Police Blotter: Lakeside Grave-Diggers Foiled

Rancho Santa Margarita is a peaceful, restful place. And having a view of Lago Santa Margarita—especially an eternal view—would be pretty sweet for the dearly departed.

An informant saw two people digging a hole in the grass near the Rancho Santa Margarita lake late Saturday evening, according to a call made to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The caller said it appeared the people wanted to bury something in the hole they were digging.

Deputies checked out the late-night shovel escapades and did, indeed, find a couple of grave-diggers.

The individuals told deputies that they wanted to bury their family’s deceased pet rabbit near the lake. They agreed to bury the beloved pet’s remains in another location.

The call came in around 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, from Calle Melinda.

Man who took pictures of kids at park spotted inside library

An informant saw a man walk into the library Monday afternoon, soon after he had spotted him staring at children playing at Central Park. According to the caller, the same man had been seen taking pictures of children in the park three times during the previous week.

Deputies detained the man briefly before releasing him.

The call came in around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, from the 30900 block of La Promesa.

Good Samaritan helps elderly man find his way home

A man driving near the Santa Margarita Animal Care Center Saturday evening said he had picked up an elderly man who was standing on the median on Santa Margarita Parkway, attempting to stop traffic.

The elderly man appeared to be disoriented, according to the informant, stating that he lived on California Street, when his driver’s license said he lived on Muirlands. Deputies were able to contact the man’s brother, who was on his way to pick him up.

The call came in around 6 p.m. on Saturday, from Santa Margarita Parkway and Interchange Plaza.

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 August 17 to August 20.

Welfare Check 8:58 p.m. Thursday, 21800 block of Las Nubes Drive. A caller said an elderly woman with a walker was lost and didn’t know where she lived. Deputies eventually made contact with her daughter.

Disturbance 8:16 p.m. Monday, on Timbre. A woman said her neighbor was outside crying because she had just been bitten by a dog on her leg and arm. The dog was on her neighbor’s patio, and Animal Control was on its way to deal with the situation. The Orange County Fire Authority arrived to treat the woman’s injuries.

Assist Outside Agency 6:25 a.m. Monday, on Via Lampara. A woman said a man had passed out on their family's toilet, but was still breathing. Paramedics arrived to transport the man to Mission Hospital.

Disturbance 10:38 p.m. Sunday, on Via Amistosa. A caller said a man and a woman were fighting in a nearby unit. Deputies contacted the resident, who said that he, his wife, and a friend were just talking on their patio.

Traffic Accident 1:16 p.m. Sunday, on Santa Margarita Parkway and Alicia Parkway. An informant said a vehicle hit a red VW Golf. The driver of the Golf was initially trapped inside the vehicle, but managed to climb out.

Disturbance—Music or Party 10:41 p.m. Saturday, 21800 block of Delicia Drive. An informant said about 60 youths were drinking at a nearby party.

Petty Theft 2:23 p.m. Saturday, 30600 block of Santa Margarita Parkway. An Ulta store manager said a woman had walked out of the store without paying for several items. Deputies were ultimately unable to locate the woman, who left in a silver Honda Civic.

Assist Outside Agency 1:46 p.m. Saturday, on Avenida de las Flores and Santa Margarita Parkway. A caller said someone had locked a dog inside a white pickup truck that was parked in front of Big Lots.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 9:19 a.m. Saturday, 29700 block of Melinda Road. A woman said someone had been tampering with the lock on her apartment’s front door.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 9:25 p.m. Friday, on Robinson Ranch Road and Morningside Drive. An informant saw three kids throwing water balloons at passing cars. The juveniles were released to their parents.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 8:39 p.m. Friday, on Santa Margarita Parkway and Avenida Empresa. A caller saw a shirtless man sitting on the railing of the bridge, and it appeared that he wanted to jump. The man eventually left the bridge and walked to the nearby Arco station.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 12:32 p.m. Friday, 22400 block of Antonio Parkway. A pharmacy technician said that a woman was trying to obtain a fraudulent prescription. Deputies arrested the 24-year-old woman, who was released after posting bond from the Central Women’s Jail.

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

These reports are 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.