SANTA ANA, Ca. (Oct. 7, 2022): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will increase patrols throughout the community and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads.

“This grant funding allows us to support our ongoing traffic safety efforts in Orange County,” Sgt. John Hopkins said. “Our intent is to stop the most unlawful and dangerous behaviors that put people at risk and create an environment where everyone feels safe on the roads.”

The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including:

• DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
• High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
• Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
• Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.

• Community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
• Collaborative enforcement efforts with neighboring agencies.
• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

The grant program will run through September 2023.

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

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Oct. 7, 2022): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department encourages parents and students to join their classmates and walk, bike, or roll to class October 12.

“Walk and Roll to School Day” is celebrated annually to highlight the benefits of exercise and practice pedestrian and road safety with other students, families, and caregivers.

“Walking to school is a great way to exercise on a daily basis and feel comfortable getting to and from school safely,” Sgt. John Hopkins said. “We hope this is a fun, rewarding experience for students and members of the community that shows how important it is for everyone to be safe walking, biking or rolling.”

The Sheriff’s Department offers tips for students who walk, bike, or roll to school:

• Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk as far from cars as possible, facing traffic.
• Use crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets with fewer lanes and lower speed limits.
• Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street.
• Watch for cars entering/leaving driveways or parking spaces.
• Always wear a helmet when riding. Ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Be aware of your surroundings. When walking, keep earbud or headphone volume low enough so you can still hear around you.

Drivers should be extra careful and anticipate more foot and bike traffic the morning of Oct. 12, as well as be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing the street. Drivers should always watch their speed and slowdown in school zones.

Schools are encouraged to register at walkbiketoschool.org as a way of tracking participation and showing support for active, healthy, and safe transportation. 

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

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Oct. 5, 2022): Two men were arrested today in connection with multiple burglaries committed across Southern California since January 2022. The two, along with two additional suspects already in custody on related charges, are suspected of committing residential burglaries in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside counties and were arrested today by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Two men arrested today, Nehemiah Robinson, 34, of Los Angeles, and Mark Draughan, 23, of Los Angeles, have been booked into Orange County Jail on burglary, conspiracy and child endangerment charges related to multiple crimes that occurred in Orange County.

The two men already in custody are Jeremy Manning, 25, of Anaheim, and Dejonn Kirk, 27, of Compton.

“This sends a clear message to criminals looking to take advantage of Orange County residents – We will find you, arrest you, and hold you accountable for the crimes you commit,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “Our top priority is to keep homes, property, businesses, and residents safe.  These arrests are just one example of the hard work done every day by the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to bring criminals to justice.”

Residents are reminded to take preventative steps to deter criminals from crimes of opportunity. Information on simple preventative steps, including an information card in English and Spanish, can be found on our Stay Safe OC website here- https://ocsheriff.gov/community/stay-safe-oc/property-crimes.

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Mission Viejo, Ca. (Oct. 5, 2022): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Oct. 7, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Mission Viejo.  

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.

Unincorporated Anaheim, Ca. (September 30, 2022): Ricardo Martin Campos, 31, was arrested for murder related to a 2019 homicide in the unincorporated Anaheim community.  Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail secured an arrest warrant for Campos on September 26, 2022.  Campos was arrested in Houston, Texas on September 28.

Just after 9:30 p.m. on May 14, 2019, deputies responded to an unknown trouble in the 8400 block of Augusta Drive in unincorporated Anaheim.  Deputies found Eli Gamaliel Victoriano-Che, 28, inside a motorhome, suffering from a gunshot wound.  Victoriano-Che was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Over the last three years, Homicide Investigators have worked on identifying who was responsible for this murder.  Through their hard work, additional information was discovered which resulted in the securing of an arrest warrant for murder. 

“This arrest showcases the dedication the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department have to bringing those responsible for violent crimes to justice,” Sheriff Don Barnes said.  “The Sheriff’s Department is committed to bringing to justice those who do harm to our community, no matter how long it takes.”

Campos is currently awaiting extradition to Orange County.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (September 30, 2022) – On Thursday, September 29, 2022, an inmate housed at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana died at the hospital.

The inmate, Margarita Luna, 44, was booked into jail on September 11, 2022 by the Costa Mesa Police Department for grand theft.  

Luna was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred to the hospital for a medical issue on September 28, 2022. 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.  

Aliso Viejo, Ca. (September 22, 2022): Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail arrested Jose Farias, 29, of San Juan Capistrano, on Wednesday, September 21, for battery.

Farias was employed as a phlebotomist at a medical laboratory in Aliso Viejo when the assaults occurred. On August 29, an 18-year-old female reported she was assaulted in a sexual manner by Farias while giving blood.  She contacted the Sheriff’s Department to report the incident. On Tuesday, September 20, a 30-year-old woman reported she was assaulted in the same manner by Farias while giving blood at the laboratory.

Due to Farias’ access to patients who came for blood draws, investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking the for the public’s help. He was booked into Orange County Jail on September 21.

Anyone with information regarding possible additional victims or with information they believe may assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7419, or submit an anonymous tip to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

ORANGE, Ca. (September 2, 2022) – On Thursday, September 1, 2022, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died at the hospital.

The 57-year-old inmate was booked into jail on August 27, 2022, by the Anaheim Police Department for a probation violation.  The inmate’s name is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

The inmate was found unresponsive in his cell by jail staff on September 1, 2022.  He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. 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.  

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (September 16, 2022): During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will help parents and caregivers with installing child safety seats.

“We are here to offer parents and caregivers guidance and reassurances that their child is as safe in a car seat as possible while riding in the car,” Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant John Hopkins said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused.

California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Parents are encouraged to keep your child in rear- and forward-facing seats as long as possible. Children 8 and older, who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, may ride in the back seat of a vehicle in a properly fitted safety belt.

To learn more about the Orange County Sheriff’s Department car seat program, contact the Sheriff’s Regional Traffic Bureau at (949) 425-1860.

To search for car seat programs in your county, visit the OTS website. You may also contact your local CHP Area Office to schedule a free child safety seat inspection.

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MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (September 1, 2022): Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail arrested Gil Franco Carpentero, 64, of Tustin, on Thursday, September 1, for lewd and lascivious acts on a dependent adult.

Carpentero has been a caretaker of Intellectual/Developmental Disabled adults for 10 years.  He was employed at a facility in Mission Viejo when the sexual assault occurred.  In December 2021, a dependent adult female reported she was sexually assaulted by Carpentero at a care facility in Mission Viejo.  Family members contacted the Sheriff’s Department to report the incident. Evidence was recently received linking Carpentero to the reported incident.

Due to Carpentero’s access to Intellectual/Developmental Disabled adults, Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking the for the public’s help. He is currently in custody at the Orange County Jail with bail set at $100,000.

Anyone with information regarding possible additional victims or with information they believe may assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7419, or submit an anonymous tip to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

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