New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: theft

Anaheim barbershop owners found the Olympic Gold medal stolen from Jordyn Poulter

Posted on June 30, 2022 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Crime Leave a comment

ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 29, 2022,) – The 2020 Olympic Gold Medal belonging to Jordyn Poulter, which was stolen on May 25, 2022, has been located.

On May 25, 2022, the Anaheim Police Department Communications Center received a call of a vehicle burglary involving the theft of an Olympic Gold Medal. Upon arrival, officers met with the victim, Jordyn Poulter, the starting setter for the 2020 US Women’s Olympic Volleyball Team who notified officers of the loss of the medal.

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After pursuing investigative leads, APD burglary detectives arrested Jordan Fernandez, a 31-year-old resident of Anaheim, for the theft of the Gold Medal, however the medal was not located. Fernandez was formally charged on June 7, 2022, by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

On Monday, June 27, 2022, at about 7:15 p.m., the owners of Noel Barbershop, Maria Carrillo and Noe Hernandez, an Anaheim business in the 400 block of N. State College Boulevard located a discarded plastic bag on their property. Upon examining the bag, they discovered it contained the missing gold medal. The owners of the business contacted the Anaheim Police Department to return the medal.

APD burglary detectives are currently coordinating to facilitate the return of the gold medal to Jordyn Poulter.

Anaheim man arrested for the theft of an Olympic Gold Medal

Posted on June 8, 2022 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Crime Leave a comment

ANAHEIM, Calif. (June 7, 2022,) – Anaheim Police Detectives have arrested a suspect for the theft of an Olympic Gold Medal.

Jordyn explained she parked her vehicle in a garage in the 1500 block of E Lincoln Avenue. When she returned to her car, she noticed several items including her 2020 Tokyo Olympics Gold Medal for women’s volleyball had been stolen.

Subsequent to pursing several investigative leads, APD investigators arrested Jordan Fernandez, a 31-year-old resident of Anaheim, for the theft of the Gold Medal.

The case was presented to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. On June 7, 2022, Mr. Fernandez was formally charged with first degree residential burglary, second degree vehicle burglary, felony identity theft, and felony possession of narcotics. Mr. Fernandez has a lengthy criminal history.

Unfortunately, Jordyn’s Olympic Gold Medal has not yet been recovered and she is offering a $1,000 reward for its safe return, no questions asked.

If anyone has information on the Gold Medal’s whereabouts, please contact the Anaheim Police Department at 714-765-1900 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.

Two beauty supply store thieves wanted by the SAPD

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On March 15, 2022, the above pictured suspects entered a local beauty supply store and selected numerous items off the shelves. They placed the items in a basket and approximately 45 minutes later, both suspects exited the store and entered a white Toyota Corolla. One of the suspects brandished a pepper spray and pointed it at the victim and shoved the victim as he exited the store.

Suspect #1 Male, Hispanic, 5’3”-5’5” tall, 180-200 lbs. and 28-35 years old

Suspect #2 Female, Hispanic, 5’0”-5’2” tall, 160-180 lbs., 23-30 years old, dyed blond hair, multiple visible tattoos on her right thigh, right shin, left chest, both hands and right side of neck.

Location: 1600 block of W. 17th Street

Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the wanted suspects is asked to please contact Detective Greaver at DGreaver@santa-ana.org or (714) 245-8362

A witness description led to the arrest of high-dollar O.C. retail theft suspects

Posted on April 26, 2022 by Editor Posted in CHP, Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County Leave a comment

Last night O.C. Sheriff Deputies received a report of a high-dollar theft from a local retail store which had just occurred. A witness provided a great suspect description including the suspect vehicle’s license plate number.

The O. C. Deputies, who work in Mission Viejo, were assisted by the CHP, and police officers from the Irvine, Newport Beach and Lake Forest police departments.

This incident highlights the important role our community plays in helping address crime. The O.C. Sheriff remains committed to addressing property crime and holding accountable those who steal from our residents and businesses.

Body camera footage shows shooting of a theft suspect at an O.C. Walmart

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Guns, OC Sheriff, Orange County Leave a comment

LAKE FOREST, Ca. (March 1, 2022): Today, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department released a Critical Incident Video depicting the deputy-involved shooting that occurred in Foothill Ranch, a community located in the city of Lake Forest, Calif., on January 19, 2022.

The Critical Incident Video is available at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website.

In order to foster greater public trust with the community we serve, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will publish Critical Incident Videos about incidents in which the actions of department members in the performance of their duties are likely to have a significant impact on the Department, community, citizens, or any other person, and/or incidents involving the use of deadly force or force resulting in serious physical injury.

