Police: Victim of gunshot in Orange survives surgery

Orange Police officers search for evidence after a 21-year-old man standing in the 1900 block of East Adams Avenue in Orange was shot by a suspect or suspects in a car about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night.
KEVIN WARN, FOR THE REGISTER

ORANGE – A 21-year-old shooting victim who was listed in serious condition Tuesday night survived his surgery, police said.

Tuesday night, Orange police said the man was struck by gunfire shortly after 8:30 p.m. in the 1900 block of East Adams Street.

Orange police Sgt. Fred Lopez said it was unknown if the shooter was on foot or in a car.

Investigators on Tuesday night were canvassing the area for witnesses.

Authorities have not released a description of the person or persons sought in the shooting.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the department at 714-744-7444.

Source: www.ocregister.com

By ALEJANDRA MOLINA and SEAN EMERY/ ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you are charged with a crime, contact an experienced Orange County Bail Bondsman to assist you in any bail situation.

 

Realignment causes scrutiny of county jails

Low-level inmates clear out of a walkway for passing deputies at the Theo Lacy jail in Orange.
FILE PHOTO: JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SANTA ANA – Lawsuits against the state prison system are filtering down to the local level, while Orange County officials continue to cautiously make major changes in local lockups.

With the state making court-mandated changes to its overcrowded prisons, county jails in recent months have seen more inmates, a higher demand for health services, longer sentences and convicts with more serious offenses on their record. The plan, known as “realignment,” has led to counties making changes to jails that were not designed to hold inmates for long sentences.

Now some counties are facing lawsuits from advocates of inmate’s rights, who allege that the jails have subpar conditions similar to those that sparked suits against the state’s prison system.

Alameda and Fresno were sued after the state’s prison realignment took effect in October 2011. Attorneys served Riverside County with a suit earlier this week and Monterey County is expecting a lawsuit. Orange County is not facing a suit, but officials said they are keeping a close eye on the pending court battles.

Sheriff’s officials said they have acted quickly to implement major changes in Orange County jails to accommodate the influx of state prisoners. They have proceeded cautiously, knowing they are under the careful scrutiny of government agencies and lawyers advocating for inmates’ rights.

“From the Sheriff Department’s perspective, it’s always been that way. We’ve always been under scrutiny,” said Cmdr. Steve Kea, who oversees jail operations. “We’re comfortable being uncomfortable.”

Visiting local jails

Inmate rights advocates have also been visiting county facilities to inspect housing and health care. Next week, officials expect attorneys to monitor parole hearings in Orange County.

“I think every sheriff’s department in the state will be,” under scrutiny, Kea said.

Yet, Orange County has been able to handle the influx better than many other counties. While some departments are already facing overcrowded jails, Orange County had empty beds when realignment was first implemented. The county leased some of the empty beds to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, helping bridge budget gaps.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has worked closely with other agencies – including the county’s Health Care Agency – to address demands in the jail, Kea said.

“The state didn’t have time to plan this, and some of it happened on the fly,” he said, calling it the “biggest culture change in a generation.”

In Orange County inmates are now serving longer sentences, leaving fewer empty beds and increasing the demand for services behind bars. In September 2012, the average sentence served in Orange County jail was 165 days, an increase of 52 days – or nearly 50 percent – when compared to January 2012.

Sheriff’s officials saw a surge in inmate requests to see a nurse, prompting the department to implement on March 1 a $3 visit fee to cut down on the number of frivolous requests. Since then, the department has seen a 50 percent reduction in requests, though they expect the number to gradually rise, Kea said.

Inmates won’t be denied care, Kea said, and those who can’t pay the fee will still be allowed to see a nurse.

Jail officials are now providing long-term health services that were not previously provided to inmates.

Officials were looking at setting up a dialysis station in Theo Lacy Jail, but never followed through on the plan because of costs.

“It just was a more complicated and expensive system than they expected,” Kea said. Inmates who need dialysis will continue being bused to West Anaheim Medical Center for the care.

Under scrutiny

Yet the Sheriff’s Department has been facing scrutiny even before realignment was implemented.

After the 2006 killing of John Chamberlain in Theo Lacy Jail, the Sheriff’s Department instituted several changes. At the time, deputies were found to be sleeping in the guard station, playing video games and using inmates to control other prisoners, a grand jury investigation found.

