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The Irvine police arrested three mail theft suspects in two separate cases

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IRVINE, Calif. (April 13, 2021) – Yesterday afternoon, IPD officers arrested 35-year-old Joshua Thompson for stealing mail in the area of Portola and Arrowhead. This morning, 27-year-old Oscar Cruz-Guzman and 29-year-old Emily Hernandez were arrested for mail theft in the area of Montanas Este and San Joaquin.

Yesterday, shortly after 3:00 p.m., witnesses observed an adult male in a white Toyota Scion stealing mail from unsecured mailboxes in the area of Portola and Arrowhead. A witness on a bicycle gave chase while another witness called IPD. The bicyclist saw an officer in the area and was able to point out the suspect vehicle as it drove away. The officer stopped the suspect and located piles of mail on the front passenger seat. It was determined Thompson stole mail from 39 different victims in Irvine and Mission Viejo. He was arrested and booked at the Orange County Jail for mail theft with a prior conviction.

At approximately 5:00 a.m. this morning, an officer was patrolling a neighborhood near Montanas Este and San Joaquin when he noticed a vehicle leaving the area. He stopped the vehicle driven by Oscar Cruz-Guzman, and learned he had active warrants for drug related offenses. A search of the vehicle revealed several pieces of stolen mail from two victims in Irvine. A female passenger in the vehicle, Emily Hernandez, had several master mailbox keys in her possession. Hernandez was arrested for mail theft, possession of burglary tools and possession of narcotics. Cruz-Guzman was arrested for outstanding warrants, mail theft, possession of burglary tools and drug paraphernalia.

Mail thieves typically seek credit cards or mail containing personal identifying information to be used for fraud related crimes. Please retrieve your mail regularly to help avoid becoming a victim.

Garden Grove thief stored her stolen items at the same facility she targeted

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Over the last holiday season, the Smart Stop Storage Facility, located at 12321 Western Ave. in Garden Grove, reported nine burglaries in a 6-week span.

During the investigation, Property Crimes detectives developed information that identified the suspect and learned she also rented a storage unit at the same facility.

This week, Garden Grove police detectives obtained and served a search warrant on the suspect’s storage unit. They were able to recover $10,000 worth of documented stolen property, from various Garden Grove P.D. cases.

The items included clothing, several large-screen flat-panel televisions, professional cooking equipment, retail products and personal belongings.

Several victims were contacted and able to arrive and claim their stolen property.

One of the victims was a mother who supports her family by selling the retail products at flea markets. With some of her inventory returned, she is now able to continue providing for her family.

The Tustin Police arrested a trio of catalytic converter thieves

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Two minutes after 2 AM this Thursday, a Tustin PD K-9 Officer was in the area of Red Hill Ave. and Sycamore Ave. when he noticed a suspicious vehicle exit the Tustin Meadows neighborhood.

The police officer stopped the vehicle and contacted three occupants. The suspects were found to be in possession of a catalytic converter which was taken from a vehicle parked at the Tustin Meadows. Officers searched the area, and they were able to locate the victim’s vehicle.

The suspects were also in possession of a low-profile garage jack, a cordless saw, and drugs.

Richard Delarosa, Patrick Mendez, and Justin Jauregui were all booked at OC Jail for grand theft, possession of stolen property, conspiracy, and drug offenses.

Serial robbers arrested in Costa Mesa after a carjacking

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COSTA MESA, Calif. (February 12, 2021) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) yesterday arrested Jacob Aaron Vazquez, 20, and Esther Kavina Maultsby, 19, both from Costa Mesa, shortly after being connected to two incidents, one a robbery and the other a theft.  
 
On Feb. 11, 2021, at approximately 2:55 p.m., officers responded to the parking lot of a bank at the 1400 block of Baker Street regarding a robbery that had just occurred. Officers located the victim standing outside her car but the suspects had already fled the scene. 
 
The victim had been sitting in her car at the bank with her young child, who was asleep in the car seat, when a male suspect opened her passenger car door and brandished a knife. The male suspect demanded her purse and money and threatened the victim before taking her purse. He then got into the passenger side of the suspect vehicle.  

