Crime Voice

IRVINE - Following several suspicious fires reportedly set at College Park Elementary school over the weekend, five juveniles were arrested for arson, according to Police.

All of the suspects are 13 and 14 year old residents of Irvine and none of their names have been released due to their ages.

The juveniles are believed to have started the first fire on Saturday night by igniting a stack of cardboard. The ensuing blaze charred the school’s kindergarten building.

A person walking by the school on Sunday morning noticed the burned debris of the Saturday night fire, said police.

The young teens then returned to the school Sunday afternoon around 4pm. Another resident in the neighborhood alerted police, reporting that the group of alleged teen arsonists possessed “flaming objects” on the playground.

According to police, when they arrived, they found the juveniles in the vicinity of a small fire which was believed to have been started using an aerosol can.

After some questioning, the juveniles confessed to starting the Saturday night cardboard fire as well, said police. The young teens were soon after released to their parents.

   A Nevada City woman faces multiple charges after being arrested Thursday when investigators tied her to the illegal use of credit cards belonging to elderly care patients. (more…)

COSTA MESA, CA – The son of a Costa Mesa activist, Mirna Burciaga, has been arrested, along with two others, for the July 28^th shotgun shooting of a 15 year old girl.

According to Costa Mesa Police, their Gang Detail Unit pulled over two vehicles Tuesday afternoon at about 3:00, recognizing that the passengers were known gang members believed to be directly involved in the shooting.

Salvidor Hilario Burciaga, 19 of Costa Mesa, was taken into custody without incident along with two other juveniles, according to Costa Mesa police. All three were booked on suspicion of attempted homicide and conspiracy with enhancements for gang involvement. A fourth individual was questioned before being released.

The July 28^th shooting occurred just after 6pm in the 700 block of Shalimar Drive, a violent area known for gang activity as evidenced by concrete barriers that limit access to the neighborhood.

According to police Lt. Clay Epperson, the 15 year old girl was standing among a group of other teens when the shooter approached, their face covered by a bandanna, and fired a shotgun into the group.

“It had all the characteristics of a gang assault,” said Epperson.

Police did not identity who is believed to be the actual shooter and did not give any other specific details about the shooting.

The girl was wounded on her right side and remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Burciaga’s mother, Mirna Burciaga, is a well known local activist and restaurant owner. In both 2004 and 2006 she made unsuccessful bids for a seat on the Costa Mesa city council. Her restaurant, El Chinaco, gained notoriety for serving “Minuteman Tacos” to protest the efforts of those seeking to halt illegal immigration.

Court records show that Salvador Burciaga was also arrested in May for alleged felony vandalism and street terrorism. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Irvine, CA (July 18, 2008) – An Irvine man’s alleged ploy to be reimbursed by local businesses for their role in ripping his trousers, unraveled on him and lead to his arrest at 3:30 pm on Thursday July 17, 2008.

Gaylon Linn Murphy, 52, of Irvine, had recently approached management at the Houston’s restaurant at 2991 Michelson Dr. requesting they compensate him for damage to his designer pants which he claimed were torn while he was using their restroom. (more…)

COSTA MESA - Popular Mixed Martial Arts fighter, and recently dethroned champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, was arrested in Newport Beach Tuesday afternoon following a police pursuit that included at least one collision with another car and several pedestrians nearly being run over.

Acccording to police, a Costa Mesa Motor Officer observed Jackson weaving in and out of traffic in his Ford F-250 pick-up truck while traveling southbound near the intersection of Newport Blvd. and Broadway. The officer also reported that Jackson had a flat front tire and was talking on his cell phone at the time.

The officer attempted to pull Jackson over but Jackson continued south down 17^th street, continuing to weave through traffic in an apparent attempt to allude the officer.

Jackson crossed over the raised median of the boulevard at Cabrillo Avenue before losing control and careening up on to the sidewalk, nearly mowing down several pedestrians, said Costa Mesa police Lt. Paul Dondero.

Jackson regained control but then continued southbound in the northbound lanes of Newport Blvd.

As the pursuit continued, Jackson collided with a vehicle in the intersection of 17^th street and ran several red lights before his left tire began to disintegrate as he crossed the Pacific Coast Highway overpass toward Balboa Penninsula.

Despite the loss of his tire, Jackson remained persistent in his flight, running several more red lights and “causing pedestrians to flee in terror”, according to police.

Jackson eventually stopped at 18^th St. and Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach where he was taken into custody by Costa Mesa police without incident. It did not appear that alcohol played a role in the incident, said Lt. Dondero.

Police reported that Jackson was being held in Orange County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail and further reports indicate Jackson has posted said bail and been released.

Charges include Felony Evading, Reckless Driving and Hit and Run. Police also believe that Jackson had been involved in two other collisions on the southbound 55 freeway prior to the pursuit through Newport Beach.

Jackson was the UFC light-heavyweight champion until recently when he lost in an upset to Forrest Griffin.