SANTA ANA Ca, (July 10, 2024): OC Sheriff investigators are releasing additional details about yesterday’s double homicide and deputy-involved shooting in the city of San Juan Capistrano.

The victims are identified as: 

• Antoinette Gerdvil, 79, of San Juan Capistrano
• Ronald Walter Gerdvil, 77, of San Juan Capistrano

The suspect is identified as:

• Joseph Brandon Gerdvil, 41, of San Juan Capistrano

On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at 7:36 am deputies were dispatched to a domestic assault near the 32000 block of Alipaz Street in the City of San Juan Capistrano.  Minutes later, deputies arrived to the dispatched address and located a horrific scene which included the decapitated and mutilated bodies of Ronald and Antoinette Gerdvil, as well as a decapitated dog belonging to the married couple.

At 7:42 am, Sheriff’s Dispatch notified deputies on scene that a bloody male was chasing a maintenance worker in the same community.  Soon thereafter, Sheriff’s Dispatch relayed to deputies that the bloody male stole the maintenance worker’s golf cart and left the area in an unknown direction.   

At 7:51 am, a Sheriff’s Community Services Officer located the bloody male driving the golf cart on Calle Arroyo near a bike trail exit.

At 7:52 am, a Sheriff’s Deputy, who was at the initial scene of the double homicide, arrived to the area of Calle Arroyo near the bike trail and contacted the suspect.  A deputy-involved shooting occurred.  

Sheriff’s personnel rendered aid to the suspect until the Orange County Fire Authority arrived and was able to transport him to a local hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.

During the investigation that followed, investigators learned the two victims were the mother and father of the suspect.

As soon as Joseph Gerdvil is medically cleared for booking, he will be transported to the Orange County Sheriff’s jail where he will be booked for two counts of CPC 187(a) – Homicide. Additional charges and enhancements will likely be added before the conclusion of this investigation.

Anyone with information related to the homicide is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Department’s non-emergency line at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Orange County Crime Stoppers by visiting ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers or by calling 855-847-6227.  Additionally, anyone with information about the deputy involved shooting is encouraged to call the Orange County District Attorney’s Office at 714-834-3600. 

###

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Ca. (July 9, 2024): A deputy-involved shooting occurred this morning near a bike trail on Calle Arroyo in San Juan Capistrano.  The suspect, a 41-year-old man, is believed to have killed two elderly victims and their dog before being contacted by deputies. 

At 7:36 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, deputies responded to reports of a domestic assault in the 32000 block of Alipaz Street in a mobile home community in San Juan Capistrano. 

Deputies arrived on scene and found a 79-year-old woman, a 77-year-old man and their dog deceased. The cause of death is pending and remains under investigation.

As deputies were on scene, they received an update from OC Sheriff dispatch that the suspect had chased a maintenance worker in the mobile home community and stole a golf cart. 

The suspect drove the golf cart along a bike trail, exiting near Calle Arroyo. He was encountered by an OC Sheriff Community Services Officer, who reported the suspect’s location to dispatch. 

A deputy arrived on scene at approximately 7:50 a.m., contacted the suspect and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. The suspect was struck multiple times and the deputy rendered aid until the Orange County Fire Authority arrived. 

The suspect was taken to the hospital, where he is in critical, but stable, condition. No deputies were injured. 

Investigators believe the victims and the suspect are related but are working to confirm the familial relationship. Identities of the victims are being withheld pending official identification by the Orange County Coroner Division and notification to next of kin. 

Due to the potential familial relationship between the suspect and the victims, the suspect’s identity will not be released at this time. 

Per protocol, the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Deputies in San Juan Capistrano are equipped with body-worn cameras. Footage from the incident will be released in accordance with the law and in consultation with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information related to the homicide is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Department’s non-emergency line at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Orange County Crime Stoppers by visiting ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers. 

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA. (August 9, 2024): On Sunday, August 11, 2024, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies out at the Rancho Santa Margarita Summer Concert Series educating the public on how to monitor their alcohol intake and “Know Your Limit.”

The “Know Your Limit” program is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, and how little it takes to reach the legal limit to drive a vehicle. It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher. 

The “Know Your Limit” campaign will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Summer Concert Series located in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. 

During this time, deputies will ask patrons how many drinks they have consumed and whether they believe it is safe to drive. Deputies will then invite volunteers to take a breathalyzer test to see if they are able to guess their blood alcohol content (BAC). Deputies will provide information on the impacts of alcohol on one’s ability to drive, and the consequences of a DUI. 

“The goal is to help people understand the effects of alcohol so they can make smart decisions about how they get home,” Sergeant Kyle Ishii said, “It only takes a single drink to impair, and that’s why it is important people know their limit.” 

A person’s height, weight, food intake, drug and/or medication use and how much they drink over a time period are all factors that affect their BAC. According to the California Driver Handbook, it takes two drinks consumed within one hour by a woman between 120-160 pounds and three drinks by a man between 180-220 pounds to be over the legal limit. One drink is based on 1.5 oz. of liquor (40% alcohol), 12 oz. of beer (4.5% alcohol) or a 5 oz. glass of wine (12% alcohol). The BAC lowers at a rate of .01% for every 40 minutes between drinks. 

The average cost of a first-time DUI offense is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. Plan ahead and avoid the risk of a DUI by designating a sober driver. 

Funding for the “Know Your Limit” program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

###

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA. (July 26, 2024): On Sunday, July 28, 2024, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies out at the Rancho Santa Margarita Summer Concert Series educating the public on how to monitor their alcohol intake and “Know Your Limit.”

The “Know Your Limit” program is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, and how little it takes to reach the legal limit to drive a vehicle. It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher. 

