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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.

Investigations seeking person of interest in a 1980 O.C. cold case

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (December 29, 2021): Investigators are looking to identify a person of interest in the 1980 homicide of 15-year-old Kerry Patterson.

Kerry was last seen on June 26, 1980 walking in the area of Parks Junior High School in the 1700 block of Rosecrans Avenue in Fullerton. Investigators believe she was heading toward her home in the 1700 block of Peacock Lane. She was last seen wearing loose-fitting blue pants, white Vans and either a white T-shirt or Hawaiian print blouse. Kerry also was wearing a yellow pendant necklace that said #1.

On December 27, 1980, remains were found in a field near Tonner Canyon and the 57 freeway in Brea. The remains were later identified as Kerry Patterson.

Over the years, investigators have continued to pursue the case and work to establish new leads.

In January 2020, an individual came forward with information about a man believed to be in the area at the time of the Kerry’s disappearance. That individual was able to provide a description and a composite sketch was created.

Investigators are looking to identify this person of interest because it is believed he may have valuable information that may assist in the case.

If anyone can identify this individual or provide any information on Kerry Patterson’s disappearance please contact Investigator Bob Taft at 714-647-7045 or coldcase@ocsheriff.gov. Anonymous tips can be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

The SAPD seized many guns, ammo and drugs in Garden Grove and Fullerton last week

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SAPD Gang Unit detectives, with the assistance of OC Gang Task Force, conducted a follow-up investigation in the City of Garden Grove in reference to a subject wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. Detectives stopped and detained the owner of the residence without incident.

Gang detectives ultimately obtained a search warrant for the residence and located: large amount of narcotics, 12 gauge shotgun, 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun, .38 caliber revolver, Glock .45 semi-automatic pistol & hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

SAPD Gang detectives investigated a convicted felon believed to be in possession of illegal firearms. Detective obtained a search warrant for his residence in the City of Fullerton.

The subject was detained away from his residence and a search warrant was executed. 12 firearms (6 rifles and 6 handguns) and several different calibers of ammunition were recovered from the residence.

SAPD Gang detectives observed three subjects leaving a known gang members residence on probation for firearm violations. Detectives attempted to contact them and all three fled on foot.

One subject reached for his waist area and he was quickly detained. A search of the subject revealed he was in possession of a loaded 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun.

Learn how to pilot a drone courtesy of Fullerton College and the County of Orange

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FULLERTON, Calif. (December 23, 2021) – The County of Orange, in partnership with the Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB) and Fullerton College, is launching the Drone Piloting Program for Orange County youth.

The Drone Piloting Program will be offered to youth ages 16-24 in Orange County along with the County of Orange’s Ready S.E.T. OC Program and includes enrollment in the Fullerton College TECH 150 Basic Piloting Course.

“The Ready S.E.T. OC Program is designed to ensure self-sufficiency and a long-term positive employment outcome by assisting youth in making a successful transition to unsubsidized employment, post-secondary education, military, apprenticeship, or trade placement,” said Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor.

“This is a unique opportunity for youth to learn important piloting skills, safety, flight management, proper care and use for drones, about the National Airspace System, and much more,” said Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor. “We look forward to partnering with Fullerton College and launching this program.”

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, unmanned Aircraft Systems, or drones, are rapidly becoming a part of everyday lives, quickly increasing in numbers and complexity.

“Drone use is important in a variety of industries, including public safety, real estate, construction, and even patrolling our local natural landscape and beaches,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District. “I am excited that this new drone piloting program will teach a new generation the skills that help our communities and prepare them for the workforce.”

The Basic Piloting Drone Course is scheduled to begin on January 24, 2022, and will be held at Fullerton College. The course is open to Orange County youth for a fee, and enrollment will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participating Ready S.E.T. OC Youth will be provided with a scholarship to cover the cost of the program.

A virtual orientation will be held via Zoom on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 4 p.m.

“Through this program, youth will be given a chance to discover if drone piloting is the right career path for them,” said Supervisor Don Wagner, Third District. “The job market in this field is expected to expand making the launch of this program come at an opportune time.”

