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Category Archives: SAPD

The SAPD arrested a gangbanger suspected in a recent fatal shooting

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Last night, SAPD MET Detectives conducted proactive policing in a known gang territory where a recent gang shooting homicide occurred. 

A vehicle was stopped for violating traffic laws and four documented gang members were contacted. 

MET Detectives collaborated with Homicide Detectives and it was discovered that one of the detained occupants was wanted for questioning in a gang homicide. It was also determined that two other occupants in the vehicle were persons of interest on an unrelated incident involving witness intimidation with associated gang enhancements. The fourth occupant was found to be in violation of his probation.

All suspects were arrested and transported to the Santa Ana Police Department where they were interviewed by Homicide Detectives. 

One of the arrestees was subsequently booked for PC 187, Murder.  The investigations are ongoing.

 – ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

On Thursday, September 2, 2021, at approximately 5:01 PM, the Santa Ana Police Department responded to the 1600 South block of Evergreen Street after receiving calls of a shooting. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male with apparent gunshot wounds to his upper body. Officers immediately began life saving measures. Orange County Fire Authority paramedics arrived on scene and transported the victim to a local hospital. The victim underwent emergency surgery but ultimately succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The Orange County Coroner’s Office conducted their investigation and identified the victim as Miguel Angel Benitez.

This is still considered an active homicide investigation. This investigation is a gang related homicide and qualifies for the Gang Homicide and Felony Assault Reward Program.

The Santa Ana Police Department’s Homicide Unit is handling the investigation. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact (714) 245-8390.

Editor’s Note – Santa Ana City Councilman Johnathan Ryan Hernandez has been actively trying to defund the SAPD MET division.

The SAPD is searching for two armed men who robbed a 7-Eleven store

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On June 30, 2021, at approximately 1:54 AM, the wanted suspects entered the 7-Eleven convenience store located at 1425 W. Warner Avenue and approached the clerk. Suspect #2 took out and pointed a black semiautomatic handgun and demanded the clerk to open the cash register.

The clerk complied with the demands and Suspect #1 removed the cash from the register. Both suspects exited the location and were observed on surveillance video running through the parking lot.

Approximately 30 minutes later, the same suspects possibly committed a second robbery in a neighboring city.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective D. Prewett at (714) 245-8323 or dprewett@santa-ana.org.

A Santa Ana traffic stop led to a big drug bust

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While on patrol, SAPD Civic Center Patrol Officers and AB 109 Officers initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle for traffic violations.

Officers contacted the driver, at which time, materials used to package narcotics were observed inside the vehicle.

With the help of a narcotic detecting K9, narcotics were located inside the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle yielded 4 kilo-sized brick-like packages containing a substance believed to be cocaine.

The driver was arrested and booked for felony sales of narcotics.

The SAPD was awarded a $536K grant to improve traffic safety

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Santa Ana, Calif. – The safety of everyone traveling is the focus of a grant awarded to the Santa Ana Police Department. The $536,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) will assist in the Santa Ana Police Department’s efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on Santa Ana roads.

“The City of Santa Ana is at the forefront in addressing traffic safety,” Santa Ana Police Chief David Valentin said. “This funding allows us to educate and enhance the safety of all residents.”

The one-year grant is for the 2021 federal fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022.

The grant will fund a variety of traffic safety programs, including:

• Patrols with emphasis on alcohol and drug-impaired driving prevention.
• DUI / Driver License checkpoints with emphasis on alcohol and drug-impaired driving prevention.
• Patrols with emphasis on awareness and education of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
• Patrols with emphasis on education of traffic rights for bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Patrols with emphasis on awareness and education of primary causes of crashes: excess speed, failure to yield, failure to stop at stop signs/signals, improper turning/lane changes.
• Community education presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, DUI, speed, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Collaborative efforts with neighboring agencies on traffic safety priorities.
• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

“Through education and behavior changes, we hope to create an environment that is safe and equitable for all road users in our community,” Chief David Valentin said. “Vehicular and pedestrian safety is one of our community’s highest priorities”.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The SAPD will take back your old and expired medications on Oct. 23

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October 23rd is National Take Back Day. You can bring your old, unused & expired medications to the SAPD Westend Substation that day, at 3750 W. McFadden Ave Suite I.

The drug take back is FREE, anonymous and no questions are asked!

