An MCI (Multi-Casualty Incident) was declared after a two-vehicle traffic collision at W. Segerstrom/S. Raitt in
Santa Ana this afternoon, by the OCFA. The collision occurred about a block west of Carl Thornton Park.
The MCI involved up to nine people. Two of the victims were treated/transported by paramedics to local trauma centers.
The Fountain Valley Fire Dept. assisted at the scene.
On 3/15/21 at approximately 11:15 pm, a Fountain Valley police officer conducted a traffic stop in the City of Fountain Valley near the area of Harbor Boulevard and Heil Avenue.
During the traffic stop, the Officer learned one of the vehicle’s occupants was on active post release community supervision (PRCS/Probation).
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, the officer located the following items:
All three occupants of the vehicle were arrested for various charges including: felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of narcotics for sales, outstanding warrants, a probation hold, and other charges.
Detectives from the Cypress Police Department Criminal Investigations Bureau worked with Fountain Valley Police Detectives to recover a victim’s bicycle.
The victim’s bicycle was stolen in a residential burglary on January 18, 2021. The bicycle had since changed hands and was being advertised for sale over the Internet.
A sting was set up in Fountain Valley where Detectives recovered the bicycle and detained a subject of interest, on Feb. 11.
Bicycles all come with serial numbers. Be sure to note yours in case your bike is stolen so you can file a police report and at least try to recover your bike.
During the months of December 2020 and January 2021, the Fountain Valley Police Department Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) investigated an individual that was known to sell narcotics and firearms throughout Orange County. CSU learned this seller was staying at the Fairfield Inn in Tustin.
On January 14, 2021, surveillance was established at the hotel. Arnoldo Meraz, a 20-year-old resident of Santa Ana, Alexander Almaraz, a 21-year-old resident of Irvine, and a juvenile were contacted at Meraz’s vehicle in the parking lot of this hotel.
A search of the vehicle yielded a loaded .22 caliber revolver in the passenger door, 31 Oxycodone, 244 Adderall, 94 Xanax pills and approximately $4,900 in cash.
Search warrants were obtained for Meraz’s two hotel rooms as well as his residence in Santa Ana. 351 Oxycodone, 82 Xanax pills, 41 Suboxone strips and approximately one ounce of cocaine were located in one of the hotel rooms. Ammunition, firearm parts and 11 grams of cocaine were located at Meraz’s residence.
Meraz was already out on bail for weapons and narcotics trafficking violations.
Meraz and Almaraz were booked into OCJ for various weapons and narcotics trafficking violations as well as child endangerment.
The juvenile was booked into OC Juvenile Hall for various weapons and narcotics trafficking violations. Incident 21-01314
On January 18, 2021, the Fountain Valley Police Department Crime Suppression Unit received a citizen complaint regarding a Fountain Valley resident selling psilocybin mushrooms online.
Detectives conducted an investigation into the online account and arranged an undercover narcotics buy of psilocybin mushrooms.
21-year-old Vincent Kang of Fountain Valley was arrested for the possession and transportation of psilocybin mushrooms with the intent to sell.
Kang was booked at the Orange County Jail.
The FVPD appreciates the citizen who alerted our attention to Kang and his nefarious activities both online and in the City of Fountain Valley.
On January 21, 2021 at approximately 0036 hours, Officers responded to the area of Bushard & the I-405 Freeway regarding a vandalism in progress.
When Fountain Valley Officers arrived on scene, three subjects immediately fled on foot.
After a brief foot chase, Jesse Walcher, a 30-year-old of North Hills was detained. A short time later, Javier Valle, a 31-year-old of Los Angeles and Alex Ramirez, a 35-year-old of Pacoima were also detained.
During the investigation, Officers located a significant amount of spray paint and a small amount of narcotics as well as narcotic paraphernalia.
All three subjects were booked into Orange County Jail for vandalism, possession of vandalism tools, and conspiracy. FVPD is thankful for our strong community partnership and to the reporting party who notified FVPD of this crime in progress.This arrest and investigation serves as a great reminder “if you see something, say something.” (21-01994)
On January 3, 2021 at 0302 hours, Fountain Valley Police Department Officers responded to the area of Talbert and Mt. Washington regarding a small fire.
When the police officers arrived, they located 50 year-old Felipe Batalla, a transient of Fountain Valley.
Some of you may remember Mr. Batalla from a recent press release regarding catalytic converter arrests (Incident #20-42155).
