Santa Ana news

• An unruly auto theft suspect from Santa Ana died at the Theo Lacy Facility

  24-02-2026 02:08 via newsantaana.com
  ORANGE, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2026) – On Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died. The 24-year-old inmate, Edson Israel Rosasmedrano, was booked by the Santa Ana Police Department on Feb. 19, 2026, for VC 10851 Vehicle Theft, PC 496d(a) Receiving a Stolen Vehicle, and PC 148 Obstructing or Resisting a Peace Officer. On Feb. 22, while housed at the Theo…
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• The City of Santa Ana will likely be sued for banning rent-setting computer software

  24-02-2026 01:58 via newsantaana.com
  The Santa Ana City Council voted to take a possibly unconstituional step to protect renters with a new ordinance banning rent-setting computer software that can artificially inflate rents. The ordinance, approved on Tuesday, Feb. 17, for a first reading and set for a final vote on March 3, prohibits the sale, licensing, provision and use of certain algorithmic rent-setting software for…
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• A pair at a Santa Ana motel were arrested for retail theft by the Irvine Police

  24-02-2026 01:23 via newsantaana.com
  After shoplifting incidents at Crossroads Trading and ULTA in Irvine, police detectives linked the same suspects to about $3,500 in additional thefts across Orange County, according to the Irvine Police Department. Investigators found the suspects at a Santa Ana motel, conducted surveillance, and watched one of them steal from another retail store in a neighboring city.
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• Two catalytic converter thieves were arrested in coastal O.C.

  24-02-2026 01:02 via newsantaana.com
  Yesterday, in the early morning hours, police officers responded to a call about a suspicious noise, specifically, the sound of an electric saw coming from under a vehicle, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department. In less than a minute, police officers were in the area and they were able to locate the fleeing suspect’s vehicle. Once they spotted the officers…
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• O.C. man with a ghost gun and an NOS tank in his car arrested

  24-02-2026 00:24 via newsantaana.com
  On 2/9/26, at 2 a.m., police officers contacted a subject in his vehicle near 13659 Beach Boulevard, according to the Westminster Police Department. Upon contacting the subject the officers saw that a Nitrous Oxide (NOS) tank was seen in plain view. The subject was removed and a subsequent search was conducted of the vehicle. Upon searching the trunk the police officers located…
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• The Costa Mesa Police arrested 3 at their DUI and CDL Checkpoint on Friday night

  23-02-2026 22:05 via newsantaana.com
  Friday night, Feb. 20 2026, at the DUI and driver’s license checkpoint that was conducted on Harbor Boulevard, south of Sunflower Avenue, a total of 477 drivers were contacted. This checkpoint yielded 11 field evaluations for impairment, 3 DUI arrests, 25 citations issued for driver’s license related violations, and 17 vehicles were impounded, according to the Costa Mesa Police…
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• Hundreds of high schoolers in Irvine will walk out of school to protest ICE on Feb. 27

  23-02-2026 21:05 via newsantaana.com
  IRVINE, CALIF. – Around 300 students from Irvine High School, Northwood High School and Portola High School, in Irvine, are expected to participate in a non-school-affiliated walkout on Feb. 27 as part of a statewide protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and racist policing. The statewide protest is organized by California Youth Unite (CAYU), a student-run coalition of 35+ high…
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• Three L.A. makeup theft suspects nabbed by the Irvine Police

  23-02-2026 17:42 via newsantaana.com
  On Tuesday, the Irvine Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center alerted police officers to a vehicle connected to multiple thefts of cosmetics from CVS. The Irvine Police are able to track vehicles by using surveillance cameras and taking note of their license plate numbers. Suspect vehicles are quickly identified by this system allowing officers to be dispatched to the exact locations.
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• A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle in coastal Orange County

  23-02-2026 17:25 via newsantaana.com
  On Sunday, February 22, 2026, at approximately 6:30 p.m., police officers responded to a traffic collision on Beach Boulevard and Williams Drive involving a white Toyota Camry and a pedestrian, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department. Upon arrival, officers located the driver of the Toyota, a 68-year-old male from Huntington Beach, uninjured. The pedestrian…
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• Credit card thief arrested after trying to buy gold bars in north O.C.

