New Santa Ana | Category Archives: automobiles

Two pedestrians were struck, one fatally, by a car in Santa Ana last night

Posted on June 5, 2022 by Editor Posted in Accidents, automobiles, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On 06/04/2022, at 8:27 P.M., the Santa Ana Police Department received multiple calls regarding a pedestrian down in traffic lanes in the area of 4725 West 1st Street. Officers from the Santa Ana Police Department along with the Orange County Fire Authority responded to the scene where they located two pedestrians in the street.

One of the pedestrians, Lucia Rodriguez Lopez, 36, of Santa Ana, was declared deceased at the scene. her husband, the second pedestrian, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

Based upon the preliminary investigation, it is believed that the pedestrians were crossing 1st Street when a vehicle traveling west on 1st Street struck them. The vehicle involved in this collision remained at the scene and the driver was cooperative. Alcohol is not believed to have played a role in this collision. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) is handling the investigation. Anyone possibly having information about this collision is asked to contact Inv. J. Correal at (714) 245-8215 or the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200.

Armed catalytic converter theft suspect arrested in Orange

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, Crime, Drugs, Orange 6 Comments

At 4:00 a.m. this morning, an Orange police officer conducted an occupied vehicle check in a parking lot near N. Canal and Meats. A records check of the license plate confirmed the vehicle had a felony warrant for involvement in catalytic converter thefts.

A high-risk stop was done and a male and female occupant were detained without incident.

The male had an active warrant for drug offenses and a loaded magazine was found on his person.

A search of the vehicle was done and officers located two loaded handguns with high capacity magazines, methamphetamine and paraphernalia.

The vehicle was impounded and both subjects were booked into OCJ for gun and drug related offenses along with the warrant.

Thanks to the Orange graveyard shift police officers for their proactivity and keeping folks safe while they are sleeping.

A Tustin K9 police dog helped to stop a pair of catalytic converter thieves

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, Crime, Tustin Leave a comment

A Tustin Police Department K9 officer sniffed out a suspicious occupied vehicle in the commercial area of Walnut and Franklin during nighttime hours.

After a curious conversation, it became apparent the two vehicle occupants were in the area for nefarious activities.

A search of the vehicle yielded a reciprocating saw, crowbars, a grinder, gloves, two-way radios, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and other contraband.

Both suspects were arrested for possession of burglary tools, conspiracy, and drug offenses.

Based on the circumstances, it appeared crimes such as vehicle theft, catalytic converter theft, and burglary were likely prevented by the proactive enforcement of the Tustin Police Officers.

Street racer pleads guilty to hit and run accident that killed two men in Santa Ana

Posted on May 24, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, Crime, Los Angeles County, OCDA, Santa Ana, Street Racing, Todd Spitzer Leave a comment

Damian Chavez, a 26-year-old man from Bellflower, pleaded guilty Monday to a hit-and-run vehicular manslaughter that killed two men in Santa Ana on April 20, 2019. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 25.

Another driver who was racing with Chavez slammed his car into a tree at the 3200 block of South Bear Street at about 9:15 p.m. on April 20, 2019. The car quickly caught fire killing two occupants, 39-year-old Jerman Marquez and 29-year-old Richard Inda, who were pronounced dead at the scene.

Inda turned out to be the driver of the car that was destroyed and Marquez was a passenger in the stricken vehicle.

Chavez pleaded guilty to two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and hit and run with permanent and serious injury and admitted sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter. Chavez

OCDA Todd Spitzer was peeved back in April of 2020 when an OC Court Commissioner lowered Chavez’s bail from $100,000 to $20,000, which resulted in Chavez gaining his release a few hours later.

The court commissioner said he lowered the bail due to the pandemic then proceeded to reject two appeals from the OCDA.

Spitzer, who is running for reelection in the June Primary this year, criticized the California program to lower bail for many defendants so as to reduce population in the jails. This was an attempt by county sheriff’s officials throughout California to limit the spread of COVID-19 in their jails.

Two separate fatal car accidents happened in Orange on Friday

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Editor Posted in Accidents, automobiles, Crime, Orange Leave a comment

On Friday night at 9:50 p.m., a male and female adult were stopped at the red light in a Honda Civic at Collins Avenue preparing to turn north onto Glassell Street. A male adult driving an older model Dodge Ram rear ended the stopped Civic.