During this investigation, Officers found a shopping cart next to Batalla which contained 3 cut catalytic converters and a reciprocating saw.
Batalla was arrested (again) for possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, and providing false information to a Police Officer.
Mr. Batalla was subsequently booked into Orange County Jail for these charges. Incident #21-00170.
On December 26, 2020, at 3:20 a.m., the Fountain Valley Police Department Officers responded to the 18000 block of Mt. Langley regarding a possible theft of motor vehicle parts in progress.
When the police officers arrived they set up a containment around the area and located a dark blue Chrysler 300 as it was leaving the area.
The four occupants in the vehicle were: 39 year-old Miguel Rodriguez of Los Angeles, 50 year-old Felipe Batalla a transient of Fountain Valley, 39 year-old Lorena Castillo of Los Angeles, and 30 year-old Marcelle Coleman of Los Angeles. Marcelle Coleman is currently on formal probation out of LA County for robbery.
In the vehicle, Officers located five cut catalytic converters, one cut muffler/resonator, three reciprocating saws, other burglary tools, methamphetamine, and narcotics paraphernalia.
Officers canvassed the area and discovered two vehicles, which had their catalytic converters stolen, one vehicle in which the catalytic converter was partially cut off, and one vehicle had been burglarized.
All four occupants were arrested and booked into Orange County Jail for burglary, conspiracy, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, and grand theft.
The Fountain Valley Police Department investigated a suspected illegal marijuana grow operation at a Fountain Valley home located at the 85oo block of Cape Cod Ave. and they found more than 650 marijuana plants, more than 450 pounds of “dried marijuana product” and equipment believed to be used to cultivate marijuana.
The police began to investigate the residence after receiving complaints from the neighbors about the home near Newland Street and Talbert Avenue.
The following eight subjects within the residence were arrested for the cultivation, harvesting, and maintaining of a marijuana grow:
The suspects were arrested on suspicion of cultivating, harvesting and maintaining a marijuana grow, according to the Fountain Valley Police.
On November 17th, 2020, a narcotics related search warrant was executed by the Fountain Valley Police Department at the 17000 block of Stearns Drive in the unincorporated area of Santa Ana, near the City of Tustin. Christian Gibbons, a 28-year-old Santa Ana resident, was contacted inside his rented suite within the residence.
An operational meth lab consisting of various chemicals, heating instruments, and lab equipment was located inside Gibbons’ suite.
Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad, Methamphetamine Clandestine lab, and Crime Lab teams responded and assisted with processing the scene. Approximately two ounces of methamphetamine were located during the search.
Members of the household (including children) were unaware of Gibbons’ illegal activity and unduly subjected to hazards associated with manufacturing methamphetamine.
Gibbons was subsequently arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, manufacturing of a controlled substance, and child endangerment. He is being held at the Orange County Jail on $75,000.00 bail. Incident 20-38289
On October 23, 2020, a victim called the Fountain Valley Police Department to report that her wedding rings had been stolen, according to the FVPD’s Facebook page.
Earlier in the year, Suspect Christopher Bood, a 32-year-old resident of Huntington Beach, was assisting a friend in remodeling the victim’s home in Fountain Valley. During this time, the victim’s wedding rings were stolen.
It was later discovered that Bood’s girlfriend had possession of the rings. Fountain Valley Police Detectives located Bood who admitted to taking the rings in February 2020. Detectives were able to recover the stolen wedding rings and returned them to the owner. Bood was booked into Orange County Jail on grand theft charges with a $25,000 bail.
It is unknown if Bood has committed other similar crimes while working in this capacity. Possible additional victims of Bood are encouraged to contact Detective Rodriguez at:
(714) 593-4461 or Sergio.Rodriguez@FountainValley.org.
Update: The suspect contacted us last night to say that he is innocent. He says he did not steal the rings.
On 10-14-20 at 11:50 p.m., Irvine PD investigated the theft of a white 2017 Toyota Camry from the area of Culver and the I-405.
Fountain Valley Police Department (FVPD) Officers investigated a theft from a vehicle and an interrupted residential burglary on the 11000 block of Mayflower Avenue in the City of Fountain Valley. Prior to Officers arriving on scene, the suspect fled in the above-referenced vehicle that was stolen in Irvine.
