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Category Archives: SAPD

The SAPD busted a large illegal marijuana grow operation in north Santa Ana

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Today, SAPD Vice Detectives, Directed Patrol Officers, and Code Enforcement Inspectors served a search warrant on a suspected illegal residential marijuana cultivation in the 2300 block of North Linwood, a few blocks west of Portola Park and near a U.S. Postal Service branch on Grand Ave.

Police personnel detained 3 adult females and 1 adult male.

The officers also discovered a small child living in these deplorable conditions. Child Social Services was called to help ensure the child’s safety.

The investigation is ongoing to determine everyone’s association with the residence and the illegal cannabis cultivation.

The SAPD is looking for an arson suspect who may have burned a car dealership

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On 01/04/2022, a local auto dealership on Harbor Blvd., in Santa Ana, caught fire causing damage to several structures and vehicles in the lot as well as an adjacent mobile home park, as we reported in an earlier post.

Video surveillance caught the suspect at the location moments before the fire and he is believed to be involved in the arson.

Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact Detective A. Castro at 714 245-8345 or at acastro@santa-ana.org.

SAPD weekend gun seizure roundup

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While conducting a traffic stop, SAPD police officers made contact with the driver and he was exhibiting signs of being under the influence of a narcotic and/or alcohol.

The driver was removed from the vehicle and a loaded 9mm Ghost Gun was located in plain view under his seat.

SAPD Directed Patrol officers developed information on an illegal gambling establishment at the Sunshine Motel. During the investigation, Directed Patrol officers corroborated with Vice detectives and authored a search warrant for two rooms at the motel.

Officers responded to the location and served the search warrant without incident.

As a result, officers located a loaded 9mm firearm and four illegal gambling machines inside one of the rooms.

The SAPD is conducting a DUI and Driver’s License checkpoint tonight

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The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, January 14th, 2022. It will begin at 7:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:00 AM.

The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver is.

The checkpoint will be staffed by officers trained in the detection of alcohol and drug impairment to provide on-the-spot assessments of drivers suspected of alcohol or drug impairment. All checkpoints are conducted in accordance with the guidelines for DUI checkpoint operations outlined in the California Supreme Court decision, Ingersoll v. Palmer.

All vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and / or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

11 transients were arrested during a cleanup at Santiago Park

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The Santiago Creek area, in Santa Ana’s Santiago Park, got cleaned up again on Wednesday morning, as a large scale, multi-agency initiative involving the City of Santa Ana, the City of Orange, Cal Trans, California Highway Patrol, City Net (a homeless outreach provider contracted by the City), and the County of Orange Mental Health Services Agency worked collaboratively to address homelessness at various locations in that area.

Cal Trans and the City of Santa Ana contract crews cleaned the area of any abandoned property and graffiti. City Net also offered services to 23 individuals experiencing homelessness but only 1 individual accepted shelter.

City Net will continue to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness in the city through ongoing case management support.

Additionally, 11 individuals were arrested for outstanding warrants, trespassing or other SAMC violations. Regrettably such individuals often end up right back on the street in short time.

Learn more about the City of Santa Ana’s work to address homelessness on our data dashboard at https://www.santa-ana.org/HomelessData.

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 man died after being stabbed at the Pat McGuigan Skate Park at Centennial Park

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On Thursday, January 6th, 2022, at 8:22 PM, Officers responded to South Coast Global Medical Center regarding two stabbing victims who had just been dropped off at the hospital. Both adult victims were suffering from stab wounds to the chest. One victim was pronounced deceased. The second victim was admitted to the hospital for treatment. The Orange County Coroner’s Division conducted their investigation and identified the decedent as Jose Merlan (27) of Santa Ana.

During the preliminary investigation, the location where the victims were stabbed was determined to be the Pat McGuigan Skatepark. Surveillance video captured a physical altercation inside the skate park involving both victims and an unidentified male. Homicide detectives interviewed several witnesses, leading to the identification of the suspect, Nicholas Nunez (27) of Santa Ana.

