SantaAnaPD

#SantaAnaPD #PressRelease Single-Vehicle Fatal Traffic Collision (March 15, 2026) - A 49-year-old man died after crashing into a structure on 17th Street, possibly due to a medical emergency. On March 14, 2026, at approximately 6:59 p.m., the Santa Ana Police Department received multiple reports of a traffic collision involving a single vehicle that struck a structure at 4320 W. 17th Street. Officers, along with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), responded to the scene and treated the injured driver, later identified as Jose Luis Garcia Huerta (49) of Garden Grove. OCFA transported Jose to a hospital for further medical care, where he was later pronounced deceased. Based on the preliminary investigation, Jose was traveling eastbound on 17th St. when his vehicle veered off the roadway and struck a structure at 4320 W. 17th St. Investigators believe the driver may have experienced a medical emergency while driving, which led to the collision. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to have been factors in the crash. The Santa Ana Police Department’s Collision Investigations Unit (CIU) is investigating the collision.

#SantaAnaPD #WantedWednesday On February 27, the victim was driving on 1st Street and stopped due to a pedestrian standing in the middle of the roadway, blocking traffic. Multiple vehicles honked at the male. In response, the male threw his bicycle at the victim’s vehicle, causing damage to the hood. Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact Police Investigative Specialist V. Hernandez at (714) 245-8372 or VHernandez@santa-ana.org

UPDATE: The pedestrian involved in the traffic collision is in stable condition at the hospital. The CIU will continue the investigation. The area of Main St. and 1st St. is now open.

PUBLIC ADVISORY #SantaAnaPD #SIGAlert Our Collision Investigation Unit (CIU) is responding to the area of 1st and Main Streets due to a hit-and-run collision involving a vehicle vs. pedestrian. Please expect heavy delays in that area and choose alternative routes.

UPDATE - Last week’s #SantaAnaPD #WantedWednesday suspect has been identified as Gabriel Marquez (21) of Santa Ana, and taken into custody. Thank you to our community for the many calls and emails that helped us identify him 🙏🏼

Special Crimes Detectives are attempting to identify the pictured suspect who is wanted for indecent exposure. On December 28, 2025, the suspect entered Ross Dress for Less located at 3321 S. Bristol Street and approached two separate female victims. The suspect followed the victims through the aisles and masturbated in front of them. After the victims reported the incidents to employees, the suspect was escorted out of the store, and police were called. Anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact Detective Corporal D. Gray at (714) 245-8381 or DGray@santa-ana.org #SantaAnaPD #WantedWednesday

PUBLIC ADVISORY - #SantaAnaPD #DUIEnforcement On Friday, March 6, 2026, the Santa Ana Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI)/driver’s license checkpoint. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 1:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the City of Santa Ana.   DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving related crashes. The primary purpose of a DUI checkpoint is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.   The Santa Ana Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.   Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

UPDATE - #SantaAnaPD PUBLIC ADVISORY: Thank you to our partners at @fountainvalleypd , #MissingPerson Maria Chaidez was safely located and reunited with her family.

PUBLIC ADVISORY #SantaAnaPD #MissingPerson – Maria Meza Chaidez (80): Female, Hispanic, 5’06”, 160 lbs., gray hair and brown eyes. Last seen wearing a dark brown sweater and khaki pants. Maria has been diagnosed with dementia. Patrol officers are currently searching for Maria Meza Chaidez, who was last seen today at approximately 5 p.m. walking westbound on Edinger Ave from Towner St. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact the SAPD Watch Commander at (714) 245-8700.

#SantaAnaPD PUBLIC ADVISORY UPDATE - Missing Person Diem Vu (76) has been safely located and reunited with his family.

