Deputy Chris Craft, zone leader for eastern Canyon Country.
A Canyon Country man who residents say terrorized the American Beauty condo complex is awaiting a hearing for an assault with a deadly weapon charge next week.
Alejandro Christian Martinez, 22, of Canyon Country, is accused of assault with a deadly weapon and a parole violation for a vandalism charge, officials said Monday
On Dec. 11, Martinez was approached by a neighbor who lived in the complex and confronted Martinez because Martinez allegedly was smoking marijuana next to a playground for the condos, said Lt. Brenda Cambra of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
Martinez, who was on parole for a felony vandalism conviction, immediately became combative and challenged the victim to a fight, according to a Sheriff’s Station report.
The victim called 911, and Martinez allegedly pulled out a knife and lunged at the victim. The victim was not hurt, and the suspect ran away.
Deputies set up a containment of the area and searched for several hours with the help of a helicopter patrol unit, but they were unable to locate a suspect that night.
A deputy who was patrolling the area around the condo complex five days later saw Martinez in the parking lot and was able to identify him as the suspect in the assault.
Prosecutors charged Martinez with assault Dec. 18, and he pleaded not guilty.
He’s due back in court Jan. 14 to face a preliminary hearing on the assault charge and a parole violation. Martinez pleaded no contest to graffiti vandalism causing more than $400 damage in September 2013, and he was sentenced to 270 days in jail and three years probation.
He’s being held without bail due to the alleged parole violation.
The apartment complex and the surrounding neighborhood, which is where the only murder within city limits in 2014 occurred, has been troubled by crime reports in the last few years, according to a few of the suspect’s neighbors.
A resident named Anthony who lives in the complex and asked to not have his last name published, said he expressed concern about the area’s security to management several times regarding residents having access to all gates in the complex through “skeleton keys.”
The sprawling condominium complex covers about 36 acres, which includes more than 740 units and 3,000 residents.
Scott Robinson, president of Exclusive Property Service, said the complex takes all crime concerns from property owners “very seriously.”
“Security is a concern of the board and the homeowners association, and it’s considered throughout the year,” Robinson said, “and changes are made throughout the year.”
Security is the first and foremost concern, he said, adding management was looking into the logistics and feasibility of changing their security measures with respect to their lock-and-key system.
He also expressed gratitude for the increased support from Sheriff’s Station deputies.
“Since February of last year, the Sheriff’s Department has been extremely instrumental in addressing the concerns of the association, moreso than I’ve ever seen in my time with the association,” he said. “The support is welcome.”
He acknowledged the residents’ concerns, and added that in addition to working to address issues as they arrive, the complex has its own security company that provides a sentry guard as a “deterrent” and armed patrols.
Sheriff’s officials confirmed Wednesday there have been numerous calls regarding theft and drug use in and around the complex.
Residents said they appreciate increased patrols from deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, but suspect there’s still illegal activity occurring in and around the complex.
Deputy Chris Craft, a Sheriff’s Station zone leader who analyzes crime reports from the Canyon Country – East area — which includes the complex — said he communicates regularly with residents to address crime issues.
“There has been an increase in patrols in that area due to residents’ concerns,” Craft said Wednesday.
He encouraged any residents of the area who might have concerns to contact him at the Sheriff’s Station by calling 661-255-1121 ext. 4283.
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35 Comments
Complex management dnt even do anything about it. When I called about disturbance and drug use they sent a security that got there to chit chat with the people involved and pointed at the complex that made the call smh. It’s not just a insecure neighbor but it also needs a change if management ASAP. Bc they dnt do anything about parking or maintaining the complex a secure place to live.
Complex management dnt even do anything about it. When I called about disturbance and drug use they sent a security that got there to chit chat with the people involved and pointed at the complex that made the call smh. It’s not just a insecure neighbor but it also needs a change if management ASAP. Bc they dnt do anything about parking or maintaining the complex a secure place to live.
Thats area seems to have something always going on over there. And the parking is horrible! Too many commercial vehicles parked there.
Thats area seems to have something always going on over there. And the parking is horrible! Too many commercial vehicles parked there.
I do not think Scott from the management company really takes concerns to serious. The “fix” for any area is simply a cost they do not want to pay. Cameras, Gates, bright lights, gated playgrounds for kids and Security Guards should all be part of a combined effort to create safety.
SCVTV Santa Clarita post this guy’s picture. I know people who live there and they would want to know his face. My brother has a condo there and hates it.
Drake Edwards
There’s always something happening there if it’s not break ins ,there’s ipeople using doing drugs and fighiting is a really bad area not counting the parking so many cars parked for days even weeks when are they to do something about it
OMG Scott is still there?? All those problems is why I moved in 2009
OMG Scott is still there?? All those problems is why I moved in 2009
Is this the condos off Sierra hwy or rainbow glen ???
Is this the condos off Sierra hwy or rainbow glen ???
This American Beauty condo is not a beauty at all.
Stacey Leal ???
That’s the Sierra Hwy ones not ours lol
Denise Onufryk bet your glad you moved!!! Me too!
Denise Onufryk bet your glad you moved!!! Me too!
Denise Onufryk bet your glad you moved!!! Me too!
American Beauty Condos may not be the best in the SCV but there is a lot worse areas in SoCal. American Beauty West is a much nicer complex. I own condos in both associations. When you have that many people living in close proximity there is bound to be problems.
HUD Housing!
American Beauty and Jakes way are in a competition for the “Ghetto Of The Month” award.
The HOA there is completely rigged, the only way to get new people on the HOA Board is to have the current board approve the change, THAT is why Scott and his band of greedy followers are still in power. Their solution to people not paying their HOA dues was to start charging everyone else a higher fee – that complex already has the highest fee within 20 miles! Makes complete sense, I guess I’ll just stop paying, too! Security is a joke. The rent-a-cops are better buddies with the malcontents running that complex than they are with the people who write their paychecks. Thank God for the Sheriff’s Dept, otherwise the complex would be even worse. It would be worth the legal fees to see if there’s a viable lawsuit against the HOA for not taking reasonable measures and acting in the most prudent manner in representing their complex and ultimately causing an increased safety risk and loss of profit to Owner’s who want to sell or rent.
Francine Loaiza. Wtf oh hell no
Ya , that kid is in jail already.
Oh good!!! Hopefully Nowhere near you.
He was actually the neighbor, one of Des and her BF so called friends O.O
Whaaaaa? Oh dear!
Yup.. Great choice of friends .. huh? lol
Losers i tell u
Michele Slinkard
Nicole Cancel-Carbajal
Security here is a joke. Useless and nonresponsive.
I know a family who used to live in this complex and it was common knowledge that the property was being taken over by stoners, drunks and loosers. It got so bad that this family moved somewhere that they really couldnt afford.Im glad to see some SHERRIFFS DEPT action around there. That place is a total pithole.
Yes, that place is a DUMP and it is full of LOOSERS
Excuse you! Not all people who live there are losers. How quick you are to judge. My mother of 54 lives there and is the most hard working person ever. She CANT move out because the management is so bad, they refuse to fix anything and now because of the housing crisis, she is upside down on the mortgage! It is a dump because of poor management and people who refuse to get involved in the HOA and stand up to them. My condo has a great HOA system. Hell we are even leadership with the HOA.
Before you judge and open your mouth, think!