On September 9, 2022, Special Crimes Section Detectives conducted a surveillance operation in response to a sexually motivated attempt-murder of a 19-year-old female victim, which occurred the day before. Information gathered through the investigation led detectives to believe the suspect worked at a restaurant and that the suspect boarded the bus in the area of Sunflower and Harbor Blvd. in Santa Ana.
Detectives in an undercover capacity searched for the suspect at various local restaurants but could not locate him.
Detectives conducted surveillance along the same OCTA bus route the suspect rode on the day of this incident. While conducting surveillance, detectives identified a person matching the suspect’s description who entered the bus. An undercover detective entered the bus at the next stop and confirmed the suspect was the same person captured on the surveillance video. The suspect was wearing the same black baseball cap with a Raiders logo. The suspect exited the 600 block of south Harbor, where detectives apprehended him.
“It is through our detectives’ diligent, persistent and traditional investigative efforts that this suspect was apprehended within 48 hours of this violent crime. We remain steadfast in our core mission of responding to incidents that threaten the safety of the community we serve,” said Chief David Valentin.
The suspect was identified as Eric Yiovani Oliveros-Chavez, a 23-year-old resident of Santa Ana.
Detectives obtained additional evidence that identified Oliveros-Chavez as the suspect in this case.
Oliveros-Chavez was booked at the Orange County Jail on multiple charges, including Attempt-Murder, Kidnapping and Assault with the intent to commit a sex act. His bail has been set at $1,000,000.00.
Detectives believe there could be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to contact Detective A. Miller at 714-245-8363 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
This is one of the many reasons we need our law enforcement. We need to protect our communities. With this sexual predator and violent criminal being apprehended so quickly by our very own Santa Ana detectives, our families can rest easy that our safety is their priority.