New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: burglary

A suspect injured himself while trying to burglarize a business in Orange

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Orange Leave a comment

A resident of Orange called to report a large amount of blood found on the outside of a vehicle parked in the area of Lincoln and Glassell on Friday morning at 6:58 a.m.

When the police officers arrived, they located the vehicle and discovered a blood trail leading to an auto parts business at 150 E. Lincoln.

Surveillance footage from the business showed a male in dark clothing attempting to scale a gate onto the property. During his attempt, the suspect fell and appeared to have injured himself.

The suspect fled the area on foot and has not been located.

Orange County Sheriff’s Department, CA bloodhounds assisted with the search. The eastbound lanes of Lincoln were closed for approximately 2 more hours.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call 714-744-7444.

Suspect from Hawthorn arrested for burglarizing homes in Orange County

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Huntington Beach, Los Angeles County Leave a comment

Jonatan Jose Medina-Mejia, of Hawthorn, was arrested earlier this week in connection with a series of residential burglaries that took place in Huntington Beach after an investigation led by the H.B.police detectives and Special Investigation Unit.

The investigation into Medina-Mejia is ongoing as detectives have reason to believe he is responsible for additional burglaries in Orange County.

Burglars are targeting the elderly in Garden Grove

Posted on May 20, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Garden Grove Leave a comment

The Garden Grove Police Department has received numerous reports of ‘distraction’ burglaries near the residential tracks along Chapman Ave. between Euclid St and 9th St.

The same two thieves are described as male Hispanic, 5-06’, medium build, 30 – 40 years old; and a female Hispanic, 5-05’, thin build, dark hair, 30 years old. The third suspect is a male driver (unknown description).The suspect car is described as dark, 4-door hatchback or small crossover.

All of the incidents involve the first suspect knocking on the victim’s door and asking about trees in their backyard. As the victim takes the suspect to the backyard, the second suspect enters through the unlocked front door to steal valuables inside the home.

Please be aware of anyone at your door, especially if you do not have an appointment or are unsure of the person. DO NOT allow them into your home and immediately the Garden Grove Police Department at 714-741-5704 or 9-1-1.The thieves seem to be targeting elderly residents. Let your neighbors know about this crime trend, especially those who may not have social media.

The Garden Grove police arrested a cat burglary suspect

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Garden Grove 1 Comment

On 4/12/2021 a cat burglary occurred at the 10240 block of Trask Ave. Garden Grove police officers were able to obtain surveillance showing a suspect at the scene.

On 4/13/2021 the same suspect burglarized a home on the 11500 block of Daniel St. and was again observed on surveillance video.

During the investigation, Property Crimes detectives were able to identify the suspect to be Marcos Dejesus.

On today’s date, detectives located Dejesus and took him into custody without incident. He was later booked into Orange County Jail.

Dejesus was also in possession of some stolen items from the above mentioned burglary, at the time of arrest.

Burglar arrested in Tustin with help from a live feed video camera

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Tustin 8 Comments

Daniel Elizondo thought he might get away with breaking into a business in Tustin. However his image was captured by video surveillance cameras that happened to have a live feed. The cameras caught him breaking into the business and the business owner was able to contact the Tustin Police as the crime was in progress.

After being notified of the burglary, Tustin Police officers arrived on the scene and surrounded the involved business.

Elizondo was immediately detained by Tustin Police Officers as he exited the business. He was arrested for burglary and a felony ADW warrant. Elizondo was booked into the O.C. Central Jail.

The Tustin police arrested a residential burglary suspect

Posted on February 12, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Tustin Leave a comment

In January, the Tustin Police Department investigated a residential burglary in the Old Town Tustin area.

Surveillance video showed the suspect, Santos Diaz, trespass onto the property and enter it.

Several items were taken from the residence.

Through a combined effort from Patrol, CSI, Detectives, and GRADE, the suspect was identified and arrested.

Santos Diaz was booked into jail for residential burglary and prowling.

The SAPD is looking for burglars who targeted the Bowers Museum

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Between 12/24/2020 and 01/18/2021, the Bowers Museum was the victim of four commercial burglaries. During three of the incidents, large metal freight containers and a shed on the property were burglarized.

Surveillance footage captured several unknown suspects climbing over the wall and locked fence, using a bolt cutter and an electric grinder to force entry into the containers.

Numerous power/hand tools, valued at approximately $5000 and miscellaneous items from the gift shop valued at approximately $3000 were taken.

Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of these suspects is asked to contact Detective Castro at (714) 245-8345 or ACastro@santa-ana.org.

The SAPD is looking for a burglar who stole beauty products from a salon

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On October 27, 2020, at approximately 4:20 AM, a wanted suspect utilized an unknown object to shatter a glass window to the business and make entry. Once inside, the suspect proceeded to fill a trashcan with approximately $1,500 worth of beauty products. The suspect was seen entering a dark colored SUV occupied by two other unknown individuals.

Location: 2614 S. Bristol Street – Salon Marbella

Anyone with information of the identity/whereabouts of the suspect is asked to please contact Detective Garcia at (714) 245-8732 or JGarcia@santa-ana.org

Costa Mesa burglary suspects caught red-handed

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Editor Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime 6 Comments

On Tuesday, at approximately 5 a.m., a witness observed and reported two subjects forcing open a garage door at a complex in Costa Mesa. The suspects were described as wearing dark clothing and hooded sweatshirts.

As Costa Mesa police officers arrived, they saw a black Dodge station wagon leaving the complex. Officers stopped the vehicle, which was occupied by two males wearing dark sweatshirts.

The person who reported the burglary returned to the scene and identified one of the suspects and the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle revealed stolen property taken from the garage. Officers recovered a skateboard, electronic devices, a bank check, photographs, and other personal effects.

Juan Zeledon, 37, Anaheim, and Raymond Gonzales, 36, Garden Grove, were then arrested and booked for burglary.

The personal items were identified and returned to the rightful owners.

The Garden Grove police are looking for a commercial burglary suspect

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

On Monday, October 5, 2020, Garden Grove Police Department officers responded to the Mobil Mart at 12422 Valley View St. regarding a burglary that had just occurred.

The suspect was able to break into the closed business, then leave in an unknown direction.

PERSON OF INTEREST: male, Asian or Hispanic, 20-25 years old, 160-175 lbs, tattoos on both arms.

Anyone with information on the incident, or this person’s identity and whereabouts, is asked to call Detective Holloway at 714-741-5827.

Santa Ana commercial burglary suspect arrested in Tustin

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD, Tustin Leave a comment

A commercial burglary suspect who accessed the storage yard of the Saf-T-Co Supply Inc. warehouse, located at 1300 E. Normandy Place, in Santa Ana, and stole several tools with an estimated value of approximately $1,400.00, is now under arrest courtesy of the Tustin Police Department.

The suspect, who has not been identified by name, was arrested in Tustin on a different criminal charge unrelated to the Santa Ana case..

Anyone with additional information on the suspect is asked to please contact Detective Garcia at (714) 245-8732 or JGarcia@santa-ana.org.

The SAPD is searching for a commercial burglary suspect

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On August 29, 2020, at approximately 6 PM, the wanted suspect accessed the storage yard of the Saf-T-Co Supply Inc. warehouse, located at 1300 E. Normandy Place, in Santa Ana.

While walking through the yard, the suspect located an open window to the building, which he used to make entry. Once inside, the suspect ransacked the warehouse and stole several tools with an estimated value of approximately $1,400.00.

Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the wanted suspect is asked to please contact Detective Garcia at (714) 245-8732 or JGarcia@santa-ana.org.

Former O.C. Sheriff’s Deputy charged with stealing guns and burglarizing the home of a dead man

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputy has been charged with multiple felonies in connection with breaking into the Yorba Linda home of a man he found dead during a welfare check. The 12-year veteran was captured on home surveillance video returning to the home several times, including once while on duty and wearing his Sheriff’s uniform, and taking guns and other items from the home.

Steve Hortz, 42, of San Dimas, has been charged with three felony counts of second degree burglary and two felony counts of grand theft of a firearm in connection with breaking into the deceased man’s Yorba Linda home.

Hortz is scheduled to be arraigned on October 13, 2020 at the West Justice Center in Department in W3 at 8:30 a.m. He faces a maximum sentence of four years and four months in state prison if convicted on all charges. Hortz resigned in lieu of termination effective September 30, 2020.

Hortz responded along with two other Sheriff’s Department employees to a home on Via Angelina Drive in Yorba Linda on July 20, 2020 to conduct a welfare check. The homeowner was found deceased of what was later determined to be natural causes.