“The Drone Piloting Program is a great example of the County’s efforts to stay apprised of relevant employment opportunities in emerging industries, and then developing programs for our community to meet those needs,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District.

“The Basic Drone piloting course allows participants an opportunity for deeper career exploration in a fast-growing and high demand field,” explained Jay Seidel, Instructor and Program Director of the Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College.

For more information or to register, please contact the OC Business & Economic Recovery Call Center at (714) 480-6500.

The first West Nile Virus positive mosquito sample of the year has been identified in Orange County

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Orange County’s first West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquito samples of the season were identified last week in Fullerton through routine trapping and testing by the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD).

NV positive mosquito samples have been identified in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside County this year.

St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) was detected in five mosquito pools in Riverside County last week for the first time in 2021.

One human case of WNV was reported two weeks ago from Los Angeles County.

No human infections of WNV or SLEV have been identified so far this season in Orange County.

West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, according to the CDC.  It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.

Suspect in the mass shooting in Orange charged with 4 counts of murder and 3 counts of attempted murder

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SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man accused of shooting and killing four people, including a 9-year-old boy, and attempting to kill three more people Wednesday evening after chaining the gates of an Orange business complex closed has been charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. The suspect suffered gunshot wounds after opening fire on two Orange police officers.

Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez, 44, of Fullerton has been charged with four felony counts of murder, one felony count of attempted murder, and two felony counts of attempted murder of a police officer.

Gaxiola has also been charged with four felony enhancements of the personal discharge of a firearm causing death, one felony enhancement of the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, one felony enhancement of premeditation, one felony enhancement of the personal use of a firearm, one felony enhancement of the personal discharge of a firearm.

Prosecutors are also alleging the special circumstance of multiple murders. Gaxiola is eligible for the death penalty.

On Wednesday, March 31, around 5:34 p.m. a 911 caller reported a man shooting into a business at 202 W. Lincoln Avenue in the City of Orange.

Police arrived minutes later to find the gates to the business’ courtyard had been locked with a bicycle cable-type lock, preventing officers from accessing the property. A man, later identified as Gaxiola, is accused of shooting at the two officers, who returned fire. Gaxiola was wounded.

Officers used bolt cutters to cut the locks and found four people who had been shot to death within the business complex, including a 9-year-old boy. A man and two women were also found dead. A third woman was wounded and taken to a hospital where she remains in critical but stable condition.

The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin. Gaxiola and all the adult victims had both personal and business connections to each other.

Gaxiola remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. He is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon from his hospital bed with the hearing livestreamed from Department C5.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is continuing to investigate the officer-involved shooting that occurred during this incident as is standard with officer-involved shootings and custodial deaths involving the Orange Police Department. The legal conclusions and any relevant body-worn camera footage will be published on the District Attorney’s website at www.orangecountyda.org once the investigation is completed.

“Our hearts are shattered into a million pieces as the community mourns the loss of four innocent lives, including a young boy, as a result of the horrific events that unfolded Wednesday evening and we pray for the recovery of the sole survivor,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “The taking of the life of another human being is the most serious of crimes and the slaughter of multiple people while they were essentially locked in a shooting gallery is nothing short of terrifying. We ask our sworn police officers to answer calls for help and race into dangerous situations. Thankfully the police officers who answered the call that day escaped injury. The residents of Orange County can rest assured that the District Attorney’s Office is taking every possible step to ensure that every aspect of this case and the subsequent officer-involved shooting is thoroughly reviewed and that justice will be served for each and every victim.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Mena Guirguis of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

Fullerton man identified as the suspect in yesterday’s mass shooting in Orange

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Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez, a 44-year-old resident of Fullerton, has been identified as the suspect who allegedly conducted a mass shooting in Orange yesterday that resulted in the deaths of a man, two women and a a 9-year-old boy at an Orange business complex. The 9-year-old is believed to be the son of one of the victims who worked at the business. The child apparently died in his mother’s arms.

