Santa Ana arrests draw criticism as accounts of encounter differ

The arrests of two women by Santa Ana police prompted criticism from local officials, while advocates disputed federal agents’ account of the encounter. Police arrested Madison Crabill, 25, and Adilene “Addie” Tonoco, 33, on Oct. 14, 2026, after two off-duty federal agents sought police assistance.

Police said the agents alleged that the women followed them and blocked their vehicle. The department described the arrests as based on suspected stalking, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and criminal conspiracy. Those are allegations, not findings of guilt.

Accounts differ on the alleged following

Advocates said Crabill and Tonoco were observing federal agents and did not interfere. An advocate cited by the Fullerton Observer said video he reviewed did not appear to show the agents being blocked. That was the advocate’s assessment; the competing descriptions of the encounter have not been resolved.

Police accounts reported by two local outlets also differ on where the alleged following began. Voice of OC quoted police spokesperson Natalie Garcia saying the agents reported being followed after leaving a federal building in Santa Ana. The Santanero reported that Police Chief Robert Rodriguez placed the start between La Habra and Santa Ana. The accounts do not establish a single agreed starting point.

Santa Ana police said they responded to suspected criminal conduct, not an immigration-enforcement operation. Councilmember Jessie Lopez criticized the arrests and called for answers; other local officials and community organizations also questioned the police response. The dispute has drawn attention to how the department responds when federal agents report suspected crimes. The allegations and police response do not establish that the arrests violated the city’s immigration-enforcement policies.

Mayor monitors situation; charges were unclear as of Oct. 17

On Oct. 16, Mayor Valerie Amezcua said she was communicating with the city manager and police chief and monitoring the situation. She did not announce an investigation or direct a particular outcome.

Chief Rodriguez said investigators found probable cause and that a magistrate reviewed the probable-cause declaration, The Santanero reported. That review is not a finding of guilt. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office decides whether to file criminal charges; reporting available as of Oct. 17 said it was unclear whether prosecutors had formally filed charges.

The Fullerton Observer reported that Tonoco had been released and Crabill was in a doctor’s care on Oct. 16, citing Crabill’s father. That report describes their circumstances on that date.