  22-02-2026 00:12 via newsantaana.com
  After noticing a suspicious charge for gold bars on their credit card, a victim realized that they had been a target of mail theft, according to the Brea Police Department. The victim didn’t just report it—they secured the tracking information and shared it with the police investigators. The police officers were then able to track the shipment in real time and intercept the…
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• One dead, one injured in connected gang-related shootings in Santa Ana

  21-02-2026 22:12 via newsantaana.com
  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.
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• The Supreme Court rules that Pres. Trump cannot unilaterally impose tariffs

  20-02-2026 17:55 via newsantaana.com
  On Friday, February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the President to unilaterally impose tariffs. The decision immediately invalidates most of the sweeping “reciprocal” and emergency tariffs implemented by the Trump administration over the past year. In a new statement, Scott Lincicome…
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• A reckless driver was tracked down and arrested by the Costa Mesa Police after an investigation

  20-02-2026 17:48 via newsantaana.com
  On a foggy morning this past November, vehicle sped off after police officers attempted a traffic stop, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department. The vehicle dangerously exceeded over 120mph. Despite the early morning hour, the officers did not want to endanger anyone and although the pursuit was terminated, the investigation was not. Through the diligent work of the…
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• CalOptima Health audit of former Chair Andrew Do’s tenure finds no fraud

  20-02-2026 17:37 via newsantaana.com
  ORANGE, Calif. (February 18, 2026) — Today, the CalOptima Health Board of Directors released the findings of an independent investigation it authorized into certain expenditures made during the period when former Supervisor Andrew Do served on the Board of Directors, which found no evidence of fraud. Board counsel retained Ankura Consulting Group, LLC, an independent consulting firm…
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• O.C. probationer arrested for stealing cash and a check from a nail salon in south O.C.

  19-02-2026 22:59 via newsantaana.com
  Last week, Orange County Sheriff deputies in Dana Point responded to Organic Nail Lounge regarding a burglary and forgery that occurred earlier this month, during which the suspect stole cash and a customer check. Deputies utilized technology to identify and locate the suspect’s vehicle in the Capistrano Beach area the same day the report was taken. When they arrived…
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• Three suspects arrested after stealing alcohol from a grocery store in south O.C.

  19-02-2026 22:51 via newsantaana.com
  On Tuesday night, Orange County Sheriff deputies in San Clemente received a call of stolen alcohol from the Pavilions in Talega. The deputies discovered that this same crew had committed the same crime in Lake Forest the previous week. As the deputies searched the area, they located the vehicle on the 5 Fwy. With the assistance of the CHP, the vehicle was stopped and all…
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• Trump administration action leads to shutdown of gender-affirming care at CHOC

  19-02-2026 20:52 via newsantaana.com
  The recent closure of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Pediatric Gender Clinic on February 6, 2026, has become a focal point of intense debate in Southern California. The shutdown follows a series of aggressive federal actions by the Trump Administration aimed at ending medical gender transitions for minors across the United States. What Happened with CHOC and the Trump…
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• The Costa Mesa Police will conduct a DUI and CDL Checkpoint on Feb. 20

  19-02-2026 20:03 via newsantaana.com
  The Costa Mesa Police Department will be conducting a DUI and CDL checkpoint on Friday night, Feb. 20, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. within city limits of Costa Mesa. This DUI checkpoint is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety. By law, police departments in California are required to notify residents of these checkpoints. The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) typically…
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• O.C. man charged with fatally stabbing his estranged wife in a jealous rage

  19-02-2026 19:44 via newsantaana.com
  SANTA ANA, Calif. – A 62-year-old man has been charged with murder for stabbing his estranged wife to death after he believed she had a date with another man during the Valentine’s Day weekend. On Saturday, February 14, 2026, at around 6:30 a.m., a woman called the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to report that her brother-in-law had called her to tell her that he had killed his wife with…
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• Raising Cane’s grand opening in Costa Mesa set for Feb. 24

  19-02-2026 00:42 via newsantaana.com
  LOS ANGELES (Feb. 18, 2026) – New address, same iconic flavor! Raising Cane’s opens its newest Restaurant in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, Feb 24. at 1595 Newport Blvd. Orange County is no stranger to Raising Cane’s premium chicken, which is marinated for at least 24 hours and cooked fresh for every order. Costa Mesa Caniacs know Cane’s doesn’t use heat lamps or warmers – just quality chicken…
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• Bass Pro Shop shoplifters arrested by the Irvine Police with help from a police drone

