Crime & Safety
Dog Killed In Latest Robinson Ranch Burglary
Family pet pays the ultimate price as burglar makes off with jewelry and other items. Police chief schedules community meeting.
By Martin Henderson
A recent break-in in Robinson Ranch turned tragic for a small lapdog when it was killed by an apparent intruder.
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It’s the latest incident in the Rancho Santa Margarita neighborhood, which includes a break-in two weeks ago that caused the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to mobilize its SWAT unit to clear a residence.
The recent uptick in activity in Robinson Ranch has led Lt. Brian Schmutz, chief of police services for Rancho Santa Margarita, to schedule a meeting for neighborhood residents on Monday, Oct. 28, at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Schmutz says crime prevention and recent crime trends will be discussed.
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“We’re putting a lot of resources into this investigation, including regional resources,” Schmutz said.
The owner of the home reported jewelry and other small items were taken during the Tuesday break-in on Silvertree Lane. It’s not far from the location of the Brookseed Drive standoff. In that incident, it was believed a prowler broke the glass of a patio door and was inside the home, which contained weapons. Ultimately, no one was inside the residence.
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Schmutz said the department is following up on some leads involving suspcious activity. He advises residents to call the OCSD business line at 949-770-6011 if they see anything suspicious in the area, but to use 9-1-1 only if there's imminent danger to person or property.
Authorities are awaiting a necropsy on the deceased dog, who may have been fatally injured by a kick or a stomp. Other dogs at the residence were not injured. The small white dog was neither shot nor stabbed.
The resident returned home shortly before 1 p.m. and discovered a broken window. A neighbor reported hearing the dogs barking about 8 a.m.
The call was made Tuesday, 12:52 p.m., from the 21300 block of Silvertree Lane.
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