The “Know Your Limit” campaign will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Summer Concert Series located in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. 

During this time, deputies will ask patrons how many drinks they have consumed and whether they believe it is safe to drive. Deputies will then invite volunteers to take a breathalyzer test to see if they are able to guess their blood alcohol content (BAC). Deputies will provide information on the impacts of alcohol on one’s ability to drive, and the consequences of a DUI. 

“The goal is to help people understand the effects of alcohol so they can make smart decisions about how they get home,” Sergeant Kyle Ishii said, “It only takes a single drink to impair, and that’s why it is important people know their limit.” 

A person’s height, weight, food intake, drug and/or medication use and how much they drink over a time period are all factors that affect their BAC. According to the California Driver Handbook, it takes two drinks consumed within one hour by a woman between 120-160 pounds and three drinks by a man between 180-220 pounds to be over the legal limit. One drink is based on 1.5 oz. of liquor (40% alcohol), 12 oz. of beer (4.5% alcohol) or a 5 oz. glass of wine (12% alcohol). The BAC lowers at a rate of .01% for every 40 minutes between drinks. 

The average cost of a first-time DUI offense is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. Plan ahead and avoid the risk of a DUI by designating a sober driver. 

Funding for the “Know Your Limit” program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

###

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA. (July 12, 2024): On Sunday, July 14, 2024, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies out at the Rancho Santa Margarita Summer Concert Series educating the public on how to monitor their alcohol intake and “Know Your Limit.”

The “Know Your Limit” program is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, and how little it takes to reach the legal limit to drive a vehicle. It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher. 

The “Know Your Limit” campaign will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Summer Concert Series located in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. 

During this time, deputies will ask patrons how many drinks they have consumed and whether they believe it is safe to drive. Deputies will then invite volunteers to take a breathalyzer test to see if they are able to guess their blood alcohol content (BAC). Deputies will provide information on the impacts of alcohol on one’s ability to drive, and the consequences of a DUI. 

“The goal is to help people understand the effects of alcohol so they can make smart decisions about how they get home,” Sergeant Kyle Ishii said, “It only takes a single drink to impair, and that’s why it is important people know their limit.” 

A person’s height, weight, food intake, drug and/or medication use and how much they drink over a time period are all factors that affect their BAC. According to the California Driver Handbook, it takes two drinks consumed within one hour by a woman between 120-160 pounds and three drinks by a man between 180-220 pounds to be over the legal limit. One drink is based on 1.5 oz. of liquor (40% alcohol), 12 oz. of beer (4.5% alcohol) or a 5 oz. glass of wine (12% alcohol). The BAC lowers at a rate of .01% for every 40 minutes between drinks. 

The average cost of a first-time DUI offense is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. Plan ahead and avoid the risk of a DUI by designating a sober driver. 

Funding for the “Know Your Limit” program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

###

On Monday, June 24, 2024, an Orange County Jail inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Module O died at UCI Medical Center, Orange. The decedent is a 51-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.

TUSTIN, Ca. (June 27, 2024) – The Sheriff’s Department today hosted the grand opening of the new OC Sheriff’s Technology Center, which will bring three divisions under one roof for enhanced operational efficiency and effectiveness. 

The 120,000-square-foot facility located in Tustin will be home to the department’s Technology Division, Operations Support and Intelligence Division and components of the Special Operations Division.  

The Sheriff’s Technology Center grand opening also marks the launch of the OC Sheriff’s Real Time Operations Center, which leverages technology to improve public safety and response to critical incidents.

The Sheriff’s Technology Center is a state-of-the-art facility that addresses a variety of incidents by combining real-time crime analysis with public safety resources, such as emergency communications, federal partnerships and technology. 

“The heart of providing exceptional service is our people, but giving them the space and tools they need enhances their ability to protect our community,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner.  “We are driving a culture change in the way we utilize technology, and I look forward to seeing the solutions-focused ways we will prevent crime, solve cases and improve quality of life for our residents.”

In June 2022, the County of Orange purchased the building. The facility is estimated to cost $110 million, which includes all security, audio/visual and structural upgrades. 

The Sheriff’s Technology Center will house the department’s Technology Division, which is comprised of six teams with varying critical roles. Their responsibilities include maintaining the county’s 800 MHz radio infrastructure, conducting information technology services and providing technological vehicle up-fitting for more than 100 county agencies. 

The Operations Support and Intelligence Division also will operate out of the new center. That division includes the Real Time Operations Center, Sheriff’s dispatch and Control One, and the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center.  

As part of the Special Enforcement Bureau, the SWAT team and Hazardous Devices Section will also run their operations out of the Sheriff’s Technology Center in a space that can adequately support the bureaus’ personnel, tools and assets.  

In addition, the facility offers large training and meeting rooms, a media briefing room, collaborative spaces and eventually will include a museum space dedicated to preserving and honoring the rich history of the Sheriff’s Department.

ORANGE, Ca. (June 24, 2024) – On Monday, June 24, 2024, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died at a local hospital. 

The 51-year-old inmate was booked into jail on February 1, 2024, by the Santa Ana Police Department for multiple counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child 10 years old or younger, two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor under 14 years old, and one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child.  The inmate’s name is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

The inmate was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred there on June 6 for a medical issue. 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.  

###

In November of 2020, a deputy was found to be dishonest in the performance of duty. Discipline was issued and served.
 

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-Dishonesty/Sustained%20Findings%20of%20Dishonesty.21-016.zip
 

In March of 2017, deputies were involved in a use of force at the Central Men'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/Sustained%20Findings%20of%20Excessive%20Force.17-045.zip