  18-02-2026 22:50 via newsantaana.com
  Last Wednesday, two suspects tried to shoplift at Bass Pro Shops after loading up a cart with archery gear and metal detectors and taking off, according to the Irvine Police Department. The IPD’s Real Time Crime Center, dispatchers, and drone kept officers pointed in the right direction. The stolen property, valued at over $2,600, was soon recovered. David Rezaei, 54…
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• O.C. high schoolers are risking their lives with a game involving realistic looking toy guns

  18-02-2026 22:23 via newsantaana.com
  What starts as a viral high school tradition can quickly turn into a high-stakes emergency. Recently, the Irvine Police Department issued a critical warning regarding the game “Senior Assassin.” While students see a harmless game of tag with water guns, law enforcement sees a “recipe for disaster”. The game involves seniors “eliminating” targets using water guns or gel blasters…
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• Suspect captured in Guatemala for kidnapping and repeatedly abusing teen

  18-02-2026 21:33 via newsantaana.com
  SANTA ANA, Calif. – A registered sex offender charged with kidnapping a 13-year-old Orange County girl and repeatedly raping her over several hours has been captured in Guatemala as part of a multi-jurisdictional effort to bring the wanted fugitive to justice. Since December 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Justice Office of International Affairs…
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• A woman and her boyfriend were arrested after stealing the ex-boyfriend’s car in north O.C.

  16-02-2026 22:57 via newsantaana.com
  Earlier on the morning of Feb. 11, police officers located a stolen vehicle that turned out to be less “rom-com” and more “crime documentary,” according to the Fullerton Police Department. The vehicle was allegedly taken by the owner’s ex, who then decided to go for a joy ride with her new boyfriend. Spoiler alert: the ride ended with flashing lights and matching bracelets.
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• A scammer stole $40K from an Irvine resident after promising to secure their savings

  16-02-2026 22:48 via newsantaana.com
  A resident was recently scammed out of $40,000 after receiving a text message claiming to be a fraud alert from their bank, according to the Irvine Police Department. The scammer then called the victim and convinced them to withdraw their savings so the bank could “secure” it at another location. The suspect then arranged for a courier to pick up the money. Shortly after handing off the…
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• Estranged husband arrested for allegedly fatally stabbing his wife in south O.C.

  15-02-2026 07:06 via newsantaana.com
  On Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, shortly after 6:30 a.m., deputies were called to the 26000 block of Laurelwood Lane in San Juan Capistrano in reference to a domestic incident, according to the Orange County Sheriff. Deputies arrived and located a woman in her 60s deceased from apparent stab wounds in the garage. The suspect, a man in his 60s was transported to the hospital with non-life…
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• Santa Ana woman and two others arrested for stealing from a storage facility in Irvine

  14-02-2026 20:47 via newsantaana.com
  Several burglaries occurred over the last few weeks at a storage facility on Red Hill, according to the Irvine Police Department. It wasn’t long before The Directed Enforcement Team (DET), along with the Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU), identified and located the suspects. Last Friday, DET and CIU served a search warrant at an Irvine hotel and arrested Charlotte Rae Cossey, 43…
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• Bloody PETA protests planned for next week’s Raising Cane’s grand openings in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa

  14-02-2026 00:50 via newsantaana.com
  PETA supporters are aiming to deliver a shocking message to those attending the grand openings of Raising Cane’s in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa next week. PETA plans to hang a woman upside down and have her throat “slit” to demonstrate how chickens are killed for those “chicken fingers.” The pro-vegan displays are designed to illustrate the point that every chicken raised for their flesh…
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• 92 transients were arrested in Santa Ana after a citywide sweep this morning

  14-02-2026 00:24 via newsantaana.com
  Santa Ana Quality of Life Team (QOLT) police officers, alongside Directed Enforcement officers and Landscape West, conducted a citywide sweep this morning focused on ongoing quality of life concerns across our neighborhoods, according to the Santa Ana Police Department. By the numbers: Based on the breakdown of the February 2026 citywide sweep by the Santa Ana Police Department’…
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• Fake $100 bills laced with a drug used to make meth found at an Irvine grocery store

  13-02-2026 23:43 via newsantaana.com
  In early February 2026, an unsettling incident unfolded at an Albertsons in Irvine that serves as a stark reminder to stay alert when handling unexpected finds. Here is a breakdown of the events and the significant legal consequences the perpetrators could face. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, employees at the Albertsons on Quail Hill Parkway discovered several counterfeit $100…
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• Commercial burglary suspect from L.A. arrested by the Irvine Police

