Police Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

DATE: January 30, 2020

SUBJECT: Fatal Traffic Collision – Vehicle vs. two elderly pedestrians

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: Westminster Ave. / Brookhurst St.

DATE/TIME OF OCCURRENCE: January 29, 2020 at 5:07 P.M.

NARRATIVE:
The Garden Grove Police and Orange County Fire Authority were dispatched to a traffic collision that occurred on Westminster Ave. west of Brookhurst St. involving a vehicle and two pedestrians. The 45-year-old male driver drove his vehicle off the roadway and onto the north sidewalk were two pedestrians were walking. Both pedestrians were struck by the vehicle which came to rest on top of the victims.

Prior to the arrival of emergency services, multiple “good-samaritans” joined together and pushed the vehicle off of the victims. A 79-year-old male pedestrian sustained multiple fractures and was transported to UCI Medical Center for care, he is currently in stable condition. The second pedestrian, a 77-year-old female, sustained major trauma and was transported to UCI Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased due to her injuries. There was one three-year-old male passenger in the vehicle who was not injured. The child was transported to CHOC Children’s Hospital for precautionary measures.

Members of the Garden Grove Traffic Unit responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. The driver was evaluated by officers and showed no signs of impairment. The investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the collision.

Any witnesses that may have seen the collision are asked to contact the Garden Grove Police Department’s Traffic Investigator Paul Ashby (714) 741-5823.

Prepared By: Master Officer Paul Ashby #3397

Carl Whitney, Lieutenant
Professional Standards Division / PIO
O: 714.741.5786 W/C: 714.741.5871
24 Hour: 714.741.5704

PRESS RELEASE-UPDATE

DATE: January 27, 2020

SUBJECT: Attempted Homicide (Shooting)- UPDATE- Arrest made

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 13400 Block of Blackbird St.

DATE/TIME OF OCCURRENCE: 1-23-20/ 6:44PM

VICTIM: 25-year-old, Male, Hispanic, resident of Garden Grove

SUSPECT: Oscar Domingo Rodriguez, 23-years-old, Resident of Anaheim

NARRATIVE: On January 23, 2020 at 6:44 PM, officers from the Garden Grove Police Department responded to the above location reference a male who sustained a gunshot wound. The male was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. The victim’s personal information is not being released at this time. This investigation is on-going and any witness with any information about the incident is asked to contact the Garden Grove Police Department Investigations at 714-741-5800.

UPDATE:
On Friday, January 24, 2020, Garden Grove Police Department detectives conducted follow up and were able to identify a suspect vehicle which led to the identification of the shooter. Detectives learned the suspect was at work in a warehouse in the City of Orange. Detectives and members of the GGPD Crime Impact Team conducted surveillance at the warehouse and the suspect was later taken into custody without incident.

Oscar Rodriguez was interviewed by detectives and learned a possible motive for the shooting was a love triangle between the victim, the suspect and a woman. Rodriguez was booked at Orange County Jail. The shooting victim is expected to survive.

Carl Whitney, Lieutenant
Professional Standards Division / PIO
O: 714.741.5786 W/C: 714.741.5871
24 Hour: 714.741.5704

PRESS RELEASE

DATE: December 13, 2019

SUBJECT: Armed Robbery

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 12000 blk of Euclid St. Garden Grove

DATE/TIME OF OCCURRENCE: December 13, 2019 4:10 AM

VICTIM: Walgreens Pharmacy

SUSPECT(s): (5) males with their faces covered wearing dark clothing and gloves

Video Link: http://bit.ly/GGPDWalgreens211

NARRATIVE: An armed robbery occurred on Friday December 13, 2019 at 4:10am at the Walgreens pharmacy. Five suspects entered the pharmacy, one of which was armed with a handgun, and jumped over the pharmacy counter and began taking codeine bottles and other merchandise. The suspects then exited the pharmacy and fled in a vehicle. The vehicle was observed leaving the pharmacy parking lot by officers and a short pursuit ensued northbound on Euclid St. For unknown reasons the suspect vehicles engine caught on fire and became disabled near the intersection of Euclid St and Cerritos St in the city of Anaheim. All suspects then fled on foot leaving behind evidence and personal property. A search of the area was conducted with the assistance of the Anaheim Police Department and Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies. After a extensive search a discarded handgun was located but the suspects were not.

Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to contact the Garden Grove Police Department Crimes Against Persons Unit at 714-741-5800.

