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Category Archives: Irvine Police Department

O.C. armed robbery suspects apprehended in Indio

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Two Suspects Arrested, Charged in Hotel Robbery INDIO, California – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) worked together with other law enforcement agencies to arrest two suspects now named in a felony complaint alleging they robbed an Indio hotel on Friday night. Manuel Luna, 20, of Corona, California, is accused of conspiring to rob the Best Western Date Tree Hotel in Indio on Friday at about 9:45 p.m., with Matthew Hetrick, 21, of Klamath Falls, Oregon, waiting nearby as the getaway car driver. Both suspects were arrested at the scene. Luna and Hetrick have been charged in United States District Court in Santa Ana with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, under the Hobbs Act, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a). According to the complaint filed on Monday, Luna and Hetrick were under surveillance by ATF agents and detectives from the Irvine, Fullerton and Brea Police Departments. The complaint states that the arrest of Luna and Hetrick arose out of an investigation into a series of armed robberies and attempted robberies occurring in Orange County between February 11, 2019 and March 13, 2019. Just moments before Friday’s robbery, law enforcement agents observed Luna and Hetrick parked in the vicinity of the Best Western, the complaint states. Luna ran into the hotel, wearing a black ski mask, hooded sweatshirt, camouflage pants, and tactical gloves. Once inside the lobby, Luna jumped over the lobby desk, brandishing what appeared to be a silver handgun, and directed employees towards the cash registers. After approximately 30 seconds, Luna ran from the lobby with the gun in hand and ran directly towards the agents. Luna was then confronted by ATF agents, who directed him to stop running and drop the gun. Luna failed to drop his weapon, and ultimately was shot by the agents. The handgun was later determined to be a replica. On scene law enforcement personnel rendered immediate medical aid to Luna, who was later transported to a local hospital for treatment. According to the criminal complaint, around the same time, law enforcement attempted to arrest Hetrick while he waited for Luna in the getaway car. Hetrick attempted to flee, crashing his car into the front of a law enforcement pick-up truck. Hetrick was subsequently ordered out of the vehicle, and was taken into custody without further incident. If convicted, Luna and Hetrick face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on the Hobbs Act Robbery charge. Both suspects have been remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals. The charges against Luna and Hetrick were the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, with assistance from the Irvine Police Department, the Brea Police Department, the Fullerton Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Santa Ana Police Department and the Buena Park Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott Tenley. For more information about Los Angeles ATF visit https://www.atf.gov/los-angeles-field-division and follow ATF on Twitter @LosAngelesATF.

The Irvine police are searching for suspects involved in several armed robberies

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Irvine Police Establish Tip Line for Information on Armed Robberies

Irvine, Calif. (March 14, 2019) – The Irvine Police Department has established a tip line for information on four armed robberies that have occurred in the City this month. Residents are urged to call 949-724-7394 to report information. Call 9-1-1 for crimes in progress. The Irvine cases are believed to be tied to a string of robberies across Orange County.

The most recent crime in Irvine occurred Wednesday night at 7-Eleven, 8693 Irvine Center Drive. At approximately 11 p.m., the suspect entered the store, brandished a silver handgun and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk refused, and the suspect fled. The suspect is between 5’5” and 5’7” and weighs 130 to 160 pounds. He wore a white T-shirt with a black long-sleeve shirt underneath and concealed his face with a ski mask. Irvine Police believe there is a second suspect involved in the robberies. The suspect is described as 5’9,” weighing approximately 150 pounds. He has been seen wearing a black windbreaker jacket, an orange beanie, and ski goggles.

Other robberies in Irvine took place at the Doubletree Hotel, 60 Pacifica, on March 1; the Marriott at 7905 Irvine Center Drive on March 11; and the La Quinta Inn, 14972 Sand Canyon, also on March 11.

Callers to the new tip line at 949-724-7394 may choose to remain anonymous. Information can also be provided via email to jsanders@cityofirvine.org.

Irvine sex assault suspect arrested as he tried to flee to China

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Irvine, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2019) – Irvine Police Department Detectives have arrested a sexual assault suspect who was caught trying to flee the country. Gaoyang “Gary” Li, 20, was apprehended at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday, February 22. Detectives believe he was attempting to return to China.

The case against Li began on January 29, when a 16-year-old victim reported a sexual assault. The victim reported that on September 9, 2018, she met Li on the Chinese dating app Tan Tan. They had further communication on the WeChat app and agreed to meet. The victim reported that Li forced her to perform oral sex. On January 29, Li again contacted the victim via Tan Tan and demanded money under the threat that he would post a video of the sexual assault on social media and send it to the victim’s friends and family. Li is also suspected in another sexual battery case in Irvine.