The victim then attempted to get her purse back when a female suspect exited the bank and shoved the victim away from the car. The female suspect, later identified as Maultsby, got into the suspect vehicle and the suspects fled the scene. The victim was able to report the license plate to CMPD before it left. 
 
While investigating the robbery, officers learned of a prior theft call holding at TeWinkle Park involving a stolen purse and similar suspect descriptions. Officers were able to locate the suspect vehicle in a parking lot at the 1200 block of Adams Avenue and contacted the suspects in their car as they were attempting to leave.

Both suspects, Vazquez and Maultsby, were positively identified and arrested. Both of the victims’ property were recovered from the suspect car.

How to prevent the theft of your catalytic converters and bicycles

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The Tustin Police Department has investigated over 115 catalytic converter thefts since 1/1/2020. The thieves target this vehicle part due to the precious metals of platinum, palladium, and rhodium inside. They use a sawing tool to cut the part away from underneath the vehicle.

The most targeted vehicles are Honda Element, Toyota Prius and Ford trucks. Lesser targeted vehicles include Honda Accord, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota and Chevrolet trucks, vans and SUV’s.

Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Tips:

  • Install a catalytic converter lock on your vehicle. This part typically costs close to $150.
  • Park in a well-lit and non-secluded area.
  • If you hear mechanical or sawing type noises after dark, call the police.
  • If you see the crime occurring, call the police and be a good witness. Do not get involved with criminals. Let the police make contact.
  • This crime can occur at all times of the day, so be alert.
  • Report all suspicious activity. See something, say something.

In 2020, the Tustin Police Department saw a spike in reported bicycle thefts with 133 (2017: 93, 2018: 70, 2019: 69).

YTD in 2021, there have been 12 reported bicycle thefts. In both January and February, The Tustin Police Department arrested an individual for attempted bike theft, interrupting the actual crime.

Bike Theft Prevention Tips:

  • Lock your bicycle. Always secure your bike to a fixed object using a strong lock. While a cable lock might seem strong, many can be cut with a simple hand tool. A metal U-lock offers greater security. Consider combining that lock with wheel locks for increased protection.
  • Report suspicious behavior. We rely on your keen observations to help direct our resources. Our response may include increased patrols, undercover operations, or a technological approach.
  • Record your bicycle’s serial number. Bicycles have stamped serial numbers on the frame which can aid law enforcement in arresting thieves and returning stolen property. Detailed photos of your bike are also useful.

The SAPD is looking for burglars who targeted the Bowers Museum

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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.

Former O.C. Sheriff’s Deputy convicted after stealing a credit card from a suspect

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SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former Orange County Sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty today to filing a false police report in connection with taking a credit card from a suspect. She later gave the card to her son who then used it.

Angelina Cortez, 41, was charged in September with one felony count of filing a false police report. An Orange County Superior Court judge reduced the charge to a misdemeanor today over the objection of prosecutors. The judge sentenced Cortez to 120 hours community service and one year informal probation. She had faced a maximum sentence of three years in jail if convicted.

Cortez was assigned to a training officer on November 19, 2018 when she and her training officer responded to a call of a man stealing wine and batteries from a San Clemente 7-Eleven store. Cortez is accused of taking the theft suspect’s credit card, putting it in her uniform shirt pocket and later giving it to her son, who then used it. The card was never booked into evidence.

“The public must be able to trust that law enforcement officers will carry out their duties lawfully,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “When the law is broken by the very people who are entrusted to enforce it, the integrity of the entire criminal justice system is compromised. We will not allow the rule of law to be abused by someone in a position of power who chooses to prey on the vulnerable.”

Homeless catalytic converter thief arrested again in Fountain Valley

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On January 3, 2021 at 0302 hours, Fountain Valley Police Department Officers responded to the area of Talbert and Mt. Washington regarding a small fire.

When the police officers arrived, they located 50 year-old Felipe Batalla, a transient of Fountain Valley.

Some of you may remember Mr. Batalla from a recent press release regarding catalytic converter arrests (Incident #20-42155).

During this investigation, Officers found a shopping cart next to Batalla which contained 3 cut catalytic converters and a reciprocating saw.

Batalla was arrested (again) for possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, and providing false information to a Police Officer.