The two adults in the Civic suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene. The driver of the truck was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol contributed to the collision.

At 10:29 p.m., a separate fatal collision occurred at Tustin Street and Taft Avenue. A male adult in a Porsche was stopped at Taft/Briardale preparing to turn south on Tustin. When the light turned green, the Porsche proceeded into the intersection. A male adult was driving a Kia Sol north on Tustin and failed to stop at a red light. The Kia collided into the Porsche in the intersection.

The driver of the Porsche was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Kia was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Drugs are suspected to be a factor for the driver of the Kia and the investigation is ongoing.

The Orange Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team responded to investigate both collisions. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444.

The OCDA features two Fast and Furious actors in their new anti-street racing campaign

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, Crime, OCDA, Santa Ana, Street Racing, Todd Spitzer Leave a comment

Sunk Kang appearing in an OCDA PSA about Street Racing

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Orange County, Calif. District Attorney Todd Spitzer today launched a nationwide anti-street racing Public Service Announcement campaign featuring actors Sung Kang and Cody Walker of the Fast & Furious media franchise to warn drivers of the deadly dangers of illegal street racing and street takeovers, which exploded in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Orange County District Attorney’s anti-street racing PSA is being made available to every law enforcement agency in the United States in an effort to curb injuries and deaths related to street racing.

“Like many of you, I too have lost somebody due to reckless driving,” said Cody Walker, the brother of late Fast & Furious actor Paul Walker who was killed in 2013 when the speeding Porsche he was riding in crashed into a power pole. Walker’s friend, Roger Rodas, was driving and was also killed. “I think a lot of the time when those of us that want to go fast, or we have something to prove, we don’t take into consideration the lives of those around us. It’s not just you that you’re putting in jeopardy it’s everybody else around you. So don’t be dumb, take it to the track. There’s somebody at home that loves you that’s expecting you to return. It’s not worth the risk I promise.”

District Attorney Spitzer was joined at Friday’s announcement by Pat Buchanan, the widow of 67-year-old Gene Harbrecht who was an innocent bystander killed in a midday street race in Santa Ana in 2020 and Lili Trujillo Puckett, who founded the non-profit Street Racing Kills to educate young people about the dangers of illegal street racing after her 16-year-old daughter Valentina was killed by a driver who was street racing and crashed while giving the teenager a ride in 2013.

“For many years I’ve been educating and mentoring the youth regarding the dangers of illegal street racing and reckless driving, one of the things I’ve seen most among young drivers is how they glorify the Fast and Furious franchise and how they look up to all actors of these movies,” said Trujillo Puckett. “What they have to say this will mean the world to them and will undoubtedly save lives.”

With illegal street racing and street takeovers growing exponentially during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office joined 10 other Orange County law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, to form Strategic Traffic Enforcement Against Racing & Reckless Driving (STEARRD), a countywide law enforcement partnership to crack down on illegal street racing and street takeovers.

The joint anti-street racing taskforce has conducted dozens of operations to combat illegal street racing and street takeovers, resulting in citations, impounds and arrests across Orange County. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is actively prosecuting numerous street racing cases, including murder charges against a previously convicted impaired driver who killed 67-year-old Gene Harbrecht in an illegal 2020 street race, a case against a street racer who returned to the crash site to watch two men burn to death after they crashed into a tree, and five defendants, including three YouTube stars, who were charged with multiple felonies for conspiring to set up illegal street races in which drivers reached in excess of 190 mph on the 241 toll road.

One of the defendants in that case was out on bail for evading police and resisting arrest when he continued to meet other street racers to set up illegal street races.

“Taking over streets, destroying intersections, and driving nearly 190 mph in traffic next to innocent drivers and passengers are dangerous and violent crimes and the must be treated as such,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “No one – and I mean no one – gets to kill an innocent bystander in pursuit of a high-speed adrenaline rush and get away with it in Orange County. If you refuse to keep it on the track, we will find you, we will arrest you and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. These are not numbers. These are real people with real futures – futures that were devastated by illegal street racing. I want to thank Sung Kang, Cody Walker, Larry Chen, and all the professional drivers and crew who made this PSA a reality. It is a true leader who uses their fame and notoriety to educate the young people who look up to them and encourage them to be responsible and make the right choice to keep it on the track.”

