SANTA ANA, Ca. (Sept. 11, 2020): In January 2020, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified a potential discrepancy with military orders submitted by a Deputy Sheriff. After this discovery, the Sheriff directed a review of all orders submitted by United States Armed Forces reservists. Several employees were believed to have created fraudulent documents allowing them to have military leave.To date, one deputy sheriff was released on probation, and six additional employees have been placed on administrative leave pending a criminal investigation and subsequent internal investigation.

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Medal of Merit: Investigators solve nine follow-home robberies, reveal crime ring

In March 2019, Deputies were dispatched to a robbery in Aliso Viejo.  The victim had been followed home from a casino and robbed at gunpoint in her driveway. 

This isolated incident evolved into a multi-jurisdictional investigation of a sophisticated criminal ring who followed victims home and robbed them at gunpoint.  During a five-month crime spree, the suspects robbed at least 10 people of more than $40,000.  The suspects would surreptitiously identify unsuspecting victims as they collected their cash winnings inside the casino.  The suspects would then follow the victim’s home and rob them.

Investigators Chapluk, Davis and French identified the suspects from video surveillance and still images that were provided by casino security.  They painstakingly worked to identify all the suspects and confirm their identities. 

During the 10-month investigation, they wrote 21 search warrants, conducted more than 1,500 hours of surveillance and spent more than 1,000 hours conducting research and documenting their investigative efforts.  In addition, they worked with five casinos and five state and local law enforcement agencies. 

They presented a 1,200-page case to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.  The case included nine counts of robbery, attempted robbery, conspiracy, gang enhancements and a felon in possession of a firearm.  Charges were filed against the suspects and the Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney L. Sisak commended this exceptional team for their work. 

Investigators Chapluk, Davis and French were able to bring a successful conclusion to a complex and time consuming case with few leads.  They utilized new technology and worked through obstacles to successfully bring violent criminals to justice.  Their meticulous investigation and remarkable organizational skills ultimately put an end to this crime spree. 

For their months of work to solve this case, they each were awarded the Medal for Merit.

 

Medal for Merit: OCSD Sergeant grows program focused on school safety 

Sergeant Darren Braham was assigned to the Juvenile Justice Services Bureau where he oversees the School Mobile Assessment and Resources Team (SMART) and serves as the Department’s School Resource Officer (SRO) Coordinator.  After being sworn into office, Sheriff Barnes announced his first five public safety initiatives.  Initiative 1 was titled, Vigilance and Protecting our Community.  This comprehensive initiative included school safety and the creation of the Orange County School Threat Assessment Team (OCSTAT).  This program is a unique collaboration between the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Probation Department and the Department of Education.  Its primary task is to reduce the risk of targeted violence in Orange County schools through the formalization of comprehensive protocols for the school districts, law enforcement and mental health professionals. 

Sergeant Braham serves as the chairperson for this program and, as such, he was tasked with drafting the first Orange County School Protocol.  This protocol helps identify individuals whose behavior causes concern.  It facilitates transparent and timely communication and collaboration between the stakeholders.  It also ensures a thorough threat assessment is conducted and the individual is referred to the appropriate services. 

In addition, Sergeant Braham was instrumental in securing funding through the Orange County Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council to provide specialized training to local law enforcement agencies, school districts, county personnel and private sector partners.  He authored a grant and attended all meetings associated with obtaining $3.2 million in funding.  His efforts in securing this additional funding resulted in the creation of a North County SMART team.  If that wasn’t enough, he is also in the process of developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and agencies willing to participate in the program. 

MEDAL OF COURAGE: Stopped attempted attack with knife

On April 11, 2019 at about 3:30 p.m., Deputy Zachary Bieker was dispatched to a bank in Yorba Linda for a call of a man with a knife. Bank employees had advised dispatch the subject was threatening them with a knife and was demanding access to a vault area. They also reported they believed the suspect was under the influence of drugs.

Deputy Bieker was the first deputy to arrive. Bank employees were on the phone with Dispatch stating the subject was advancing toward employees with a knife.  Believing the bank employees were in grave danger, Deputy Bieker entered the bank alone and engaged the suspect in an effort to prevent him from stabbing or killing the bank employees. 

As Deputy Bieker entered the bank, the suspect had a knife in his hand and was quickly advancing toward a group of employees who were trapped in the corner of the bank.  Recognizing the employees were in danger, he confronted the subject and ordered him to drop the knife and get on the ground.  The male subject briefly turned toward Deputy Bieker before letting go of the knife and dropping to his knees.  According to bank employees and patrons of the bank, Deputy Bieker’s decisive action and command presence saved their lives. 

Deputy Bieker received the Medal of Courage for his actions that day.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Sept. 10, 2020):

DANA POINT, Ca. (Sept. 10, 2020) – Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing. On Monday, Sept. 14, 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.

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On September 19, 2019 at 6 a.m., Motor Deputy Stephen Baker was on his way to work in Aliso Viejo when he came across a car that was partially blocking the right lane of the 15S/91W connector bridge. 

As Deputy Baker got closer to the vehicle, he noticed a woman lying on the ground outside the passenger door.  She immediately stood up and walked to the edge of the bridge where she threw her left leg over the four-foot wall.  Deputy Baker distracted the woman by honking his horn and flashing his lights.  He immediately got off his motorcycle and ran toward the woman grabbing her arm and keeping her from jumping into the traffic below. 

It was later learned that the woman had lost her husband and had jumped out of a moving vehicle minutes before Deputy Baker came upon her.  After saving her life, Deputy Baker released her to the California Highway Patrol so she could get the help she needed. 

Deputy Baker was awarded the Medal for Lifesaving for his actions that day.

LAKE FOREST, Ca. (Sept. 8, 2020) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Sept. 11, from 7 p.m. to 3 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.

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STANTON, Ca. (Sept. 4, 2020) – 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.

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On June 30, 2019 at 8:20 p.m., Deputies at the Central Men’s Jail received a call of an inmate down. 

Deputies Franco, Miller, Schoeman and White entered the dormitory and located the inmate lying lifeless on his bunk.  The deputies moved the inmate to the floor and immediately began CPR. While performing CPR they noticed the inmate was exhibiting signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, so they administered two doses of Naloxone.  After nearly 15 minutes of CPR, the inmate regained a pulse and started breathing.

He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

The deputies were awarded the Medal for Lifesaving for their actions that day.