Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2015

Released by: Det. Laura Lomeli, Contact: (714) 493-4512

Subject: Arrest of Suspects in Ponderosa Park Homicide

On November 14, 2015, at approximately 12:49 a.m., officers from the Anaheim Police Department responded to a 911 call of a shooting in the 200 block of E. Orangewood Ave. When officers arrived, they located Eduardo Curiel Molina, 36, of Anaheim with a gun shot wound to the upper body. Officers provided immediate medical aid to the victim until they were relieved by paramedics from Anaheim Fire & Rescue. Molina was pronounced deceased at the scene. The shooting appears to be gang related.

Detectives from the Homicide/Major Assault Detail immediately began the investigative process. With the assistance of information from numerous witnesses, five documented gang members were arrested in connection with this investigation. The four adult suspects (Fernando Jesus Castillo, Martin Fernando Diaz,  Sabrina Marie Varela and Albert Jose Curiel)booked on suspicion of homicide with gang enhancements at the Anaheim Police Department Temporary Detention Facility. The juvenile suspect was booked at Juvenile Hall on suspicion of homicide with gang enhancements. A suspect vehicle has been located and impounded as evidence.

The case was presented to the Orange County District Attorney’s office and charges of homicide with gang enhancements were filed against all four adult defendants.

Investigators believe they have arrested those responsible for this murder. However, anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS, www.occrimestoppers.org, or text OCCS and your tip to CRIMES (274637). You may remain anonymous.

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Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2015

Released by: Det. Laura Lomeli, Contact: (714) 493-4512

Subject: Anaheim Police to Conduct a DUI / Driver’s License Checkpoint Friday Night

The Anaheim Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on November 20, 2015, at Ball Rd. and Brookhurst St. between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 2:30 a.m.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely. DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

In California, this deadly crime led to 867 deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver. Over the course of the past three years Anaheim officers have investigated 331 DUI collisions which have claimed 8 lives and resulted in another 494 injuries.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available for free download on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features, allowing users to “Map a Spot” with their current location to find DDVIP partnering establishments in their area or a “List of Spots” to search all participating bars and restaurants throughout California. Users will be offered free incentives at each bar to celebrate their life saving role. They can stay up-to-date with the latest from DDVIP and see what other users are saying via its social tab. Also through the app, for those who want to imbibe but also make it a point to plan ahead, users can easily order a sober ride from Uber, Lyft or Curb – all from one screen.

Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000 not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Anaheim Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1.

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Two unidentified men were shot and wounded in Anaheim last night, near North Onondaga and West Neighbors Avenues, according to the O.C. Register.

The victims, whose names were not released, were shot around 9:35 p.m. Friday at North Onondaga and West Neighbors avenues, Anaheim police Detective Laura Lomeli said.

The victims were taken to a local hospital. One of them suffered life-threatening wounds while the other man is expected to live.

The Anaheim Police are investigating what might have led up to the shooting.

The shooting took place just south of the North Orange County Community College District and just north of Servite High School.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Anaheim police at 714-765-1900 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.

John Andrew Augustin

Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2015

Released by: Sgt. Daron Wyatt, (714) 497-5633

Subject: Anaheim Detectives Arrest Suspect in 1998 Cold Case Murder

On December 8, 2015, Anaheim homicide detectives arrested John Andrew Augustin, a 52 year old transient from Fullerton, for the 1998 cold case murder of Irene Ruelaz.

Ruelaz was reported missing by family members on April 24, 1998. Approximately one week later, on May 3, 1998, Ruelaz’ mother and daughter went to her apartment at 1781 W. Ball Road #4 to retrieve property. Upon arrival, they detected a foul odor coming from inside the residence. Anaheim police officers forced entry into the residence and found Ruelaz’ decomposed body concealed under piles of clothing in a closet. Ruelaz’ family members immediately suspected her ex-boyfriend, Augustin, of being involved due to previous abusive behavior towards Ruelaz. At the time a criminal case was not filed.

Over the past several months Anaheim homicide detectives engaged in a joint investigation with the Orange County Homicide Task Force in a re-examination of the case. The investigation culminated in Augustin’s arrest for Ruelaz’ murder. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is expected to issue a criminal complaint within the next few days.

Augustin was located in Fullerton and is being held at the Orange County Jail in lieu of $1,000,000 bail.

