MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (Jan. 1, 2025) On Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, at approximately 1:43 a.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an injury traffic collision near the intersection of Marguerite Parkway and Pueblonuevo Drive in the city of Mission Viejo. Deputies arrived and discovered a Chevrolet Malibu and a Toyota Camry had been involved in a head-on collision.

Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears the Chevrolet Malibu was driving the wrong way in southbound lanes of Marguerite Parkway and collided with the Toyota Camry head-on. The adult female driver of the Camry was transported by paramedics to a local area hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The driver and a passenger of the Chevrolet Malibu were also transported to a local area hospital to be treated for injuries related to the collision.

The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu, Geraldine Caicedo-Perez, 26 years old, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked into the Orange County Jail for CPC 191.5(a) – Gross Vehicular Manslaughter.

The identity of the victim, a female in her 60s, is being withheld pending the Coroner Division’s next of kin notification.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is investigating the collision. If anyone has additional details that may assist investigators, or witnessed this traffic collision, they are asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Traffic Bureau at 949-425-1860. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

ALISO VIEJO, Ca. (Dec. 31, 2024): Captain Ryan Buhr has been selected as the new Chief of Aliso Viejo Police Services. He began his new assignment Friday, Dec. 27.

“I look forward to serving alongside the men and women who remain dedicated to providing exceptional policing services to the city of Aliso Viejo,” Captain Buhr said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience and leadership to contribute to this dynamic and hardworking team.”

Captain Buhr joined the Sheriff’s Department In 2004 and served in a variety of roles as a deputy, including working in custody, on patrol in the city of Lake Forest and as a K-9 handler and team leader. In November 2017, he promoted to investigator where he was assigned to the South Narcotics Investigations team. 

Captain Buhr earned the rank of sergeant in January 2022 and was first assigned to supervising deputies at the Theo Lacy Facility. He worked as the training sergeant, developing briefing and patrol training curriculum.   

He then served as a patrol sergeant in Laguna Hills before being assigned as the North Directed Enforcement Team (North DET) supervisor. As the North DET sergeant, Captain Buhr was responsible for working cases involving career criminals and violent offenders and addressing specific community concerns. He also served as the Sheriff’s Department’s subject matter expert on burglary tourism, presenting to various state and federal leaders. 

Most recently, Captain Buhr served as a lieutenant with the Custody Operations Division, managing day-to-day operations in the jail facilities.

Captain Buhr has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and numerous accreditations in a variety of law enforcement disciplines, including narcotics and specialized supervisory and incident command systems certifications. 

When not working, Captain Buhr enjoys spending time with his family, camping, golfing and supporting his children’s sports. 

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ORANGE, Ca. (Dec. 30, 2024) – On Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died. 

45-year-old Anthony Creston Brown of Cerritos was booked into jail on Dec. 27, 2024, by the La Palma Police Department on a warrant out of Los Angeles County for CPC 484 – Theft.  Another booking charge of CPC 4573.8 – Possessing Drugs/Paraphernalia in Prison/Jail was added by La Palma PD during the booking process. 

On the afternoon of Dec. 29, Brown was found unresponsive in his cell. Deputies and correctional medical staff attempted life-saving measures.  Brown was pronounced deceased at the Theo Lacy Facility at approximately 4:31 p.m.  Preliminarily, there are no suspicious circumstances.  A final cause of death will be determined following an independent autopsy and toxicology. 

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.  

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In August of 2017, a deputy was involved in a use of force at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana.  The use of force was determined to be outside of policy with policy violations addressed and discipline issued. 

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/SF-Unreasonable%20or%20Excessive%20Force/SF%20of%20Excessive%20Force%2017-111.zip 

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In March of 2017, a deputy was involved in a use of force at the Central Women's Jail in Santa Ana.  The use of force was determined to be outside of policy with policy violations addressed and discipline issued. 

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/SF-Unreasonable%20or%20Excessive%20Force/SF%20of%20Excessive%20Force%2017-043.zip 

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In October of 2021, deputies were involved in a use of force in the City of Mission Viejo.  The use of force was determined to be in policy.

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.21-036492.zip 

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STANTON, Ca. (Dec. 21, 2024): On Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at approximately 4:19 p.m., deputies responded to the area of Orangewood Ave and Court Street in the city of Stanton on reports of a shooting that had just occurred.

