On 07/03/2021, at approximately 3:45PM , the victim left several valuables inside their locked hotel room. Moments later, the wanted suspects forced entry into the victim’s hotel room and stole several personal items with an estimated loss of $73,925.00.
Location: 7 Hutton Center Drive – DoubleTree Club Hotel
Anyone with information on the identity/whereabouts of the wanted suspects is asked to please contact Detective Guidry at (714) 245-8530 or JGuidry@santa-ana.org.
The SAPD’s AB 109 Task Force along with their Directed Patrol officers responded to the 4900 block of W. Crystal Ln. (a few blocks northeast of Mile Square Park) for a compliance check of a subject on probation.
During a search of the subject’s vehicle officers located a loaded 9mm “Ghost” gun, along with a large amount of fentanyl.
While conducting a traffic stop in the area of the 600 block of N. Harbor Blvd.,(a few blocks west of Cesar Chavez Campesino Park) SAPD MET detectives contacted two subjects in the vehicle.
The passenger advised detectives he had a firearm in his waistband and was on probation.
The subject was handcuffed and a loaded firearm was removed from his waistband.
The driver was also in possession of approximately 40 grams of narcotics and roughly, $5,000 in cash was also recovered from the vehicle.
Decedent: Julio Franco (24) Santa Ana
Arrestee: Edgar Ortega Cervantes (51) Mexico
On June 27, 1996, at 1:05 PM, Santa Ana Police officers responded to the 500 block of S. Spruce Street regarding a call of unknown trouble after a roommate found a resident deceased in the restroom from apparent stab wounds. Homicide detectives assumed the investigation, however, the case went cold, lacking witnesses. The Orange County Coroner’s Division conducted their investigation and identified the victim as Julio Franco (24) of Santa Ana.
In 2009, Cold Case Homicide Detectives reviewed the case and identified potential items of forensic evidence. They submitted these items for analysis to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Crime Lab. A DNA profile was obtained and a suspect, Edgar Cervantes, was identified and ultimately located in Mexico. On October 26, 2020, Cervantes was arrested in Mexico.
On Thursday, July 15, 2021, in collaboration with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Cervantes was extradited to California and was released to the custody of Santa Ana Police Homicide Detectives.
Homicide detectives interviewed Cervantes who made incriminating statements. With the concurrence from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, SAPD Homicide detectives booked Cervantes for CPC 187 (a) – Murder.
The motive for the murder is still unknown. Anyone with additional 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.
Santa Ana PD 07/14/2021 Most Wanted Wednesday suspect Joshua Andrew Villa (30) has been identified and taken into custody this morning by Civic Center Patrol officers.
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Location: 3911 S. Bristol Street – CVS store
In July 10, 2021, at approximately 7:08PM, the suspect entered the CVS store and concealed merchandise in his person. A security guard confronted the suspect as he exited the store. The suspect attempted to strike the security guard, but was unsuccessful. The suspect fled the location on a rust colored beach cruiser bicycle.
Anyone with information on the identity/whereabouts of the wanted suspect is asked to contact Detective Prewett at (714) 245-8323 or DPrewett@santa-ana.org
SAPD gang detectives responded to the area of the 1600 block of North Spurgeon Street regarding a “shots fired” call.
The SAPD detectives located two male subjects on foot in the area of the 1400 block of North Ross Street. They recognized both subjects from previous contacts as gang members on probation for firearm violations.
Upon seeing detectives, both suspects fled on foot in different directions.
Detectives without incident quickly detained one of the suspects. A search of his person revealed a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol in his front waist area. The suspect was arrested and booked for several felony charges.
This incident occurred less than a half mile away from the headquarters of the Santa Ana Police Officers Association, the union that represents the SAPD’s police officers.
The SAPD has seized 200 firearms with 77 of them being ghost guns year to date.
Join the SAPD and the Santa Ana Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency today at 2PM at Bomo Koral Park, located at 900 W. MacArthur Blvd. for the 2nd Summer Safety event.