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
425 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 765-1521 Fax: (714) 765-1554
Raul Quezada, Chief of Police
John Andrew Augustin
APD Booking Photo 12/9/15
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Steven Dean Gordon

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case #14ZF0337

Date: December 11, 2015

OCDA TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY AGAINST REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER FOR SPECIAL-CIRCUMSTANCES MURDER OF FOUR WOMEN AFTER KIDNAPPING AND RAPING THE VICTIMS

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) announced today that he will seek the death penalty against a registered sex offender for the special-circumstances murder of four women after kidnapping and raping the victims. Steven Dean Gordon, 46, Anaheim, was indicted by the grand jury on Oct. 2, 2014. He is charged with four felony counts of special circumstances murder during the commission of rape, kidnapping, lying in wait, and multiple murders. He is also charged with four felony counts of forcible rape. Gordon was in court today and is next scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 22, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-35, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Prior to seeking the death penalty against Gordon, a special circumstances committee consisting of the District Attorney, the Senior Assistant and Assistant District Attorney in charge of the Homicide Unit, and other prosecutors experienced in capital cases meet and discuss the nature of the crime, the vulnerability of the victims, the defendant’s criminal record, and other factors. The committee also considers mitigating circumstances presented by the defense attorney.

California law permits the District Attorney to seek the death penalty if the aggravating factors substantially outweigh the mitigating factors. Aggravating factors are any facts above and beyond the circumstances of crime that increases the wrongfulness of the defendant’s conduct, the enormity of the offense, or the harmful impact of the crime. Mitigating factors are any facts that reduce the defendant’s blameworthiness or otherwise support a less severe punishment. The final decision to pursue the death penalty rests on the District Attorney.

Franc Cano

Co-defendant Franc Cano, 29, Anaheim, was also indicted by the grand jury on Oct. 2, 2014, and is facing the same charges as Gordon. Cano is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 29, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-35, Central Justice Center.

Circumstances of the Case

Prior to the murders, Gordon and Cano are accused of being registered sex offenders under federal supervision through GPS anklets. They are accused of being transients who camped in the back of a paint and body shop in Anaheim.

On Oct. 6, 2013, Gordon and Cano are accused of kidnapping 20-year-old Kianna Jackson from Santa Ana and taking her to a paint and body shop in Anaheim where they raped and murdered her.

On Oct. 24, 2013, Gordon and Cano are accused of kidnapping 34-year-old Josephine Vargas from Santa Ana and taking her to a paint and body shop in Anaheim where they raped and murdered her.

On Nov. 12, 2013, Gordon and Cano are accused of kidnapping 28-year-old Martha Anaya from Santa Ana and taking her to a paint and body shop in Anaheim where they raped and murdered her.

On March 14, 2014, Gordon and Cano are accused of kidnapping 21-year-old Jarrae Nykkole Estepp from west Anaheim and taking her to a paint and body shop in east Anaheim where they raped and murdered her.

On March 14, 2014, the Anaheim Police Department (APD) received a call about a body found on the conveyer belt at a recycling plant in east Anaheim. During the investigation, detectives identified the body as that of Estepp and linked Cano to the victim by running a sex offender GPS check. Gordon was later identified as a co-defendant in the four murders. The bodies of the other three victims were never recovered.

APD and Santa Ana Police Department investigated this case.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Larry Yellin of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2015

Released by: Sgt. Daron Wyatt, Contact: (714) 497-5633

Subject: Anaheim Police Seek Public’s Help in Identifying Home Invasion Robbery Suspects

On December 10, 2015 at approximately 9:45 am, a black vehicle believed to be a 2000-2003 BMW 330ci with tinted brake lenses and an aftermarket trunk and rear bumper, stopped in front of a residence in the 200 block of S. Hillcrest in Anaheim Hills. A male driver exited the vehicle and approached the front door. The male appeared to knock on the door and ring the doorbell for several minutes. After no response he returned to the driver’s side of the vehicle and sat in the driver’s seat.

Shortly thereafter, two different males exited the passenger side of the vehicle. Both were wearing black hooded sweatshirts with the hoods pulled over their faces. They walked to the back yard of the residence through a side gate. Both males ultimately entered the residence. Once inside, the two suspects encountered a resident who was inside. One of the suspects brandished a firearm and they then fled with personal property stolen from the residence. All three suspects were last seen fleeing in the black BMW southbound on Hillcrest. The vehicle had paper plates on both the front and the rear.