Gonzalez was shot in the head and hand and remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition on Thursday. Gonzales is believed to have been injured when Orange police officers fired their weapons at him as they responded to the shooting incident however it is also possible that he shot himself.

If convicted, Gonzalez would be eligible for the death penalty, according to OCDA Todd Spitzer, who has said that this will be treated as a special circumstance case.

The Orange Police Department stated that the attack was not a random one. All of the victims knew the suspect through either a business or personal relationship. The shooting happened at two business suites belonging to Unified Homes, a real estate business that specializes in mobile homes. The shooting was reportedly inside one of the multiple business suites in the building but spread to a courtyard area.

Police officers found a backpack they believe belonged to the suspect that contained pepper spray, handcuffs and ammunition.

Orange police officers were called at around 5:30 p.m. because of shots fired at a business at 202 W. Lincoln Avenue.

When the Orange police officers arrived at the scene, they found that the front and back wrought iron gates had been locked from the inside, with a bicycle-type cable lock, which meant they were not able to get into the premises in order to get to engage the suspect. The suspect shot at the responding police officers and they returned fire, from outside the gate.

The identities of the victims were not released because authorities are still working to notify the next of kin. Relatives with questions about loved ones who may have been victims of the shooting should contact the Orange Police Department.

Update from the Orange Police Dept. as of 3:00 p.m:

Reference the 9-1-1 calls and officer response time: We received five initial 9-1-1 calls. The first caller to OPD Dispatch was at 5:34:51 in which a male was reported to be shooting into a building across the street. The first Orange Police Officer on scene was at 5:36 p.m., which was under two minutes. Shots were reported to have been fired by officers within minutes of their arrival.

Regarding the suspect: Investigators have established the suspect arrived at the location in a rental car which has been located in the parking lot of 202 W. Lincoln Ave. The suspect is believed to have been living out of a motel in Anaheim.

We have obtained video footage from inside the business location which shows the suspect inside. The video is not available for release at this time, however a still image is available. The Orange County Crime Lab is currently at the location processing the scene. The identities of the victims are not yet confirmed. We will provide the identity of the victims as soon as they are available. We feel for the families who believe their loved ones may be one of the victims. Investigators will remain on scene throughout the day and likely into the night until the investigation is complete by the Orange County Crime Lab and the Orange County Coroner’s Office. The identities of the victims will be released in collaboration with the Orange County Coroner’s Office as soon as the information becomes available.

If anyone has any information about the incident, please call Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444.

The SAPD tracked a convicted gun dealer down to Buena Park and seized several guns and drugs

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While serving a warrant, in the City of Buena Park, to a convicted felon wanted for selling firearms in the city of Santa Ana, Gang Detectives attempted to detain the suspect outside his residence.

The suspect fled from the police detectives in his vehicle. A loaded AK-47 with an extended magazine and approximately 12 ounces of methamphetamine were recovered from the residence.

Detectives located the suspect in the City of Buena Park driving a vehicle, and a firearm and narcotics were recovered.

While conducting a follow-up investigation for the manufacturing of firearms, SAPD MET police detectives were led to a residence in the City of Fullerton where two loaded firearms were recovered.

In related news, about two hours ago, SAPD MET Detectives conducted a traffic stop & the driver admitted to being in possession of narcotics.

Upon a search of his person, a loaded semi-auto handgun was located. During a search of the vehicle over a pound of narcotics and a significant amount of money was recovered.

The O.C. inmate who died of COVID-19 this week was accused of killing his mother

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The O.C. inmate who died at the O.C. Jail intake center this week was Ah Le Fang, a 37-year-old man, who was in jail while he was awaiting trial on charges of killing his mother and wounding her boyfriend in 2017.

Fang died on Thursday of medical complications after testing positive last month for COVID-19, according to the O.C. Sheriff’s Department. Fang tested positive for COVID-19 in December and was hospitalized on Jan. 6. He is the second person incarcerated in Orange County jails to have died of COVID-19.