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Critical Incident Videos offer a clear and concise overview of the incident with relevant video, audio, photographs and information to give context to what occurred preceding, during and immediately after a critical incident. The videos will contain the factual circumstances as they are known at the time. No conclusions will be drawn about whether or not deputies acted in a manner consistent with our policies, and in accordance with the law, until all facts are known and the investigations are complete.

Per protocol, the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Former OC Sheriff’s Deputy gets four months of jail after stealing credit cards from a dead woman

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

Remember the disgraced former Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputy, Steve Hortz, who got caught stealing from dead victims? The 43-year-old crooked deputy from San Dimas pleaded guilty but his sentence was on the light side.

Hortz was sentenced to four months in jail for stealing the credit cards of dead victims he came across while on the job. He was placed on two years of formal probation and must report to jail by June 3.

Hortz pleaded guilty on Feb. 22 to single felony counts of burglary and grand theft and single misdemeanor counts each of burglary, identity theft and grand theft by embezzlement.

Hortz stole three credit cards from a woman in Yorba Linda after he conducted a welfare check on August 19, 2020 and found her dead inside her home. Hortz ended up using the stolen cards to make thousands of dollars worth of unauthorized online purchases. Fortunately most of the purchases were declined. He was charged with those crimes back in September.

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Hortz did something similar a month prior when he responded to a home on Via Angelina Drive in Yorba Linda to conduct another welfare check. The man who owned that home was found dead inside from what was later determined to be natural causes.

Hortz ended up retuning to the man’s house, including once while on duty and in uniform, to steal $27,000 worth of guns and other items. But his actions were recorded by surveillance cameras.

The probate attorney handling the dead man’s estate called the OC Sheriff’s department to report that a law enforcement officer may have stolen items from the home. They began an investigation and he was arrested on Sept. 10, 2020. He later resigned from the department in lieu of termination effective Sept. 30, 2020.

If a resident who was not a law enforcement officer did the same things that Hortz was convicted of how much time would he end up spending in prison?

State Senator Tom Umberg is targeting the theft of catalytic converters

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, California, Crime, Tom Umberg Leave a comment

Santa Ana’s State Senator, Tom Umberg, is working on a new law to target the theft of catalytic converters. The new proposed law will however mandate that car dealers apply a vehicle identification number (VIN) to the catalytic converter of each vehicle listed for sale. What the new law does not do is increase the criminal penalties for stealing the converters.

Stealing a catalytic converter is currently a crime under California law, which categorizes this offense as either petty theft or grand theft based on whether or not more than $950 worth of goods were stolen.

Our preference would be to also treat the theft of catalytic converters as grand theft given that replacing the stolen converters not only includes the cost to replace them but also the service involved – easily making it a loss of up to $4,000.

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We would also like to see a mandatory prison sentence of at least two years for theft of catalytic converters and a fine of at least $5,000. If the State of California keeps coddling thieves then they will continue to rob us blind.

Here is a recap of how the State of California currently handles thefts courtesy of Bulldog Bail Bonds:

Petty theft is a misdemeanor crime in California. The penalties for committing petty theft are:

Up to 6 months in county jail.
A max fine of $1,000.

Grand theft is a wobbler crime in California, meaning that it can either be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony depending on the facts of the cases. As a misdemeanor, the penalties for grand theft are:

Up to 1 year in county jail.
A max fine of $1,000.

As a felony, the penalties increase to:

16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail.
A max fine of $10,000.
Felony probation.

Most converter thieves don’t just steal one converter. They steal as many as they can get their hands on. In fact California is leading the entire U.S. in converter thefts, which have increased over 600% in the last two years.

Here is Umberg’s press release:

State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) joined Senator Tom Umberg to announce the introduction of Senate Bill 986, a measure that combats catalytic converter theft by requiring dealers to apply a vehicle identification number (VIN) to the catalytic converter of each vehicle listed for sale. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and LAPD Chief Michel Moore joined Senators Portantino and Umberg today during a press conference to announce the bill.

“Catalytic converter thefts are rising and serious. It is a crime that is affecting an increasing number of families in the 25th State Senate District and across the state,” stated Senator Portantino. “We must enact tougher law enforcement strategies and penalties to combat it. SB 986 offers a simple common sense solution to eliminating the legal challenges of prosecuting the theft of catalytic converters. The bill will also result in a reduction of thefts of used convertors, which is good news for both victims and law enforcement. I am proud to be a joint author of this measure with Senator Umberg and I look forward to working with him to curb the rise of catalytic thefts in our state.”