Come meet the SAPD K9 & Animal Control Officers. Receive safety tips & special giveaways (while supplies last).
Don’t miss out!
SAPD gang detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence of a subject believed to be in illegal possession of firearms.
As a result of the investigation, detectives located an AR rifle, a second .223 ca rifle, .22 ca semi-automatic pistol, narcotics for purposes of sales, weapons manufacturing equipment and US currency.
The suspect was arrested for several felony charges.
Santa Ana PD 07/07/2021 Most Wanted Wednesday suspect Jose Adolfo Rodriguez (30) has been identified and taken into custody this afternoon.
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Suspect Description: Male, Hispanic, 5’9”-5’11” tall, 165-180 lbs., 35-45 years old, medium complexion with a shaved head.
Location: 404 N. Grand Avenue – Donut Star
On 06/12/2021 at approximately 9:34PM, the wanted suspect was loitering inside the Donut Star. The victim placed his wallet on the counter after making a purchase. The suspect grabbed the victim’s wallet and ran outside. The victim gave chase and caught the suspect a short distance away. The victim attempted to retrieve his wallet, at which time the suspect physically assaulted him. The suspect overpowered the victim and fled with the victim’s wallet. The suspect made a purchase soon after the robbery. The suspect was seen riding the pictured bicycle.
Anyone with information on the identity/whereabouts of the wanted suspect is asked to please contact Detective Greaver at (714) 245-8362 or DGreaver@santa-ana.org.
On Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at 3:40 PM, SAPD Communications received a 9-1-1 call from a passerby reporting there was a male down on the east sidewalk at 1900 S. Grand Avenue, bleeding heavily from his head.
Orange County Fire Authority responded and transported the subject to a local hospital in critical condition. Medical staff declared the subject brain dead and placed him on life support, awaiting positive identification and notification to family members.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently being investigated. Detectives are attempting to identify and locate any witnesses who can shed light on this incident.
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 is hosing an Open House and Hiring Expo on Saturday, July 24. Come visit the Santa Ana Police Department and meet your community officers and staff from the different SAPD divisions.
Get the unique opportunity to learn all about our application and testing process to Join the SAPD from their Recruitment Team.
This is a free community event – don’t miss out! The event will be held at 60 Civic Center Plaza, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Do you have what it takes? The SAPD is hiring now! For more information on their recruitment process, contact their Recruitment Coordinator at JoinSantaAnaPD@santa-ana.org or visit JoinSantaAnaPD.org for more information.
On 06/12/2021 at approximately 9:34 p.m., the wanted suspect, a Male, Hispanic, 5’9”-5’11” tall, 165-180 lbs., 35-45 years old, medium complexion with a shaved head, was loitering inside a Donut Star located at 404 N. Grand Avenue, in Santa Ana.
A victim placed his wallet on the counter after making a purchase. The suspect grabbed the victim’s wallet and ran outside. The victim gave chase and caught the suspect a short distance away. The victim attempted to retrieve his wallet, at which time the suspect physically assaulted him. The suspect overpowered the victim and fled with the victim’s wallet.
The suspect made a purchase soon after the robbery. The suspect was seen riding the pictured bicycle.
Anyone with information on the identity/whereabouts of the wanted suspect is asked to please contact Detective Greaver at (714) 245-8362 or DGreaver@santa-ana.org.
It makes sense when you think about it. The local gangbangers have gotten pretty good at distributing meth and other drugs in Santa Ana. Why wouldn’t they use that business acumen to make a fortune selling illegal fireworks to our residents as well?
It turns out that is exactly what the gangs are doing, all over California. Even worse they are using the money they make importing and selling illegal fireworks to pay for the guns they use to commit crimes. Those guys by the way are increasingly ghost guns, made with 3-D printers. Such guns are unmarked and untraceable.