The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice opened a review of the county’s jail system in 2008. Federal officials are expected to close out the investigation this year.

Major changes have occurred since, and in 2009 a grand jury report applauded changes in the jail – most done under Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

The department has also made several structural changes since a federal appellate court ruled the county was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuit alleged the sheriff’s department was not providing disabled inmates access to facilities and programs.

Authorities are keeping a close eye on other lawsuits and rulings, as well as the needs of the inmates, Kea said.

“It’s also a matter of implementing as many things as you can,” he said. “It’s certainly a challenge.”

Source: www.ocregister.com

By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ/ ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you are charged with a crime, contact an experienced Orange County Bail Bondsman to assist you in any bail situation.

 

Irvine couple mourned at crash site

Debby Rodriguez, left, gives Tami Crowell a hug during a curbside memorial to her parents, Richard and Sharon Crowell, who were struck and killed while walking to the gym on Eastwood in Irvine Tuesday morning.
KEVIN SULLIVAN, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

IRVINE – Over 100 childhood friends, family members and longtime neighbors gathered Friday on an Irvine sidewalk where a married couple was struck by a car and killed.

Rick Crowell, 65, and Sharon Crowell, 61, were hit by a car on Eastwood on Tuesday morning. Sharon was found beneath the wreckage and was declared dead on the scene by paramedics. Rick was transported to a hospital but died a short time later, officials said.

“My mom was my best friend,” said Tami Crowell, the couple’s daughter, at Friday evening’s vigil. “So, not only did I lose my mother, I lost my best friend, too.”

Tami stood next to her brother Casey as neighbors and friends shared memories of their parents. Many who attended the vigil described Rick as friendly man who volunteered his time with youth football leagues and always greeted everyone, “even if he didn’t know them,” Tami said.

“They were as sweet as can be,” said Bill Tasher, who said he knew Rick for over 20 years growing up in El Segundo. “They loved living here and taking advantage of the peace and tranquility of the neighborhood.”

Friends at the vigil said Rick and Sharon were on their way to the Custom Bodies Fitness gym when the crash occurred. Employees at the gym said police officers came in that morning with the couple’s gym badges to try to identify them.

Authorities said a 17-year-old on his way to school veered onto a walkway lined with bushes. His car struck the couple before coming to a stop against a retaining wall and a tree. He stayed on the scene and cooperated with police after the crash. There are no charges pending against the boy, the Irvine Police Department said.

Several people at the vigil said the boy was a Northwood High School student on his way to school. He wasn’t at school the day after the crash, said M’Lis Fox, whose daughter goes to school with the boy. High school students at the vigil said Advanced Placement testing was scheduled for the day of the fatal crash.

A weeklong fundraiser for the couple’s family will be held starting Monday at Northwood Pizza. A percentage of the proceeds will go to the family, which plans to use it for a memorial near where the couple was killed.

Source: www.ocregister.com

By LAUREN STEUSSY/ ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you are charged with a crime, contact an experienced Orange County Bail Bondsman to assist you in any bail situation.

 

Police investigating death of woman as homicide

Anaheim Police are investigating the death of Nancy Corona, 23, of Anaheim in the 500 block of E. South St.

Police received a call about a woman in her 20s found unresponsive near a car at 6:51 a.m. Saturday in a ground level parking structure of an apartment complex, said Sgt. Darron Wyatt of Anaheim Police. Investigators are looking into the death as a homicide, and the investigation is ongoing, Wyatt said.

“I think a passerby saw something that didn’t look right and called us,” he said

Officers arrived on scene and found Corona had been shot in her upper body, said Sgt. Bob Dunn of Anaheim Police.

“We believe she suffered at least one gun shot wound and in that location,” Dunn said.

Police do not have any suspects at this time, and the motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

Police are asking anyone with information about this incident to call 1-855-847-6227.

Source: www.ocregister.com

By DANIEL LANGHORNE/ ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you are charged with a crime, contact an experienced Orange County Bail Bondsman to assist you in any bail situation.