Detectives from the APD Robbery Detail are actively investigating the case. Video from a neighboring residence shows the suspects driving slowly past the residence several times before the crime. Portions of the video is being released and we are asking anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identification or with information regarding the crime to contact Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or www.occrimestoppers.org.

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ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15NF3329

December 16, 2015

LAW ENFORCEMENT SEEKS PUBLIC’S HELP IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF SECURITY GUARD CHARGED WITH POSING AS POLICE OFFICER AND FORCIBLY RAPING HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIM

*Incident captured on GoPro camera

FULLERTON, Calif. – The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) and the Anaheim Police Department (APD) are seeking the public’s help identifying potential additional victims of a security guard charged with posing as a police officer and forcibly raping a human trafficking victim. Raul Antonio Ramos, 27, Westminster, is charged with one felony count each of forcible rape, rape by threat to arrest, forcible oral copulation, oral copulation under the color of authority, and impersonating an officer, with a sentencing enhancement allegation for committing the sexual assault during the commission of a burglary. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison. Ramos is in custody on $1 million bail. He was charged and arraigned yesterday, Dec. 15, 2015, and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Jan. 13, 2016, at 8:3 0 a.m. in Department N-3, North Justice Center, Fullerton.

Ramos is employed as a security guard in Santa Ana.

On the night of Dec. 11, 2015, Ramos is accused of contacting 19-year-old Jane Doe, whom he did not know, soliciting the human trafficking victim for commercial sex. He is accused of entering her Ramada Inn hotel room in Anaheim with the intent to sexually assault the victim. Ramos is accused of telling the victim that he was a police officer, showing her his security guard badge, and threatening to arrest her if she did not have sex with him. He is accused of forcibly raping Jane Doe and using a GoPro video camera to record the entire incident. The defendant is accused of then making Jane Doe orally copulate him, at which time Jane Doe, who was in a towel, grabbed the defendant’s keys and GoPro camera and ran out of the hotel room and down the street to a Joe’s Italian Ice shop to report that she had been raped.

APD, who is investigating this case, responded to the scene and contacted the victim. They subsequently found Ramos and arrested him outside the Ramada Inn.

The investigation is ongoing. The booking photo in this case will not be released at this time in order to assist the investigation should a victim come forward and need to identify the defendant in a lineup. Anyone with additional information or who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Mark Gutierrez at (714) 347-8794 or APD through Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.

Deputy District Attorney Rick Zimmer of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.

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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org

Mail Theft Suspects Arrested Following Vehicle Pursuit

LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. (December 18, 2015) – On Friday, December 18, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested David Brown, 45, Anaheim, Jessie Brown, 55, Anaheim, and Corey Richardson, 22, Anaheim, following an almost two-hour pursuit through Orange and Los Angeles counties. The suspects were arrested after they fled on foot following termination of a vehicle pursuit in the City of Downey.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 25000 block of Buckboard Lane after neighbors reported seeing two male subjects taking mail from their mailboxes. The informants described the subject’s vehicle as a silver compact vehicle. The Sheriff’s Department’s airship “Duke” responded to the area with patrol units and immediately located a silver 2011 Honda Civic leaving the area. The vehicle, driven by David Brown, was travelling at a high rate of speed on Alicia Parkway towards the Interstate 5 freeway. Deputies attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle; however, the vehicle accelerated and a pursuit ensued.

Deputies pursued the vehicle for almost two hours, southbound the Interstate 5 freeway to the City of San Clemente where the vehicle turned around and headed northbound. The suspect vehicle traveled northbound Interstate 5 and on surface streets through the cities of Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana and Anaheim before getting back onto the freeway. Deputies continued pursuing the vehicle with the assistance of “Duke” until the termination near Lakewood Boulevard and Florence Avenue in City of Downey. Downey Police Department officers and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies assisted as the pursuit traveled through their jurisdiction.

All three suspects were taken into custody by Downey Police officers as they fled on foot from the vehicle at the termination point. During the initial minutes of the pursuit, the suspects threw numerous bags and pieces of mail from the vehicle. Several items, some believed to be stolen, were located inside the vehicle. Investigators are continuing to inventory the vehicle and items located inside, to determine the suspect’s connection to crimes in Laguna Hills as well as other jurisdictions.