Sung Kang, who first portrayed Han Lue in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, directed the OCDA’s PSA and world-renowned car culture and commercial automotive photographer Larry Chen oversaw cinematography for the project.

“I wish our special effects could bring back our loved ones, but unfortunately that won’t be the case,” said Sung Kang. “We are honored to be able to be part of such an important message. Stop racing on the streets and go to the track!”

Links to PSA videos are here – 30 seconds and 1 minute.

The SAPD is searching for two vehicle theft suspects

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, Bicycles, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Video surveillance showed two suspects exiting the victim’s vehicle and then stole two bicycles from the bed of the truck. pic.twitter.com/adhbD4Ieee
— SantaAnaPD (@SantaAnaPD) April 21, 2022

The victim’s vehicle was stolen between 03/27/2022 – 03/28/2022 from the 500 block of E. Chestnut Avenue. The vehicle was located on 03/28/2022 at approximately 6:45 AM in the 1100 block of E. 3rd Street.

Video surveillance showed two suspects exiting the victim’s vehicle and then stole two bicycles from the bed of the truck.

Wanted Suspects Descriptions:

Suspect#1 – Male, Hispanic, approx. 30 years old, goatee, wearing construction jacket.
Suspect#2 – Male, Hispanic, approx. 30 years old, mustache, wearing baseball hat.

Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the wanted suspects is asked to please contact Detective Romero at (714) 245-8529 or BRomero@santa-ana.org.

Police are trying to identify suspects wanted for grand theft in Placentia

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Between Thursday, April 8, 2022, at 4:06 a.m., suspects entered two unlocked vehicles parked in front of residences at the Placentia Meadows Apartments, located on the 100 block of W Orangethorpe Ave., and took a purse and power tools.

One victim later reported a fraudulent purchase was made using one of their credit cards. Another victim reported that their car keys and rent money were stolen. Also the tool box stolen from one of the vehicles is badly needed by its owner who uses those tools at work.

SUSPECT: Male, White, approximately 20-30 years old, thin build, dark hair, beard, wearing a dark-colored baseball hat, black t-shirt with a white graphic on the front, and dark-colored pants.

If you have any information that might assist this investigation, please contact the Placentia Police Department at (714) 993-8164.

A stolen Range Rover was pursued from the Pechanga area and recovered in Orange

Posted on March 31, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, CHP, Crime, Orange, Riverside County Leave a comment

Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff located and initiated a pursuit of a stolen Range Rover in the area of Pechanga on Wednesday afternoon.

The CHP, along with their airship, assisted with the pursuit which terminated on Almond between Orange and Glassell, in the City of Orange.

The male driver and female passenger fled from the vehicle.

Orange police officers assisted with establishing a perimeter.

The male driver was located and arrested near Chapman and Lemon.

The female passenger is still outstanding. She was described as 5’3” Hispanic with black wavy hair in a pony tail and wearing a black hoodie.

Irvine man arrested for trying to get a $5M bribe from a South Korean company

Posted on March 26, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, Crime, Federal Government, Irvine, Justice Leave a comment

LOS ANGELES – A former manager at a U.S.-based automobile manufacturing company was taken into custody this morning after being indicted this week on a federal bribery charge alleging he solicited a $5 million bribe from a South Korean company with promises of delivering a large contract for various car parts.

Hyoung Nam So, 46, of Irvine, who was also known as Brian So, surrendered this morning to federal authorities after a federal grand jury on Wednesday charged him in a bribery conspiracy. So is expected to be arraigned on the one-count indictment this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

The indictment alleges that the foreign parts supplier paid So a total of $3.45 million in cash. Homeland Security Investigations seized $3.19 million believed to be proceeds from the bribery scheme from a private vault in Los Altos, California in 2017, and HSI subsequently returned the money to South Korean authorities.

As a manager and team leader at the Michigan-based car manufacturer – referred to as “Company A” in the indictment – So oversaw the supply of parts used to build interiors for Company A automobiles in North America. In October 2015, the indictment alleges, So promised a contract to the owner of the South Korean parts company – “Company B” – in exchange for $5 million, which So demanded in cash. The following month, the owner of Company B arranged to have $1 million in cash transferred to the United States through money brokers, which an accomplice then drove from Los Angeles to Michigan, according to the indictment. The owner of Company B allegedly flew to the United States in late November 2015 and personally delivered the cash to So in a meeting at a hotel in Troy, Michigan.