 

19-year-old in critical condition after Anaheim stabbing

Anaheim police officers investigate after a male was stabbed in the 100 block of West Guinida Lane early Monday morning in Anaheim.
FOR THE REGISTER

ANAHEIM – A 19-year-old man was stabbed and left in critical condition Monday, as authorities also identified another 19-year-old who died after an apparently unrelated stabbing in a different Anaheim neighborhood over the weekend.

Officers about 3:30 a.m. Monday responded to reports of a man suffering from stab wounds knocking on doors in the 100 block of West Guinida Lane and asking for help, Anaheim police Sgt. Bob Dunn said.

The man, who had suffered multiple stab wounds to his upper body, was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he was listed in critical condition.

Investigators believe the stabbing may have occurred after the man confronted some people in a nearby alley. Police described the man as a documented gang member and say the stabbing is believed to be gang-related.

The stabbing came two days after a confrontation in a different Anaheim neighborhood left another 19-year-old, who police Monday identified as Andrew Pacheco of Anaheim, fatally injured.

Investigators believe Pacheco and 10 to 15 other people were walking in the 2400 block of West Ball Road shortly before 11:50 p.m. Saturday when a vehicle occupied by four males pulled up near them.

Two men got out of the car, singled Pacheco out of the crowd and asked if he had any gang affiliation, Dunn said.

The confrontation turned physical, Dunn said, and Pacheco was stabbed once or twice in the abdomen. The two assailants reportedly yelled out their gang name before driving away.

Pacheco, who police say has no known gang ties, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead Sunday afternoon.

While both stabbings are believed to be gang-related, authorities say there is no link between the two incidents.

No suspects in either stabbing have been identified, Dunn said, and no arrests have been reported.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227.

Source: www.ocregister.com

By SEAN EMERY and ALEJANDRA MOLINA/ ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you are charged with a crime, contact an experienced Orange County Bail Bondsman to assist you in any bail situation.

 

Attack on boys by knife-wielding man reported

LADERA RANCH – Two 12-year-old boys escaped from an armed assailant Sunday evening, authorities said, after the attacker dragged one of the boys and told him to take off his pants, according to Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

One of the boys threw wood chips in the man’s face, and the two boys flagged someone down for help, Amormino said.

Authorities say the attack was reported at about 7:30 p.m. after one of the boys was spotted barefooted and wearing boxer shorts near Avendale Boulevard and Daisy Street.

The two 12-year-olds were playing at a swing set at Ladera Ranch Elementary School when they were approached from behind by a man wearing a red bandanna and holding a folding knife with a three- or four-inch blade, Amormino said. One of the boys ran away, but the other was dragged 10 to 15 feet by the attacker.

The attacker was described by the boys as a man in his early 20s, wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and sandals.

“He told the victim to take off his pants, then to take off his boxers,” Amormino said.

The boy then threw wood chips at the man and ran away.

Deputies searched the immediate area, but were unable to locate a suspect, Amormino said.

Investigators have begun checking registered sex offenders and passing out information to residents near the school and Founders Park.

Authorities requested a sketch artist as well, but were unable to create a sketch of the man because his face had been covered by a bandanna, Amormino said.

South County schools on Monday began sending alerts to parents about the incident, asking parents to be vigilant and take the time to talk to children about safety.

“This is a very scary incident happening too close to home,” said Caren Edler, PTA president at Ladera Ranch Elementary School. “My husband and I will remind and educate our second-grader and kindergartner on stranger danger tonight.”

Joe McGann, principal of Chaparral Elementary School in Ladera Ranch, sent an email to parents Monday morning with safety tips, such as not getting into a car with a stranger, going to crowded areas if they are being followed, and yelling if someone tries to take them somewhere by force.

“We are working closely with law enforcement and communicating with parents and students to be aware of their surroundings,” said Marcus Walton, spokesman for the Capistrano Unified School District.

Heidi Wickstrom, whose daughter goes to kindergarten at Ladera Ranch Elementary, said that because of the incident, she decided to drive her child to school Monday instead of walking.

“I was thinking about how helpless I would be if someone approached me. We are all freaked out,” Wickstrom said. “The part that makes me most uncomfortable is that they haven’t caught him yet.”

Shawna Villacana was at the park next to Ladera Ranch Elementary with her toddler Monday.