The suspects were arrested for possession of stolen property and felony evading; however, additional charges are pending completion of the preliminary investigation. All three suspects will be booked into Orange County Jail. The suspect’s bail and court information is not available.

Anyone with information regarding additional victims is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

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David Bryan Brown, his wife Jessica Smith Roten, and their son Corey Dillon Richardson

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 15HF1575

Date: December 22, 2015

DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR IDENTITY THEFT AND RECKLESSLY EVADING PURSUING OFFICERS IN HIGH-SPEED CHASE

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A driver and his two passengers are scheduled to be arraigned today on charges of identity theft and recklessly evading pursuing officers in a high-speed chase across Orange County and Los Angeles County. David Bryan Brown, 45, Jessica Smith Roten, 55, and Corey Dillon Richardson, 22, all of Anaheim, are each charged with one felony count of identity theft by retaining information on 10 or more victims with the intent to defraud.

Brown is also charged with one felony count of evading while driving recklessly and sentencing enhancement allegations for prior prison convictions for the unlawful taking of a vehicle on two separate instances in 1993, possession of a controlled substance in 1994, second degree burglary in 1995, attempted grand theft, unlawful taking of a vehicle and evading while driving recklessly in 1996, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled substance in 2000, second degree burglary and receiving stolen property in 2001, receiving a stolen vehicle and receiving stolen property in 2003, possession of a controlled substance in 2005, buying or receiving a stolen vehicle in 2006, second degree burglary in 2008, possession of a controlled substance and receiving stolen property in 2008, all in Orange County. If convicted, Brown faces a maximum sentence of 12 years and eight months in state prison. If convicted, Roten and Richardson face a maximum sentence of three years in state prison. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned today, Dec. 22, 2015, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.

On Dec. 18, 2015, the defendants are accused of taking mail out of mailboxes across south Orange County, and possessing the personal identifying information of at least 21 victims. Brown is accused of driving the vehicle that the defendants used to take items from mailboxes.

A witness contacted the Orange County Sherriff’s Department (OCSD), who began investigating this case. OCSD deputies located the vehicle on the northbound Interstate 5 and attempted to stop the vehicle. Brown is accused of refusing to stop and driving recklessly away from pursuing OCSD deputies including driving into oncoming traffic, failing to stop at traffic lights and stop signs and nearly hitting other vehicles. Roten and Richardson are accused of throwing the stolen items out of the car windows while the pursuit was underway.

Officers from the Downey Police Department assisted OCSD in the arrest of the defendants at the conclusion of the pursuit.

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TONY RACKAUCKAS, District Attorney

Susan Kang Schroeder, Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 24, 2015

Released by: Sgt. Daron Wyatt, (714) 497-5633

Subject: DUI/DRIVERS’ LICENSE CHECKPOINT SATURDAY DECEMBER 26, 2015

Anaheim, CA – The Anaheim Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Drivers’ License Checkpoint on 12/26/15, at 1100 N. Euclid St. between the hours of 8 P.M. and 2:30 A.M.

The deterrent effect of DUI checkpoints is a proven resource in reducing the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug involved crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be
reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely. DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen
with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

In California, this deadly crime led to 867 deaths and over 23,000 serious injuries in 2013 because someone failed to designate a sober driver. Nationally, the latest data shows over 10,000 were killed by an impaired driver.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment with officers checking drivers for proper licensing, delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.

Recent statistics reveal that 30 percent of drivers in fatal crashes had one or more drugs in their systems. A study of active drivers showed more tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.

Everyone should be mindful that if you’re taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol can greatly intensify the impairment affects.

Law Enforcement emphasizes the preventable nature of drunk driving, reminding everyone that all it takes is a little planning ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, don’t drink and drive. The California Office of Traffic Safety DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app is now available to download for free on iOS and Android devices. Launched last year, the new DDVIP app offers enhanced features.

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Eight people were stabbed and six suspects ended up behind bars after an argument between a woman and her ex-boyfriend, on Saturday night in Anaheim, according to the O.C. Register.

Jenny Reyes, 19, of Anaheim, said she would return with her “homies” after getting into an argument with her former boyfriend, at the 400 block of Sycamore Street, according to the Anaheim Police.