By the time the $1 million payment was made, So had learned that Company B was not the lowest bidder on the contract, and he arranged for information to be provided to Company B so it could revise its bid on the contract, according to the indictment. On December 8, 2015, So recommended to Company A executives that the contract be awarded to Company B, and the contract was awarded to Company B on the same day.

“So refrained from notifying Company B of the contract award, and continued to withhold the information until [Company B’s owner] paid the remaining portion of the bribe,” the indictment states. On December 20, 2015, the owner of Company B allegedly paid So another portion of the bribe at a restaurant in Detroit – $2.45 million that also had been driven from Los Angeles to Michigan. The following day, So arranged for Company B to be told it had won the contract.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The indictment charges So with one count of conspiracy to commit federal funds bribery, a charge related to the fact that Company A received money through federal assistance programs. This offense carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in federal prison.

The owner of Company B was prosecuted for offenses related to the bribery scheme in South Korea. The investigation into the bribery scheme was conducted by HSI’s Los Angeles El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force, a multi-agency task force comprised of federal and state investigators who are focused on financial crimes in Southern California. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance during the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Mitchell of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.

State Senator Tom Umberg is targeting the theft of catalytic converters

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, California, Crime, Tom Umberg Leave a comment

Santa Ana’s State Senator, Tom Umberg, is working on a new law to target the theft of catalytic converters. The new proposed law will however mandate that car dealers apply a vehicle identification number (VIN) to the catalytic converter of each vehicle listed for sale. What the new law does not do is increase the criminal penalties for stealing the converters.

Stealing a catalytic converter is currently a crime under California law, which categorizes this offense as either petty theft or grand theft based on whether or not more than $950 worth of goods were stolen.

Our preference would be to also treat the theft of catalytic converters as grand theft given that replacing the stolen converters not only includes the cost to replace them but also the service involved – easily making it a loss of up to $4,000.

Who do you support for the O.C. Board of Supervisors in District 2?

We would also like to see a mandatory prison sentence of at least two years for theft of catalytic converters and a fine of at least $5,000. If the State of California keeps coddling thieves then they will continue to rob us blind.

Here is a recap of how the State of California currently handles thefts courtesy of Bulldog Bail Bonds:

Petty theft is a misdemeanor crime in California. The penalties for committing petty theft are:

Up to 6 months in county jail.
A max fine of $1,000.

Grand theft is a wobbler crime in California, meaning that it can either be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony depending on the facts of the cases. As a misdemeanor, the penalties for grand theft are:

Up to 1 year in county jail.
A max fine of $1,000.

As a felony, the penalties increase to:

16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail.
A max fine of $10,000.
Felony probation.

Most converter thieves don’t just steal one converter. They steal as many as they can get their hands on. In fact California is leading the entire U.S. in converter thefts, which have increased over 600% in the last two years.

Here is Umberg’s press release:

State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) joined Senator Tom Umberg to announce the introduction of Senate Bill 986, a measure that combats catalytic converter theft by requiring dealers to apply a vehicle identification number (VIN) to the catalytic converter of each vehicle listed for sale. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and LAPD Chief Michel Moore joined Senators Portantino and Umberg today during a press conference to announce the bill.

“Catalytic converter thefts are rising and serious. It is a crime that is affecting an increasing number of families in the 25th State Senate District and across the state,” stated Senator Portantino. “We must enact tougher law enforcement strategies and penalties to combat it. SB 986 offers a simple common sense solution to eliminating the legal challenges of prosecuting the theft of catalytic converters. The bill will also result in a reduction of thefts of used convertors, which is good news for both victims and law enforcement. I am proud to be a joint author of this measure with Senator Umberg and I look forward to working with him to curb the rise of catalytic thefts in our state.”

An imprinted serial number relating to the unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) identifies most major parts of vehicles sold in the United States. It is these identification markings that allow law enforcement to establish that parts are stolen, even if the stolen vehicle has already been fully broken down. However, this serial number identification process does not currently apply to catalytic converters. As a result, law enforcement may make arrests of individuals in possession of dozens or even hundreds of suspect catalytic converters — but be unable to prove a case in court because there is no way to identify the victims of crime to show that these parts are stolen. The application of a VIN to a catalytic converter is usually done by etching, in a process that is both easy and inexpensive.

