Man Charged With Attempt to Murder Cop

As prosecutors charged a Santa Ana gang member in the wounding of an Anaheim patrolman, police said Thursday they were seeking others believed to have been involved in the shooting.

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

Clad in a white jail jumpsuit, his head bowed and arms shackled, the 24-year-old also known as “Chino” 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 argued that he was a flight risk, having planned to flee to Mexico when he was arrested at a pay phone in Corona late Tuesday.

If convicted of all charges, Alcaraz could be sentenced to 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 brown and beige Ford Explorer with Alcaraz when the officer stopped the vehicle 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 on the vehicle Geary pulled over was traced to Alcaraz’ mother, who lives in Hillsboro, Ore., near Portland.

During questioning, Alcaraz admitted to being at the scene of the shooting, Anaheim Police Capt. Dave Severson said. He also led police to the burned remains of the Ford Explorer, which was found Wednesday near a Yorba Linda shopping center.

Prosecutors, however, declined to discuss the evidence against Alcaraz or whether a weapon has been found. They also declined to name others who were being sought for questioning. But several law enforcement agencies, including the Santa Ana Police Department, were participating in the investigation, authorities said.

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

Alcaraz has been convicted of robbing an 18-year-old of a bicycle in view of a police officer, Anderson said. He also has misdemeanor convictions in Orange County for battery, second-degree burglary, drunk driving and marijuana possession dating from 1993.

In 1998, Orange County officials put out a warrant for Alcaraz’s arrest for failing to contact his probation officer. Officials believe he fled to Mexico and had been living there until recently.

Meanwhile, Geary was in fair condition Thursday and was moved from intensive care to another unit at UCI Medical Center in Orange. Hospital spokeswoman Kim Pine said doctors will perform more tests on the 39-year-old veteran officer, including on his left arm, which has lost some mobility.