The SAPD will accept your old medications from 10am – 2pm.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

SAPD weekly gun and drug arrest report

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While on patrol, SAPD police officers stopped a vehicle after observing the driver commit a vehicle code violation.

Upon contacting the driver and obtaining consent to search the vehicle they located a loaded semi-automatic pistol that was reported stolen.

The driver is a convicted felon and was arrested for felony firearm violations.

SAPD Patrol Officers stopped a vehicle for vehicle code violations. The driver admitted to being in possession of narcotics and a loaded firearm.

Officers located a loaded 9mm handgun and narcotics during the search of the vehicle.

The driver was arrested for felony firearm and narcotic violations.

SAPD Directed Patrol Officers attempted to stop a vehicle for observed traffic violations. When attempting to stop the vehicle, the driver fled from officers and a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit entered the city of Tustin where officers lost sight of the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle was located unoccupied behind a business.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded semi-automatic firearm.

The investigation is ongoing as the driver has been identified.

SAPD gang detectives contacted three subjects smoking narcotics in a vehicle.

Two of the three subjects in the vehicle were convicted felons on probation for firearm related charges.

Detectives recovered two loaded 9mm semi-automatics pistols and all three subjects were arrested for felony violations.

The SAPD needs your help to identify a murder suspect who killed a young father back in 1998

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Sergio Hernandez was shot and killed in Santa Ana way back on May 6, 1998. The SAPD believed the incident was caused by road rage. They never found the killer.

This week the SAPD released a suspect sketch in hopes of catching the gunman who killed Hernandez, who was a young father back in 1998.

Sergio Hernandez

Hernandez’s children were so young when he was murdered that they don’t know much about him today. But his murder still hurts.

When Hernandez was killed the investigators found pictures of his children wedged into his vehicle’s dashboard, hidden by the vehicle’s airbags, which had deployed.

Recently SAPD investigators took another look at the cold case and found clues that were not complete investigated at the time of the original investigation. The investigators were able to derive clues and then had a sketch created of the suspect:

Man suspected of killing Sergio Hernandez

The drawing released last week is based on a witness’s description of the suspect that was only recently obtained. The man in the sketch was over six feet tall with a medium build. He was wearing a blue and white Mexican-style shawl called a serape, and may have been between the ages of 20 and 23 at the time of the shooting. Investigators believe he may have either lived near the scene of the crime or frequented the area.

The suspect is believed to frequent or live in the area, according to police. SAPD police detectives recently canvassed the area of Sunset and 5th streets, in the Artesia-Pilar Neighborhood, with the sketch.

Detectives and Hernandez’s family urged anyone with information about the case to come forward. You can call the SAPD at 714-245-8665. You may also leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers by dialing 1-855-TIP-OCCS or going to the website https://occrimestoppers.org/.

The SAPD is searching for a car burglary suspect

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On 04/01/2021, the wanted suspect broke into the victim’s vehicle and stole approximately $400.00 worth of sports equipment.

Suspect Description: Male, Hispanic, approximately 5’08”-5’10” tall, medium build and long hair.

Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the wanted suspect is asked to please contact Officer Aloyian at (714) 245-8556 or AAloyian@santa-ana.org.

SAPD police officers arrested three gangbangers and seized a gun and drugs

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While on patrol in the area of the 1000 block of S. Austin Street, SAPD police officers conducted a vehicle stop and were immediately able to identify the subjects occupying the vehicle as gang members.

During their contact, the police officers observed a loaded handgun in between the legs of the rear passenger and apprehended all of the occupants without incident.

During a search of the individuals and the vehicle, officers also located narcotics, U.S. Currency and indicia related to narcotic sales.

All three subjects were booked at the Santa Ana Jail.

Santa Ana Mayor Vince Sarmiento has not spoken out yet about whether or not the suspects were actually criminals or were just having mental health issues.

Critical Santa Ana missing person Jorge Cruz was found

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Critical missing person Jorge Cruz was located just hours after the SAPD posted his information on their social media platforms.

A good Samaritan recognized Cruz and contacted Santa Ana PD detectives.

Jorge Cruz has been reunited with his family. 

Original Post:

On 09/30/2021, Jorge Cruz walked out of the UCI Family Health Center clinic. Cruz is Autistic and non-verbal with a mental capacity of a 10-year-old. He has gone missing in the past and tends to navigate toward the beach city areas. In the past, Cruz has been located in Laguna Beach and the Long Beach area.