An imprinted serial number relating to the unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) identifies most major parts of vehicles sold in the United States. It is these identification markings that allow law enforcement to establish that parts are stolen, even if the stolen vehicle has already been fully broken down. However, this serial number identification process does not currently apply to catalytic converters. As a result, law enforcement may make arrests of individuals in possession of dozens or even hundreds of suspect catalytic converters — but be unable to prove a case in court because there is no way to identify the victims of crime to show that these parts are stolen. The application of a VIN to a catalytic converter is usually done by etching, in a process that is both easy and inexpensive.

“For whatever reason, car part thieves are perceived as emtpy-headed. The reality, however, is that catalytic converter theft can be quite lucrative. This bill is an important step forward in protecting California consumers, aiding our law enforcement agencies with enforcement, and continuing to crack down on illegal and environmentally-degrading car-part and vehicle disposal. We owe it to our communities to be more responsible, as a state, in regulating these illegal activities,” stated Senator Umberg.

Senate Bill 986 will require dealers to mark the catalytic converters of vehicles up for sale. The measure will also require core recyclers to record the unique identification number on each catalytic converter. Under SB 986, the core recycler’s obligation will only be relieved if the used catalytic converter, that was purchased or sold under a specified written agreement, is described with sufficient particularity. Upon request from local law enforcement, the burden will fall on the core recycler to prove that the catalytic converter was purchased under the specified written agreement.

“Catalytic converters have become a popular target of theft because they contain valuable metals and are untraceable and easy to sell,” District Attorney Gascón said. “This bill will give law enforcement important tools that will reduce property crime and save consumers the money and hassle of replacing the stolen parts.”

The SAPD is looking for a man who stole over $1M worth of COVID-19 tests from his employer

Posted on February 23, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, SAPD Leave a comment

Wanted Suspect Carlitos Peralta was the Warehouse Manager of “Covid Clinic” located at 3401 W. MacArthur Boulevard, City of Santa Ana.

“Covid Clinic” has seven warehouses throughout the nation where they store and ship Covid-19 tests to customers such as clinics, pop-up testing sites, schools and hotels. Peralta had access to the shipping and delivery system from the various warehouses.

Peralta had nearly 100 separate shipments of large amounts of Covid-19 tests sent to his residence from multiple “Covid Clinic” warehouses. The total amount of loss is estimated to be $1,000,575.00.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspect is asked to contact Detective Wilson at (714) 245-8551.

The SAPD arrested two theft suspects but one more is still on the lam

Posted on February 10, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

The SAPD arrested two theft suspects on Wednesday, February 9, 2022.

A second suspect (Male, Hispanic, 20-25 years old, black hair, blue ball cap, black jacket, white shirt and blue jeans) is still outstanding.

Arrestees:

Suspect #1 – Oscar Cruz (37)
Suspect #3 – Diana Sanchez (33)

On 10/10/2020 at approximately 4:39 AM, the wanted suspects entered a victim’s locked vehicle while it was parked inside the apartment complex at 1200 E. Fairhaven Avenue.

One suspect used an unknown tool to open the bed cover of the victim’s truck and miscellaneous construction tools were taken with a total value of $4,500.00.

The suspects were seen driving away in a silver Toyota SUV with a female driver who was later identified as Diana Sanchez.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts or identity of the wanted suspect is asked to contact Detective Romero at (714) 245-8529 or BRomero@santa-ana.org.

A Santa Ana man was stabbed in the neck while trying to sell Fentanyl pills at a park in Irvine

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Editor Posted in Drugs, Irvine, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

Eric Quintanilla, an 18-year-old suspected of stabbing a Santa Ana man at a park in Irvine while trying to steal fentanyl from him was arrested, according to the Irvine Police.

The victim had arranged to meet with Quintanilla at Orchard Park, located at 1 Van Buren, in Irvine, on Friday, Feb. 4. The purpose of the meeting was to sell fentanyl pills to Quintanilla, an Irvine resident.

As they sat in the victim’s vehicle, at about 1 pm, Quintanilla allegedly demanded that he be given the pills but refused to pay for them. When the victim refused Quintanilla stabbed in the neck several times.

The victim’s injuries were deemed not life-threatening as somehow Quintanilla failed to damage any major veins or arteries during the attack.

After the attack and theft Quintanilla fled on foot while the victim returned to Santa Ana and eventually sought treatment from paramedics.

Amazingly the victim reported the attack to the SAPD. He now may face charges related to drug sales. The police did not reveal his identity.

Detectives located Quintanilla at his home in Irvine on Saturday. He was booked at the Orange County Jail and was being held without bail according to the police.

Anyone with information regarding the incident was asked to contact Irvine police at mmahmood@cityofirvine.org.

