Mission Viejo, Ca. (February 8, 2024): Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing.

On Friday, February 9, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

Distracted driving comes in many forms, but cell phones remain the top distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,450 people were killed in 2016 due to distracted drivers. A 2018 observational survey by Fresno State and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) found nearly 5 percent of California drivers were using their phone illegally behind the wheel, either by talking on or using their phone without a hands-free device.

In this day and age, it is natural instinct to answer the phone or read a text, but the focus for drivers should be on the road. Other distractions include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, taking off a jacket, or reaching for an object on the floor.

If you have an important phone call or need to reprogram your navigation system, pull over to a safe parking place. To resist the urge of using your phone, either silence it or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

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

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• Read more about In-Custody Death - February 5, 2024

On Monday, February 5, 2024, an Orange County Jail inmate housed at the Central Men’s Jail in Module D died at the Orange County Global Medical Center, Santa Ana. The decedent was a 41-year-old white male who was awaiting arraignment.  The decedent's manner and mode of death are awaiting final determination by the Orange County Coroner.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Feb. 6, 2024) – A John Doe discovered 25 years ago in a remote area of southeastern Orange County has been identified through investigative genetic genealogy. On Aug. 29, 1998, a research biologist for the Rancho Mission Viejo Company discovered what he believed to be human remains in a remote area of southeastern Orange County. OC Sheriff Homicide investigators, Orange County Crime Lab (OCCL) personnel and Coroner personnel responded to the scene, but did not initially discover any indication the decedent had been the victim of a homicide.

The following day, OC Sheriff Homicide investigators, OCCL and Coroner personnel returned to the location to conduct a more extensive search of the area, but no additional evidence was located. Outside resources called in by the Coroner and Homicide Investigators conducted an initial examination of the recovered remains and estimated they belonged to Caucasian or Latino man, over 40 years old, who was approximately 5’6” to 5’8” tall.

In September 1998, an additional search of the remote area was conducted where the remains were initially discovered. The search resulted in what was believed to be a shallow grave, additional human remains and additional clothing. OC Sheriff personnel again responded to the scene to collect the additional evidence. Over the next several months, OC Sheriff Homicide investigators attempted to identify the man, but were unsuccessful.

In early January 2023, OC Sheriff investigators, working in partnership with representatives from the California Department of Justice Laboratory in Richmond, California, submitted forensic samples related to John Doe to Othram Laboratories in Texas. The laboratory developed a genetic profile for investigators to conduct Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy to attempt to identify the decedent.

In February 2023, Othram Laboratories provided investigators with a suitable genetic profile for John Doe and, using publicly accessible genetic databases available for law enforcement, investigators began their genealogical research in hopes of identifying the man.

In November 2023, investigators tentatively identified the man as Donald Raymond Loar, 54, who had been reported missing to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in February 1998. Loar was last seen in the city of Bellflower, and he reportedly was wearing clothing similar to the clothing recovered near the remains of John Doe.

In early December 2023, OC Sheriff investigators met with representatives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to learn additional details regarding Loar’s disappearance.

OC Sheriff investigators then met with Loar’s family and obtained a sample of their DNA for comparison purposes. On Jan. 24, 2024, the California Department of Justice confirmed the remains recovered in August 1998 were Donald Raymond Loar. Investigators are now focusing their attention on discovering the circumstances surrounding his death.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or crimestoppers.org. ###

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (February 5, 2024) – On Monday, February 5, 2024, an inmate housed at the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana died at a local hospital. 

The inmate was booked into jail on February 2, 2024, by the Fullerton Police Department for possession of illegal weapons and drug related offenses. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Orange County Coroner’s Division.

Today, February 5, at 10:25 a.m., the inmate was transported to a local hospital due to shortness of breath.  He was pronounced deceased at the hospital at 1:03 p.m.  His death does not appear to be suspicious. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology testing 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.  

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• Read more about In-Custody Death - January 26, 2024

On Friday, January 26, 2024, an Orange County Jail inmate housed at the Central Men’s Jail in Module C died while inside custody. The decedent is a 57-year-old Hispanic male who was awaiting trial.  The decedent's manner and means of death are awaiting final determination by the Orange County Coroner.”

SANTA ANA, Ca. (January 27, 2024) – On Friday, January 26, 2024, an inmate housed at the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana died.

The inmate was booked into jail on December 21, 2023, by the Santa Ana Police Department for rape and kidnapping. His name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Orange County Coroner’s Division.

On the evening of January 26, the inmate was found unresponsive in his cell. Deputies and correctional medical staff attempted life-saving measures. He was pronounced deceased at the Central Men’s Jail at approximately 10:15 p.m. 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 testing 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.  

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Lake Forest, Ca. (Feb. 21, 2024): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Feb. 23, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Lake Forest.  

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with deputies checking drivers for proper licensing.

The Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.

In 2019, 1,066 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads.

The Sheriff’s Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:

• Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
• See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
• Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
• Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who are drinking and how they are getting home.

Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Mission Viejo, Ca. (Jan. 29, 2024): – The Sheriff’s Department will take part in a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules, and responsibilities.

On Wednesday, January 31, deputies will be looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that put roadway users at risk. These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other dangerous violation.

Deputies will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violation of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising at an alarming rate. In 2016, 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads. Pedestrian fatalities are up nearly 33 percent from 2012, and the number of bicyclists killed are up nearly 25 percent over the past five years.

People walking should only cross the street using crosswalks or intersections, preferably with a stop sign or signal. People on foot should also look for cars backing up and avoid darting between parked cars, make eye contact with drivers and wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

Drivers should wait for pedestrians to cross the street, avoid distractions like using a cell phone, and be courteous and patient. All bike riders are reminded to always wear a helmet; helmets are required by law for those under 18. Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Department supports the new OTS public awareness campaign, “Go Safely, California.” To find out more about ways to go safely, visit gosafelyca.org.

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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Stanton, Ca. (Feb. 28, 2024): – The Sheriff’s Department will take part in a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules, and responsibilities.

On Friday, March 1, deputies will be looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that put roadway users at risk. These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other dangerous violation.

Deputies will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violation of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising at an alarming rate. In 2016, 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads. Pedestrian fatalities are up nearly 33 percent from 2012, and the number of bicyclists killed are up nearly 25 percent over the past five years.

People walking should only cross the street using crosswalks or intersections, preferably with a stop sign or signal. People on foot should also look for cars backing up and avoid darting between parked cars, make eye contact with drivers and wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

Drivers should wait for pedestrians to cross the street, avoid distractions like using a cell phone, and be courteous and patient. All bike riders are reminded to always wear a helmet; helmets are required by law for those under 18. Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Department supports the new OTS public awareness campaign, “Go Safely, California.” To find out more about ways to go safely, visit gosafelyca.org.

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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