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Category Archives: Guns

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.

The FBI arrested several members of Anaheim’s Brownwood Gang and seized guns, drugs and cash

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Crime, Drugs, FBI, Federal Government, Gangs, Guns, Justice, Santa Ana 1 Comment

The FBI and several local police departments in Orange County announced a crackdown on a couple of gangs including the Brownwood Gang, which is largely based in Anaheim at a news conference on Wednesday.

Sixteen alleged members of the Brownwood street gang are facing charges including:

  • Felon in Possession of Ammunition
  • Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
  • Possession of Unregistered Firearms and a Destructive Device
  • Possession of Firearms Not Identified by a Serial Number
  • Transporting Unregistered Firearms and a Destructive Device in Interstate Commerce

Ten of those people were arrested and three of them including Jonathan Castaneda, Cassandra Camacho and Cristobal Flores are considered fugitives.

The Anaheim police began investigating the case back in July 2019, alleging that the Brownwood Gang was involved in illegal firearms sales and drug distribution in Orange County.

Brownwood Gang members would travel from Texas to California to trade guns for drugs and then other gang members would illegally sell those guns and also narcotics throughout Southern California.

The FBI bought drugs and guns from several of the charged gang members a number of times between July 2019 and August 2020 using a confidential source. That confidential source made 25 separate purchases of approximately 759 grams of methamphetamine and 23 guns, according to the FBI.

The FBI, DEA and other agencies also seized six rifles and pistols; rifle scopes; AR15 upper receivers; one suppresser; and one pipe bomb as well as drugs, cash and a Sig Sauer handgun and the operation on Wednesday led to the seizure of seven more weapons.

Joining the FBI and DEA at Wednesday’s news conference were members of the Anaheim, Los Angeles, and Santa Ana police departments, along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, all of whom were involved in the task forces and the gang investigations. Also involved were members of the Riverside, Fullerton and Huntington Beach police departments, among other law enforcement agencies.

The SAPD seized guns from a DUI suspect and several gangbangers this week

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SAPD Traffic officers conducted a stop of a vehicle that was driving erratically. The driver was exhibiting signs of being under the influence of narcotics and/or alcohol.

The driver was removed from the vehicle and a loaded 9mm firearm was discovered in his waistband.

Officers conducted a search of the vehicle incident to arrest and located 437 grams of Methamphetamine, 63 grams of cocaine, and $660.00 in cash.

SAPD Gang detectives observed several active gang members loitering and upon contacting the subjects they fled on foot into a nearby residence. All subjects were eventually ordered out of the residence and were detained.

Three of the subjects were active gang members on parole and probation for firearm related charges.

SAPD Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence. Detectives located (2) semi-automatic 9mm pistols, (1) .380 cal pistol, narcotics, ammunition, and gang indicia inside the residence.

A police pursuit ended in Santa Ana and the suspect had drugs and replica firearms in the vehicle

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Over the weekend, a Westminster Police Officer attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Brookhurst/McFadden. The driver failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated – terminating in Santa Ana where the suspect collided into a curb and disabled their vehicle.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident. Officers located replica firearms and drugs inside the vehicle. The driver was arrested for felony evading and other charges, and was later booked at Orange County Jail.

The Fountain Valley Police Department thanked the Santa Ana Police Department, and Huntington Beach Police Departments for their assistance.

Two teens in Orange busted for shooting paintballs at pedestrians from a car

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Two 18-year-old males from Orange did not get their new year off to a good start. On January 1st around 1:00 p.m., their were a series of four drive-by assaults with a paintball gun take place in the downtown Orange area.

In all of the assaults, the victims were pedestrians who described the suspect vehicle as a sports car with a spoiler, which was occupied by at least two males. In each incident, the suspects used a paintball gun to shoot paintballs containing yellow paint. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.

