Latest news with #IrvinePolice
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Irvine man charged with hate crimes after allegedly beating elderly driver and throwing hot coffee at another
An Irvine man faces hate crime charges after he allegedly threw a hot cup of coffee at a man and beat an elderly driver while shouting racial slurs. The Orange County District Attorney's Office described suspect Robert Tackett's actions as "hate motivated attacks" against two Hispanic men. Prosecutors charged Tackett, 54, with four counts related to the assaults, including inflicting injury on an elderly adult. He faces a maximum of eight years in state prison if convicted on all counts. He's being held at the Orange County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. "Hate is a venom that poisons everything – and everyone – it touches. An attack motivated by hate is not an attack on just a single individual; it is an attack on the very fabric of our society and our community as a whole," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said. The two alleged assaults happened on July 22 in two Orange County cities. In the morning, Tackett allegedly followed a garbage truck driver through Irvine on Sand Canyon Avenue near the 5 Freeway. The Irvine Police Department said Tackett tried to run the other driver off the road while shouting racial slurs at him. The Orange County District Attorney's Office said he allegedly tried to crash into the garbage truck twice, but the other driver quickly slammed the brakes and avoided a collision each time. After intentionally trying to crash into the victim, Tackett allegedly threw a hot cop of coffee that landed on the victim's face, hands and car interior, according to Irvine PD. The second assault happened at around 5:30 p.m. in Westminster. Tackett allegedly got out of his work van while stopped at a light, repeatedly punched a 72-year-old driver through an open window and shouted racial slurs. The California Highway Patrol arrested Tackett in Mammoth two days after the attacks. "Every member of our society deserves to go about their days unafraid that they would be targeted because of the color of their skin, their gender, or their sexual orientation," Spitzer said. "We must collectively combat hate by speaking up and speaking out against hate – and haters – to continue to send a strong message that hate will never be tolerated here in Orange County or anywhere."
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Arrest made in frightening Orange County road-rage related hate crime
A 54-year-old Irvine man has been arrested and is facing charges in connection with a road rage-related hate crime and investigators believe there could be additional victims, officials announced Thursday. The alleged assault unfolded on July 22 at around 9:30 a.m. on Sand Canyon Avenue near Interstate 5, the Irvine Police Department said in a news release. It's unclear exactly how the beginning of the ordeal unfolded, though police said the victim was driving in the southbound lanes of Sand Canyon Avenue when he encountered Leon Tackett yelling at a Hispanic truck driver. After passing the initial altercation, Tackett followed the victim and proceeded to aggressively swerve into his lane multiple times, nearly causing several collisions. 'Tackett shouted racial slurs at the victim before throwing a cup of hot coffee into the victim's vehicle,' the release stated. 'The liquid landed on the victim's face, hands, and on the interior of his car.' Body of person who died on international flight to California reportedly unaccounted for Most of the scary interaction was filmed by the victim, with a family member later posting the footage to social media and reporting the incident to Irvine police on Wednesday evening. 'Today, at around 2:30 p.m., Tackett was taken into custody for a hate crime and aggravated assault,' investigators said. KTLA has so far been unable to locate footage of the incident posted to social media. Authorities believe there might be additional victims of the 54-year-old, as well as others who might have witnessed the most recent incident. Anyone with additional information or footage of the alleged crime is urged to email rsteen@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Burglary suspect wanted for targeting homes in Orange County
Police are searching for a burglary suspect wanted for targeting homes in Orange County. Following an investigation by the Irvine Police Department, the suspect was identified as Yonatan Angel Loaeza, 34, of Anaheim. Loaeza is believed to be responsible for burglarizing at least four homes in the Irvine area. Police have released a photo of the suspect in case additional victims recognize him. Anyone who knows Loaeza's whereabouts or has information on the case is asked to contact Detective Guzman at Xguzman@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- CBS News
Irvine police bust alleged organized residential burglary ring
Five people believed to be linked to multiple Southern California residential burglaries and part of a transnational organized crime ring, were arrested by Irvine police on Thursday. An Easter Sunday traffic stop by an Irvine police officer led to the investigation and arrests of four men and a woman. Irvine Police Department Chief Michael Kent said organized burglary crews are a growing threat across the state and nation. "These groups are highly adaptable, well-coordinated, and often target affluent communities, moving quickly from city to city," he said Irvine police shared home surveillance footage from two incidents involving the suspects, who disguised themselves as Amazon delivery drivers and other workers. On April 20, a man called the police after getting alerts from his home surveillance showing unknown people inside his residence. Police arrived and found the home ransacked, with shoes, jewelry, and designer purses reported stolen. A patrol officer made a traffic stop shortly after the burglary call, and the driver said he was delivering food to a customer but could not provide the address where he delivered it. During a search of his car, police found suspicious items that led officers to believe he may be involved in criminal activity. The driver was arrested for being unlicensed. He was identified as 24-year-old Fontana resident, Jhon Osorioarias. Police said that further investigation linked Osorioarias to an organized burglary crew. Over the past month, police said they conducted daily surveillance of the crew and were able to connect them to other burglaries throughout Southern California. On Friday, police arrested the following suspects in Fontana: Jesus Hernandezchavez, 42, John Fredy Sanabria, 42, Fontana, Duber Salarte, 48, Fontana, and Isneidy Ortiz Valencia, 29, Colton. All suspects were booked at the Orange County Jail on various charges, including burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and possession of narcotics.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
2 retail theft suspects arrested in Orange County
Two suspects were arrested for thefts targeting retail stores in Orange County. On May 3, security officers at the Irvine Spectrum mall reported a 'suspicious person' seen on mall premises. Irvine police arrived at the scene and spotted the male suspect driving away from the area while committing 'multiple vehicle code violations.' Officers eventually pulled the vehicle over and found two men inside — Cristian Hernandez Jaramillo, 36, and David Zamir Zuarez Ramos, 28, both Ontario residents. Inside their car, police found over $1,200 worth of stolen merchandise from Lululemon and Vuori stores. Over $1,200 worth of stolen merchandise from Lululemon and Vuori stores was found in the suspects' vehicle on May 3, 2025. (Irvine Police Department) Police provided blurred photos of the suspects — Cristian Hernandez Jaramillo, 36, and David Zamir Zuarez Ramos, 28, both Ontario residents — after a retail theft arrest on May 3, 2025. (Irvine Police Department) A booster bag filled with stolen merchandise was found in the suspects' vehicle during an arrest on May 3, 2025. (Over $1,200 worth of stolen merchandise from Lululemon and Vuori stores was found in the suspects' vehicle on May 3, 2025. (Irvine Police Department) Two lined booster bags were also found. Booster bags are typically lined with material that provides electromagnetic shielding for security tags, allowing thieves to steal merchandise without detection. Both men were arrested for burglary, possession of burglary tools, organized retail theft, receiving stolen property, and driving without a license. They were booked at the Orange County Jail. No further details were released as the investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