Prepared by: Sergeant Juan Delgado

Carl Whitney, Lieutenant Professional Standards Division / PIO

O: 714.741.5786 W/C: 714.741.5871

24 Hour: 714.741.5704

PRESS RELEASE

DATE: November 14, 2019

SUBJECT: Attempt Murder- Police Community Services Officer Stabbed

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 11319 Parkgreen Lane, Garden Grove

DATE/TIME OF OCCURRENCE: November 14, 2019 11:15 AM

VICTIM: Garden Grove Police Community Services Officer, 38-years-old

SUSPECT(s): TRAN, HOP NGOC 51-years-old, resident of Garden Grove

NARRATIVE:
On 11-14-2019 at 11:15 AM the Garden Grove Police Department received a call of a vandalism that occurred inside a community laundry room at 11319 Parkgreen Lane. The calling party said an unknown person cut a water pipe and water lines to the washing machines. No suspect information was provided. A GGPD Community Services Officer (CSO) who is a civilian report writer responded to handle the call. He arrived at the location a few minutes after being dispatched.

The CSO began to investigate the crime and was stabbed in an unprovoked attacked by a 51-year-old male who lived in the condo complex. The suspect stabbed the officer in his right leg with a large knife that was recovered at the scene. The CSO was able to fight off the attacker and retreat to a safe area where he called for emergency help. A plumber who was at the location to fix the water lines helped our CSO by applying a makeshift tourniquet to stop the bleeding.

Police officers arrived and immediately rendered medical aid to our injured CSO. Officers were able to apply a proper tourniquet and immediately took our injured CSO to a local hospital. The CSO was treated for his stab wound and is in stable condition.

The suspect lived in the same condo complex and was located near his residence. He was taken into custody and later booked at Orange County Jail. The motive for the unprovoked attack is unknown at this time. Detectives were called to the location and are currently investigating the incident.

Carl Whitney, Lieutenant
Professional Standards Division / PIO
O: 714.741.5786 W/C: 714.741.5871
24 Hour: 714.741.5704

PRESS RELEASE

DATE: October 9, 2019

SUBJECT: Armed Robbery- Video being released

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 12901 Harbor Blvd. Garden Grove

DATE/TIME OF OCCURRENCE: September 27, 2019 3:30 PM

VICTIM: Berry’s on Top Frozen Yogurt- Female cashier

SUSPECT(s): Male Hispanic, 20’s, 6-0, 200 lbs., mustache and goatee
Last seen wearing dark colored clothing armed with a
Semi-automatic handgun.

NARRATIVE: Video Link: http://bit.ly/Armed211_Berrys

An armed robbery suspect entered the Berry’s on Top Frozen Yogurt store on Friday, 9-27-2019 at 3:30 pm. The suspect ordered frozen yogurt and paid the clerk. As she opened the cash register the suspect threatened the female cashier with a semi-auto handgun and demanded cash. The suspect fled the store with stolen cash and was last seen walking in the shopping center parking lot.

Video of the robbery is being released seeking the public’s help to identify the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jim Franks from the GGPD Robbery Unit at 714.741.5836. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

Carl Whitney, Lieutenant
Professional Standards Division / PIO
O: 714.741.5786 W/C: 714.741.5871
24 Hour: 714.741.5704

PRESS RELEASE

DATE: September 1, 2019

SUBJECT: Fatal Hit and Run Traffic Collision

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: Dale St. / Stanford Ave.

DATE/TIME OF OCCURRENCE: September 01, 2019 at 5:58 A.M.

VICTIM: Elderly Asian Male, 89-years-old, resident of Garden Grove

SUSPECT/Suspect Vehicle: Unknown, possible vehicle is a newer model white BMW

NARRATIVE: http://bit.ly/GGPDhitandrun (surveillance video)
The Garden Grove Police and Orange County Fire Authority were dispatched to a traffic collision that occurred in the area of
Dale St. and Stanford Ave. involving a vehicle and an 89-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics and was not transported to the hospital. The vehicle responsible for the collision fled northbound on Dale St. from the collision failing to stop and render aid to the elderly male. The vehicle could only be described as a white sedan, possibly a BMW with a sunroof. The vehicle in question sustained heavy front-end damage.

Members of the Garden Grove Traffic Unit conducted the investigation. The surrounding neighborhood was searched for evidence or any video surveillance that could help further the investigation. Nearby preliminary surveillance video was obtained and is being released to the public to help identify the suspect vehicle and/or driver. Fresh vehicle debris found at the crash site is from BMW manufactured parts. The investigation is ongoing to gather all factual and pertinent information.