Apparently Reyes and her ex, who was not identified by the Anaheim Police, are gang members but do not belong to rival gangs.

The eight stabbing victims included five females and three males. Their wounds were not considered to be life-threatening. Two of the female victims were juveniles.  The victims also included a 45-year-old man and the the other victims were in their late teens to their early 20’s.

The police made a traffic stop at Lincoln Ave. and East Street as they rushed to the crime scene, and they ended up taking six suspects into custody without any problems.

The suspects included Jose Segura, 21, Nancy Rodriguez, 24, Diana Ruiz, 22, Tony Ayala, 20, and a 17-year-old boy who was not identified due to his age. All of the suspects are Anaheim residents.

The New Year is barely underway and already a man has died in what police are calling a possibly gang-related shooting early this morning in Anaheim, according to the O.C. Register.

The Anaheim Police Department received a call at about 3:40 a.m. today from someone who was reporting that her friend had been shot.

The shooting happened at the 300 block of South Bush Street, just east of Citrus Park, where police found the victim, a male in his late teens, with at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead after he was taken to a local hospital.

Police investigators have not found any suspects although they canvassed the area. Gang investigators and homicide detectives are working on this case.

The police did not reveal the victim’s name as his identity is pending confirmation and his family has to be notified.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.

Jose Vazquez, 18, and Lori Huerta, 20,  were arrested on Sunday night on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle that police allege may be connected to an Anaheim drive-by shooting, according to the O.C. Register.

The suspects were inside a Toyota Tundra when Anaheim police officers followed them and stopped their truck at around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, according to the Anaheim Police Department.

The truck’s occupants matched a description of suspects alleged to be have been involved in a drive-by shooting earlier in the day, just before 2:30 p.m.

The police feel that the truck was definitely the one used in the drive-by shooting but now need to establish that the suspects were in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

A woman was is alleged to have been driving a Toyota Tundra in the 300 block of North Bush Street, in Anaheim, when one of two male passengers in the truck fired several shots into the neighborhood but failed to hit anyone.

A witness followed the suspects’ truck and wrote down the license plate number of the vehicle, which he turned over, along with a description of the suspects, to the Anaheim police.

Police officers did not find the truck or the suspects when they searched the area. The truck turned out to have been stolen on Nov. 7, in Whittier.

The police caught a lucky break when a non-sworn officer who was driving on Leisure Court spotted the truck at around 7:30 p.m. She then called it in and police officers responded. They followed a male and a female suspect onto the 57 freeway, where the driver exited on Lincoln Avenue.

The police stopped the vehicle near South Sunkist Street, and questioned Vazquez and Huerta. They were later arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle.

Anaheim police investigators are considering requesting that the O.C. District Attorney’s Office add charges in connection to the drive-by shooting to the stolen vehicle charges.

The police did not find any guns or ammunition inside the truck during an initial search.

Huerta plead guilty on Dec. 21 to possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and driving on a suspended license, both misdemeanors. She ended up serving 16 days in jail and was released on Dec. 22, according to court and jail records.

Vazquez however does not appear to have had a prior criminal record in Orange County. But he will now!

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2016

Released by: Sgt. Daron Wyatt, (714) 497-5633

Subject: Anaheim Police Seek Public’s Help in Identifying Package Theft Suspects

The Anaheim Police Department is asking the public to help identify the below pictured suspects and suspect vehicle. These suspects have been involved in multiple package thefts in the Anaheim Hills area. The most recent theft occurred on January 4, 2015 at approximately 3:25 pm in the 200 block of South Old Bridge Road.

The suspect vehicle is a green 1995 Toyota Corolla, California License 4BMA628. Suspect #1 is a male Hispanic, 20’s, approximately 5’8’, 170 pounds with short black hair. Suspect #2 is a male Hispanic, 20’s, approximately 5’10’’, 200 pounds. There were at least two other individuals in the suspect vehicle at the time of the thefts.

Anyone with information regarding these suspects and/or vehicle is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or www.occrimestoppers.org. A reward up to $1000 may be available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offender(s).

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
425 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 765-1521 Fax: (714) 765-1554
Raul Quezada, Chief of Police

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Remember that carjacking spree in Anaheim and Orange?  The suspects were charged today in connection with that incident.

Erik Fidel Ramirez, 35, and Victor Manuel Vergara, 31, were charged with five counts of carjacking and co-defendant Elizabeth Esmeralda Hernandez, 27, was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the O.C. Register.

