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Santa Ana Police Department Advisory:

Suspect arrested after grabbing a child on his way to a park for soccer practice

Location: Delhi Park (Park) 505 E. Central

Arrested, Victor Joseph Espinoza, 55 of Santa Ana

Summary: On 10/4/2012 at 1923 hours, officers were dispatched to 505 E. Central, regarding an adult male who was trying to kidnap a 10-yr-old male. The call stated that a soccer coach was trying, unsuccessfully, to detain the male suspect. When officers arrived, the 425 lb. suspect had escaped; he was located by the helicopter, hiding in a rear yard in the 5oo block of E. Central. The suspect was taken into custody without incident, but he had minor injuries from his contact with the soccer coach.

The investigation revealed that the 10 year old victim was going to soccer practice with his 19 year female cousin, when the suspect, who the victim did not know, lured the victim close enough to grab him. The boy yelled for help and tried to pull away, but the suspect would not let him go. The victim was able to break free and he and his cousin ran to the park telling the soccer coach what had occurred. The coach located the suspect in front of the park. When the suspect saw the coach he attempted to flee and was tackled by the coach in the street. The Coach attempted to detain the suspect until officers arrived however was unable to. The suspect ran into the back yard of a residence in the 500 block of east Central where he was found and arrested.

The arrestee was booked for False Imprisonment, child annoying, and gang enhancements, as he was a documented gang member.

author avatar
Art Pedroza Editor
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

By Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

13 thoughts on “Suspect arrested after grabbing a child on his way to a park for soccer practice”
  1. This is irresponsile journalism.

    This man is INNOCENT until proven guilty. In Long Beach, he would have simply gotten a warning!

    I asked Dan and he said that this NEVER would be permitted in Irvine, they don’t let Mexican’s in town (unless thier wves are cleaning the house)!

    Joe Hill, is a healthy male, with intelligence and vigor, he is educated and an authority…..unlike his alter ego…

  2. Wow…that Karina Onofre banner is right over this dudes pic. Talk about Beauty and the Beast!

  3. O.M.G. Don’t you answer text? I am crawling to the hospital right now. I can’t stop laughing. I hope I don’t get picked up by Jabba the Hut.

  4. It is really hard to look at that picture and not comment. Seriously, there comes a time when obesity in our country has turned people into something that only resembles human. That is just crazy.

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