“For whatever reason, car part thieves are perceived as emtpy-headed. The reality, however, is that catalytic converter theft can be quite lucrative. This bill is an important step forward in protecting California consumers, aiding our law enforcement agencies with enforcement, and continuing to crack down on illegal and environmentally-degrading car-part and vehicle disposal. We owe it to our communities to be more responsible, as a state, in regulating these illegal activities,” stated Senator Umberg.

Senate Bill 986 will require dealers to mark the catalytic converters of vehicles up for sale. The measure will also require core recyclers to record the unique identification number on each catalytic converter. Under SB 986, the core recycler’s obligation will only be relieved if the used catalytic converter, that was purchased or sold under a specified written agreement, is described with sufficient particularity. Upon request from local law enforcement, the burden will fall on the core recycler to prove that the catalytic converter was purchased under the specified written agreement.

“Catalytic converters have become a popular target of theft because they contain valuable metals and are untraceable and easy to sell,” District Attorney Gascón said. “This bill will give law enforcement important tools that will reduce property crime and save consumers the money and hassle of replacing the stolen parts.”

The Tustin Police Dept. will conduct a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint on Feb. 18

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, automobiles, Crime, Drugs, Tustin 1 Comment

The Tustin Police Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint on February 18, 2022 from 8:00 pm until 3:00 am at an undisclosed location within Tustin limits.

Checkpoint locations are chosen based on a history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests, but to promote public safety by deterring drivers from driving impaired.

During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

The Tustin Police Department is committed to keeping the traveling public safe.

“The safety of our community is and always will be our mission” Lieutenant Coe said. “We are looking for impaired drivers because driving under the influence is dangerous and puts others on the road at risk.”

Tustin PD reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or ”operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Anaheim Police Dept. is conducting a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint on Feb. 18

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Anaheim, automobiles, Crime, Drugs, Public Safety 1 Comment

ANAHEIM, Calif. (February 16, 2022) – The Anaheim Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint Friday, February 18, 2022 near Magnolia Street and Crescent Avenue starting at 6:00 P.M.

During the checkpoint, officers will look for signs that drivers are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

As the state continues to work to stop the spread of COVID-19, the Anaheim Police Department is committed to keeping the public safe.

“The safety of our community is and always will be our primary mission.” Traffic Sergeant Rick Boyer said. “We continue to look for impaired drivers because driving under the influence is still dangerous.”

The Anaheim Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. Always follow directions for use and read warning labels about driving or “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a car. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

If you plan on drinking or taking medications that may impact your ability to drive safely, plan on staying at home.

Drivers charged with DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A man died after being struck by several cars in north Santa Ana last night

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Editor Posted in Accidents, automobiles, OCFA, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On February 13, 2022, at 9:47 P.M., the Santa Ana Police Department received multiple calls regarding a male pedestrian down in traffic lanes in the area of 2400 North Tustin Avenue.

Officers from the Santa Ana Police Department along with the Orange County Fire Authority responded to the scene where the pedestrian was declared deceased.

Based upon the preliminary investigation, it is believed the pedestrian was in the northbound lanes of 2400 north Tustin Avenue. The pedestrian was struck by multiple vehicles travelling north on Tustin Avenue. The vehicles involved in this collision remained at the scene and the drivers were cooperative. Alcohol is not believed to have played a role in this collision. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) is handling the investigation. Anyone who can assist with information about this collision is asked to contact Cpl. W. Hadley at (714) 245-8216 or the Santa Ana Police Department’s Traffic Division at (714) 245-8200.

Two stolen vehicle suspects were caught in Santa Ana after a police pursuit

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, automobiles, Crime, Santa Ana, Westminster Leave a comment

OC Sheriff Deputies and Anaheim police officers pursued two suspects in a vehicle that was reported stolen into Santa Ana on Thursday evening.

The pursuit ended near Glenwood Place and Camden Place, which run parallel between S. Baker and S. Towne St., just north of Memorial Park.

The two suspects ran into the residential neighborhood and the police set up a perimeter and then searched the area.

The suspects were ultimately arrested.

The pursuit began in the Westminster area as the suspects led deputies on a high-speed chase through the 5 and 55 freeways in Anaheim.

The names of the suspects were not made public.