Crime: It Takes One to Know One

The person who lives next door to you may have a criminal past—and that's a good thing.

At least, it is if you subscribe to the theory that "it takes one to know one."

That was the case Thursday in a Rancho Santa Margarita neighborhood, according to the blotter of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

The OCSD received a call from a man who requested police services check out a suspicious looking character near a hiking trail.

The informant reported he was pretty sure the man was a criminal because the informant himself used to be a criminal and knows what they look like.

The call was made at 11:54 a.m., from Altisima and Celeste.

In jittery neighborhood, these painters draw suspicion

The burglaries that had a neighborhood on edge the last few months of 2012 have led to increased awareness by residents.

With that in mind, even those doing work for residents are watched with a wary eye.

According to the blotter of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, a caller alerted police services to four men dressed as painters who arrived a local home in a Ford station wagon. While the men were eating lunch, one of the painters wandered up to houses and looked in windows, which the caller thought unusual.

The call was made Thursday, 11:02 a.m., from Rancho Trabuco and El Tambor.

Where are the new neighbors?

A resident contacted OCSD to inquire about the well-being of some neighbors who had moved next door. The couple, in their 60s, had not been seen in more than a week. The resident didn't know their names or phone number.

The call was made Thursday, 11:07 a.m., from Paseo Primero.

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The following is a summary report of calls from Rancho Santa Margarita, Las Flores, Trabuco Canyon and Coto de Caza to the Orange County Sheriff's Department on Jan. 31 2013

Citizen assist, Thursday, 8:34 p.m., on Calendula. A woman reported that her boyfriend's mother tried to assault her on Sunday and threatened to find out where she lived so that she could harass her some more.

Trespassing, Thursday, 7:57 p.m., on Calle Maria. An informant's female houseguest refused to leave after becoming drunk. She was transported to her own home.

Disturbance, Thursday, 7:29 p.m., on Morning Glory. An informant reported that subjects at a construction site became verbal after the informant asked them to stop.

Petty theft, Thursday, 5:54 p.m., 22200 block of El Paseo. OCSD was contacted after male juvenile was detained for attempting to steal from Kohl's Department store. The boy was cooperative.

Disturbance, auto-involved, Thursday, 5:01 p.m., from Robinson Ranch Road and Lindsay Drive. An informant reported a car that was towing three skateboarders behind it up and down the street.

Hit and run, Thursday, 4:58 p.m., from Santa Margarita Parkway and the 241 toll road. A caller indicated that about 15 minutes before her call, her gray Ford F-150 was struck by a dark blue minivan.

Information report, Thursday, 3:09 p.m., from Brisa del Lago. A 14-year-old reported that she and her sister, who's 12, were struck by their father.  

Citizen assist, Thursday, 2:25 p.m., 21700 block of Buena Suerte. A person from the Montessori at the Park preschool discovered a backpack near the dumpsters and notified deputies so they see what's inside it.

Citizen assist, Thursday, 12:50 p.m., from Long View Road. An informant indicated that a 14-year-old son is being sexually harassed on Instagram.

Narcotic violation, Thursday, 11:05 a.m., from Tesoro Creek Road. Two students appeared to be on drugs.

Suspicious person/circumstances, Thursday, 8:38 a.m., from Crestview Drive and Meandering Trail. A subject was seen running with PVC pipes in his arm, and he was possibly being followed by a maroon sedan.

These reports were culled from the Orange County Sheriff's website. Not all facts in each report are made public; the outcome of the report may differ from the original blotter item. There should be no assumption of guilt based on this limited information.