“I am shocked,” she said. “You think you live in Pleasantville but this is really a reality check.”

“It’s scary,” said Ladera Ranch mom Kristie Buehler, as she watched over her kids at a Ladera Ranch park Monday. “I think we let our guard down sometimes because we think it is so safe here. This is a good reminder to remind our kids about the stranger danger tips.”

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact sheriff’s officials at 714-628-7170. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or 855-847-6227. Tips can also be sent online at occrimestoppers.org.

Source: www.ocregister.com

By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ and MARIE EKBERG PADILLA/ ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you are charged with a crime, contact an experienced Orange County Bail Bondsman to assist you in any bail situation.

 

Ex-officer gets probation in rape trial after plea

James Roberts, a former Huntington Beach Police Department officer, who was accused of sexually abusing his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend, listened during opening statements of his trial in Santa Ana. His trial ended abruptly Tuesday with majority of the charges against him dismissed.
EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SANTA ANA – The trial of a former Huntington Beach police officer accused of sexually and physically abusing his ex-wife and former girlfriend ended abruptly Tuesday with most of the charges dismissed.

James Roberts, 36, was charged with 20 felony counts, including rape, sodomy by force, criminal threats, false imprisonment and aggravated assault. If convicted, he faced life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Instead, he pleaded guilty before Orange County Superior Court Judge Patrick Donahue to felony vandalism and one count of misdemeanor domestic battery with corporal injury, which together carry a maximum term of four years in prison. Donahue, who had let the jury go home early Tuesday afternoon so the lawyers could work out an agreement, suspended the prison term, ordering Roberts to serve five years of probation and meet conditions that include completion of a 52-week batterers-treatment program.

The plea agreement between the prosecutor and the defense came after several days of testimony, including that of Roberts’ former wife, who had been on the stand about a day and a half.

County Deputy District Attorney John Christl told Donahue that he could not prove the remaining counts beyond a reasonable doubt.

“(After a) review of the evidence and the testimony elicited in the course of the trial, the prosecution feels we have proof problems, and we are unable to proceed,” Christl said afterward.

As he left the courthouse with Roberts, defense attorney John Barnett said the resolution reached was fair “after all the evidence was laid out.”

Roberts “is relieved to put the prosecution and the potential exposure behind him,” Barnett said.

Roberts’ former wife made a tearful plea to Donahue before the sentencing, saying that she “strongly disagreed” with the plea and that the two domestic-violence counts should have remained felonies. Another domestic-battery charge was among those dismissed.

“What James has done to our son has been extremely damaging,” she said, urging Roberts get counseling and apologize to her, their son and her family.

Donahue will dismiss the jury Wednesday.

Source: www.ocregister.com

By VIK JOLLY/ ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you are charged with a crime, contact an experienced Orange County Bail Bondsman to assist you in any bail situation.

 

LA civil rights attorney to review Dorner case

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A prominent Los Angeles civil rights attorney said Friday she will conduct an independent review of former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner’s firing.

Connie Rice said she’ll review everything in Dorner’s personnel file over the next couple weeks.

Rice has closely tracked racial issues inside the LAPD for decades and has faced off against the department in court.

“I told Chief (Charlie) Beck I needed to look into this, and he said, `Please do,”‘ Rice said. “I’m going to look at everything. And he’ll let me.”

The LAPD also is reviewing Dorner’s claims that he was unjustly fired for reporting that his training officer kicked a mentally disabled man in the face. That review will entail a look at the overall discipline system and is expected to take months.

Dorner killed four people, including two law enforcement officers, in a rampage to avenge people he blamed for ending his law enforcement career.

During the manhunt for Dorner, Rice encouraged the department to look into allegations of racism and bias he raised in an 11,000-word manifesto posted online. Beck said he would review Dorner’s case to ensure public confidence in the department.

“It was a tough decision, but the right decision made for the right reasons,” Rice said.

She said it’s important for the department to rebuild trust with the community, as it has worked to do after other high-profile incidents, including the Rodney King beating and the Rampart scandal.

Rice has been a longtime vocal critic of the department and has criticized its discipline process in the past, calling for a revamp of the Board of Rights. She believes the tribunal, with two senior LAPD officers and a civilian, is flawed and “inherently political.”