At 2:30 p.m., patrol officers located the suspect vehicle at 130 N. Lemon. Police officers conducted a traffic stop and detained the two occupants who were in possession of paintball guns and yellow paintballs.

In-field show-ups were conducted and the vehicle and passenger were identified as being involved in the incidents. The suspects were arrested and booked at Orange County Jail. We will not tolerate such heinous behavior in Orange and we hope they learned their lesson.

A Garden Grove man fatally shot his brother-in-law during a domestic abuse incident

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A man intervened when his sister and brother-in-law were involved in what the Garden Grove police referred to as a physical dispute involving domestic abuse. The man, who the police did not identify, ended up drawing his semi-automatic gun and he shot his brother-in-law in the upper torso.

The shooter was released by the police as they continue to investigate what happened.

Police officers responded to the scene on Friday, Dec. 31, at 3:48 p.m., at the12000 block of Trask Avenue. The police officers were told that there was at least one man inside the apartment who had suffered a gunshot wound, according to the Garden Grove police.

The apartment was searched and the officers found a 26-year-old man who had been shot at least once.

The injured man was taken by OCFA paramedics to a local hospital, where was pronounced dead. His identity was not made public as the police are still trying to contact his family.

The Garden Grove police ask that witnesses or anyone else with information about the incident call them at 714-741-5422.

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.

The SAPD’s gun-related arrests this week included a gangbanger from Anaheim

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While conducting patrol checks, SAPD Directed Patrol officers observed three males loitering on the street. Officers contacted and detained all three subjects without incident. A search of the immediate area resulted in officers locating a loaded 9mm firearm (ghost gun) behind a small wall where the subjects were loitering.

The AB 109 Team along with the SAPD’s Direct Patrol officers conducted surveillance of a suspect vehicle in the City of Anaheim. The driver of the vehicle was contacted and a search of the vehicle revealed he was in possession of a .22 caliber single shot handgun.

SAPD MET detectives conducted a traffic stop in the area of Diamond Street/Willits Street. The driver was on probation for possession of a firearm and claimed to be a gang member from the City of Anaheim. A search of the vehicle was conducted and a loaded 9mm firearm was located on the driver side floorboard.

A Santa Ana gangbanger wounded an innocent woman while shooting at the driver of an SUV

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A gang suspect shot from behind a wall at the driver of an SUV that was proceeding on Sullivan Street and Monte Vista Ave., on Dec. 8, missing his target but instead wounding an innocent woman who driving home from work with her two daughters.

The bullet struck the victim in the upper right part of her body. She felt pain and saw bleeding so she pulled over and fortunately got help from a local resident in the area.

The SAPD confirmed that the incident appeared to be gang on gang. The police investigators do not yet know if the shooter had been lying in wait for his target.

The exchange of gunfire was caught in a surveillance video.

The SAPD arrested a man and a woman after the incident but their names were not released to the media.

The alleged shooter is now facing charges that include attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

The victim has asked to keep her name private.

It is not certain yet if Santa Ana Mayor Vince Sarmiento and City Councilman Johnathan Ryan Hernandez will defend the shooter by indicating he was having a bad mental health day when he fired his weapon and hurt an innocent victim.

Man fatally shoots girlfriend’s violent ex after a break-in at a Garden Grove home

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On December 12, 2021, #GardenGrovePD Officers responded to a residence on the 11900 block of Sycamore Ln., in reference to an assault with a deadly weapon and found a male with multiple stab wounds to his chest.

The victim told officers a male broke into the house and charged at him with a knife. The suspect said he was going to kill the victim, before stabbing him several times. The victim was able to escape, run to a nearby business and call police. The suspect fled prior to officer arrival and was not located.

During the investigation, detectives learned the suspect is the ex-boyfriend of victim’s girlfriend, who was upset over his ex’s new relationship. The suspect has an active domestic violence restraining order to prevent him from going to this location and contacting his ex-girlfriend.