Any witnesses that may have seen the collision are asked to contact the Garden Grove Police Department’s Traffic Investigator Paul Ashby (714) 741-5823.

Prepared By: Master Officer Paul Ashby #3397

Carl Whitney, Lieutenant
Professional Standards Division / PIO
O: 714.741.5786 W/C: 714.741.5871
24 Hour: 714.741.5704

PRESS RELEASE-

DATE: August 8, 2019

SUBJECT: Homicide and Robbery Crime Spree- Suspect arrested

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: Multiple locations in Garden Grove and Santa Ana

DATE/TIME OF OCCURRENCE: August 7, 2019 4:09 PM to 6:25 PM

VICTIMS:
Garden Grove Homicide Victim #1: Hauprich, Helmuth, 62-years-old from GG
Garden Grove Homicide Victim #2: male, Hispanic, 63-years-old, identity withheld
Attempt homicide stabbing victim #3: female Hispanic, 54-years-old, Insurance business
Attempt homicide stabbing victim #4: male Hispanic, 44-years-old, Chevron victim
Santa Ana Homicide Victim #5: Rioja, Pasqual, 39-years-old, Subway restaurant victim
Santa Ana Homicide Victim #6: Parker, Robert Ray, 58 years-old, security guard

SUSPECT: Zachary Castaneda, 02-06-1986, Garden Grove resident- IN CUSTODY

NARRATIVE:
On 08-07-2019 Officers from the Garden Grove Police Department and the Santa Ana Police Department investigated a homicide and robbery crime spree that started at 4:09 PM in Garden Grove and ended with the suspect’s arrest at 6:26 PM in the City of Santa Ana.

The incident started with a reported residential burglary that took place at an apartment complex located at 12162 Jentges Avenue in Garden Grove. The calling party called the police department to report his apartment had been burglarized and there was no suspect information. The victim said the suspect had fled the location after the burglary.

Prior to the burglary report call being dispatched, a robbery was reported at 4:23 PM at a bakery located at 13040 Chapman Avenue. The victim reported a male Hispanic suspect was armed with a gun and he just robbed the business. He was seen leaving in a silver colored Mercedes. Officers responded to the robbery to investigate.

At 5:04 PM, a person called the police department to report a stabbing with two adult male victims who were down in front of an apartment at 12162 Jentges Avenue. Officers arrived at the location and found one adult male victim on the ground outside of the apartment and another male victim down inside the apartment. Both victims had been stabbed numerous times. One male victim was deceased and the other victim was
transported to a trauma center where he later died from his injuries. Officers discovered this location was the same location as the pending residential burglary reported at 4:09 PM.

At 5:39 PM a person called GGPD to report a robbery at the Cash & More business located at 12845 Chapman Avenue. A suspect matching the earlier description from the bakery robbery threatened a customer inside the business and stole cash. A license plate for the suspect vehicle was obtained and broadcasted to area units.

At 6:06 PM a silent robbery panic alarm call was received from a business located at 12843 Harbor Blvd. This business was identified as Best One Insurance. The alarm company reported they had a live camera feed into the business and the alarm operator saw a female employee who was down on the ground and was profusely bleeding. Another employee inside the business said the victim had been stabbed multiple times. The
suspect in this crime matched the same description from earlier robberies. The 54-yearold female victim was listed in critical but stable condition at a local trauma center.

At 6:09 PM GGPD received numerous calls about another stabbing at the Chevron Gas Station located at 13321 Harbor Blvd. This location is about ½ mile away from the previous stabbing location. A male victim was attacked by a male Hispanic suspect matching the description from the other robberies and stabbing calls being investigated.

The male victim in this incident was pumping gas when he was savagely attacked by the suspect. The victim nearly had his nose severed off and was also stabbed in the back. The suspect was armed with large machete type knives. The suspect fled in a silver Mercedes south on Harbor Blvd. towards the City of Santa Ana. Bystanders and witness rendered aid to the victim until the police arrived. The 44-year-old male victim is in stable
condition with traumatic injuries.

At this point, GGPD officers were investigating all of the above crimes. Undercover detectives responded to the area to assist in the search for the suspect and suspect vehicle. A license plate was obtained for the suspect vehicle witnessed at several of the crimes scenes. A radio broadcast was sent to all police agencies in Orange County.

At 6:16 PM, Santa Ana police officers were sent to the Subway restaurant for an assault with a deadly weapon investigation. A male victim inside the Subway restaurant located at 3835 W. First Street was attacked by a male suspect and stabbed numerous times. The suspect in this crime matched the description in the earlier GG crimes. The stabbing victim later died from his injuries. The suspect fled in his vehicle after the attack.

