Crime: Drunk Assaults Cabbie on Way Home

By Lissan Estrada

You have to wonder if it won't be a little tougher getting a taxi ride in Rancho Santa Margarita after what happened early Sunday morning.

According to the blotter of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, an unfortunate cabbie received blows to the back of his head a little before 12:30 a.m., while driving a passenger near Via Arribo and Melinda Road.

The cabbie described his assailant and a man in his 30s wearing a red pullover and jeans who, after exiting the cab was last seen walking northbound on Arribo.

He also said the assailant was drunk—so at least he was responsible for getting a taxi.

The call was made Saturday, 12:22 a.m.

Troubled woman receives medical aid

A 23-year-old woman who slashed her wrists with a razor blade and took a large dose of Tylenol was taken to the hospital late Saturday afternoon. The woman made the call to 9-1-1 to report her condition and said she would have the front door unlocked for emergency personnel to enter.

She said her husband had abandoned her. She has done this twice previously.

The troubled woman made the call about 10 minutes after she had taken the pills.

The call was made Saturday, 5:10 p.m., from Via Serena.

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The following is a summary report of calls from Coto de Caza, Trabuco Canyon, and Rancho Santa Margarita to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department from February 23 to February 24.

Drunk Driving, Saturday, 6:08 p.m., on Santa Margarita Parkway and Antonio Parkway. An informant followed a suspected drunk driver as he tried to enter Dove Canyon. The driver almost hit a truck.

Suspicious Person/Circumstance, Saturday, 7:35 p.m., on Via Mariposa. Informant called complaining of a strong marijuana smell coming from the location and believes that it is growing in a nearby garage.

Disturbance-Music or Party, Saturday, 7:43 p.m., on Mill Stream Road and Stoney Creek Road. There were complaints of a loud party in the area.

Suspicious Person/Circumstance, Sunday, 3:25 a.m., 31800 block of Stoney Creek Road. A tall man was banging on a house door, then fled when asked to identify himself.

Reckless Driving, Sunday, 2:40 p.m., on Antonio Parkway and Coto de Casa Drive. A black Mazda 3 was racing with a blue Mazda 3, cutting people off and passing on the right. Two minutes later, at Antonio and Banderas, came a report of a black Toyota Corolla that was running red lights; the driver appeared to be about 20.

Suspicious Person/Circumstance, Sunday, 10:18 p.m., on Timbre. A white male with red hair wearing a black sweatshirt and beige pants ran up a woman’s stairs and knocked on her door, then waited by the trash cans in the condo complex.

Suspicious Person/Circumstance, Sunday, 11:19 p.m., on Via Lampara. A man wearing a black shirt and tan shorts holding a beer bottle came up to another man’s door and called him names.

Hit and Run Misdemeanor, Sunday, 12:56 a.m., 31600 block of Trabuco Creek Road. Off-roaders knocked out a post on someone’s property.

Suspicious Person/Circumstance 12:27 p.m., Sunday on the 31600 block of Trabuco Creek Road. There were bullet holes found on a sign located approximately 300 yards away from a residence. However, nothing was heard and no one was seen.

Disturbance, Sunday, 4:43 p.m., on Cantamar and Sunningdale. Two 15-year-old boys, one wearing a hoodie and mask while holding a BB gun, were possibly trying to scare motorists according to the informant—an off duty FBI agent.

Disturbance, Sunday, 11:20 p.m., from Alma Aldea and Abanicos. A woman reported an altercation with her boyfriend. The man was taken into custody.