On February 6, 2019, Li was located on the UCI campus and arrested. He was subsequently released from custody while further investigative follow-up was conducted. When Detectives learned of his plans to travel out of the country on February 22, they located and arrested him. He is being held at Orange County Jail on $1 million bail.

Irvine Police Detectives believe there may be other victims in this case. Anyone who believes they have been a victim is urged to contact Detective Gavin Hudson at 949-724-7168 or ghudson@cityofirvine.org. Victim identities will be kept confidential. IPD will provide translation services upon request.

Santa Ana man arrested for allegedly attacking a cleaning woman in Irvine

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Irvine, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2019) – The suspect in an attempted rape that occurred in the early morning hours Wednesday, February 6, is in custody. Irvine Police Department Detectives arrested Eduardo Godoy Gonzalez, 21, of Santa Ana at his workplace in Tustin on Thursday around 5 p.m. Gonzalez was in possession of a knife believed to be used in the attack at the time of his arrest. A replica Glock handgun was recovered at the scene.

Police were led to Gonzalez thanks to several tips from citizens who saw media coverage of the case.

On Wednesday around 1:20 a.m., the suspect entered an unlocked door of an office at 17877 Von Karman Ave. and approached a woman who was cleaning the facility. The suspect asked the victim in Spanish if she was the only one there. When she said yes, he made aggressive sexual comments to her and ordered her to have sex with him. When she refused and said she was going to call police, the suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the victim, threatening her life.

He then pushed her into another room and forcefully tried to undress her. For four minutes, the victim is seen on video pleading for her life and fighting off the attacker.

Eventually, the victim was able to overpower the suspect and disarm him. The victim then ran for help in a nearby building.

The gun was found at the location and determined to be a replica Glock handgun. The suspect’s laptop history showed to have domains referring AR-10 rifle kits, which showed that he was on the verge of pushing things to a higher level which could have resulted in the loss of life of anyone who refused him.The victim also reported seeing a knife during the attack. She suffered injuries during the assault, including bruising to her arms, hands and breast and scratches to her face.

The investigation in the case is ongoing. Anyone with further information is asked to contact Irvine Police Department Detective Haldor Larum at 949-724-7194.

A man was caught on video attacking and trying to rape a cleaning woman in Irvine

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The Irvine Police Department is looking for a male suspect who violently attacked and tried to rape a woman who was doing janitorial work at an office in Irvine, according to KTLA.

The attack happened early on Wednesday morning, February 6, 2019, at 1:20 a.m., at an office located at 17877 Von Karman Ave. The suspect entered the facility through an unlocked door.

The suspect was carrying a skateboard. He walked up to the victim and then he asked her in Spanish if she was alone. After she said yes, the man made sexually suggestive remarks and ordered the victim to have sex with him, according to the Irvine Police.

The woman refused and she then threatened to call the police. However the attacker then pulled out a gun and pointed it at her, as captured in surveillance video that was released by the Irvine police.

The attacker shoved his victim into another room and then tried by force to take off her clothing. The victim however first begged for her life then tried to fight off her attacker, according to unreleased video footage.

Fortunately the woman was in the end able to overpower her attacker, who was slight of frame and she even disarmed him. She then fled to a nearby building for help.

The man escaped before the police could arrive. The officers did find the weapon, which turned out to be a replica Glock.

The victim told the police that the suspect also had a knife.

The victim had bruises and scratches due to the assault but escaped serious injury.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 20 to 25 years old, about 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 130 to 140 pounds, according to the Irvine police.

The suspect has black hair, brown eyes and he wore glasses during the attack. He was dressed in a gray hooded sweatshirt, black pants and a black knit cap with the letter “P” on the front.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Detective Haldor Larum by calling 949-724-7194 or emailing him at hlarum@cityofirvine.org.

The Irvine Police are conducting a DUI checkpoint on Saturday night

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Irvine, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2019) – The Irvine Police Department (IPD) will conduct a sobriety checkpoint as part of the Department’s continued commitment to reducing injuries and deaths caused by impaired drivers. The checkpoint will be conducted Saturday, January 26, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the area of Culver Drive and Barranca Parkway.

The checkpoint will be clearly marked and vehicles will be selected for further screening on a pre-set basis to ensure objectivity. Motorists will be greeted and given information about the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Trained officers will direct suspected impaired drivers to a secondary area for further evaluation. Most motorists will experience little or no delay.

This checkpoint is being carried out with the use of grant funding awarded by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

High-visibility enforcement can reduce drunken driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research has shown. IPD publicizes these highly visible sobriety checkpoints to deter impaired drivers, encourage the use of sober designated drivers and rideshare services, and bring increased awareness to the consequences of impaired driving.

