Police Blotter: Whistling 'Santa Claus' Shines Light on Motorists

Apparently, someone ventured a little far from the North Pole. Then again, maybe he was trying to shine a light on who's naughty or who's nice.

A caller wanted deputies to look for a man resembling Santa Claus who stood on the corner of a Rancho Santa Margarita intersection whistling a tune and shining a flashlight into the windows of passing vehicles.

The man was wearing a white hat and sandals.

The informant said that "St. Nick", who has been spotted aiming flashlights into the windows of vehicles in the past, made his way northbound on Antonio Parkway toward Santa Margarita Parkway, still whistling as he walked. Deputies were unable to locate the bearded man. Nor was there any sign of reindeer.

The call came in around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, from Alas de Paz and Antonio Parkway.

Drive-through nightmare: man passes out in line

An employee from Wendy’s said a man had passed out in his vehicle, which was in the drive-through line of the Rancho Santa Margarita fast-food restaurant early Wednesday morning. 

When deputies arrived, the man was awake. The Orange County Fire Authority was on its way to check the man for health issues or to determine if he had suffered from an overdose.

The call came in around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, from the 30400 block of Avenida de las Flores.

Loud fight? People experiencing bad phone reception

A caller said she could hear a loud argument between a man and a woman in their Rancho Santa Margarita home early Wednesday morning. The woman said the fighting was an ongoing problem and wanted something done about the noise.

When deputies investigated, both people said they were on the phone with relatives, but the connection was poor.

The call came in around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, from Via Cordoba.

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 23 to August 25.

Citizen Assist 10:42 p.m. Thursday, on Antonio Parkway and Oso Parkway. A man was trying to get $100 from an ATM machine located inside Mesa Liquor Store, but the machine would not give him his money.

Suspicious Person in Vehicle 6:37 p.m. Thursday, 31400 block of Santa Margarita Parkway. Deputies arrested a 27-year-old man, who is being held without bail at the Central Mens Jail.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 4:52 p.m. Thursday, on Alma Aldea and Avenida de los Fundadores. A caller said a group of teens were smoking marijuana.

Traffic Stop 3:29 p.m. Thursday, on Antonio Parkway and La Promesa. Deputies arrested a 28-year-old man, who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was released after posting bond from the Intake Release Center.

Property for Destruction 3:34 p.m. Thursday, on Portmarnoch Court. A woman wanted to turn in a pellet gun that she had found.

Lost Property 1:41 p.m. Thursday, on Via Barcelona. A man said he lost his wallet while jogging on a street in Dove Canyon with his dog.

Medical Aid 8:31 a.m. Thursday, on Tomahawk Street. The Orange County Fire Authority needed assistance with a man who had fallen and was having difficulty breathing.

Suspicious Person in Vehicle 11:44 p.m. Wednesday, on Antonio Parkway and Avenida Empresa. A woman said a group of teens were following her in their vehicle, and were making rude hand gestures at her.

Disturbance—Music or Party 11:04 p.m. Wednesday, on Palma Valley. A caller said youths were drinking and being loud on his street.

Disturbance 7:24 p.m. Wednesday, 19800 block of Meadow Ridge Drive. A caller said a man and a woman were involved in a heated argument.

Traffic Stop 6:43 p.m. Wednesday, on Santa Margarita Parkway and Avenida de las Flores. Deputies arrested a 24-year-old man, who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He is being held without bail at the Central Mens Jail.

Traffic Accident 6:13 p.m. Wednesday, on Santa Margarita Parkway and Alicia Parkway. A witness said a driver of a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt hit a bicyclist. No one was injured in the accident.

Family Dispute 5:14 p.m. Wednesday, 23400 block of Via Alondra. A woman wanted her husband to leave their home. She admitted that both parties had been drinking that afternoon.

Citizen Assist 1:26 p.m. Wednesday, on Calle de Vida. A man said a worker from Direct TV went into his backyard without permission.

Disturbance 11:26 a.m. Wednesday, on Santa Margarita Parkway and Antonio Parkway. A caller said a man was harassing customers in front of a Mobile gas station, begging for money. Deputies arrested a 30-year-old man. 

Keep the Peace 9:53 a.m. Wednesday, 31000 block of Trabuco Canyon Road. A caller from the general store said a customer and the manager of the store were arguing about an issue with a lottery ticket. Deputies advised both parties to be civil with each other.

Burglary in Progress 4:43 a.m. Wednesday, on Via Bellorita. A man said someone tried to break into his vehicle, and that the suspect fled after his neighbor chased him away.

Vandalism Report 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, on Gavilian. An informant found broken glass and pool chairs in his community spa area.

Citizen Assist 9:54 p.m. Tuesday, on Woodsong. A woman said her son received an email from someone pretending to be from a law enforcement agency.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 8:23 p.m. Tuesday, 29700 block of Melinda Road. A woman said a person was on top of a graded hill using matches.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 8:08 p.m. Tuesday, 31800 block of Las Amigas Drive. A caller said a woman was sitting on top of an air conditioning unit at Trabuco Presbyterian Church, screaming into her cell phone.

Vandalism Report 7:27 p.m. Tuesday, on Douglass Drive and Bentley Road. A Coto de Caza security guard noticed graffiti on a sidewalk.

Disturbance 7:11 p.m. Tuesday, on Santa Teresa. A caller said another man—who has been stalking the caller's niece—just drove by his house, got out of his white Honda CRX, and took a swing at him before driving away.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 6:51 p.m. Tuesday, 23300 block of Arroyo Vista. A caller said a group of six youths were trying to start something on fire at the middle school portion of Arroyo Vista Elementary school.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, 31800 block of Joshua Drive. A woman said she and her son were being threatened by two men who claimed they were betrayed by the caller and her son.

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