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Category Archives: Costa Mesa

The C.M. Police are looking for a suspect who fled from a fatal hit and run involving a man in a wheelchair

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COSTA MESA, Calif. (Jan. 21, 2022) —The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) is seeking the public’s help in locating the suspect who fled a fatal hit and run traffic collision. The vehicle involved is described as a 2009-2010 black Toyota Highlander with front-end damage.

Last night, Jan. 20, 2022, at approximately 11:32 p.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Newport Boulevard and Industrial Way regarding a hit and run traffic collision leaving one victim, a man who had been knocked out of his wheelchair, injured at the scene.

Officers arrived and found the victim with significant injuries. The 50-year-old man was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated but subsequently succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. His identification is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

The suspect driver fled in their vehicle, which is possibly a 2009-2010 black Toyota Highlander with front-end damage.

The CMPD Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to the scene and began their investigation.

CMPD is asking anyone with additional information that can assist in identifying the suspect, specifically witnesses who may have seen the suspect vehicle on Newport Boulevard or Industrial Way, to contact Traffic Investigator Luis Gomez at (714) 754-5264.

Nearby businesses and residents in the area of Newport Boulevard and Industrial Way with video footage from last night are also asked to contact Investigator Gomez.

The Costa Mesa Police conducted enforcement at a homeless camp by the Santa Ana River

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The Costa Mesa Community Policing Unit, who conducts enforcement activity citywide for all type of quality of life issues, assisted Caltrans in contacting three people experiencing homelessness underneath the 405 Freeway and the Santa Ana River on Thursday morning this week.

The officers explained to the transients that they had to vacate the area under the freeway as part of an eviction notice. The three were also offered help.

None of the bikes at the scene came back as stolen, which means they were not registered or reported stolen with a serial number as proof.

The three individuals did not claim ownership of any of the bikes. The Costa Mesa Police always recommend that bike owners register their bikes.

The officers will return next week to check underneath the freeway bridge with CHP, Caltrans, and Costa Mesa Outreach, who we work with to assist in getting resources to those who ask for it.

The Costa Mesa police arrested a Fentanyl dealer who also stole several guns

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Last week, Costa Mesa police officers located an online marketplace advertisement for fentanyl being sold in Costa Mesa. Detectives responded to the advertisement and arranged to meet with the seller. The subject selling the deadly drug also indicated he also had access to guns.

CMPD detectives met with the subject at a motel in the Fullerton area and purchased two ounces of fentanyl. Shortly after the purchase, detectives arrested the man on felony possession for sale of narcotics. He was also found to be in possession of a large amount of cash and a room key to a motel room.

A record check of the arrestee revealed he is on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS), probation with search and seizure terms, and had two outstanding warrants. Detectives confirmed the key was to a room at the motel where they met him and performed a search of the room.

During the search, detectives found additional fentanyl, 20 morphine pills, a digital scale, numerous firearms, a ballistic vest, over 100 rounds of ammunition, and cash. Detectives recovered approximately three pounds of fentanyl. A subsequent investigation into the firearms revealed they were from a storage unit in a neighboring city belonging to a victim who was unaware of the theft.

In-N-Out Burger owner is hosting a charity car show and car cruise on Jan. 15 at the OC Fairgrounds

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The owner of In-N-Out Burgers, Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, and her husband Sean Ellingson are hosting the Cruisin’ 2 Freedom Car Show and a Car Cruise on Jan. 15 at the OC Fair and Event Center to benefit their non-profit, Slave 2 Nothing, which was established in 2016 to help improve the lives of individuals and families affected by substance abuse and/or human trafficking.

Here are the event details:

Polish up those wheels, maybe throw on an extra coat of wax and head down to the OC Fairgrounds for an unforgettable Car Show & Car Cruise.

Cars you’ve seen featured on In-N-Out T-shirts will be brought out from the Snyder Garage!

Enter a display vehicle in the Car Show for the chance to win prizes and take home Cruisin’ 2 Freedom commemorative gifts!

Or, start your engines and get ready to cruise, when you set off on a 22-mile drive that includes photo-worthy moments at iconic In-N-Out Burger restaurants located along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway.

At the end of the cruise, you’ll wheel on back to the OC Fairgrounds, where you can enjoy a Double-Double fresh from In-N-Out Burger’s Cookout Trucks, take part in Special Raffle Giveaways, and bid on exciting Silent & Live Auction packages, all while learning more about the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation’s impactful work in our communities.