SAPD Trunk or Treat event set for Oct. 21

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The Santa Ana Police Department is hosting a fun Trunk or Treat event on Thursday, October 21, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Chick-Fil-A restaurant located at 3601 S. Bristol Street.

Attend the Trunk or Treat event and get to know the Santa Ana Police Department Officers and enjoy ghostly goodies.

There will be vehicle displays, activities, candy, and treats.

To view the event flyer click here.

The SAPD is looking for an at risk missing person

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On 09/30/2021, Jorge Cruz walked out of the UCI Family Health Center clinic. Cruz is Autistic and non-verbal with a mental capacity of a 10-year-old. He has gone missing in the past and tends to navigate toward the beach city areas. In the past, Cruz has been located in Laguna Beach and the Long Beach area.

Missing Person: Jorge Eliud Cruz (28)

Description: Male, Hispanic, 5’06” tall, 180 lbs., black goatee, black curly hair and brown eyes. Last seen wearing a beige and black shirt.

Last known location: 800 N. Main Street – UCI Family Health Center

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jorge Cruz is asked to contact Detective Vega at (714) 245-8441.

Santa Ana man arrested for possession and/or distribution of child porn

Posted on by Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, SAPD 1 Comment

A Santa Ana Police Department Civilian Investigator assigned to Special Investigations, as well as a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), discovered Santa Ana Resident Fernando Martinez, 41, was storing and trading uploaded images and videos with other users across online platforms.

The investigation began through multiple cyber-tips received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), revealing over a thousand videos and images of child sexual abuse material. The SAPD Civilian Investigator subsequently identified Martinez after executing multiple (9) online search warrants.

On October 6, 2021, the SAPD Civilian Investigator and Detectives from the Special Crimes Section arrested Martinez. They seized an electronic device containing evidence relating to the downloading and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

Martinez was arrested and charged with 4 counts of: Distribution of child pornography – 311.1(a) PC, Possession and control of child pornography – 311.11(a) PC, Possession of over 600 images – 311.11(c)(1) PC, Matter portraying sexual sadism or sexual masochism – 311.11 (c)(2) PC.

The SAPD is proud to be a partner in the Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce (ICAC) – a task force dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of persons involved in child abuse and exploitation involving the internet https://www.icactaskforce.org/.

SAPD gun and drug bust update

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SAPD gang detectives conducted a vehicle stop of a white SUV for traffic violations in the area of 2100 S Baker Street.

During the contact with the driver, detectives observed narcotics in plain view inside the vehicle.

The driver was detained without incident and a search of the vehicle was conducted.

A total of 129.2 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and heroin were located.

The driver was transported to the Santa Ana Jail for felony charges.

SAPD Gang Detectives developed information regarding a convicted felon in possession of firearms and possible firearm manufacturing. Detectives authored a search warrant for his residence, conducted the search and located a large amount of methamphetamine, body armor, gang indicia, numerous rounds of ammunition (9mm, .40 and .223), a loaded 9mm semi-auto “Ghost Gun”, a .40 caliber P80 semi-auto handgun with homemade silencer, and an AR-15 pistol.

Additionally, detectives located firearm parts and manufacturing tools consistent with the suspect building “Ghost Guns”. Detectives also located a drug lab in the residence. The Hazmat Team responded to oversee the proper destruction of the lab and the drug making materials.

The suspect was booked for narcotic sales and firearm violations.

SAPD Directed Patrol officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle for vehicle code violations. During the investigation, one of the occupants was found to be on probation for narcotic sales.

All occupants were detained and a search of the vehicle revealed a loaded 9mm semi-automatic “ghost gun” on the front passenger floorboard.

SAPD officers responded to a report of tagging in progress and two subjects were detained. Through further investigation, a 9mm “ghost gun” w/ extended 33 round magazine and a second magazine were recovered.

The SAPD is searching for a home burglary suspect

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On 09/26/2021, the wanted suspect gained entry into the victim’s residence. The homeowners were in the living room when they heard noises coming from their restroom. They checked the restrooms and noticed the suspect fled the scene by opening a window to flee the residence with their belongings.

Anyone with information on the identity/whereabouts of the wanted suspect is asked to please contact Detective Wilson at RashadWilson@santa-ana.org or (714) 245-8551.

Suspect Description: Male, Hispanic, 30 to 40 years old, 5’08” to 5’10”, 165 to 180 lbs., wavy black medium hair, beard and medium brown complexion.