  13-02-2026 22:31 via newsantaana.com
  On January 5, police officers investigated a burglary at a business on Goddard. More than $5,000 worth of merchandise was stolen, according to the Irvine Police Department. Detectives learned that the same suspects were linked to another burglary at the same store in October 2025, during which $7,000 worth of items were stolen. They are also believed to be involved in several other…
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• CDL and DUI Checkpoint set for Feb. 20 in north Orange County

  13-02-2026 21:45 via newsantaana.com
  The Fullerton Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI)/driver’s license Checkpoint on February 20th from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location. Frequently Cited Checkpoint Locations in Fullerton While exact locations change, several key areas are repeatedly used for enforcement operations: DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on…
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• CAL DOGE finds drug prevention money is funding progressive voter drives

  13-02-2026 19:26 via newsantaana.com
  SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, CAL DOGE announced it has untangled a web of funding from the Prop 64 authorized California Cannabis Tax Fund (CCTF) – supposed to be used for substance abuse prevention – that instead is building the Democrat political machine in California. An investigation into Elevate Youth California, which is one of the financial intermediaries that received $370M from the CCTF…
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• Santa Ana Manufacturing Job Fair set for Feb. 26

  13-02-2026 17:55 via newsantaana.com
  The Santa Ana WORK Center is hosting a Manufacturing Job Fair on February 26, 2026, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 801 W. Civic Center Dr., Suite 200, in Santa Ana. Meet employers from: Positions include Inspector, Fabrication Operator, Maintenance Mechanic, Shipping/Receiving, and more. Bring your resume. Dress interview-ready. Be prepared to apply onsite.
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• Police will conduct a pre-Valentine’s Day DUI and CDL Checkpoint in Santa Ana

  13-02-2026 17:38 via newsantaana.com
  On Friday night, 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. Many people wisely opt to take their significant others out to dinner the day before Valentine’s Day to avoid the crowds.
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• DUI and CDL Checkpoint set for Feb. 26 in coastal Orange County

  12-02-2026 23:23 via newsantaana.com
  Police officers will hold a CDL/DUI Checkpoint on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location within the city limits, according to the Huntington Beach Police Department. Checkpoint locations are chosen based on the history of DUI crashes and arrests. The primary purpose of checkpoints is not to make arrests but to promote public safety by deterring…
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• A suspected DUI driver was arrested after crashing into poles in coastal O.C. this morning

  12-02-2026 20:15 via newsantaana.com
  At around 2:05 a.m. this morning, a vehicle was observed driving at a high rate of speed near S. Coast Highway and Broadway Street, according to the Laguna Beach Police Department. Moments after, the vehicle collided into a light pole and traffic pole near S. Coast Highway and Forest Avenue. After an investigation was conducted, the driver was arrested for Driving Under the…
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• Irvine family safe after tense machete standoff

  12-02-2026 15:48 via newsantaana.com
  On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the quiet neighborhood of Terrapin in Irvine was shattered by a high-stakes police standoff that gripped the community for over five hours. What began as a domestic dispute reports around 2:15 p.m. quickly escalated into a hostage situation involving a man armed with a machete. Irvine Police responded to a condo in the 100 block of Terrapin after a…
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• Santa Ana man wanted for cashing fraudulent checks

  12-02-2026 15:41 via newsantaana.com
  Detectives are seeking the public’s help in locating Victor Ramon Herrera-Canizales (32), who is wanted for a fraudulent check-cashing scheme, according to the Santa Ana Police Department. Victor arrived at Main International, a check-cashing company located at 1200 W. Warner Avenue, and cashed a fraudulent check. The business was notified the check was fraudulent and immediately…
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• Raising Cane’s new Santa Ana location’s grand opening set for Feb. 17

  11-02-2026 23:55 via newsantaana.com
  Orange County’s heart is beating for Chicken Fingers! Raising Cane’s opens its newest Santa Ana Restaurant – in the middle of OC – on Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 9 a.m. The new restaurant is located at 1303 N. Bristol Street directly across the street from Santa Ana Community College and minutes from the Santa Ana Historic District. https://maps.app.goo.gl/JuRjsrqSHDxDvVn39 Students and Community…
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• CalOptima Health awards another $1.2M for two OC food banks

