Los Alamitos JFTB homicide
A Costa Mesa man was killed at the theater at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos on Friday, May 21, 2010. Some of his remains were found on the base and some of his remains were found in El Dorado Park in Long Beach. His killer apparently then went to the victim’s Costa Mesa home and lured a woman the dead man knew to the apartment. There, someone killed the woman and staged the crime to look like a sexual assault.
Costa Mesa Police briefly considered the first victim a suspect in the second killing. It wasn’t until the following week that they learned their killing suspect was in fact a killing victim. The DA’s Office has charged Daniel Patrick Wozniak with the crime. The charges include “special circumstances” that make Wozniak eligible for the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Wozniak remains in custody. The jury trial began last year.
The latest: The court will hear a defense motion to dismiss the case on Sept. 25.
If the motion to dismiss is denied, the jury trial is scheduled to resume on Oct. 2.
Elderly Rossmoor woman homicide
On, Aug. 28, 2014, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 11272 Wallingsford Road, Rossmoor, following reports of a shooting at the residence.
Deputies arrived with Orange County Fire Authority paramedics and discovered Gretchen DeStefano, 96, Rossmoor, deceased, suffering from a gunshot wound. Christine Reynolds, Rossmoor, the daughter of the victim, was detained at the scene.
The latest: Reynolds’ jury trial is scheduled to start Oct. 22.
Crime Log Compiled by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Friday, August 21
Counseling—11:06 a.m.—Main Street—The caller said her tires were slashed on Thursday, Aug. 20. She had pictures of the damage. She expressed concern because of another incident the previous week. Report taken.
Traffic Hazard—12:53 p.m.—Rossmoor Center and Seal Way—The caller reported a broom in the southbound lanes. Police unit 444 moved the broom.
Parking—5:51 a.m.—13th Street—The caller said there was an on-going issue with a neighbor parking a pickup to the rear of the complex. The caller said they were parked on her property and then said the vehicle was half in the alley and half on her property. Assisted.
Suspicious Circumstances—7:46 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller said that about five minutes before he called the police, a man shoved the caller as he was riding his bike. The caller did not know if it was an attempted robbery or if the other individual was drunk. Police were unable to located the suspect.
Skateboarders—8:23 p.m.—Montecito Road—The caller said several juveniles were skateboarding on all the newly completed landscaping and facilities. Police unit 206 contacted four individuals. They were advised to behave and they said they would comply.
Saturday, August 22
DUI Reported—2:14 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard and Westminster Avenue—The caller said a Corolla was swerving in the northbound lanes of Seal Beach Bouelvard. Police were unable to locate the suspect.
Disturbance, Vehicles—8:46 a.m.—First Street—The caller said that three motorcylces in the parking lot had loud exhausts and were playing loud music. The caller also said the motorcycles were parked illegally. Police unit 107 advised the bike riders against creating a disturbance and they apparently agreed to comply.
Transient—9:21 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller said a man was passed out in front of the caller’s business door. The caller was unable to get into the business. Police unit 107 interviewed the individual in question in the field.
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—9:42 a.m.—Catalina and Mar Vista—The caller said a Subaru had been driving around on the Hill and the caller thought the occupants might be casing the neighbors’ residents. Police were unable to locate the suspects.
Unknown Trouble—1:29 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller went to check on a resident and could see someone slouched over, possibly dead. The caller said it may have been up to a week since the resident was last seen and a package had been in front of the door for at least two days. At 1:35 p.m., the log noted that someone was deceased. Report taken.
Possible DUI—6:06 p.m.—Lampson Avenue and Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller was following a suspicious vehicle that was driving extremely slowly. The driver was the sole occupant of the suspicious car.
At 6:09 p.m., the caller reported speaking to the driver and the caller claimed to be able to tell that the driver was under the influence of drugs—possibly methamphetamine. At 6:10 p.m., the caller was no longer following the suspicious vehicle. Police were unable to locate.
Disturbance, Party—9:14 p.m.—Electric Avenue and 10th Street—The caller said approximately 50 to 100 individuals were present. A live DJ was playing loud music with explicit lyrics. But police unit 207 determined there was no further need for police services.
Disturbance, Juveniles—10:34 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said a group of juveniles was in the corner of the parking lot, being loud and possibly smoking drugs. Police unit 241 contacted 10 individuals and advised them against causing a disturbance. By 11:11 p.m., the juveniles had been picked up by their parents.
Disturbance, Party—23:34 p.m.—B Row, Surfside Colony—Multiple residents complained about a party with loud music. Security attempted to contact the residence, but no one answered. Police unit 207 advised the responsible person to stop causing a disturbance and that individual apparently agreed to comply.
Sunday, August 23
Suspicious Occupied Vehicle—12:19 a.m.—Westminster Avenue—The caller said a driver and passenger were sleeping in a car. The engine was running. Police unit 207 determined that the occupants had been drinking and were heading to another area.
Transient—11:04 a.m.—Avalon Drive—The caller said a man was loitering on the bench at the entrance to the park. Police unit 107 interviewed the man in the field. As of 11:37 a.m., the man was leaving the area.
Traffic Accident—3:58 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller didn’t remember where the crash occurred. He exchanged information with the other person, but wanted a report. Assisted.
Road Rage—3:53 p.m.—Basswood and Aster—The caller’s car was appr0ached by a man in another car. The man punched the window of the caller’s car. The man had an object in his hand. The caller was not sure if the object was a tool or a gun. Report taken.