Wrap up the evening with a heartwarming Give Back activity as we come together to provide comfort and support to trafficking survivors.

Every penny raised by your registration and donations goes directly to organizations that are working tirelessly on the front lines to help eliminate human trafficking and save lives.

See you at the starting line!

AGENDA

  • 1:30-3:00PM – Display Vehicle Check-In
  • 2:30PM – Sponsor Cruise Line-Up
  • 3:00PM – Car Show Opens! Food Trucks & Music!
  • 3:30PM – Sponsor Car Cruise Begins
  • 4:30PM – Cruise Sponsors Return
  • 6:00PM – Welcome & S2N Program, Live Auction
  • 7:00PM – Car Show Awards & Special Raffle Winners
  • 7:15PM – Giveback Hygiene Kit Activity
  • 7:30PM – Thank You!

Click here to register for the event.

The Costa Mesa police arrested a suspect in a fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian

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COSTA MESA, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2022) — Yesterday night, Jan. 4, 2022, at 11:25 p.m., Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) officers were dispatched to the area of Victoria Street and Placentia Avenue reference a possible rollover traffic collision with the vehicle on fire and one person on the ground. Upon officers’ arrival, the vehicle was fully engulfed and the driver was out of the vehicle. A traffic control light pole was also knocked over due to the collision.

Preliminary reports from witnesses indicate the driver allegedly struck the male pedestrian as he waited on the sidewalk to cross the intersection. Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue also responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene.

The CMPD Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) arrived shortly thereafter to investigate the incident.

As of this morning, officers are still at the scene and a Sig Alert is also in effect for the area. Westbound Victoria Street is open, but eastbound is closed for another two to three hours, scheduled to open up at about 10:30 a.m.

The driver, Jon Weir, 65, Garden Grove, was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. He was also transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Any victim identifying information is pending next of kin notification.

Free COVID-19 test kits and testing locations now available for O.C. residents

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Disease, Health and Medical, OC Fair, OC Health Care, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Free at-home COVID-19 test kits are now available for individuals that live in Orange County. Both saliva-based and nasal swab options available to accommodate individual preferences.

Please visit https://ochealthinfo.com/covidtest to place your order and know your status.

Free COVID-19 testing will also be administered at the OC Fair fairgrounds during the week, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Orange County residents can schedule an appointment by texting “COVID” to 888-210-6758.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and you cannot get a test though your healthcare provider, you can also get a FREE medical assessment and a test through the OC COVID-19 Testing Network. These are all community health centers that offer testing and care, even if you do not have health insurance. If you test positive your close contacts (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes within a 24 hour period during the infectious period) will be tested or referred to another location for testing. Click here for more info regarding COVID-19 symptoms and testing.

Testing locations are listed below:

  • Family Health Matters Community Health Center Fullerton Monday – Friday, https://hipaa.jotform.com/201466740399159, (714) 441-0411
  • Families Together of Orange County Tustin Wednesday-Friday (714) 332-6359
  • KCS Health Center Buena Park Tuesday & Thursday https://www.kcshealthcenter.org/covid19-testing, (714) 503-6550
  • Laguna Beach Community Clinic Laguna Beach Monday – Friday www.lbclinic.org, (949) 494-0761
  • Serve the People Community Health Center Santa Ana Tuesday & Thursday Saturday (714) 742-2738
  • SOS Health Center Costa Mesa Monday – Friday (949) 270-2100
  • SOS Health Center Mission Viejo Monday – Friday (949) 270-2100
  • SOS Health Center Newport Beach Monday – Friday (949) 270-2100
  • SOS Health Center, Santa Ana Monday – Friday (949) 270-2100
  • Southland Integrated Services, Inc. Garden Grove Monday – Friday (714) 620-7001
  • St. Jude Neighborhood Health Center Fullerton Monday – Friday (714) 446-5100

The next OC Fair is set for July 15-Aug. 14, 2022

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COSTA MESA (Dec. 16, 2021) – Today the OC Fair announced that “Feel the Sunshine” will be the theme of the 2022 annual event which will be back July 15-Aug. 14 and tickets are on sale now.

Advance ticket purchase will again be required with limited capacity for summer’s best party, which will be open Wednesday through Sunday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“We are excited to invite everyone to come out to the 2022 OC Fair and ‘Feel the Sunshine,’” said OC Fair & Event Center CEO Michele Richards. “Our limited capacity, advance ticket sale model worked out so well last year that we are bringing it back so fairgoers can have more great experiences.”