At 6:25 PM, undercover GGPD detectives were checking business parking lots and located the silver Mercedes parked in front of the 7-11 Store located at 103 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana. This location is across the intersection from the Subway restaurant. The undercover detectives immediately requested assistance from Santa Ana Police Department. One minute later, the detectives saw the suspect come out of the 7-11 store
armed with a large knife and a handgun. The undercover detectives ordered the suspect to drop his weapons and he complied. The suspect was taken into custody.

As the suspect was being arrested, customers inside the store ran out and told the detectives the suspect just stabbed a male security guard inside the business. Witnesses said the suspect disarmed the security guard and took his handgun. Officers found the gravely injured security guard who sustained multiple stab wounds lying on the floor inside the business. Officers immediately rendered medical aid and started CPR until
paramedics arrived on scene. The male victim was taken to a trauma center where he died from his injuries.

Weapons and evidence was recovered at the scene. The Garden Grove Police Department, the Santa Ana Police Department and the Orange County District Attorney’s office are working together to investigate and prosecute this case.

Detectives have not determined the motive behind the robberies or homicides. Castaneda will be arraigned in court on 08/09/2019.

Crime Time Line

• 4:09 PM - Residential burglary of an apartment reported at 12612 Jentges Avenue. The suspect was unknown.

• 4:23 PM – Armed Robbery at a bakery located at 13040 Chapman Avenue. Suspect was reportedly armed with a gun. Loss was cash.

• 5:04 PM – Stabbing was reported at 12612 Jentges Avenue. Same location as the residential burglary reported at 4:09 PM. Two adult male victims died from multiple stab wounds. One male victim is 62-years-old. The other male victim has not been identified.

• 5:39 PM – Armed Robbery at Cash & More business located at 12845 Chapman Avenue. Loss was cash.

• 6:06 PM – Armed Robbery and attempted murder at Best One Insurance located at 12843 Harbor Blvd. A 54year-old female employee was stabbed numerous times. Loss was cash. Female victim is in critical but stable condition at a local
  trauma center.

• 6:09 PM – Attempted murder at the Chevron Gas Station located at 13321 Harbor Blvd. A 44-year-old male victim was stabbed and had his nose nearly severed off. The victim is in stable condition at a local trauma center.

• 6:16 PM – A male was stabbed in killed inside the Subway restaurant located at 3835 W. First Street, Santa Ana.

• 6:25 PM – A male security guard was stabbed and murdered at the 7-11 store located at 103 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana. The suspect took the victim’s handgun after stabbing him numerous times. The suspect was taken into custody by undercover GGPD detectives.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact the Garden Grove Police Department and speak with detectives.

Carl Whitney, Lieutenant
Professional Standards Division / PIO
O: 714.741.5786 W/C: 714.741.5871 24 Hour: 714.741.5704

PRESS RELEASE-

DATE: August 7, 2019- Update 4:10 PM

SUBJECT: Homicide Investigation-Stabbing (UPDATE)

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 14000 Blk. of Flower St., Garden Grove

DATE/TIME OF OCCURRENCE: August 6, 2019/ 9:43 PM

VICTIM: Wolff, Vivian, female Korean, 62 years old, Garden Grove

PERSON OF INTEREST: Warner, Jonathan Michael, 28 years old, Garden Grove (Son of the Victim)
DESCRIPTION: Male, Asian, 6’0”, 165 lbs., short, possibly shaven brn hair, brn eyes, medium build

UPDATED NARRATIVE:
Detectives investigated the homicide through the night and learned additional details. The victim was renting a room at the residence and her 28-year-old adult son shared a room with her. He is identified as Jonathan Michael Warner. Warner has not been seen since Friday, 8-2-2019 and he is considered a person of interest as his safety has not been determined. Detectives would like to question him to ensure his safety and that of other family members. The last time the victim was seen alive was on Saturday, 8-3-2019 at 9:00 PM.

If anyone has information on Warner’s whereabouts or information about this homicide, they are encouraged to contact Detective DesBiens of the Garden Grove Police Department at 714.741.5810

ORIGINAL NARRATIVE:
Garden Grove Police Officers responded to a call of a person found deceased in the 14000 block of Flower St. in Garden Grove. Officers arrived on scene and located a deceased female Asian adult in a bedroom of a residence with stab wounds.