Mr. Batalla was subsequently booked into Orange County Jail for these charges. Incident #21-00170.

The SAPD is searching for a woman who stole $10K from her employer

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Wanted suspect Michelle Galindo stole over $10,000 from her employer. When she was confronted by her employer about the theft, she left work and never returned. Her current whereabouts are unknown and a warrant for her arrest has been issued.

Wanted Suspect: Michelle Myshyl Galindo (51)

Description: Female, Hispanic, 5’5”, 168 lbs., Black Hair and Brown Eyes.

Anyone with information on Galindo’s whereabouts is asked to please contact Detective Tapia at (714) 245-8516 or GTapia@santa-ana.org

Catalytic converter thieves arrested in Fountain Valley

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On December 26, 2020, at 3:20 a.m., the Fountain Valley Police Department Officers responded to the 18000 block of Mt. Langley regarding a possible theft of motor vehicle parts in progress.

When the police officers arrived they set up a containment around the area and located a dark blue Chrysler 300 as it was leaving the area.

Lorena Castillo

The four occupants in the vehicle were: 39 year-old Miguel Rodriguez of Los Angeles, 50 year-old Felipe Batalla a transient of Fountain Valley, 39 year-old Lorena Castillo of Los Angeles, and 30 year-old Marcelle Coleman of Los Angeles. Marcelle Coleman is currently on formal probation out of LA County for robbery.

Marcelle Coleman

In the vehicle, Officers located five cut catalytic converters, one cut muffler/resonator, three reciprocating saws, other burglary tools, methamphetamine, and narcotics paraphernalia.

Miguel Rodriguez

Officers canvassed the area and discovered two vehicles, which had their catalytic converters stolen, one vehicle in which the catalytic converter was partially cut off, and one vehicle had been burglarized.

Felipe Batalla

All four occupants were arrested and booked into Orange County Jail for burglary, conspiracy, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, and grand theft.

Former O.C. Deputy Sheriff indicted for stealing guns and burglarizing the home of a deceased man

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SANTA ANA, Calif. – A former Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputy has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple felonies in connection with breaking into the Yorba Linda home of a man he found dead during a welfare check this summer. 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, to steal guns and other items from the home.

Steve Hortz, 42, of San Dimas, was indicted on 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 the grand jury indictment on January 26, 2021. 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.

“I am so angry and beyond disappointed. This act in and of itself has done so much damage to the public perception of law enforcement and the timing could not be more detrimental,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “The community must be able to trust those who wear the badge and have complete confidence that they are there to protect and serve the community rather than exploit that trust to rob the very people they are sworn to safeguard.”

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

The SAPD is searching for an armed suspect who robbed a Waba Grill

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On 11/19/2020 at approximately 10 PM, the wanted suspect entered the Waba Grill at 1703 E. McFadden Avenue and contacted the clerk. The suspect threw a plastic bag at the clerk and demanded the money from the register. Once taking the money the suspect fled on foot and was last seen running in a northwest direction toward Lyon Street.

Anyone with information on the identity/whereabouts of the wanted suspect is asked to contact Detective D. Prewett at (714) 245-8323 or DPrewett@santa-ana.org

Santa Ana man arrested for auto theft and multiple burglaries

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On 10-14-20 at 11:50 p.m., Irvine PD investigated the theft of a white 2017 Toyota Camry from the area of Culver and the I-405.

Fountain Valley Police Department (FVPD) Officers investigated a theft from a vehicle and an interrupted residential burglary on the 11000 block of Mayflower Avenue in the City of Fountain Valley. Prior to Officers arriving on scene, the suspect fled in the above-referenced vehicle that was stolen in Irvine.

The Santa Ana Police Department arrested a 25 year old resident of Santa Ana, Miguel Angel Yerena, for PC 459-Residential Burglary, PC 69-Obstructing Arrest, HS 11375(b)(1)-Possession of Narcotics for Sales, and PC 242-Assault and the SAPD booked him into Orange County Jail.

Yerena is on active Orange County Formal Probation. He was released on bond from Orange County Jail on 10-21-20 at 7:48 p.m.

On 10-21-20 at 11:41 p.m., FVPD Officers investigated an interrupted residential burglary at the 16000 block of San Jacinto Street in the City of Fountain Valley.

