Crime Voice

Laguna Beach, CA (March 26, 2008): – Richie Sambora, lead guitarist for Bon Jovi, was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

According to Laguna Beach Police, Sambora was pulled over in a black Hummer at 10:52 p.m. on Pacific Coast Highway near Brooks Street in Laguna Beach.

Three female passengers were traveling with the popular rocker, two of whom were minors, said Laguna Beach Police Sergeant Jason Kravetz. Additionally, one of these minors was reportedly Sambora’s 10 year old daughter, Ava.

Because the two minors were in the vehicle, Sambora could face an additional enhancement charge of child-endangerment as well as DUI.

Sambora failed a field sobriety test administered at the scene and was booked into Laguna Beach jail without incident. “There was nothing unusual about the arrest,” said Kravetz. “He was very cooperative.”

Kravetz further explained that the investigation is ongoing and a wait will be required for results of a blood test taken by Sambora to measure his blood’s alcohol content.

Sambora was released at 4 a.m, said Kravetz, and is scheduled to appear in court on May 7th.

Sambora also reportedly had two stints in rehab last year.

IRVINE, CA (March 15, 2008): Irvine Police captured and arrested a La Puente Man early Saturday morning for sexual assault, false imprisonment, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, resisting arrest and using his car to escape officers, after what police called “a wild car and foot chase”. 

Irvine Police received a call at 2:50 a.m. from an 18-year-old Irvine woman that claimed she had been sexually assaulted by Miguel Angel Romero. According to Lt. Rick Handfield of the Irvine PD, the victim had met Romero through a mutual acquaintance and accepted a ride back to Irvine with him. 

Once inside her home, said Handfield, the victim alleges Romero cornered her, held her down and sexually assaulted her. 

The suspect was able to flee before police arrived but his car was spotted by police in the area at 3:55 a.m. 

Police said it initially seemed Romero was going to be compliant as they ordered him to surrender but as they approached he accelerated away, nearly mowing down one officer who was on foot and another in a patrol car. A third police officer attempted to pin the suspect’s car with his own but struck a residential garage door, causing minor damage. 

A short vehicle pursuit followed, Romero leading Police through the Irvine streets before abandoning his car and running off into a residential neighborhood in the area of Lemongrass and West Yale Loop. 

Irvine Police then set up a perimeter around the area and began an intensive search. Newport Beach and Costa Mesa K-9 units responded to requests for help in the search and a Los Angeles Sheriff’s Helicopter also participated. 

As the search continued “A woman came out of her house screaming,” Handfield said. “She was frantic.” 

The woman said that a man was in her house and that her husband had armed himself with a gun and confronted him. As officers rushed toward the house, Romero emerged and again fled but was captured shortly thereafter at approximately 4:40 a.m. 

No one was injured in the chase and Romero is being held on $1,000,000 bail. 

 

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA (March 7, 2008): A gas station attendant in Huntington Beach fought off a robber armed with a hatchet early Friday morning, suffering a small cut on his hand from the incident.
According to police, a man entered the Chevron gas station located at 8971 Adams Ave. at approximately 12:40 a.m. asking to buy cigarettes. However, the man then pulled out a hatchet and demanded money from the cash register.
 

The attendant, Solomon Wendemagegen, 47, initially complied, handing some money over before shifting into fight mode and struggling with the thief. Ultimately Wendemagegen was able to seize the hatchet.
 

The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of money and was last seen headed west on Adams in a small red compact, said police. He was described as being white, short with a thin build, clean-shaven, wearing a black hoodie sweat shirt and black gloves.
 

Mr. Wendemagegen declined going to the hospital for treatment of the cut on his hand.