Garden Grove Police Detectives responded and are handling the investigation as a homicide. Details are unknown at this time as to the identity of the victim, her relation to the residence, as well as any suspect information. Further information will be forth coming as the investigation is on-going.

Carl Whitney, Lieutenant
Professional Standards Division / PIO
O: 714.741.5786 W/C: 714.741.5871 24 Hour: 714.741.5704

DATE: August 5, 2019

SUBJECT: Homicide Investigation-Shooting- Arrests made

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 9600 Blk. of Westminster Ave., Garden Grove

DATE/TIME OF OCCURRENCE: August 4, 2019/ 12:47 PM

VICTIM: Phan, Thien Hoang, 32 years old- resident of Irvine

SUSPECT(s): Larios, Victor Rene, 29 years old, from Arizona
Ruiz, Jacob Alexander, 24 years old, from Arizona
Ruiz, Joseph Anthony, 27 years old, from Arizona

Updated Information:
Garden Grove Homicide Detectives worked through the night and followed up on several leads. At approximately 0130 AM, detectives conducted a high risk car stop on a suspect vehicle leaving a hotel in Venice Beach, California. Three male suspects were taken into custody without incident and were transported to Garden Grove Police Department.

After further investigation, detectives learned this homicide was drug related and involved a marijuana sales transaction between the victim and the suspects. All of the individuals were at the Garden Grove residence on Westminster Ave. to conduct the drug sales transaction when the shooting occurred. The three male suspects were booked at Orange County Jail for murder and other related charges.

This is the third homicide in Garden Grove this year where the sale of marijuana and other illegal narcotics was directly involved. These incidents were outside the operation of legal marijuana businesses. None of the homicides are linked to each other but the motive for each homicide was robbery for cash or illegal narcotics.

The first homicide occurred on 4-29-19 at a home in the 12000 block of Corvette Street. A suspect who came from another state, attempted to rob a courier for cash at a stash house for marijuana sales. The courier shot and killed the suspect claiming self-defense. The second homicide happened on 7-8-2019 in the 9100 block of La Grand Avenue where several suspects did an early-morning home invasion robbery. The suspects shot the victim while demanding cash and narcotics. No arrests have been made for the second homicide and it is currently still being investigated. This most recent homicide was committed by suspects who travelled to Garden Grove from Arizona to purchase marijuana. Recreational use of marijuana is illegal in Arizona and detectives believe this may be a reason why suspects are traveling from neighboring states to commit crimes.

Anyone with information about this most recent crime is encouraged to contact detectives at the Garden Grove Police Department.

ORIGINAL NARRATIVE:
Garden Grove Police Officers responded to a call of possible gunshots and a subject bleeding in the 9600 Blk. of Westminster Ave. in Garden Grove. Officers arrived on scene and located a male Asian adult in the rear yard of a residence with gunshot wounds who was deceased.

Garden Grove Police Detectives responded and are handling the investigation as a homicide. Details are unknown at this time as to the identity of the victim, his relation to the residence, as well as any suspect information. Further information will be forth coming as the investigation is on-going.

Suspects arrested:
Larios, Victor Rene - 29 years old, resident of Arizona
Ruiz, Jacob Alexander- 24 years old, resident of Arizona
Ruiz, Joseph Anthony- 27 years old, resident of Arizona

Carl Whitney, Lieutenant
Professional Standards Division / PIO
O: 714.741.5786 W/C: 714.741.5871
24 Hour: 714.741.5704
carlw@ggpd.org

July 17, 2019

Federal immigration enforcement has been a highly discussed topic recently and the Garden Grove Police Department wants to share our department’s policy and position on this issue. Garden Grove City Council Resolution 9409-17 was passed on January 24, 2017 and is titled, Promoting Community Harmony and Safety. The City of Garden Grove is a very diverse community of people from different races, cultures, backgrounds, origins and religions. The fundamental responsibility of the City of Garden Grove is to protect all of its residents and maintain public safety.

If a person, regardless of their immigration status, commits a violent or serious offense against members of our community, we will enforce all applicable laws to protect our community. Chief Tom DaRé added, “Community partnerships and community trust are vital to our mission and we strive to make Garden Grove a safe and inclusive place for everyone.”

The Garden Grove City Resolution can be found here: http://bit.ly/GGResolution9409-17
Spanish: http://bit.ly/GGRes9409-17Span
Vietnamese: http://bit.ly/GGRes9409-17Viet

Carl Whitney, Lieutenant
Professional Standards Division / PIO
O: 714.741.5786 W/C: 714.741.5871
24 Hour: 714.741.5704