When deputies arrived, they located one adult male with a gunshot wound inside a vehicle on Court Street. That victim, identified as Jonathan Alexis Jimenez, 18, of Stanton, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

A second adult male, located in the same vehicle, was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries related to the shooting.

Last night, several subjects were detained at the scene while the Sheriff’s Homicide and Gang Enforcement Team (GET) are continuing to investigate.

The Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at 714-647-7000. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS, or online at www.ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Dec. 18, 2024): Please see the message below from Sheriff Don Barnes regarding the commencement of Proposition 36.

“Last month Californians passed Proposition 36, the Homeless, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, with nearly 70% of the vote. The ballot measure received a strong majority of the vote in all 58 counties and takes effect today, December 18th.

“Proposition 36 focuses on rampant theft, the fentanyl epidemic, and addiction-related homelessness. This provides law enforcement with an opportunity to further protect our community against the impact of poor public policy. Key provisions eligible for enforcement include:

Theft
-Offenders with two prior convictions for theft can be charged with a felony, regardless of the value of the stolen property.
-Law enforcement can now combine the value of stolen property across multiple thefts to meet the $950 felony threshold.
-“Smash and Grabs” are addressed with enhanced penalties for theft, damage, or destruction exceeding $50,000 and enhanced penalties for theft or damage of property when two or more are acting together.

Fentanyl Trafficking
-Trafficking of fentanyl in high quantities results in state prison and enhanced penalties.
-Known as “Alexandra’s Law,” convicted hard drug dealers are advised that if their trafficking leads to death, they could face murder charges.
-Fentanyl is added to an existing list of hard drugs for which it is illegal to possess the drug while armed with a loaded firearm.
 

Mandated Treatment
-Creates a "treatment-mandated felony" that provides prosecutors with the discretion to charge a felony for hard drug possession after two previous drug convictions.
-Those charged with a "treatment-mandated felony" are given the option of participating in drug and mental health treatment.
-Successful completion of treatment results in charges being fully expunged.
-Offenders who refuse drug and mental health treatment would serve jail time.

“Many of the solutions included in Proposition 36 were attempted repeatedly over the last ten years through bipartisan legislation. However, the proposals were regularly blocked by the Assembly and Senate Public Safety Committees. This inaction on emerging problems like fentanyl has had tragic consequences. Now, where state leaders have failed, the people have acted. As Sheriff, I look forward to working with our criminal justice partners to honor the people’s choice for a balanced public safety system.

“Ultimately the decision to engage in criminal behavior is always the choice of each individual. For too long those who made the wrong choice faced minimal consequences for their actions. Now, Proposition 36 makes clear that making the decision to commit crime will be met with accountability. This proven approach uses both compassion and commonsense to a make our state safer and a more just place for all Californians.”

LAKE FOREST, Ca. (Dec. 13, 2024): On Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, Orange County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Edward Eugene Redd, 49, of Lake Forest, on suspicion of robbing a Chase Bank and discharging a firearm during the incident. The robbery occurred on Oct. 17, 2024, at the Chase Bank near Portola Parkway and Bake Parkway in the city of Lake Forest.

During the initial investigation, several items believed to be connected to the robbery were located at the scene and were collected as evidence. Using investigative techniques and DNA technology, investigators were able to link those items to Redd. 

On Dec. 13, at about 4 a.m., Redd was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Southwest Investigations and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team members at his residence in Lake Forest without incident. Redd was booked into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of violating CPC 245(a)(1) – assault with a deadly weapon and CPC 211 – robbery.

At this time, Redd has not been connected to any other bank robberies, but the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

Santa Ana, Ca. (Dec. 11, 2024) – The holiday season can be dangerous for people on the roads. In December 2022 alone, 1,062 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind the public of the dangers of driving impaired and to celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.

From December 11 through New Year’s Day, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others at risk.

“During the holiday season, we see families and loved ones coming together to celebrate, and our goal is to make sure everyone gets home safely,” said Sergeant Kyle Ishii. “Impaired driving isn’t just dangerous; it’s illegal. Let’s make this a joyful and safe holiday season for everyone on the road. We urge people to act responsibly and plan a sober ride home.”

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department encourages everyone to stay in for the night or have a “go safely” game plan by scheduling a ride or designating a sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol.

Impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, cannabis products and other drugs may also cause impairment. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, call 9-1-1.

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

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