Hernandez was sentenced to 180 days in jail and she was also placed on probation for three years, after pleading guilty on March 11 to felonies including buying or receiving a stolen vehicle or equipment with a prior felony conviction, bringing or sending a controlled substance into a jail or prison.

The other suspects are also facing felony counts of buying or receiving a stolen vehicle and unlawful taking of a vehicle. They are also looking at sentencing enhancements due to the use of a firearm.

ORANGE COUNTY HUMAN TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2016

Released by: Sgt. Daron Wyatt, Contact: (714) 497-5633

The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force (OCHTTF) recently received information from the Fresno Police Department regarding a female juvenile who was a runaway and was possibly the victim of human trafficking in Orange County. Late Friday evening, January 15, 2016, the ongoing investigation led Task Force investigators to an Anaheim motel in the 2200 block of S. Harbor Blvd. An undercover operation was initiated and a 17-year-old female was rescued from two male traffickers.

Teantre Millro, 20, Clovis, was booked at Orange County Jail and is being held on $70,000 bail. A 16 year old male was also arrested for Human Trafficking and was booked at Orange County Juvenile Hall.

During the initial operation, investigators developed leads regarding another group who were allegedly trafficking juveniles in the city of Santa Ana. A second undercover operation was initiated and another 17 year old female was brought to a motel in Anaheim by two additional male suspects. The suspects brought the juvenile victim to
Anaheim with the understanding she was going to be trafficked for sex. Upon detaining the males, investigators learned they had two additional female juveniles in the vehicle, one 15 years old and the other 14 years old. All three victims were rescued. Jonathan Hampton, 23, Clovis, and Martrell Mahone, 19, Fresno were booked at the Orange
County Jail on three counts of human trafficking of minors. They are being held on $70,000 bail.

Martrell Mahone

In following established protocols in Orange County, representatives from Social Services and victim advocates (Community Service Programs) responded and made contact with the juveniles. They will coordinate the reunification of the victims with their parents or guardians. The 18 hour long investigation and two separate undercover operations illustrate the priority the OCHTTF places on rescuing victims of human trafficking, especially when it involves juveniles. It also shows the coordination that takes place between law enforcement agencies from throughout the state when it comes to rescuing juveniles victimized by human traffickers.

Jonathan Hampton

The Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force was formed in August 2014 and is a collaborative effort between Anaheim Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Irvine Police Department, Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and Santa Ana Police Department.

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Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Officers Arrest Mother For Leaving 4 Year Old Child In Unattended Vehicle At Mall While She Shops

Arrested: Arica Jenee Ayala (27) Anaheim

At approximately 8:30 pm, officers responded to a parking lot located at the Main Place Mall, 2800 block of North Main Street, regarding a child left unattended inside a vehicle. A witness advised the involved vehicle arrived at approximately 7:50 pm.

Officers found a 4 year-old male sitting in a car seat, crying and screaming. The doors to the vehicle had been left unlocked. The child told officers his mother left him alone in the car. Mall security made announcements over their P.A. system and officers checked the registered owner’s address in Anaheim and were unable to locate anyone.

At 9:30 pm after the mall had closed for business, a female carrying a number of shopping bags contacted officers. The female identified as Arica Jenee Ayala, the child’s mother, initially told officers she had left her sister with her son and was only gone for 20 minutes. She later admitted there was no sister and she forgot her son was in the back seat of the car.

The female was arrested and transported to SAPD Jail where she was booked for CPC 273 a(a), Willful Cruelty to a Child: Possible Injury/Death. Officers attempted to locate the child’s father or another responsible family member, with negative results. The child was taken to Orangewood.

The Santa Ana Police Department wants to remind everyone that leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle may be tempting if you are merely making a mad dash into the store, however, there are laws against this practice. When you leave a child in a vehicle without proper supervision, you and your child are at risk of both physical and legal penalties.