Fair officials kept the ticket prices at the same as the past several years, $12 general admission on weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday) and $14 general admission on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Tickets for seniors 60+ and kids 6-13 are $7 all days. OC Fair will absorb the online admission ticket transaction fees. Parking is $10 for cars and motorcycles and $20 for buses and limos.

Tickets are also on sale for the first OC Fair concerts announced for Pacific Amphitheatre and The Hangar. Live music performances include Steve Miller Band, ABBA LA and Bee Gees Gold, Which One’s Pink?, 24K Magic and the brand new show, LA Sound Machine.

“The annual OC Fair is a wonderful opportunity to provide fun and education to the community,” said OC Fair Board Chair Doug La Belle. “Our guests get to experience agriculture, our competitions, Centennial Farm and Heroes Hall along with all the excitement of the carnival, food and entertainment.”

Returning OC Fair favorites include magician Frank Thurston, Brew Hee Haw craft beer fest, monster truck races, Dragon Knights stilt walkers, Russell Brothers Circus, hypnotist Mark Yuzuik, demolition derbies, All-Alaskan pig races and, of course, crazy fair food.

The OC Fair returned to an in-person event during the summer of 2021 with attendance at 1,055,770 after a virtual Fair was held online in 2020 due to the pandemic.

For more information, visit ocfair.com.

DUI Driver sentenced to 15 years to life for murder of off-duty Costa Mesa Fire Captain

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SANTA ANA, Calif. – A 28-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years to life today for hitting and killing an off-duty Costa Mesa fire captain who was riding his bicycle on a sidewalk in November 2018. The driver was under the influence of narcotics at the time.

Stephen Taylor Scarpa, 28, of Mission Viejo, was convicted of one felony count of second-degree murder for killing Mike Kreza, 44, of Mission Viejo, on September 8, 2021.

On November 3, 2018, at approximately 8:00 a.m., Scarpa was driving eastbound on Alicia Parkway in Mission Viejo when he drove off the road near Alicia Parkway and Via Burgos. He crossed over the bike lane and onto the sidewalk where he struck Kreza who was riding his bicycle.

Scarpa had been driving home from a party in Westminster, at which he’d taken unprescribed “downers” lorazepam and benzodiazepines and reportedly hadn’t slept for two days.

Kreza, who spent 18 years as a firefighter with the Costa Mesa Fire Department, was taken to a local hospital where he died two days after being hit. Scarpa admitted to driving after having spent the prior three days ingesting controlled substances.

As a student at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, Scarpa participated in the “Every 15 Minutes” program hosted by the Brea Police Department and the Anaheim Fire Department to warn students about the dangers of driving under the influence. As part of the program, Scarpa was selected to be one of the students “killed” by an impaired driver. He was removed from the classroom, his obituary was read to his fellow students, and he was taken to an off-site location with the other students “killed” by impaired drivers to hear testimonials from people whose lives had been impacted by driving under the influence collisions. The District Attorney’s Office used that program experience to prove that Scarpa understood the dangers of driving under the influence and its potentially deadly consequences.

Kreza’s wife, his three daughters, and his sister gave victim impact statements in court today, describing how their lives have been devastated by his death, including his youngest daughter talked about having to take a teddy bear to school to comfort her until she got better, but that she never got better.

“Mike Kreza’s wife and his three young daughters have to live every day with the pain of his loss, and the pain they bravely expressed during their victim impact statements should haunt the defendant forever,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Nothing will bring Mike back, but I can only hope that his story – and the pain his family has to live with every day – prevents someone from making the same deadly decision to get behind the wheel while drunk or high on drugs.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Dan Feldman of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.

On Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, the California State Senate approved Resolution SCR 21 to name a portion of the 55 Freeway after Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Captain Mike Kreza, who was fatally struck by a vehicle while riding his bike off duty in November of 2018.

The freeway will be named the Costa Mesa Fire Captain Michael Kreza Memorial Highway from 19th Street in Costa Mesa to MacArthur Boulevard.

Woman arrested in Costa Mesa for stealing high-end retail merchandise worth over $300K

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Ekatarina Zharkova, a 38-year-old, was arrested in the Orange County city of Costa Mesa and she was charged with stealing well over $300,000 worth of high-end merchandise from stores in Southern California, according to a CHP task force.