Fang’s mother called the Fullerton police to report she was being attacked, on Aug. 15, 2017. The responding police officers found her outside her apartment complex at 134 S. Pritchard Ave., suffering from a stab wound to her abdomen. Her boyfriend also had a stab wound to an arm.

Fang’s mother and her boyfriend were taken to a local hospital, where she passed away.

Fang  pleaded not guilty way back in 2018 and he was awaiting a jury trial that was scheduled for this July.

The O.C. Sheriff’s Department says that 2,270 Orange County Jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Currently there are sixty-one O.C. inmates who are dealing with the virus.

In December, an O.C. Superior Court judge ordered Sheriff Barnes to release half of the O.C. inmates after the ACLU filed a lawsuit accusing Barnes of not doing enough to protect medically vulnerable inmates during the pandemic.

O.C. inmate released due to ACLU lawsuit escapes electronic monitoring and is re-arrested

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (Jan. 19, 2021): An inmate ordered released by Orange County Judge Peter Wilson escaped at-home confinement by removing her electronic monitoring device and was re-arrested less than 24 hours later.

The inmate, Sandy Gonzalez, 28 years old, was booked into custody in March 2020 by the Fullerton Police Department for felony armed robbery, shoplifting, possession of a controlled substance, child endangerment and resisting arrest.

Gonzalez was released following a December 11, 2020 court order from Judge Wilson in a lawsuit against the Department from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Judge Wilson’s order required Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes to provide a plan to release half of the inmates in the Orange County Jail due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ordered the immediate release of Gonzalez and one other individual “to provide the necessary physical distancing and other measures to protect against COVID-19.” Absent the order issued by the judge, Gonzalez would not have otherwise qualified for electronic monitoring based on screening criteria and her extensive criminal history.

Gonzalez was released to the Sheriff’s Department’s Electronic Monitoring Program on December 13, 2020, and was ordered to remain at a specified residence with a GPS-enabled electronic monitoring device. Gonzalez was told that removal of the GPS-device would constitute a jail escape. On January 15, 2021, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Community Work Program and Custody Intelligence Unit overseeing the Electronic Monitoring Program received notification that Gonzalez had removed the electronic monitoring device and fled. The Custody Intelligence Unit launched an immediate investigation to locate Gonzalez and return her to custody.

Less than 24 hours later, the morning of January 16, 2021, investigators located Gonzalez in Long Beach, California. She was apprehended without incident and was returned to the Orange County Jail and booked on a new felony charge of escaping from jail.

“This inmate was in custody for a violent felony of robbery with a firearm, and despite numerous objections was ordered by a judge to be released,” said Sheriff Barnes. “The inmate’s subsequent escape from custody then required a manhunt by numerous personnel to locate her, bring her back into custody and return her to jail, where she should have remained in the first place. The known risks to the community associated with the court ordered release demonstrates a blatant disregard for the public’s safety.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sheriff has utilized the discretion available to him during a declared emergency to release more than 1,500 inmates with less than 180 days left on their sentence who pose the lowest risk to the community. In addition, the Department has gone over and above CDC guidelines to mitigate COVID-19 in the Orange County Jail. The Department has mitigated a recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the Orange County Jail from a height of more than 1,200 COVID-19 positive inmates in December 2020 to 139 current cases today.

Man arrested for selling drugs and guns in Fountain Valley

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On October 1, 2020, undercover Detectives from the Fountain Valley Police Department Crime Suppression Unit developed information that Jesus Castaneda, a 22-year-old resident of Fullerton, was selling narcotics and firearms.

Police detectives began surveilling Castaneda’s activities and he was subsequently detained in the area of Orangethorpe and Gilbert in the City of Fullerton.

Undercover Detectives also conducted a search of Castaneda’s residence. Detectives located $17,000 in cash, a loaded firearm, 540 Xanax (Alprazolam) tablets, 543 grams of “molly” (MDMA/Ecstasy), and an assortment of cocaine, acid (LSD) and marijuana.

Castaneda was arrested on multiple charges including possession of narcotics with the intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a loaded firearm.