The Santa Ana Police Department arrested a 25 year old resident of Santa Ana, Miguel Angel Yerena, for PC 459-Residential Burglary, PC 69-Obstructing Arrest, HS 11375(b)(1)-Possession of Narcotics for Sales, and PC 242-Assault and the SAPD booked him into Orange County Jail.
Yerena is on active Orange County Formal Probation. He was released on bond from Orange County Jail on 10-21-20 at 7:48 p.m.
On 10-21-20 at 11:41 p.m., FVPD Officers investigated an interrupted residential burglary at the 16000 block of San Jacinto Street in the City of Fountain Valley.
On 10-22-20 at 12:12 a.m., FVPD Officers investigated a second interrupted residential burglary on the 11000 block of Mayflower Avenue in the City of Fountain Valley.
Yerena exited the victim’s house with stolen property and was arrested without incident. The above-referenced stolen vehicle was located and a search of it revealed additional stolen property which connected Yerena to these crimes.
Yerena was booked into Orange County Jail on 10-22-20 at 7:30 a.m.
Burglaries of occupied dwellings, such as these, are especially dangerous. FVPD is thankful to the victim’s for immediately reporting these crimes to 9-1-1 and relaying pertinent information to Dispatchers.
FVPD Nightshift Officers were on scene approximately 3 minutes after being dispatched. Not only was this recidivist offender captured without incident, but Officers completed a thorough investigation which lead to the District Attorney’s Office filing numerous felony charges.
At the time of this post, Yerena remains in Orange County Jail where he is being held without bail.
On 09/24/20, FVPD Officers responded to the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, located at 17100 Euclid Street, regarding a theft report.
The victim, a 77-year-old recent patient of the hospital, stated her credit card was recently stolen and over $1,000 in fraudulent charges were made.
FVPD Detectives conducted follow up and identified the suspect as Guadalupe De La Paz, a 48-year-old resident of Fountain Valley. Further follow up revealed De La Paz was employed by the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital as a Certified Nursing Assistant during the time of theft.
On 10/14/20, FVPD Detectives contacted De La Paz at her residence where she admitted to the theft and fraudulent use of the victim’s credit card.
During a search of De La Paz’s vehicle an additional credit card was located which was determined to be lost property.
De La Paz was subsequently booked into the Orange County Jail for theft from elderly dependent adult, burglary, petty theft, and unauthorized use of a credit card.
It is unknown if De La Paz is employed at other medical facilities. Possible additional victims of De La Paz are encouraged to contact Detective Marquez. (DR# 20-31619).
On October 15, 2020, an attempted murder occurred in the 10800 block of Ellis Ave., Fountain Valley.
The suspect and victim were traveling in a grey Toyota Tacoma when they stopped in a parking lot. The suspect then began to stab victim multiple times, causing life-threatening injuries.
The victim was able to escape, and the suspect fled in the truck.
Evidence left at the scene allowed Fountain Valley Police Detectives to identify the suspect as Hoang “Bruce” Nam Minh Le, a 32-year-old male resident of Anaheim.
Investigation also revealed the truck Le was driving was previously stolen in Anaheim and later recovered in Fullerton. The victim is in stable condition and expected to survive.
An exhaustive search was conducted for Le; and on October 17, 2020, he was found at his parents’ residence located in the 1800 block of W. Chanticleer Rd. in Anaheim.
Le was taken into custody without incident. Le was booked into Orange County Jail on attempted murder charges with a $1,000,000 bail.
Anyone with information, please contact Detective Roddy at (714) 593-4465. (DR 20-34282)
On October 5, 2020, an iPad was stolen from the Grocery Outlet located at 18920 Brookhurst. A Fountain Valley patrol Officer responded, investigated the theft, and obtained video surveillance of the suspect and suspect vehicle, according to the Fountain Valley Police Department.
On October 8, 2020, the vigilant store manager of Grocery Outlet saw the suspect’s vehicle and obtained its license plate. The store manager of Grocery Outlet contacted FVPD Detectives and FVPD Detectives conducted a follow-up.
FVPD Detectives contacted the suspect, a 46 year old resident of Fountain Valley, and obtained incriminating statements. The suspect relinquished the stolen iPad to Detectives and they were able to return the stolen property to the store manager.
This investigation was successful because of the vigilance of the Grocery Outlet management and the responsiveness of the FVPD Officers and Detectives. FVPD is thankful for our strong partnership with our local businesses and is proud to serve our community.