Hortz is accused of returning to the home in uniform on July 27, 2020 and breaking into the home while he was on duty. He is also accused of returning to the home on two more occasions – on August 10, 2020 and August 16, 2020 – shortly before he was scheduled to work and stealing items from the home, including a total of 15 firearms.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department initiated an investigation after the probate attorney handling the deceased homeowner’s estate reported that a law enforcement officer may have stolen items from the home.

Hortz was arrested on September 10, 2020 by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

“The failure of a single law enforcement officer to live up to his or her oath does not just tarnish that officer’s badge, it tarnishes the badge of the hundreds of thousands of honorable law enforcement officers who work day in and day out to protect and serve,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “When we call on law enforcement officers for help, we expect that they answer that call for help with the purest intentions to help those in need, not as an opportunity to scope out the situation in order to return later and victimize the very people they are sworn to protect.”

Deputy District Attorney Laila Nikaien of Special Prosecutions is prosecuting this case.

Convict arrested for a commercial burglary in Fountain Valley

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana Leave a comment

On 09-07-20, between the hours of 9:30 AM and 1:50 PM, a commercial burglary occurred at a business in Fountain Valley.

The Fountain Valley Police Department (FVPD) investigated the burglary and determined an unknown suspect had used a pry tool to force entry into the closed business. Once inside, the suspect rummaged through the interior and stole property, including two I-pads.

On 09-07-20 at approximately 3:30 PM, a concerned citizen called FVPD to report a suspicious subject who was looking into vehicles in the parking lot of a Hotel in Fountain Valley.

FVPD Officers arrived on scene and located Ricardo Altamirano, a 27 year old resident of San Jacinto, as he was hiding in some bushes. A records check of Altamirano revealed he had numerous prior arrests and convictions for theft and narcotics related offenses. A search of Altamirano’s property revealed he was in possession of burglary tools and two I-pads.

FVPD Officers conferred with Detectives, Police Services Officers, the victim, the citizen who called FVPD and reviewed the physical evidence and confirmed the two I-pads in Altamirano’s possession were the I-pads stolen hours earlier and the burglary tools in his possession were the same tools used during the commission of that crime.

Altamirano was arrested for PC 459-Burglary, PC 466-Possession of burglary tools, and PC 496(a)-Possession of stolen property. FVPD returned the stolen property to the burglary victims and booked Altamirano into Orange County Jail.

The FVPD is thankful for our strong community partnership and specifically to the citizen who reported this suspicious subject. This arrest and investigation serves as a great reminder “if you see something, say something.” (20-29412)

O.C. Deputy Sheriff arrested for suspected burglary of a dead elderly man’s residence

Posted on September 10, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana 2 Comments

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Sept. 10, 2020): Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Hortz has been booked into jail on suspicion of burglary.

The deputy, a 12-year veteran of the Department, responded to a call for service on July 20, 2020 at a Yorba Linda residence regarding a man in his 70s who died from apparent natural causes. On September 9, the Department was contacted by an attorney representing the family estate who reported items missing from the residence. The attorney provided home surveillance video that captured the deputy making unauthorized entrance to the residence on at least three separate occasions and exiting with stolen property.

In the first incident, the deputy returned to the residence on July 27. While in uniform, he broke into the unoccupied residence through the rear and left a short time later. It is unclear whether a theft occurred at that time.

The deputy returned to the residence in the early morning on August 10 and August 16 while in civilian clothes and removed items including weapon safes, ceiling fans, and cases containing unknown items. It is believed the home was unoccupied.

Upon learning of the burglaries, the Department launched an immediate investigation. The deputy was arrested the morning of September 10, 2020 and has been booked into the Santa Ana Jail on suspicion of burglary. He was also placed on administrative leave, and the Department will investigate prior calls handled by the deputy to determine if similar unreported instances have occurred.

“The suspected criminal actions of this deputy are a violation of public trust, are inexcusable and intolerable,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “This deputy will be held accountable through a swift and thorough process including a full criminal and internal administrative investigation.

“These actions undermine the good work done every day by the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. We have proudly served the community of Yorba Linda since 2013. As your Sheriff, I want you to know that these criminal actions by a member of my staff will not be tolerated and are not indicative of the service we provide to Yorba Linda, or any other contract city.

“I will hold accountable deputies who do not honor the oath they swore to uphold. It is imperative that we do everything in our power to ensure that the men and women who have the privilege to wear the badge humbly recognize the responsibility entrusted to them as a member of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.”