Disturbance, Juveniles—7:35 p.m.—Montecito Road—The caller said five juveniles were skateboading in front of the Los Alamitos/Rossmoor branch of the Orange County Public Library (which is actually within the city limits of Seal Beach). The caller was afraid the skateboarders would damage the new tile. Police unit 206 advised the juveniles to stop causing a disturbance and they said they would comply.
Boat Problems—9:57 p.m.—Row A, Surfside Colony—The caller reported a 25 to 30-foot boat aground straight out from the entrance to Surfside. At least two individuals were on board. By 10:33 p.m., Lifeguards were present. Assisted.
Assist Other Department—10:59 p.m.—Row B, Surfside Colony—The caller requested assistance in transporting the two owners of the boat. The Lifeguards could not fit them into the Lifeguards’ vehicle. Assisted.
Monday, August 24
Animal Noise—12:11 a.m.—Harvard Lane—The caller reported a barking dog, which the caller called a continuing problem. The caller requested a patrol check but had already been advised to contact Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Suspicious Circumstances—3:29 a.m.—14th Street and Ocean Avenue—The caller said three young men, possibly juveniles, were going northbound on 14th Street from Ocean, checking the doors of vehicles. One of them held a flashlight. One of them may have had a backpack. Police were unable to locate them.
Petty Theft—9:15 a.m.—Eighth Street—The crime apparently occurred on Aug. 13. A necklace was missing. Report taken.
Vandalism—12:50 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller, relaying second-hand information, said three individuals were carving swastikas into the Seal Beach Pier. Police unit 107 contacted three individuals under the pier who were using surfing wax to write letters and numbers onto the pier. They were advised against doing that and cleaned it up. The original vandalism report was classified as unfounded.
Tuesday, August 25
Suspicious Person—12:04 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Police unit 241 found an individual laying on the ground. That individual was interviewed in the field.
Disturbance—12:38 a.m.—Main Street—Police unit 207 found an unspecified number of sailors apparently causing or engaged in a verbal dispute. The officer requested Naval Weapons Station Security to respond. The officer also requested a couple of vans for their allegedly drunk sailors. Police unit 207 transported one sailor to the base.
Petty Theft—3:52 a.m.—Westminster Avenue—A man took a sandwich and a few other items. The man said he was going to come back later. Police unit 206 contacted a possible suspect who was interviewed in the field. That individual was advised against trespass and was transported to a hospital by police unit 207.
Suspicious Circumstances—11:37 a.m.—Oleander Street—The caller was asked to watch a residence. The caller said there was a car parked in the driveway that was not there the previous night. Police unit M7 contacted a man in the vehicle, which belonged to a neighbor. Police determined that no further law enforcement services were necessary.
Vicious Animal—12:55 p.m.—Guava Avenue—The caller said a brown and white pit bull was loose in the neighborhood. The caller said the dog had a history of attacking other dogs. The owner of the dog was chasing the animal.
At 12:57 p.m., the dog owner told the caller that he couldn’t find the dog. Referred to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Suspicious Person—3:09 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said two men were capturing pigeons and putting them into a cage that contained many birds.
Message delivered to Lifeguards, who would check the area and call back if needed. Referred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Possible Traffic Hazard—5:44 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller’s pizza delivery sign flew off her car into the center divider.
The caller said she would wait for the police, but phoned back to say she was able to get the sign.
The call was cancelled prior to the dispatch of a police unit.
Wednesday, August 26
Traffic Stop—2:15 a.m.—Adlolfo Lopez and Seal Beach Boulevard—On the basis of a bench warrant, police arrested Paul Michael Thompson on suspicion of running a red light. The car was parked at the scene.
IN LOS?ALAMITOS
Wednesday, August 12
Petty Theft—8:51 a.m.—Katella Avenue—The caller said a man was standing in front of the business and had come behind the counter, taking cigarettes.
Patrol located the suspect, who was seen at home lying on his porch.
His father was en route and would be there in 15 minutes. Patrol spoke with the owner, who desires no prosecution. The subject’s parents stated he was not on his medication, and would pay restitution to the store. No report desired.
Suspicious Person—4:34 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—The caller said a woman was watching people enter their PIN numbers at the bank ATM, and using the PINS to withdraw funds when customers walk away. The suspect was no longer at the ATM and patrol was unable to locate her.
Medical Aid—11:35 p.m.—Green Avenue—The caller reported a man hyperventilating who stated he doesn’t use drugs or drink alcohol.
The man was having an anxiety attack, and the caller took two knives away from him. He was located in the alley behind Subway.
The caller said the man having the anxiety attack was on probation and shouldn’t have any weapons.
Patrol contacted the man, who said he is having issues with his ex-girlfriend over a recent breakup. He said he would be going home for the rest of the night. Patrol assisted.
Thursday, August 13
Welfare Check—1:23 a.m.—Reagan Street—The caller reported a woman screaming as she walked down the street. Patrol contacted her nephew, who said she was schizophrenic and told police where she lived.
A resident from her neighborhood said the suspect sometimes screams on her walks, and that she lived at the location with her elderly parents.
IN ROSSMOOR
Wednesday, August 12
Disturbance—1:58 a.m.—Walker Lee Drive—The caller said that there were people outside the residence who were not allowed in the house. It is his mother and a male friend who were trying to get in the front window. The house belonged to the great grandmother and the mother did not live at the address.
Friday, August 21
Welfare Check—11:32 a.m.—Silverwood Drive and Harrisburg Road—The caller said that a 7-year-old on a dirt bike was pulling another kid on a skateboard.
Laurie Hanson of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