Earlier today at 11:10 AM, officers responded back to the location because the suspect had returned to the residence. Responding officers were told the suspect had made entry and several shots had been fired.

Upon arrival, they entered the residence and found a male face down on the staircase, with apparent gunshot wounds. Officers then located the victim (from the previous incident)and his girlfriend in a locked upstairs bedroom.

Based on the initial investigation, it appears the suspect forced entry into the home and was headed upstairs towards the victim. The victim heard the forced entry and armed himself with a handgun. As the suspect came up the staircase, the victim fired several rounds at him, striking the suspect. Medics arrived and attempted lifesaving measures on the suspect, but he succumbed to his injuries.

The suspect’s personal information is not being released at this time.

The Garden Grove Police Department determined this is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.

This investigation is on-going. Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact the Detective Lopez at 714-741-5818.

SAPD gun seizure weekly update

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SAPD Gang detectives contacted four male subjects near a parked vehicle in the parking lot of Rosita Park. Upon contacting them, detectives observed one of the subjects with a large object in his pants pocket resembling a firearm.

The suspect was detained and a search of his person revealed he was in possession of a concealed loaded 9mm Glock with high capacity magazines. A record search revealed he was an active gang member.

Following up on information obtained from an arrest, gang detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence and served the search warrant without incident.

During the search of the residence, detectives located several AR style rifles, handguns, one 9mm ghost gun, and materials to produce ghost guns. Additionally, gang indicia and ammunition was also located.

SAPD Gang Detectives attempted a felony traffic stop and a brief pursuit ensued. The female suspect fled from her vehicle on foot and attempted to carjack a vehicle from a third citizen. Detectives arrested her without incident. A search of the suspect vehicle resulted in a loaded 9 mm semi automatic pistol being recovered.

SAPD Gang detectives observed three subjects loitering in the middle of the street. All three were recognized as documented gang members with one being on active formal probation. Detectives contacted and detained all three subjects without incident. A search of the immediate area resulted in the recovery of a loaded 9mm handgun.

SAPD Gang detectives contacted two active gang members on probation for firearm violations. Both subjects fled on foot and they were quickly detained without incident. One of the subjects discarded a loaded 9mm semi-automatic firearm prior to being detained. Detectives recovered the firearm and arrested both subjects without incident.

Anaheim man who shot up a strip club heading to prison for 11 years

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Juan Jose Acosta-Soto, a 20-year-old Anaheim man, pleaded guilty to four counts each of attempted murder and assault with a machine gun as well as a count of discharge of a gun at an inhabited dwelling, all felonies, and admitted sentencing enhancements for furnishing a firearm.

Two other co-defendants are still awaiting trial – Edgar Nava-Ayala and Daniel Juvenal Ocampo.

Nava-Ayala, Ocampo, and Acosta-Soto were at the Sahara Theater on October 31, 2020. Ocampo and Nava-Ayala were escorted out of the club because they refused to wear face coverings. Ocampo, Nava-Ayala, and Acosta-Soto are accused of leaving and driving back to the club with a loaded Ak-47. Nava is accused of shooting at least 15 rounds into the business, injuring two employees and a customer.

Nava-Ayala, 34, of Anaheim has been charged with three felony counts of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, three felony counts of assault with an assault weapon, and one felony count of shooting into an occupied building. He has also been charged with seven felony enhancements of personal use of an assault weapon and three felony enhancements of causing great bodily injury. He faces a maximum sentence of 82 years to life in state prison if convicted on all charges.

Juvenal Ocampo, 22, of Anaheim, has been charged with three felony counts of attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, three felony counts of assault with an assault weapon, and one felony count of shooting into an occupied building. He has also been charged with seven felony enhancements of supplying a firearm for the commission of a felony. Ocampo faces a maximum sentence of 21 years to life in state prison if convicted on all charges.

Three victims at the strip club sustained gunshot wounds to the upper body. One person had to undergo surgery and another suffered a shattered left scapula.

