Police Blotter: Vending Machine Thief Hits Two RSM Gas Stations

Two Rancho Santa Margarita gas stations were hit by a vending machine thief early Wednesday afternoon. An employee from the Arco station on Santa Margarita Parkway called the Orange County Sheriff’s Department informing them that someone had broken into one of his vending machines. 

Two hours later, a man working at the Shell station a few blocks away called to report that someone had broken into a vending machine there, stealing the cash contained inside. Neither party had any information about potential suspects.

The first call came in around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, from the 29800 block of Santa Margarita Parkway. The second call came in around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, from the 30100 block of Santa Margarita Parkway.

Roving band of youths ring doorbells and tape doors shut 

A caller wanted deputies to patrol his Coto de Caza street late Thursday evening because a group of youths were going door-to-door, ringing doorbells before taping them shut. 

The caller's neighbor contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department a few minutes later, saying that she saw the youths running up and down the street, yelling into residents’ windows. 

Deputies arrived and detained the youths before releasing them to their parents. 

The call came in around 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, from Bordeaux.

Husky chases woman and toddler home

Animal Control needed assistance from Orange County Sheriff deputies Thursday evening because a woman said an unfamiliar large, white husky chased her and her 1-year-old daughter into her Rancho Santa Margarita residence. 

According to the woman, the dog climbed up her balcony and was at her door, barking and growling. Neither Animal Control nor sheriff deputies were able to locate the canine.

The call came in around 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, from Via Esperanza.

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 30 to September 1.

Traffic Stop 10:53 p.m. Thursday, on Santa Margarita Parkway and Antonio Parkway. Deputies arrested a 31-year-old man, who was released on his own recognizance from the Intake Release Center.

Assist Outside Agency 10:06 p.m. Thursday, 22700 block of El Prado. The Orange County Fire Authority needed assistance with a 37-year-old man, apparently intoxicated, who was having heart complications and difficulty breathing. Deputies were also advised that the residence has a history of domestic violence complaints, and that there is a large Samurai sword by the man’s front door.

Traffic Stop 7:43 p.m. Thursday, on Antonio Parkway and Bienvenidos. Deputies arrested a 22-year-old man who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Keep the Peace 9:17 a.m. Thursday, 22100 block of El Paseo. A woman said an employee at a pediatric dentist refused to give her the paperwork she needed to pick up.

Burglary Report 9:09 a.m. Thursday, 20800 block of Porter Ranch Road. A caller reported that items were stolen from his vehicle.

Disturbance—Music or Party 3:48 a.m. Thursday, on Crestview Drive and Hillside Drive. A man wanted deputies to look for a group of youths who were being noisy on his street.

Disturbance 1:16 a.m. Thursday, 31100 block of Via Colinas. A woman said her 24-year-old daughter, who is addicted to painkillers and didn’t currently live at her residence, hopped the fence and was trying to get inside the house. Deputies arrived and transported the woman to Mission Hospital, where she admitted herself for treatment.

Traffic Stop 12:32 a.m. Thursday, on Avenida de Las Flores and Santa Margarita Parkway. Deputies arrested a 43-year-old woman, who was cited and released from the Intake Release Center.

Disturbance—Music or Party 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, on Los Platillos. A caller said a number of loud youths were drinking in the backyard of a nearby residence.

Disturbance—Mechanical 8:50 p.m. Wednesday, on El Paseo and Santa Margarita Parkway. A caller was bothered by loud construction noise coming from the new BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse building.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 7:47 p.m. Wednesday, on Crestview Drive. A caller saw a group of youths smoking marijuana on picnic tables at Starlight Ridge Park. Deputies released the teens to their parents.

Disturbance 7:18 p.m. Wednesday, 30800 block of La Miranda. A man said several noisy youths had jumped over the fence surrounding a nearby construction site.

Firework Violation 4:44 p.m. Wednesday, on Via Pajaro and Manzana Way. A caller said two boys were throwing fire crackers into the Portola reservoir.

Traffic Stop 11:10 a.m. Wednesday, on Via Amistosa. Deputies arrested a 36-year-old man.

Trespassing 10:01 a.m. Wednesday, on Santa Margarita Parkway and Avenida de los Fundadores. An employee from the Mobil station said that she was having an ongoing problem with a man asking customers for money.

Investigate a Person Down 9:33 a.m. Wednesday, 31500 block of Santa Margarita Parkway. An informant said a man had passed out. 

Battery Report 8:05 a.m. Wednesday, 22100 block of El Paseo. A man said he had been assaulted by his son.

Disturbance 6:13 p.m. Tuesday, on Fernleaf Lane and Tanglewood Lane. A caller was annoyed by a group of teens who alternated between honking the horn on their blue Honda Civic and lying down on the sidewalk.

Disturbance 5:52 p.m. Tuesday, on Via Hermosa. A woman said her neighbor became hostile to her after she had chided him about not supervising his child properly.

Assist Outside Agency 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, 30800 block of Via Amistosa. The Orange County Fire Authority needed assistance with a 68-year-old woman who had fallen after an apartment manager told her to move her car, which was parked in a handicapped parking spot. The woman had a handicapped placard, but was told that the handicapped space was an assigned parking spot.

Hit and Run Misdemeanor Report 1:01 p.m. Tuesday, 29900 block of Aventura. A caller said someone driving a white delivery truck hit her vehicle before speeding away.

Citizen Assist 9:27 a.m. Tuesday, 23200 block of Antonio Parkway. A woman said someone at Auto Collision Solutions had damaged her vehicle while it was being repaired.

Disturbance 8:07 a.m. Tuesday, on Rosa. A man said his landlord entered his residence to change his locks without giving any advance notice.

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