LAKE FOREST, Calif. (April 16, 2026): On Thursday, April 16, 2026, shortly before 4 p.m., deputies were called to the area of Toledo Way and Ridge Route Drive for a pedestrian struck by an e-bike. 

When the deputies arrived, they located an 81-year-old victim with life-threatening injuries.  He was transported to the hospital and is currently in critical condition.

The suspect fled the area, and the “e-bike” was determined to be an electric motorcycle designed for off-highway use.  Witnesses were able to give a description of the suspect, who was suspected of driving recklessly at the time of the crash.  The suspect was quickly identified, and a search warrant was served at a nearby residence in the city of Lake Forest.  A 14-year-old male was subsequently arrested and booked at Orange County Juvenile Hall for charges related to the incident.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the traffic collision. 

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.

SANTA ANA, Calif. (April 21, 2022) – On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, an inmate housed at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana died at the jail. 

The inmate, Nicholas Brown, 28, a transient, was booked into jail on April 9, 2022 by the Anaheim Police Department. Per PC 851.93(d)(2) his charges will not be listed. 

The man was pronounced deceased at the jail shortly after he was found unresponsive in his cell on Wednesday morning. He was housed alone at the time, and his death does not appear to be suspicious. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology and an independent autopsy. 

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.  

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. April 15, 2026 – On April 17, 2026, the Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sergeant K. Ishii said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.” 

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In June of 2022, deputies were involved in a use of force at the Intake Release Center. The use of force was determined to be within policy.

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STANTON, Calif. (April 8, 2026): On Sunday, April 5, 2026, at around 5:30 a.m., deputies were called to the area of Main Street and Pacific Street in Stanton after reports of a possible dead body.

Deputies arrived and discovered a man, later identified as Anthony Lee Carlos, 37, of Fullerton, deceased from what was determined to be a gunshot wound. 

During the investigation, investigators located an illegal gambling house and detained approximately 50 people near Cerritos Avenue and Flower Avenue. Six of those individuals were arrested for outstanding warrants unrelated to the incident. Multiple illegal gambling machines were removed from the residence and booked as evidence of illegal gambling.

Late on Tuesday, April 7, Sheriff’s Homicide investigators arrested 43-year-old Jeffrey Lynn Clayton of Fullerton on suspicion of homicide and booked him at Orange County Jail. It appears that Carlos and Clayton knew each other prior to the incident. No additional information will be released at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. 

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.

YORBA LINDA, Calif. (Apr. 16, 2026) – On Apr. 18, 2026, the Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sergeant K. Ishii said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.” 

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

STANTON, Calif. (Apr. 11, 2026) – On Apr. 13, 2026, the Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sergeant K. Ishii said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.” 

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (Apr. 9, 2026) – On Apr. 11, 2026, the Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sergeant K. Ishii said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.” 

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

LAKE FOREST, (Calif. Apr. 4, 2026) – On Apr. 6, 2026, the Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sergeant K. Ishii said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.” 

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DANA POINT, Calif. (Apr. 1, 2026) – On Apr. 3, 2026, the Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct an enforcement operation focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone,” Sergeant K. Ishii said. “That text, phone call, email or social media post is not worth the risk to yourself and other people on the road.” 

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.