Nava-Ayala, Ocampo, and Acosta-Soto were arrested by the Anaheim Police Department on December 17, 2020. They are currently being held at the Orange County Jail on $5 million bail each.

Burglars stole 40 guns from a store in Garden Grove this morning

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Burglars broke into a gun store, Whitten Sales, early this morning and stole 40 guns.

The store is located at 12812 Valley View St., in Garden Grove.

The burglary was reported just past midnight. The gun store’s owner watched it happen on live surveillance video.

The responding police officers found the gun store’s glass door had been broken by the burglars.

The suspects took off in two BMWs before the police could arrive. The vehicles were described as a blue BMW and a silver BMW.

The guns were stolen from a safe inside the store. The burglars were in and out of the store in about five minutes. They appeared to know where the safe was.

The suspects are approximately 30 to 40-year-old white or Hispanic males wearing face masks, according to a local radio news broadcast.

No other businesses appeared to be targeted and no injuries were reported.

Anyone with information about the burglars should call the Garden Grove Police at 714-741-5872.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Orange County Crime Stoppers by calling (855) TIP-OCCS or by visiting their website at www.occrimestoppers.org.

Anaheim man facing more charges of shooting a BB gun at motorists in Riverside County

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Anaheim resident Jesse Leal Rodriguez was charged again on Monday in connection with alleged car-to-car shootings in Riverside County.

Rodriguez was previously charged, in May, with a shooting in Norco, CA. This time it is alleged that he was behind two shootings that took place on the 91 in Riverside, one near a Magnolia Avenue exit and the other near a Tyler Street exit.

Around 1:30 p.m. on May 25, a Tesla was shot at with a BB gun in the area of Hamner Avenue and Hidden Valley Parkway in Norco. Captured on the vehicle’s video system at the time the vehicle’s window was shot out was a maroon Chevrolet Trailblazer. The incident was reported to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department which then notified CHP. There were two passengers with the driver of the Tesla, with all three being victims in this case.

Based on the vehicle description provided by witnesses, CHP officers, assisted by Riverside police, pulled over a maroon Chevrolet Trailblazer about 9:30 p.m. in a shopping center parking lot in the area of Magnolia and Tyler avenues. The driver, Rodriguez, was arrested and a BB gun, BBs, and other related items were found in his vehicle.

In April and May, the windows of about 100 motorists were damaged, mostly on the 91 in Corona, Riverside, Anaheim and Cerritos, authorities said. Other shootings left vehicles damaged along the I-5 in Irvine, the I-105 in Downey and the 55 in Santa Ana, California Highway Patrol officials said. Those shootings came to an end after Rodriguez was arrested.

Rodriguez was charged on Monday with assault likely to cause great bodily injury and assault with a deadly non-firearm weapon.

He pleaded not guilty and continues to maintain his innocence. He denies firing any shots. He has admitted to having a BB gun and ammunition in his car when he was arrested but said he had taken those away from his son for safekeeping.

Rodriguez is still being held at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in French Valley as he cannot pay the $1 million bail. His next hearing is coming up on Jan. 31.

A man was fatally shot early this morning in Santa Ana’s Cornerstone Village Neighborhood

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On Thursday, December 2, 2021, at 2:48 a.m., Santa Ana Police officers responded to the 800 south block of Minnie Street regarding reports of a male shot.

Officers located an adult male unresponsive along the east sidewalk with apparent gunshot wounds to his upper torso.

Orange County Fire Authority arrived on scene and pronounced the subject deceased at 3:02 a.m. SAPD Homicide Detectives responded and assumed the investigation.

Detectives are attempting to identify and locate any witnesses who can shed light on this incident.

The incident occurred in a residential neighborhood that abuts a light industrial corridor on the eastern edge of the Cornerstone Village Neighborhood.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call SAPD Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 245-8390, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. This case is eligible for the Gang Reward Program.