PUBLIC ADVISORY #SantaAnaPD #MissingPerson - Diem Vu (76): Male, Vietnamese, 5’1, 115 lbs. with gray hair and brown eyes. Patrol officers are currently searching for Diem Vu who was last seen leaving his residence today, February 26th at approximately 2 p.m. from the area of Euclid St. and Westminster Ave. in a 2002 gold/tan Honda Accord (CA license plate 4YUD799). Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the SAPD Watch Commander at (714) 245-8700

#SantaAnaPD #PressRelease Homicide Investigation (February 21, 2026) – Santa Ana Police Detectives are investigating a shooting that killed one and injured another. On Friday, February 20, 2026, at approximately 8:57 p.m., Santa Ana Police Department officers responded to a report of a male who had just been shot in the area of 1200 E. Borchard Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located a 20-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper torso. Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel responded and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was listed in stable condition and is expected to survive. At approximately 9:01 p.m., officers responded to reports of a male in the roadway at 700 E. Elder Avenue suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. OCFA responded and pronounced the victim, later identified as David Nicholas Bravo Martinez (22) of Santa Ana, deceased at the scene. Based on the preliminary investigation, it was determined that both incidents were connected and appear to be gang-related. The victims were driving in the area of 700 E. Elder Ave. when they were shot. The surviving victim then drove the vehicle to 1200 E. Borchard Ave., where he called police to report that he and his friend had been shot. Martinez was later located at the original shooting location. Homicide Detectives are attempting to identify and locate additional witnesses who can provide information about the homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call SAPD Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 245-8390, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Citywide teamwork in action! QOLT officers, alongside Directed Enforcement officers and Landscape West, conducted a citywide sweep this morning focused on ongoing quality of life concerns across our neighborhoods. By the numbers: • 92 total arrests • 13 felony arrests • 76 misdemeanor arrests • 10 arrests for trespassing on railroad tracks • 10 arrests pursuant to Prop 36 • 1 individual connected with a local homeless shelter #WeAreSAPD #SantaAnaPD

#SantaAnaPD #DUICheckpoint - On Friday, February 13, 2026, the Santa Ana Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI)/driver’s license checkpoint.  It will begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 1:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the City of Santa Ana.   DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of a DUI checkpoint is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.   The Santa Ana Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal. Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.   Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

#WantedWednesday #SantaAnaPD Detectives are seeking the public’s help in locating Victor Ramon Herrera-Canizales (32), who is wanted for a fraudulent check-cashing scheme. Victor arrived at Main International, located at 1200 W. Warner Avenue, and cashed a fraudulent check. The business was notified the check was fraudulent and immediately contacted police. An arrest warrant has been issued for Victor’s arrest. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Investigative Specialist S. Guzman at (714) 245-8416 or SGuzman@santa-ana.org.

#SantaAnaPD #PressRelease Ongoing Federal Gang Investigation (February 9, 2026) – A Santa Ana gang member and associate of the Mexican Mafia prison gang has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a violent jail attack that left the victim with a slashed throat. On February 3, 2026, Robert Amezcua (54), also known as “Flaco,” a member of a Santa Ana-based criminal street gang, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison following his conviction for committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. On December 31, 2019, Amezcua participated in a coordinated assault on another inmate at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange. During the attack, Amezcua delivered more than 20 blows to the victim while a co-conspirator used a razor blade to slash the victim’s throat. The victim survived the assault. In January 2024, a federal jury found Amezcua guilty following a three-day trial. The case is part of a larger federal racketeering investigation targeting members and associates of the Mexican Mafia and affiliated Southern California street gangs. Amezcua is one of 31 defendants charged in a 33-count federal grand jury indictment. This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with the Santa Ana Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Anaheim Police Department, Fullerton Police Department, Orange County Probation Department, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Santa Ana Police Department remains committed to working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners to combat gang violence and protect the safety of our community.

#SantaAnaPD #PressReleases Our Homicide Detectives are actively investigating two separate homicide cases. They are diligently following investigative leads and we ask our community to share any information that may help with these investigations. If you have information, please contact the Santa Ana Police Department Homicide Section at (714) 245-8900 or OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS

#SantaAnaPD COMMUNITY MESSAGE - February 6, 2026

#SantaAnaPD #WantedWednesday – On January 23, 2026, this couple entered a department store located at 2800 N. Main Street, selected several men’s suit jackets, dress shirts, pants, and ties, concealed the items in a bag, and exited the store without paying. When a Loss Prevention Officer attempted to stop them, a struggle ensued. During the confrontation, the male suspect struck the female Loss Prevention Officer in the face. Both suspects then fled the scene in a newer-model Nissan Sentra. If you recognize either of these individuals or have any information, please contact Detective A. Gomez at (714) 245-8351 or AGomez5@santa-ana.org.