Police Blotter: Sinister Forces In the Sewer?

Let's face it, we don't expect to hear things from "down there." And we've all seen enough creepy scenes from TV and movies to know that nothing good ever comes from the sewer. Especially at night.

That's why a man walking by a community pool in Rancho Santa Margarita Monday night became so concerned when he heard a scraping noise coming from the sewer next to the pool.

Could it be heroes such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who are known to frequent sewers but not known to frequent RSM? Or could it be more ... sinister?

Because the noise seemed to stop as the informant walked past, the man thought someone was down in the sewer screwing around, and he called upon Orange County Sheriff deputies to check it out. Nothing suspicious was found.

The call came in around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, from Santa Loretta.

Suspect with (pellet) gun ends up being boy playing

A woman was jogging on Antonio Parkway in Rancho Santa Margarita late Friday afternoon when she saw someone hop a brick wall from a backyard onto the street. The suspect, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, jeans, and a mask, held what appeared to be a silver handgun.

When deputies arrived, they found five youths, including the suspect, playing with pellet guns.

The call came in around 4 p.m. on Friday, from Antonio Parkway and Tijeras Creek.

The following is a summary report of calls from Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Trabuco Canyon and Las Flores to the Orange County Sheriff's Department from February 3 to February 6.

Drunken Driving 11:02 p.m. Monday, on Avenida Empresa and Santa Margarita Parkway. An informant wanted deputies to look for a gold Nissan Altima that was stopped in front of his residence. The driver was swerving and almost hit a center divider, according to the informant.

Vandalism Report 10:55 a.m. Monday, 22100 block of El Paseo. A man said an object was thrown at his car’s window.

Disturbance 11:21 p.m. Sunday, on Via Esperanza. A woman said her downstairs neighbor was banging on his ceiling and shouting obscenities at her.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 3:50 p.m. Sunday, on Arroyo Vista and Paraiso. A caller found a pair of woman’s underwear and a top lying on the side of Arroyo Vista.

Citizen Assist 12:20 p.m. Sunday, on Stampede Street. A man said his 13-year-old daughter had received a lewd photo on her phone.

Keep the Peace 10:36 a.m. Sunday, 22700 block of El Prado. A caller said two men were banging on her front door. She admitted that she hired them to move her last month, but she had not paid them because they damaged a few of her items.

Pedestrian Check 9:36 a.m. Sunday, on Alma Aldea and Avenida de las Banderas. Deputies arrested a 35-year-old woman, who is being held on $40,000 bail at the Intake Release Center.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 10:40 p.m. Saturday, on Havenhurst Drive. A woman said someone threw a rock or brick at her car.

Assist Outside Agency 2:59 p.m. Saturday, 100 block of Montana del Lago Drive. A woman said her neighbor’s dog attacked her and her dog. According to the woman, the dog bit her below her stomach, but she refused medical attention. The woman, upset that her dog was injured, was laying on the ground.The owners of the aggressive dog contained it at their home, and Animal Control was on its way.

Assist Outside Agency 1:01 p.m. Saturday, on Via Amistosa. The Orange County Fire Authority needed assistance with a man with a large laceration on his chest. The man would not answer any questions posed to him.

Traffic Stop 12:35 p.m. Saturday, on Santa Margarita Parkway and Avenida de las Flores and Avenida Empresa. Deputies arrested a 39-year-old man.

Welfare Check 8:34 a.m. Saturday, on Via Amistosa. A caller wanted deputies to check on one of her friends, who posted a concerning message on her Facebook wall earlier that day. According to the caller, several of her Facebook friends reported that she posted a comment about taking a lot of medication and waiting for them to kick in so she can "be with the angels." The woman was transported to Mission Hospital.

Traffic Stop 1:30 a.m. Saturday, on Santa Margarita Parkway and Avenida de las Flores. Deputies arrested a 24-year-old man.

Family Dispute 12:21 a.m. Saturday, on Via de la Mesa. A boy said his 17-year-old brother was breaking things.

Citizen Assist 4:51 p.m. Friday, 30200 block of Aventura. A man said he received a threatening text message from an employee who was recently fired.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 12:49 a.m. Friday, 29700 block of Melinda Road. A caller said a child was crying for over two hours in a nearby residence.

Traffic Stop 12:25 a.m. Friday, on Alas del Paz and Antonio Parkway. Deputies arrested a 36-year-old man, who was released after posting bond from the Central Mens Jail.

You can read about more incidents on the Orange County Sheriff's Department blotter.