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Crime & Safety

Police Blotter: Woman Threatened Exorcism by Burning Down Home

Also, a cat's screams starts a confrontation between neighbors, and a super villain frightens passersby.

And you thought you had a stressful holiday season? An Orange County Behavioral Health Services worker needed help from the Orange County Sheriff late Wednesday afternoon.

A member of the Centralized Assessment Team (CAT), which responds to psychiatric emergency calls, needed assistance with a woman who lives on Via Hacienda.

The CAT team had been called to Rancho Santa Margarita because of a complaint from a neighbor about the woman, who was threatening to burn down her house to rid it of evil spirits. 

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The woman, who had restraining orders against her, was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation.

The call came in around 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, from Via Hacienda.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Santa Margaritawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cat’s tortuous cries start a confrontation

Animal Control needed assistance with a call from a Rancho Santa Margarita man who claimed that his neighbor was torturing a cat Saturday evening.
The man said the feline could be heard screaming while the owner was outside on his patio, laughing at it. When the man approached the owner, asking if the cat was in heat, the owner became hostile.

Deputies investigated the cat, who appeared healthy and uninjured.

The call came in around 8 p.m. on Saturday, from the 22700 block of El Prado

Super villain frightens passersby

An informant was concerned about a man, who was seen walking on El Paseo wearing a black coat, which was cut to look like a cape. According to the caller, the mysterious stranger appeared to be high.

The call came in around 4 a.m. on Saturday, from El Paseo and Santa Margarita Parkway.

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 December 27, 2011 to January 1, 2012.

Traffic Stop 9:29 p.m. Sunday, on Antonio Parkway and Santa Margarita Parkway. Deputies arrested a 19-year-old man, who was released after posting bond from the Central Mens Jail.

Traffic Accident 8:02 p.m. Sunday, on Sycamore Canyon Drive and Dove Canyon Drive. A witness saw a woman slam her green Toyota Camry into a center divider.

Traffic Accident 3:33 p.m. Sunday, on Avenida Empresa and Antonio Parkway. A caller said a black Honda struck a black sedan. One of the drivers was transported to Mission Hospital for hand injuries.

Disturbance 2:11 p.m. Sunday, on Antonio Parkway and Santa Margarita Parkway. A caller said two youths were near the lake drinking alcohol and yelling at people walking by.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 1:31 p.m. Sunday, 30600 block of Santa Margarita Parkway. A man said his vehicle had been broken into, and the suspect had sold some of his belongings to Game Stop. He said he had received a call from Game Stop about the suspect, who had returned to the store attempting to sell more items.

Disturbance—Music or Party 4:15 a.m. Sunday, on Gavilan. A man wanted to file a formal complaint about a party that was raging on his street.

Disturbance 1:59 a.m. Sunday, on Via de la Mesa. A caller said 15 teens were yelling on his street.

Welfare Check 11:39 p.m. Saturday, on Via Vicini. A woman said her confused-looking elderly neighbor ripped the screen door off her patio.

Disturbance 2:35 a.m. Saturday, on Calle de los Ninos. A caller heard a man and a woman scream at each other.

Narcotic Violation 10:38 p.m. Friday, on Antonio Parkway and Santa Margarita Parkway. Deputies arrested a 23-year-old man, who is being held without bail at the Central Mens Jail.

Traffic Stop 10:20 p.m. Friday, on Avenida de las Banderas and Avenida de las Flores. Deputies arrested a 39-year-old man, who was released after posting bond from the Intake Release Center

Disturbance 3:40 p.m. Friday, on Calendula. A caller said his stepfather was fighting with his mother downstairs. Deputies arrived, and requested a drug dog due to evidence of narcotics being used in the residence. Deputies arrested a 48-year-old man, who is being held on $20,000 bail at the Central Mens Jail.

Grand Theft Report 12:00 p.m. Friday, 31800 block of Joshua Drive. A woman said someone had stolen her laptop.

Disturbance 11:25 a.m. Friday, on Coralino and Leonardo. A caller said two "hoodlums" were playing in the dumpster. Deputies found two 8-year-old boys constructing forts near the dumpster. The boys said they would put the items back into the trash when they were done playing.

Warrant Arrest 8:01 p.m. Thursday, 100 block of Via Contento. Deputies arrested a 48-year-old man, who is being held on $30,000 bail at the Central Mens Jail.

Structure Fire 3:23 p.m. Thursday, on Trabuco Oaks Drive and Adkinson Lane. A caller said a barn was on fire, and was concerned because horses were contained inside. The Orange County Fire Authority contained the fire, and no horses were injured.

Disturbance 1:24 a.m. Thursday, on Laurel Road and Via Ricardo. A caller said a man was near an intersection, screaming while trying to open car doors. Deputies arrived and arrested a 19-year-old man, who was cited and released from the Intake Release Center.

Drunk in Public 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, 100 block of Wild Horse Loop. An informant said a man, wearing a white hooded jacket and jeans, was walking into traffic while yelling at people.

Fraud Report 7:36 p.m. Wednesday, on Regato. A caller had received fraudulent gift cards.

Disturbance 2:48 p.m. Wednesday, 29800 block of Aventura. Two petitioners were arguing with post office customers and insulted women as they entered the post office, according to an employee.

Trespassing 2:42 a.m. Wednesday, 29900 block of Avenida de las Banderas. A caller said a group of teens were loitering in the Cox Communications parking lot.

Suspicious Person/Circumstances 10:06 p.m. Tuesday, on Trabuco Creek Road. A caller said he smelled a strong chemical scent near his residence.

Reckless Driving 8:23 p.m. Tuesday, on Mission Street and La Purisima. A caller wanted a deputy to look for a man who was speeding down Mission in his vehicle.

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

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