When the CHP investigators searched Zharkova’s home they found bags and clothing from brands including Gucci, Prada and Jimmy Choo packed wall to wall in every room.

Zharkova was taken down by the CHP’s Retail Crime Task Force.

Zharkova worked alone. She used tools to avoid theft-detection equipment. However CHP investigators were able to directly observe her stealing from the stores, on several occasions.

In one instance she walked into a Nordstrom Rack store and proceeded to fill a shopping cart with high-end retail items. To escape the store she placed a coat over the shopping cart to cover up the goods and then used a device to defeat the sensors so she could remove them before leaving the store with over $3,500 worth of stolen merchandise.

That was her last hurrah as she was arrested when she got to her car.

When the CHP task force got a search warrant so they could check out her home they proceeded to find 2,333 stolen items worth nearly $330,000.

Many of the items still had store tags in place and several had disabled security sensors on them.

Zharkova was able to make money by selling the items online.

She was booked into the O.C. Jail on suspicion of grand theft but already got out on bail.

The CHP is continuing its investigation and they say that industry representatives have helped to inventory all of the stolen goods.

A pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle in Costa Mesa this morning

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Today, Nov. 25, 2021, at approximately 2:33 a.m., officers responded to a fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian, who was walking in lanes of traffic on Newport Boulevard south of 17th Street, when he was hit by a vehicle travelling northbound on Newport. Upon arrival, officers found the 24-year-old male victim unresponsive and performed CPR to no avail. The victim was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.

The Costa Mesa Major Accident Investigation Team and CSI responded to scene. A Sig Alert was issued for street closures, which the Newport Beach Police Department assisted with. The Orange County Sheriff Coroner’s Office responded and took custody of the body. The identification of the victim will not be released due to next of kin notification. At approximately 7:15 a.m., the streets were cleared and closures were lifted.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with officers during the investigation. The driver was sober, no alcohol or drugs are suspected, and no arrests were made.

A homeless man died of head injuries in Anaheim

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ANAHEIM, Calif. – Anaheim PD homicide detectives are seeking the public’s assistance with the death of a homeless man found suffering from head injuries around 3:45 a.m. on Monday, November 15.

The victim, Gilbert Daisaku Johnson, was found lying on the ground in the 100 block of West Broadway and a passerby notified police. Johnson, a 32-year-old who previously lived in Costa Mesa, was transported to a local hospital for treatment and remained there until he succumbed to his injuries today.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact them directly at 714-321-3669 or OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or occrimestoppers.org.

A police dog helped to make a huge drug bust in Costa Mesa

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On Friday evening, a Costa Mesa Police Department motor officer observed a vehicle speeding. The officer stopped the vehicle and contacted the driver.

The officer observed an open alcoholic beverage container in the vehicle and began a DUI investigation.

While the officer was conducting the DUI investigation, the CMPD K9 unit arrived to assist. K9 Bodi conducted a free-air sniff around the vehicle and alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.

Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered 27 pounds of methamphetamine and large quantity of cash.

CMPD detectives were notified and obtained a search warrant for the residences of the driver and passenger. Detectives located an additional kilogram of cocaine, 1000 fentanyl pills, and 40 pounds of marijuana.

Jorge Osuna-Romero, 26, of La Habra, and Ulixes Flores, 26, of La Habra Heights were arrested. They are being held in an Orange County jail on $2 million bail.

Osuna-Romero, a cook, faces felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and for the sale or transport of a controlled substance with felony enhancements for each involving methamphetamine in excess of 25 pounds. Flores, an electrician, was also being held on $2-million bail in the same facility.

Santa Ana Army Air Base exhibit reopening with Veterans Day celebration at Heroes Hall on Nov. 11

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COSTA MESA (Nov. 8, 2021) – Heroes Hall Museum will reopen its permanent exhibit, The SAAAB Story, which chronicles the history of the Santa Ana Army Air Base, on Thursday, Nov. 11, with a special Veterans Day celebration. The air base’s location once included the land on which the OC Fairgrounds now sits, and Heroes Hall’s building is a renovated barracks from the base.

The exhibit first debuted when Heroes Hall opened in 2017 but has been updated with several new artifacts and memorabilia.

“The SAAAB Story is much more immersive now,” said Carol Singleton, Heroes Hall Supervisor. “It will help people better understand what the cadets went through while they were training here. Everything about the exhibit is connected to the Santa Ana Army Air Base.”