Irvine man suspected in nine residential burglaries arrested

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Irvine, Calif. (January 25, 2019) – A foot pursuit Wednesday ended in the arrest of a suspect tied to at least nine residential burglaries in Irvine. Ismail Luqman Wasi, 20, of Irvine is suspected of breaking into homes in University Park and other areas, sometimes while residents were at home. The Irvine Police Department has recovered much of the tens of thousands of dollars of property Wasi stole since his spree began in December.

At 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, a resident on Gillman was awakened by sounds coming from a nearby room. The resident went to investigate and found the suspect holding her laptop computer. The suspect fled the home. The resident called police, who set up a search for the suspect.

After fleeing the home on Gillman, the suspect broke into homes on Dewberry and Sandburg Way. He was then seen on Montanas Norte, near Rancho San Joaquin Golf Course. Police were alerted to this activity and closed in on the suspect. Around 7:25 a.m., Wasi was spotted by police and a brief foot pursuit ensued before he was taken into custody.

At the time of the arrest, Wasi had property in his possession from the burglary on Gillman, as well as from a December burglary at San Leon apartments. Later, detectives located a storage unit belonging to Wasi that contained stolen property from previous residential burglaries.

Wasi is believed to have entered the residences he burglarized through unlocked doors. He is being held on $1 million bail. Wasi may be linked to more burglaries in the City. Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Irvine Police Department Detective Justin Brouwer at 949-724-7124 or jbrouwer@cityofirvine.org.

The Irvine Police busted a car club engaged in street racing

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Last night, the Irvine PD Traffic Bureau received information that a car club, suspected of engaging in street racing, may be gathering in the city.

IPD Traffic officers, joined by their partners at OCSD, CHP, and UCI PD, conducted patrols of the area and found several hundred people associated with the club gathered at a local shopping center.

While in the area, Officers and Deputies made over 80 traffic enforcement stops for various violations, conducted 28 vehicle inspections looking for illegal modifications, wrote 56 citations, and ordered 20 vehicles to be inspected by the state Bureau of Automotive Repair for further inspection and correction of illegal modifications.

Man charged with murder after fatal DUI crash in Irvine

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Case # 18HF1669

Date: December 11, 2018

MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER OF TWO PASSENGERS IN SINGLE-VEHICLE CRASH WHILE INTOXICATED IN IRVINE

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged yesterday with the murder of two passengers in a single-vehicle crash while intoxicated in Irvine.

Defendant: Norman David Martin, 23, Irvine

Charged on Dec. 11, 2018, with the following felony counts:

  • (2) Murder

Maximum Sentence: 30 years to life in state prison

Arraignment on Dec. 12, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at 

Department CJ-1, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana

Circumstances of the Case

  • On July 22, 2017, at approximately 2:20 a.m., Martin is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol with two passengers in a two-seat Corvette.
  • The defendant is accused of driving at 138 miles per hour and hitting the crown of the intersection while running a red light at Jamboree and Main Street in Irvine.
  • The vehicle went airborne and the driver subsequently lost control and struck multiple objects, including three palm trees. The defendant and both passengers were ejected from the vehicle as a result of the collision.
  • 26-year-old victims Jamie Lopez and Nancy Ortiz were pronounced dead at the scene.
  • Martin was transported to a local hospital and is accused of having a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent hours after the collision.
  • Irvine Police Department (IPD) investigated this case and arrested the defendant today, Dec. 11, 2018.

Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Dan Feldman, Homicide Unit

Suspect in several armed robberies arrested by the Irvine Police

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Emanuel Demar Banks

Irvine, Calif. (Dec. 11, 2018) – The Irvine Police Department has arrested a suspect in an armed robbery that occurred Sunday in Irvine. Emanuel Demar Banks, 38, of Los Angeles, is also suspected in a string of robberies that occurred in Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Westminster.

On Sunday, December 9, at approximately 7:38 p.m., Banks entered the Chevron gas station at 5425 Alton Parkway in Irvine. He brought an item to the counter, but instead of making a purchase, he brandished a gun and demanded money from the clerk. He took approximately $100 cash before fleeing.

During their investigation, Irvine Police Department Detectives were able to identify Banks and determine his whereabouts. On Tuesday, detectives located Banks in Gardena and took him into custody without incident. A search of the suspect’s hotel room revealed evidence related to the series of robberies that occurred in various Orange County cities on December 8 and 9.

The investigation in this case is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Matt Ricci at 949-724-7189 or mricci@cityofirvine.org.