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Assault occurs in Aliso Viejo, Sheriff’s investigators request public’s assistance 

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NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (August 29, 2021) This morning, a woman reported a possible sexual assault that occurred near the area of Pacific Park Drive and Alicia Parkway in Aliso Viejo, near the area where two sexual assaults occurred close to Woodfield Park in 2020. 

The victim, a woman in her 40s, reported this morning that the assault occurred last night at approximately 11 p.m. while she was walking alone in the area. She was approached from behind by a suspect who grabbed her and dragged her into bushes nearby the Aliso Creek Trail. The woman lost consciousness and when she awoke, the suspect was no longer there. Due to the circumstances, the victim was unable to provide a description of the suspect or what occurred after she was kidnapped and dragged into the bushes. She is fully cooperating with Investigators. 

This morning, deputies conducted a thorough search of the area where the assault occurred. Special Victims Detail investigators are leading the investigation and will work with the Orange County Crime Lab to determine if suspect DNA can be collected. If DNA is collected, it will be analyzed to determine if it matches DNA from the 2020 incidents. 

“It is vital that this individual is identified and doesn’t have the opportunity to attack again,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “While our investigators continue their tireless attempts to identify this suspect, we implore the community to come forward if they have any information to share.” 

On January 20, 2020 a sexual assault occurred in the area of Woodfield Park in Aliso Viejo. A 22-year-old woman reported that while she was skateboarding, an unknown man attempted to talk to her then unexpectedly grabbed the victim, who fought and screamed during the incident. 

The second incident occurred on Thursday, April 2, 2020 when deputies responded to Woodfield Park after a woman reported a man grabbed her from behind and forced her into the bushes off the hiking trail, just east of the baseball fields. The victim, a female in her 30s, fought back and screamed for help, and the suspect fled the area. The suspect was described as a man is his mid-30s, dark eyes, little-to-no hair, a muscular build, wearing a black shirt, black shorts and tennis shoes. 

Working with the Orange County Crime Lab, suspect DNA was collected from both victims. The suspect DNA profiles from both incidents matched, but does not match DNA in existing law enforcement databases. Following the 2020 incidents, the Sheriff’s Department set up a task force to identify and arrest the suspect. A team of more than 100 Sheriff’s Department personnel ran multiple operations in the area. In addition, investigators worked with local businesses on leads and launched a public information campaign that included social media, traditional media and text message alerts. Despite a concerted effort, the task force operations did not result in a suspect being identified. 

If you have information or may be able to identify the suspect, contact the Special Victims Detail at 714-647-7419 or Dispatch at 714-647-7000. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855- TIP-OCCS.

 

***Suspect sketches from the January and April 2020 incidents are below***

11-211028 OIS

On November 11, 2011, a deputy was involved in an officer involved shooting in the City of San Juan Capistrano.  The case was investigated by the Orange  County District Attorney's Office and no criminal charges were filed.  The Officer Involved Shooting was determined to be within policy.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/OIS/OIS.11-211028.zip

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.

In-custody death of inmate from Theo Lacy Facility

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (August 20, 2021) –A 25-year-old male inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died today of a suspected overdose.

The inmate was booked into jail in June 2021 on a probation violation. He was found unresponsive on his bed in dormitory housing this morning. Medical attention was provided and the inmate was transferred to a local hospital. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital just after 11 a.m. Preliminarily, there are no suspicious circumstances.

The identification of the decedent is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.

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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OC Sheriff’s Department encourages the public to stay safe during final stretch of summer travel season

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Santa Ana, Ca. (August 15, 2021): As friends and family plan vacations during the final days of summer, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is reminding everyone to stay safe by always choosing a sober way to go.

No matter how you choose to celebrate the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, make sure you do so responsibly. Take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family by buckling up, ditching the distractions, following the speed limit, and never driving impaired.

To help keep our community safe during the busy late summer and Labor Day weekend travel season, the OC Sheriff will have additional officers on patrol Aug. 18 through Labor Day (Sept. 6) looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The increased efforts to address impaired driving are part of a national enforcement campaign, Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint Friday, August 27, 2021 from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. in the City of Dana Point.

“Driving impaired is risky and puts yourself and others around you in serious danger,” Sergeant Brent Jasper said. “If you are taking a road trip over the next few weeks, make good choices and drive like your closest friends and family are in the cars around you.”

Forty-five people were killed in crashes throughout California over the 2019 Labor Day holiday period, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) made more than 1,000 arrests for driving under the influence during the 78-hour Labor Day weekend enforcement period alone.

Driving while impaired is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana may also impair. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone driving 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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