The Costa Mesa Historical Society provided a lot of the artifacts, including original posters, uniforms, cadet personal items, trophies and telegrams. Previously the exhibit featured photo reproductions but now includes original photos on display.

Other new sections include information about:

• Women, Latinos and LGBTQ service members in the military during World War II
• Letters from 8th graders who were sent to internment camps to their white classmates in Westminster
• German POWs who worked on the base picking oranges
• Tuskegee Army Air Field, which is where the Black airmen who would have trained at SAAAB were placed were it not for segregation
• Victory gardens, rationing and other campaigns led on the home front

“My favorite part is the personal stories of the cadets that graduated here,” Singleton said. “There are eight different cadet stories, each one extraordinary, and all eight went on to the war in either the South Pacific or the European theatre.”

The SAAAB Story is a permanent exhibit at Heroes Hall. Heroes Hall is open year-round, Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The first-floor exhibit, Through Their Eyes: Artwork by Active Military and Veterans, will be on display until Jan. 20, 2022.

EXHIBIT REOPENING EVENT

Celebrating Veterans at Heroes Hall

Join us for the SAAAB (Santa Ana Army Air Base) Exhibit Reopening Ceremony which will include an All-American Boys Chorus performance, Marine Corps birthday cake cutting, and kids activities.

This event is free in partnership with the Heroes Hall Veterans Foundation.

When: Thursday, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Heroes Hall at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa

OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA, is home to the annual OC Fair and Imaginology. Year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. Throughout the year, events ranging from recreation shows to cultural festivals are held at the fairgrounds.

Domestic violence suspect arrested in Costa Mesa after barricading himself in a home

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At approximately 10:13 a.m., a Domestic Violence subject, Tyler Nathan Thornton, 37, Costa Mesa, surrendered peacefully and was safely taken into custody. He was booked in the CMPD jail on attempted homicide, felony domestic violence, felony child endangerment, and threatening a police officer.  
 
The two minors were found safe and sound inside the home, and they were returned to their mother. Inside the home, officers located one handgun, two long guns, and one airsoft replica gun.
 
This matter will now be turned over to the Orange County District Attorney for review and charges. CMPD will not be releasing the booking photo or any other identifying information about those involved in an effort to protect the identities of the victims.

ORIGINAL INFORMATION:

COSTA MESA, Calif. (11/3/21, 7:48am) — This morning, Nov. 3, 2021, at approximately 12:36 a.m., officers responded to a home on the 3200 block of Dakota Avenue regarding a domestic disturbance.

The female resident, who reported being assaulted, was able to exit the residence but the male suspect barricaded himself with their two minors inside the household.

The suspect has a registered firearm and made threats to officers.

Adjacent residents have been evacuated out of an abundance of caution.

Officers set up a perimeter and SWAT and the K9 Unit responded to the scene.

Residents within the perimeter have been asked to shelter in place.

Officers remain on-scene with SWAT, and the Crisis Negotiation Team is communicating with the suspect to get him to exit the residence peacefully.

Motor officers are in the area of Dakota Avenue and California Street to divert traffic and pedestrians. Please find an alternate route and stay away from the area.

This is a fluid situation and this is the most up-to-date information. We will update the community when possible.

A domestic violence suspect has barricaded himself at a home in Costa Mesa

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COSTA MESA, Calif. — This morning, Nov. 3, 2021, at approximately 12:36 a.m., officers responded to a home on the 3200 block of Dakota Avenue, in Costa Mesa, regarding a domestic disturbance.

The female resident, who reported being assaulted, was able to exit the residence but the male suspect barricaded himself with their two minors inside the household.

The suspect has a registered firearm and made threats to officers.

Adjacent residents have been evacuated out of an abundance of caution. Officers set up a perimeter and SWAT and the K9 Unit responded to the scene. Residents within the perimeter have been asked to shelter in place.

Officers remain on-scene with SWAT, and the Crisis Negotiation Team is communicating with the suspect to get him to exit the residence peacefully. Motor officers are in the area of Dakota Avenue and California Street to divert traffic and pedestrians. Please find an alternate route and stay away from the area.

This is a fluid situation and this is the most up-to-date information. We will update the community when possible.

As there is a school nearby this incident, the Newport Mesa Unified School District has been notified of this ongoing situation.