On Friday, January 7th, 2022, at approximately 7:11 PM, Nunez was taken into custody with the assistance of the Santa Ana Career Criminal Unit, Gang Unit, VICE Unit and Major Enforcement Team. With the concurrence from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, SAPD Homicide detectives booked Nunez for CPC 187- Murder and CPC 664-187 – Attempted Murder.

The motive for the murder appears to be a result of an ongoing dispute. 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.

The SAPD has selected a new Public Information Officer

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The Santa Ana Police Department is proud to announce the selection of our next Public Information Officer (PIO), Corporal Maria Lopez.

As the “face” of the Santa Ana Police Department, we are proud to have Corporal Lopez as the first PIO raised in Santa Ana. She is a product of the Santa Ana Unified School District. She attended Madison Elementary, Lathrop Intermediate and graduated from Century High School. Corporal Lopez attended San Francisco State University on a basketball scholarship and ultimately obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from California State University of Chico. Corporal Lopez is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego.

Corporal Lopez has 13 years of law enforcement experience with the department and has worked various assignments. Her prior assignments include patrol in an officer and corporal capacity, field-training officer, civic center detail, domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault detective. Corporal Lopez’s most recent assignment was supervising the sexual assault and domestic violence units as a Corporal.

Corporal Lopez is also an explorer advisor and served as a captain for our Baker to Vegas Running Team for four years. In 2017, the Santa Ana Elks Lodge selected Corporal Lopez as Detective of the Year. Also in 2017, Corporal Lopez was selected as the California 69th District “Woman of the Year”.

The SAPD is looking for a suspect who tried to sexually assault a teenager

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In August of 2019, wanted suspect Alejandro Mendoza approached a 15-year-old female and attempted to sexually assault her. When the victim attempted to leave, Mendoza grabbed her and forced her into a room, where he again tried to sexually assault her.

On 01/03/2020, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed a warrant for the arrest of Mendoza for kidnapping and sexual assault.

It is believed Mendoza could be in Mexico.

Suspect: Alejandro Navarrete Mendoza (37) Santa Ana

Suspect Description: Male, Hispanic, 5’11” tall, 220 lbs., bald and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mendoza’s is asked to contact Corporal M. Lopez at (714) 245-8542.

The SAPD arrested an arson suspect after a residential fire this afternoon

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SAPD police officers respond to the area of the 2000 block of S. Olive Street in reference to a call of an arson and a assault with a deadly weapon.

The responding police officers arrested the suspect and assisted the OCFA firefighters in evacuating the residents of the burning home.

Due to the quick actions taken by responding police officers and OCFA firefighters, all of the residents were rescued safely with minor injuries.

The incident happened a couple blocks north of Memorial Park and a few blocks east of Mater Dei High School.

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.

48 street racing citations were issued by the SAPD and allied police departments last week

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The SAPD, in partnership with the Huntington Beach, Irvine and Garden Grove Police Departments, part of the STEARRD (Strategic Traffic Enforcement Against Racing & Reckless Driving) program conduct continuous street racing enforcement on a weekly basis.

Last weeks enforcement efforts resulted in:

  • 48 Citations
  • 1 Impound
  • 1 Arrest

These activities have proven to be deadly and they pose a clear and present threat to public safety. The SAPD has a zero tolerance policy for reckless driving and street racing and have made this issue a top priority.

Robbers took $10K worth of cosmetics from the JCPenney at the MainPlace Mall

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The JCPenney at the MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana got ripped off on Dec. 20, at about 11 p.m., when suspects made off with about $10,000 worth of high-end cosmetics.

The suspects simulated having a weapon, according to the SAPD. They then ransacked the cosmetic section of the store and ran out with their arms full.

The criminals waited until the store was closing to strike.

Nordstroms already left this mall a few years ago. Will JCPenney be the next to go?

What will Santa Ana Mayor Vince Sarmiento do about this? He has spent his entire mayoral term coddling criminals and slamming police officers. He is up for reelection next year and only garnered 35% of the vote when he was elected last year.

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.