Homeless man on parole arrested for stealing a $2,000 bike from Orange Cycle

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Editor Posted in Bicycles, Crime, homeless, Orange 2 Comments

At 4:09 this morning, an alarm company for Orange Cycle reported a window smash activation. When the police officers arrived, they observed a window smash and found a $2,000 bicycle missing.

A graveyard officer observed a male riding a new bicycle in the area of St. Joseph Hospital. The suspect immediately fled, ditched the stolen bicycle at Batavia and La Veta, and jumped a fence into the Sisters of St. Joseph property.

A perimeter was established and the suspect was subsequently located (with the help from K9 Danto) and arrested.

The suspect, a transient on parole was identified as Alejandro Zermeno.

The suspect was booked at the Orange County Jail and the bicycle was returned to Orange Cycle.

The Orange Police Department hopes that the parole hold and felony arrest will keep Zermeno in jail this time.

The Westminster police are trying to I.D. a suspect who tried to steal a pickup

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, Crime, Westminster 2 Comments

On Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 0433 hrs., the pictured suspect removed the door handle and cut off the anti-theft lock from a ’95 Toyota pickup at 9011 McFadden Ave., in Westminster. The suspect left and returned at 0507 hrs. but was unsuccessful in stealing the vehicle.

Suspect 1: Male/Hispanic, 35-40, unshaven, medium build, blue mechanic/tow driver uniform with safety yellow stripes, blue ball hat

Suspect Vehicle: White, older model GMC Yukon

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Detective M. Ogawa at (714) 548-3799 or mogawa@westminster-ca.gov.

Two Romanians arrested for Garden Grove robberies that targeted the elderly

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Garden Grove 2 Comments

Over the past six months, Garden Grove Police Department Detectives have been investigating approximately 28 cases of robbery or distraction thefts, all sharing the same MO.

The suspect(s) tend to target elderly Asians wearing expensive jewelry. They would approach their “target” and remove his/her jewelry, then replace it with a fake piece. These suspects are so slick and methodical in their approach, that many victims did not realize their property had been stolen until hours later.

Using victim/witness statements, surveillance video and evidence left at the scenes, Detectives were able to develop several leads and tie these robberies/thefts to organized groups that identify themselves as Romanian travelers. These groups will move throughout the states, committing similar crimes.

Yesterday, on December 14, 2021 at 4:00 p.m., patrol officers stopped a vehicle on the 12500 block of Nutwood St. The front seat passenger, identified as Floarea Ghiocel, had an active warrant for some of the above-mentioned cases and was taken into custody.

As Ghiocel was being transported to the police department, the transporting officer noticed a suspicious vehicle following them closely. A vehicle stop was done on the car; and when the occupants were contacted, the driver was found to be Marius Ghiocel. He also had an active warrant and was taken into custody without incident. Both Floarea and Marius Ghiocel were later transported and booked at the Orange County Jail for robbery.

This investigation is on-going. Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Detective Franks at 714-741-5836.

An O.C. bike theft victim helped the police to track down and arrest the suspect

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Editor Posted in Bicycles, Costa Mesa, Crime Leave a comment

Yesterday afternoon, a resident called the Costa Mesa Police dispatch to report that her bike had just been stolen from the 100 block of E. 18th Street.

She immediately jumped into her car along with her canine companion, Harper, in search of her orange beach cruiser.

She located her bicycle being ridden by a man in the 1800 block of Harbor Boulevard and let the police know. The Community Policing Unit (CPU) sergeant responded to the area and stopped the subject on the beach cruiser as CPU officers arrived to the scene on their bicycles.

The suspect was promptly arrested and the victim’s bicycle was returned to her.

The victim and Harper, pictured here, were so happy to have their bike back!

Unfortunately, the subject had taken off Harper’s doggy basket, which was not located at the time of his arrest.

Armed robbers who targeted bicyclists in Garden Grove arrested

Posted on June 12, 2021 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

On Saturday, June 5th, an armed robbery occurred in Garden Grove where two males drove up to a male and female riding their bicycles on Chapman Ave. The suspects used their vehicle to block the path of the victims, before accosting them. One male exited the vehicle with a semi-auto handgun, while the other exited with a metal baseball bat.

The suspect holding the handgun approached the female victim and demanded her bicycle. Ultimately, they took her bicycle, bag pack and cell phone. The male victim was able to flee the location.

The Community Impact Unit (CIU) was contacted to conduct follow up, and were able to immediately identify the two suspects as David Linde and Francisco Sandoval. Both Linde and Sandoval were located, arrested, and later booked at the Orange County Jail.

Yesterday, June 10, CIU Officers obtained and served a search warrant on Sandoval’s residence. Six firearms, additional firearm parts and five receivers (potentially classified as machine guns) were located and seized.