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PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

Raul Quezada, Chief of Police/Randy R. Bruegman, Fire Chief

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 2016

RELEASED BY: Sgt. Daron Wyatt, (714) 497-5633

Subject: BUTANE HONEY OIL EXTRACTION DISCOVERED IN BURNED CONDOMINIUM

ANAHEIM, CA – (January 21, 2016) At approximately 11:40 p.m. last night, Anaheim Fire & Rescue received multiple calls of a garage fire in the 2000 block of W. Blue Violet Court. Upon arrival, fire personnel found the garage of a two story detached condominium was fully involved and the fire had spread to the living quarters of the structure. Approximately 24 firefighters from Anaheim Fire & Rescue and the Orange County Fire Authority attacked the fire while defending the surrounding residences. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes.

Fire investigators found evidence to indicate the condo was being used as an indoor marijuana grow as well as a sophisticated THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) extraction site, commonly known as a Butane Honey Oil extraction (BHO). Anaheim Police investigators responded and are working in partnership with Fire investigators. BHO extraction is a volatile and dangerous process in which explosive gasses are heated in an effort to extract the THC from the cannabis leaves. BHO labs have been on the rise in California over the past several years and are a serious threat to public safety, so much so that Governor Brown signed SB 212 into law on August 7, 2015. This bill went into law effective January 1, 2016 and makes it an aggravated felony to manufacture hash oil within 300 feet of an occupied residence or structure.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. It is very fortunate nobody was injured or killed and no uninvolved residences were destroyed. The condo in which the fire initiated is heavily damaged with an estimated structural loss of $450,000 and $20,000 in content loss. The condominium was unoccupied when emergency personnel arrived. An investigation is underway to locate the individual(s) who were in control of the property.

We continue to ask the public to report suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS, or by email at www.occrimestopers.org. Information leading to an arrest and conviction may result in a reward up to $1000.

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Arica Jenee Ayala, 27, an Anaheim mom, pleaded guilty on Thursday to misdemeanor child abuse and endangerment for leaving her 4-year-old son in the car for about two hours while she shopped at the MainPlace Mall, according to the O.C. Register.

Ayala was sentenced to 60 days in jail for leaving her son at the Santa Ana MainPlace Mall parking lot, in an unattended vehicle on Tuesday.

The SAPD received a phone call from a witness at around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday regarding the child who was left alone in Ayala’s vehicle since 7:50 p.m.

The  SAPD police officers who were dispatched to the scene found the little boy crying and screaming in a car seat in an unlocked vehicle. The toddler told them that he had been left alone by his mother.

MainPlace Mall security personnel made an announcement via the Mall’s loudspeakers and the SAPD police officers also checked the Anaheim residential address that the vehicle was registered to, but they could not find Ayala.

Finally at around 9:30 p.m. Ayala came out of the mall, with shopping bags from Nordstrom. She told the police that she had left her little boy inside her vehicle with her sister and that she had been gone for only 20 minutes.

However Ayala later confessed that there was no sister and she had in fact forgotten her son in her car.

She later said there was no sister, and she forgot her son was in the car, he said.

The SAPD’s investigators were not able to find the little boy’s father or any relatives. For the time being the unfortunate toddler is being kept at the Orangewood Children and Family Center.

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 25, 2016

Released by: Sgt. Daron Wyatt, (714) 497-5633

Subject: Neighbor’s Observations Lead To Arrest of Package Thieves

ANAHEIM, CA – On January 20, 2016, Detectives from the Anaheim Police Department’s Burglary/Auto Theft Detail arrested two suspects for grand theft. The suspects were captured on surveillance video stealing packages from residential doorsteps in the 5400 block of Willowick Circle and the 7100 block of East Mockingbird Way in Anaheim Hills. The thefts occurred on December 1, 2015 and January 16, 2016 respectively. During one of the thefts, a neighbor was able to obtain the license plate of the suspect vehicle. The same vehicle, a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser, was used in both thefts.

Matthew S. Speck

Detectives learned the vehicle was a rental vehicle and was rented to Darci L. Peters. Detectives traced the vehicle to a motel in Ontario, Ca. They arrested Peters, 40 years old, Las Vegas, NV and Matthew S. Speck, 31 years old, Anaheim, as they entered the vehicle in the motel parking lot. Both suspects admitted their involvement in approximately one dozen thefts in Anaheim and Irvine, CA. While the property from the Anaheim thefts was not recovered, additional stolen property from thefts in Irvine, Costa Mesa, and San Dimas was recovered.

Peters and Speck were booked at the Orange County Jail for conspiracy to commit grand theft and narcotic related charges. Peters is being held on $110,000 bail and Speck is being held on $105,000 bail.

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