On 10-22-20 at 12:12 a.m., FVPD Officers investigated a second interrupted residential burglary on the 11000 block of Mayflower Avenue in the City of Fountain Valley.

Yerena exited the victim’s house with stolen property and was arrested without incident. The above-referenced stolen vehicle was located and a search of it revealed additional stolen property which connected Yerena to these crimes.

Yerena was booked into Orange County Jail on 10-22-20 at 7:30 a.m.

Burglaries of occupied dwellings, such as these, are especially dangerous. FVPD is thankful to the victim’s for immediately reporting these crimes to 9-1-1 and relaying pertinent information to Dispatchers.

FVPD Nightshift Officers were on scene approximately 3 minutes after being dispatched. Not only was this recidivist offender captured without incident, but Officers completed a thorough investigation which lead to the District Attorney’s Office filing numerous felony charges.

At the time of this post, Yerena remains in Orange County Jail where he is being held without bail.

iPad stolen from a Fountain Valley grocery store recovered by the police

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On October 5, 2020, an iPad was stolen from the Grocery Outlet located at 18920 Brookhurst. A Fountain Valley patrol Officer responded, investigated the theft, and obtained video surveillance of the suspect and suspect vehicle, according to the Fountain Valley Police Department.

On October 8, 2020, the vigilant store manager of Grocery Outlet saw the suspect’s vehicle and obtained its license plate. The store manager of Grocery Outlet contacted FVPD Detectives and FVPD Detectives conducted a follow-up.

FVPD Detectives contacted the suspect, a 46 year old resident of Fountain Valley, and obtained incriminating statements. The suspect relinquished the stolen iPad to Detectives and they were able to return the stolen property to the store manager.

This investigation was successful because of the vigilance of the Grocery Outlet management and the responsiveness of the FVPD Officers and Detectives. FVPD is thankful for our strong partnership with our local businesses and is proud to serve our community.

Two men charged with murder in dragging death of woman while trying to steal her purse

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SANTA ANA, Calif. – Two men have been charged with murder in the dragging death of a 32-year-old Santa Ana woman while attempting to steal her purse. A third suspect has been charged with robbery, according to the OCDA.

Gregory Anthony Walker, 19, of Los Angeles, and Giovanni Solomon Guy, 20, of Los Angeles, have been charged with one count each of murder with a special circumstance of murder in the commission of a robbery. Brad Maurice Brown, Jr., 19, of Hawthorne, has been charged with one felony count of robbery.

Walker and Guy face a minimum sentence of life without the possibility of parole. They are eligible for the death penalty. Brown faces a minimum sentence of two years if convicted of robbery.

At the time of the murder, Walker was out on bail on two felony counts of robbery, one felony count of receiving stolen property, and one felony count of burglary. Guy was out on bail on one felony count of robbery and one count of carrying a concealed firearm.

On May 8, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives were conducting surveillance on vehicle used in a robbery. While under surveillance, Walker, Guy, and Brown drove in a SUV to the Garden Grove Plaza near the intersection of Brookhurst Street and Westminster Boulevard in Garden Grove.

At approximately 9:45 a.m., Guy and Walker exited their vehicle and confronted Nga Ngoc Nguyen, 32, of Santa Ana and attempted to steal her purse. Walker is accused of grabbing Nguyen from behind and throwing her to the ground and grabbing her wristlet. The purse was wrapped around Nguyen’s wrist while Walker continued to drag Nguyen as he ran back to the SUV. Guy returned to the driver’s seat and ran over Nguyen, resulting in traumatic injuries.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives asked for assistance from the Garden Grove Police Department. Nguyen was transported to a local trauma center, where she was pronounced dead.

The suspects were arrested near the area of the 110 freeway and Century Boulevard in Los Angeles County after they abandoned their vehicle.

The investigation is on-going and anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Garden Grove Police Department Crimes Against Persons unit at 714-741-5839.

“The Orange County District Attorney is taken aback by the brutal and callous acts of the defendants which resulted in the death of Nga Nguyen,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “The Orange County District Attorney’s Office would like to extend its sincerest condolences to the loved ones of Nga Nguyen.”