  11-02-2026 19:30 via newsantaana.com
  ORANGE, Calif. — This past week, CalOptima Health’s Board approved $1.2 million ($600,000 each) for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) in response to significant budget cuts that threaten the safety net and food security among its members in Orange County. This funding is in addition to $1.5 million ($750,000 each) that the…
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• Woman arrested in Santa Ana after a slow pursuit by the Tustin police

  11-02-2026 19:06 via newsantaana.com
  An unidentified woman was arrested in Santa Ana after a slow-speed pursuit by a Tustin police officer, Tuesday night, according to County News. The Tustin police officer tried to pull the woman over just before 11 pm.. She was driving a silver Lexus sedan. For reasons unknown the woman refused to pull over. The suspect, a female adult, drove off slowly as the officer followed her…
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• Over 40 were arrested for loud cars and unruly behavior at a popular Orange County beach

  11-02-2026 17:24 via newsantaana.com
  If your idea of fun is taking your overly loud car to the beach and getting drunk you may want to think again. The Newport Beach Police Department announced that they made more than 40 arrests last Friday and Saturday during an evening enforcement operation at the West Oceanfront parking lot. The police acted after hearing from residents and business owners about the overly loud vehicles…
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• Long Beach man arrested for stealing bronze plaques in several Orange County cities

  11-02-2026 00:56 via newsantaana.com
  On January 20, 2026, several bronze plaques were stolen from locations around the city, including Old Towne Orange, according to the Orange Police Department. Our detectives immediately launched an investigation, reviewing numerous video surveillance systems that ultimately led to the identification of a suspect. The investigation revealed the suspect was also connected to multiple…
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• Four O.C. cities make the Top 10 of the latest Safest Cities in California report

  10-02-2026 20:54 via newsantaana.com
  When it comes to finding a “sanctuary” in the Golden State, Orange County is leading the charge. According to the latest 2025 Safest Cities in California report by SafeWise, several OC communities have secured top-tier spots, outperforming national trends in both violent and property crime safety (pp. 1-2). While national trends show an 8% decrease in property crime and a 10%
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• Brea man arrested for using a stolen EBT card at a Walmart in Irvine

  10-02-2026 18:12 via newsantaana.com
  Police officers found a vehicle parked at Walmart that was used in a previous shoplifting case in which over $900 in merchandise was stolen, according to the Irvine Police Department. The officers swiftly intercepted Ionut Alexandru Maglasu, 25, of Brea, as he returned to his car with a sack of baby formula. With the help of an Orange County District Attorney Public Assistance…
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• A DUI driver collided with a tree in north Orange County

  10-02-2026 17:54 via newsantaana.com
  Police officers responded to an accident scene involving a driver who was driving under the influence and collided head-on with a tree, according to the Brea Police Department. The Brea Police stated that “While the damage to the vehicle is significant, the risk to innocent lives on the road was even greater. There is no excuse for driving impaired. It endangers you and everyone…
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• A person with measles hung out at Disneyland and California Adventure on Jan. 22

  08-02-2026 08:43 via newsantaana.com
  (Santa Ana, CA) – The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) received notification of a confirmed case of measles who visited Orange County (OC). While infectious, this individual visited the following OC locations: People who were at these locations during the date and times listed above may be at risk of developing measles from 7 to 21 days after being exposed and are advised to follow these…
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• Elderly O.C. convict arrested for indecent exposure at a supermarket parking lot

  07-02-2026 19:34 via newsantaana.com
  The Fullerton Police Department has arrested a suspect connected to two separate indecent exposure incidents that occurred in a shopping center parking lot located in the 1800 block of W. Malvern Ave. In 2025, officers responded to reports of a male engaging in lewd behavior inside his vehicle in a busy public area while his window was lowered. Based on witness statements and the…
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• Vegas woman arrested for Ulta theft in Irvine; suspected in NV and AZ spree

  07-02-2026 19:25 via newsantaana.com
  In January, a woman stole over $2,000 worth of merchandise from Ulta on Jamboree Road, according to the Irvine Police Department. An investigator identified the suspect as Jasele Alicia Villanueva, 31, of Las Vegas. Villanueva is allegedly responsible for over $60,000 worth of other thefts from Ulta stores across Nevada and Arizona. IPD detectives collaborated with law enforcement…
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