“The problem here was there may have been very good reasons to get rid of Dorner,” Rice said. But it’s “a separate matter deciding whether we have a good process for determining these issues. I don’t think we do.”

She added, “What I’m afraid of is, no matter how you look at this (case), this record is going to remain muddy.”

Source: www.ocregister.com

By TAMI ABDOLLAH/ ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you are charged with a crime, contact an experienced Orange County Bail Bondsman to assist you in any bail situation.

 

Authorities identify man found in water off Newport Beach

NEWPORT BEACH – Authorities have identified a man whose body was found in the water at a Newport Beach jetty.

Orange County coroner’s office officials Monday evening said Pedro Ruiz, 82, of Costa Mesa is the man who was found in the water at the base of the 40th Street jetty about 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Officers responding to reports of a dead man on the rocks at the water line pulled Ruiz onto shore.

Ruiz was fully clothed and appeared to have been in the water for only a short period, a police statement said.

The coroner’s office estimates that Ruiz died about 1:30 p.m.

Authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy scheduled for later this week to determine the official cause of Ruiz’s death.

Police say there were no obvious signs of trauma on Ruiz’s body, leading them to say that foul play is not suspected.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Newport Beach police Detective Garrett Fitzgerald at 949-644-3797.

Source: www.ocregister.com

By SEAN EMERY/ ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you are charged with a crime, contact an experienced Orange County Bail Bondsman to assist you in any bail situation.

 

H.B. moves toward fine for underage-drinking hosts

Parents in Huntington Beach could face a fine if caught serving alcohol to minors. The city is believed to be the third in Orange County to adopt a social hosting ordinance. SETH PERLMAN, AP

HUNTINGTON BEACH Parents can now be held responsible if they are caught serving alcohol to minors at parties.

This new rule on the city’s books passed 5-2 at the City Council meeting on Tuesday with council members Matthew Harper and Jill Hardy dissenting. The new rule will apply a $250 fine for violators.

Mission Viejo was the first city to adopt this rule in 2008 and Laguna Beach jumped on board in December.

“This is one of those that is really easy to vote in favor of and it looks real good,” Hardy said. “To stand up and oppose it is very brave, I think. I’m going to get accused of not listening to the parents … or not thinking of the children… but it’s just too easy for me to come up with how it goes bad.”

Councilman Joe Carchio, who brought the item to the council, said teens and parents are “begging for this”.

“Alcohol is the leading (substance) that creates problems that lead to drugs and so forth,” he said. “These people came from the PTA and expressed their concern and wanted this because they need to have it in place because this is where the kids start.”

The social hosting ordinance will be added to the city’s “loud parties” ordinance, which allows Huntington Beach to collect a fee for having the police respond to gatherings that are receiving noise complaints.

The city’s law will combine the state “contributing to delinquency” law and civil liability for “social hosting” into one law that will serve as a tool for the police department to deter under age drinking.

Police can either charge a flat $250 fee for the violation or they can apply an itemized fee that could include things such as salaries of the officers when responding to parties, the cost of equipment and the cost of any medical treatment if a police officer is injured, the ordinance says.

“This speaks in plain language about the nature of the problem and it gives the police officer tools that we don’t have now,” said Police Chief Kenneth Small said. “This adds a civil citation process … which is a much easier and simpler way for the police department to address it.”

Hardy said she was concerned that parents could be wrongfully accused of hosting a party.

As a teacher, she said she hears how students go out of their way to hide things from their parents. She gave the example of teens watching movies in a home while the parents are upstairs and one teen sneaking in alcohol without the adults knowing.

“What if one kid gets sick and then they call their parents … and that parent flips out and calls the police?” Hardy said. “The potential for a parent being accused of hosting when they aren’t just seems too strong here.”

The law will have some exemptions, including allowing alcohol for religious activities or skipping a citation if it is determine the host of the party took “reasonable steps to prevent underage drinking,” the law says.

The ordinance will come back for a second reading at a future meeting before going into effect.

Source: www.ocregister.com

By JAIMEE LYNN FLETCHER/ ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you are charged with a crime, contact an experienced Orange County Bail Bondsman to assist you in any bail situation.