| For Immediate Release Case # TBA June 4, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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GANG MEMBERS SCHEDULED TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR FIRING SEVERAL ROUNDS AT AN OFFICER’S VEHICLE ON PATROL IN ANAHEIM
SANTA ANA – Three defendants accused of being members of a Hispanic criminal street gang will be arraigned tomorrow for firing several rounds at a police officer’s vehicle that was out on patrol in Anaheim. Juan Carlos Covarrubias, 19, Jordy Roman Martinez, 19, Andrew Gomez Sanchez, 19, all of Anaheim, are charged with two felony counts of attempted murder on a peace officer, one felony count of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, and one felony count of street terrorism, with sentencing enhancements for the vicarious discharge of a firearm by a gang member and criminal street gang activity. If convicted they face a maximum sentence of 45 years to life in state prison. The defendants are being held on $1 million bail and are scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, June 5, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
At approximately 3:30 a.m. on June 1, 2012, Martinez, Covarrubias, and Sanchez are accused of driving in a car and pulling up in front of an unmarked Anaheim Police Department (APD) vehicle that was patrolling the street. The defendants are accused of blocking the officer’s vehicle from moving forward on Palm Street at Boysen Avenue in Anaheim. The officers were in their full uniform at the time of the incident.
One of the defendants is accused of getting out of the passenger side with a firearm and shooting several rounds at the officers inside the vehicle with specific intent and premeditation and deliberation to murder the police officers. The officers attempted to find safety by turning their vehicle around, switching on their police emergency lights, and attempting to drive away. The defendants are accused of pursuing the officer’s vehicle and one of the defendants is accused of continuing to shoot at the officers while they were driving.
The defendants are accused of lodging two bullets on the front passenger side of the officer’s vehicle. The officers were not struck and did not return fire.
When responding police units arrived, the defendants are accused of crashing their vehicle at Midway and Anaheim Boulevard and attempting to flee the scene on foot.
APD officers caught and arrested Martinez and Covarrubias. The defendants are accused of discarding two pistols at the scene. APD set up a perimeter around the area and arrested Sanchez approximately one hour later.
APD investigated this case. Deputy District Attorney Gary LoGalbo of the TARGET Unit is prosecuting this case.
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