Suspect Charged in Shooting of Officer

Orange County prosecutors charged an alleged gang member Thursday with shooting an Anaheim patrolman in the face, as police sought other suspects in the attack.

Juan Carlos Alcaraz of Santa Ana appeared in a Fullerton courtroom on charges of attempted murder of Medal of Valor winner Thomas “Kasey” Geary. He also was charged with assaulting an officer with a firearm, arson and participating in criminal gang activity.

Wearing a white jail jumpsuit, his head bowed and arms shackled, the 24-year-old spoke softly in answer to Superior Court Judge Matthew Anderson’s questions.

Alcaraz did not enter a plea, and his arraignment was continued until Aug. 4. The judge ordered him held without bail after prosecutors said that when he was arrested Tuesday in Corona, he had been planning to flee to Mexico.

If convicted on all charges, Alcaraz could face from 55 years to life in state prison, Deputy Dist. Atty. John Anderson said.

Although prosecutors said Alcaraz is believed to have fired the shot that critically wounded Geary, police believe others were in the car with him when the officer stopped it shortly before 2 a.m. Monday.

“We’re actively looking for other suspects who were in the car at the time of the shooting,” Anaheim Police Sgt. Rick Martinez said.

Investigators began searching for Alcaraz after the Oregon license plate was traced to Alcaraz’s mother, who lives in Hillsboro, near Portland.

During questioning, Alcaraz admitted he was at the scene of the shooting, according to Anaheim Police Capt. Dave Severson. He led police to the burned remains of the vehicle near a Yorba Linda shopping center.

Because of new laws on crimes involving gangs and guns, Alcaraz faces a more severe sentence than he would have a year ago, Deputy Dist. Atty. Anderson said. Last year, the possible penalty would have been a maximum of 17 years to life.

Meanwhile Thursday, Geary was moved from intensive care at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange to another unit. His condition was listed as fair. Hospital spokeswoman Kim Pine said doctors will perform more tests on Geary and assess the mobility of his left arm.