The gangbangers are buying the illegal fireworks in Nevada and in Mexico then stashing them in their cars and slipping them past our borders.
Illegal fireworks also enter into California through the port of Long Beach from Mexico and China and are ostensibly headed out of state to be sold legally, but some somehow never make it to their intended destinations. These fireworks are then sold online, in parking lots and from warehouses at double or triple their cost, according to the O.C. Register.
Over 250,000 pounds of illegal fireworks are seized by various police agencies in California every year and turned into the State Fire Marshall to be destroyed. However these are the proverbial tip of the iceberg as anyone in Santa Ana can attest. Every 4th of July is insane in Santa Ana with illegal fireworks booming overhead all night long into the wee hours.
These illegal fireworks are not safe. Every year dozens of Californians blow off their fingers and/or hands. Sometimes large quantities of fireworks blow up in the homes they are stored in, presenting a distinct hazard to our neighborhoods. That is not to mention the fire risk in a state that is bone dry.
The officials cannot stem the tide of illegal fireworks in California. It is up to you! Stop buying the illegal fireworks and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Don’t provide money to the gangs so they can turn around and buy more guns!
As 4th of July approaches, we would like to remind our community that only fireworks bearing the “Safe and Sane” seal are permitted to be used within the City limits, during the following days and hours only:
• July 1st – 12:00pm (noon) to 10:00pm
• July 2nd – 10:00am to 10:00pm
• July 3rd – 10:00am to 10:00pm
• July 4th – 10:00am to 9:00pm
The use of illegal fireworks may contribute to serious injuries and fires in our community. The Santa Ana Police Department wants to remind the community that “Possession and/or Use of Illegal Fireworks” is a CRIME. Violators may be subject to $1000 fines and up to one year in jail.
Community members can anonymously report the use of illegal fireworks at (714) 245-8771 or via email reportfireworks@santa-ana.org.
A medida que se acerca el 4 de julio, La Ciudad de Santa Ana les recuerda que sólo los fuegos artificiales que llevan el sello “Seguro y Sano” (“Safe and Sane”) están autorizados para uso dentro de los límites de la ciudad y solo durante los siguientes días y horas:
• 1 de julio – 12:00pm (mediodía) a 10:00pm
• 2 de julio – 10:00am a 10:00pm
• 3 de julio – 10:00am a 10:00pm
• 4 de julio – 10:00am a 9:00pm
El uso de fuegos artificiales ilegales puede contribuir a lesiones graves e incendios en nuestra comunidad. El Departamento de Policía de Santa Ana quiere recordarle a la comunidad que “posesión y / o uso de fuegos artificiales ilegales” es un DELITO. Los infractores pueden estar sujetos a multas de $ 1000 y hasta un año de cárcel.
Miembros de la comunidad pueden reportar el uso de fuegos artificiales ilegales anónimamente al (714) 245-8771 o por correo electrónico reportfireworks@santa-ana.org.
After receiving numerous complaints from residents regarding an illegal gambling den located in the 5400 block of W. Flight Avenue, (north of Mile Square Park) SAPD Vice detectives initiated an investigation that resulted in a search warrant of the premises.
This morning, SAPD Metropolitan detectives and officers from the SAPD’s Directed Patrol team server the warrant. The enforcement operation resulted in 9 arrests and the seizure of 5 illegal gaming machines.
Immediately following the enforcement action, several residents who live in close proximity to the area came out and personally thanked the officers for improving their quality of life.
On 05/08/2021, at approximately 4:30 a.m., as a victim was sitting in her vehicle, at Mom’s Donuts & Ice Cream, a suspect walked up and opened her car door. Without notice, the suspect punched the victim in the face and walked away.
The suspect was last seen walking southbound through the parking lot. Witnesses believe the suspect is homeless and is known to frequent the area.
Location: 2218 S. Grand Avenue.
Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact PIS K. Bryant at (714) 245–8466 or kbryant@santa-ana.org.