Castaneda was booked into Orange County Jail.

Caregiver arrested for elder abuse in Costa Mesa

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COSTA MESA, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2020) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) on Tuesday, Sept. 1, arrested Rima Abikaram, 50, Fullerton, on suspicion of elder abuse after she was caught on camera striking 91-year-old Jane Doe while in her care.
 
In 2015, Abikaram, a friend of the victim’s family, was hired as one of two caregivers to provide 24-hour care for 91-year-old Jane Doe, who lives in her Costa Mesa home and is confined to a medical bed.
 
Prior to the arrest, the second caregiver became concerned for the victim after noticing Jane Doe had sustained visible injuries and reported her concerns to Jane Doe’s family. The family subsequently installed a hidden camera in Jane Doe’s home to monitor the victim’s care. Ultimately, the hidden camera revealed Abikaram abusing and striking the victim.
 
On Aug. 18, 2020, after terminating Abikaram as a caregiver, the victim’s family called CMPD to report the elder abuse. That same day, an officer responded to the victim’s home and took a report.
 
During the investigation, video footage was reviewed and it was found that over a 4-day period, Abikaram struck the victim over 150 times. Medical reports showed that Jane Doe’s injuries included swelling to her face, a black eye, and a laceration to her arm. 
 
On Sept. 1, 2020, Abikaram was located at her home and arrested without incident. The case was then turned over to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Free food distributions in and around Santa Ana on Saturday, July 11

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Power of One Foundation (POOF), working with the City of Santa Ana and other nonprofit groups and businesses, is providing an emergency food assistance distribution at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana. The Power of One Foundation also is having one at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa.

The Sikh Center of Orange County is having a drive-through food pantry in Santa Ana as well.

Here are the details for all three food events on Saturday, July 11:

• MainPlace Mall, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 8-10 a.m.; the line begins at MainPlace Drive and Main Street no earlier than 7 a.m.
• OC Fair & Events Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon)
• Sikh Center of Orange County, 2530 Warner Ave., Santa Ana, 9-11 a.m.

Please stay in your car with the windows rolled up when receiving food. Make sure your vehicle trunk is empty so food can be placed in it.

For more information on POOF food events, visit www.powerofonefoundation.org. For more on the Sikh Center, go to www.facebook.com/SikhCenterofOrangeCounty/.

The SAPD is searching for a suspect wanted for vandalism and trespassing

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On 2/20/2020, Wanted Suspect Jonathan Valdez, age 31, was captured on video surveillance breaking the victim’s bedroom sliding door and making entry while holding a knife.

The victim was not at home at the time of the incident.

A warrant for vandalism and trespassing has been issued for Valdez’s arrest. Valdez frequents the cities of Anaheim and Fullerton.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of wanted suspect Valdez is asked to contact Officer A. Carranza at (714) 245-8451 or ACarranza@santa-ana.org.

O.C. is going to relocate the emergency cold weather homeless shelters

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Due to the Governor’s activation of the National Guard to assist in food and supplies distribution, the Cold Weather Emergency Shelters located at the Fullerton and Santa Ana National Guard Armories will be relocated by Tuesday.

The Emergency Cold Weather Shelter in Fullerton will be relocated to the Independence Park Gymnasium, 801 W. Valencia Drive. The shelter includes ample, secured outdoor space for persons to remain during daylight hours.

The Santa Ana Cold Weather Emergency Shelter will be relocated to the Salvation Army site at 2603 W. First St. in Santa.

The Cold Weather Emergency Shelters are scheduled to close on April 15, but the County is working with City partners to extend that date and continue 24-hour access to address the current situation.

While housed at the Cold Weather Emergency Shelters individuals will receive supportive services including medical and housing, and will be entered into the County’s Coordinated Entry System for future housing opportunities and continued services.

The County is working to develop alternate locations to shelter COVID-19 symptomatic and vulnerable homeless persons.

For medical questions about COVID-19, please call the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

For non-medical questions, contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085.