Santa Ana PD Detectives were able to identify wanted suspect for the 02/24/2020 Robbery of the 7-Eleven, located in the 600 Block of North Bristol, as Joshua Castro.

Detectives obtained information that Castro was currently in custody on an unrelated incident. Castro has since been interviewed by Detectives and based on the investigation additional charges have been added for Robbery.

Arrestee: Joshua Andrew Castro (31)

ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

On 2/24/2020, at approximately 9:05am, the suspect entered the 7-Eleven located in the 2600 Block of North Bristol and selected several items. When the suspect went to the store clerk to pay for the items he became aggressive with the clerk when he did not have the money to pay for his items. The suspect physically assaulted the clerk when he tried to retrieve the items. Prior to leaving the store, the suspect returned and continued to assault the clerk, stole additional items off the counter, as well as a tray of lotto scratchers. The suspect was last observed fleeing the scene westbound on Memory Lane riding his skateboard.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to contact SAPD Robbery Detective D. Greaver at DGreaver@Santa-Ana.org, 714-245-8362 OR Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The SAPD is looking for a missing 12-year-old girl

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Missing Person Penelope Zaranda was last seen on 03/06/2020 at approximately 2:25 PM, exiting Ross Department Store at 3900 S. Bristol Street, Santa Ana. She was seen via security cameras going southbound through the parking lot towards South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Zaranda was in the care of her foster mother when she was last seen. She may have gone to North Hollywood where her grandmother and mother live.

Missing Person: Penelope K. Zaranda (12)

Description: Female, Hispanic, 5’00”, 100 lbs., medium build, straight long hair, brown eyes, medium complexion.

Last Seen Wearing: Black T-Shirt “Thug Life” Tupac on the front, camo sweatpants with white and red stripe on the side and white basketball shoes.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Zaranda please contact Detective Moroyoqui at (714) 245-8731 or Investigator Jurado at (714) 245-8353.

A man was shot and killed by police at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church this afternoon

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On Sunday, March 01, 2020, at approximately 4:15 PM, SAPD Officers responded to a call for service at Jerome Park (2115 West McFadden Avenue) regarding subjects fighting in the parking lot. As officers arrived in the area, a parishioner at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (1100 South Center Street) flagged down a passing officer and reported a man with a gun inside the church. An officer immediately entered the church and encountered the suspect. At that time, an officer-involved shooting occurred. The adult male suspect ran out of the church. Responding officers located him, down and unresponsive, on Center Street south of McFadden Avenue. Officers recovered a firearm at the scene.

A small group of people was inside the church but services were not in progress at the time of this incident. No other persons were injured.

Orange County Fire Authority paramedics responded and declared the unidentified man deceased at 4: 36 PM. The identity of the decedent is being withheld pending positive identification by the Orange County Coroner’s Division and notification of next of kin.

During the initial police response, reports of a possible second gunman and shots fired prompted officers to cordon off the several buildings on the church campus and conduct a systematic search of the property. Officers did not locate any other suspects or evidence of any other shooting.

The preliminary field investigation confirmed there was no evidence to suggest this incident was intended to be a mass casualty shooting and the Catholic church was not targeted. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Santa Ana Police Department Homicide Section are investigating. Investigators encourage anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward and provide a statement.

Santa Ana Police Department Homicide Section (714) 245-8390.

Voting at a nearby vote center has been suspended due to the shooting.

The SAPD is conducting a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint this Friday night

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The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, February 28th, 2020. It will begin at 7:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:00 AM. It will be conducted in the area of 600 W. 1st 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. These officers 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.

The SAPD is looking for a robbery suspect who attacked a 7-11 store clerk

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On 2/24/2020, at approximately 9:05am, the suspect entered the 7-Eleven located in the 2600 Block of North Bristol and selected several items.

When the suspect went to the store clerk to pay for the items he became aggressive with the clerk when he did not have the money to pay for his items. The suspect physically assaulted the clerk when he tried to retrieve the items.

Prior to leaving the store, the suspect returned and continued to assault the clerk, stole additional items off the counter, as well as a tray of lotto scratchers.

The suspect was last observed fleeing the scene westbound on Memory Lane riding his skateboard.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to contact SAPD Robbery Detective D. Greaver at DGreaver@Santa-Ana.org, 714-245-8362 OR Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

The SAPD is searching for a burglary and narcotics suspect

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Wanted Suspect Alejandro Barajas, 29-years-old, is a person of interest in a commercial burglary that occurred on the 500 block of South Lyon Street in 2019.

Barajas currently has two outstanding bench warrants for narcotics and commercial burglary from two other Orange County law enforcement agencies.

WANTED SUSPECT: Alejandro Montiel Barajas (29)

DESCRIPTION: Male, Hispanic, 5’10”, 210 lbs., Black Hair, Brown Eyes

Anyone with information on Barajas’ whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Lim at (714) 245-8417 or SLim@santa-ana.org

Homeland Security tried to arrest a suspect in Santa Ana early this morning but then let him go

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On February 25, 2020 at 6:30 am, the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) received a call from agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pertaining to their actions in the east alley of 835 S. Townsend.

SAPD was informed that DHS had performed a traffic stop on an individual wanted for a warrant. DHS requested SAPD to respond to assist with crowd and traffic control as the individual was refusing to surrender to DHS agents.

As is the case with any request from all law enforcement agencies, SAPD responded to the location. Upon arrival, SAPD supervision was informed DHS was attempting to arrest the individual for a warrant pertaining to an immigration offense.

SAPD notified DHS that the department’s involvement would only be crowd and traffic control and no members of the Santa Ana Police Department would become involved in any immigration enforcement matters.

During the police department’s involvement, a single male attempted to breach law enforcement containment and was detained.

A records check on that individual revealed a valid warrant out of North Orange County Municipal Court for Driving Under the Influence. That male who breached containment was arrested for that warrant based on state charges.

After a period of time, DHS notified SAPD that they would not be arresting the original individual for his outstanding immigration issue and all law enforcement left the scene.

INCIDENT INVOLUCRANDO AL DEPARTAMENTO DE SEGURIDAD NACIONAL – 800 BLOQUE DE LA CALLE SUR DE TOWNSEND

El 25 de febrero del 2020, a las 6:30 AM, el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana recibió una llamada de agentes del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS, por sus siglas en inglés) con respecto a una parada de tráfico de un individuo buscado por orden judicial. El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional pidió asistencia del Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana con el control de multitudes y tráfico, ya que la persona se negaba a rendirse a los agentes del DHS. Como es el caso con cualquier solicitud de asistencia, el Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana respondió a la ubicación. Cuando llegaron los oficiales de policía, se informaron que el DHS estaba tratando de arrestar a la persona por una orden de arresto relacionada con un delito de inmigración. Se le notificó al DHS que la participación del Departamento sólo sería del control de multitudes y tráfico y ningún miembro del Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana se involucraría en ningún asunto de ejecución de las leyes de inmigración. Durante la participación del departamento de policía, un solo hombre intentó violar la contención de las fuerzas del orden y fue detenido. Una verificación de registros de esa persona reveló una orden válida de la Corte Municipal del Condado de North Orange por Conducir Bajo la Influencia. La persona fue arrestada por esa orden basada en cargos estatales.

Después de un período de tiempo, agentes del DHS notificaron al Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana que no arrestarían al individuo original por su problema de inmigración pendiente.