A police pursuit of a car reported stolen started this afternoon in Santa Ana and finally ended in Laguna Hills, according to the O.C. Register.
The incident began before 4 p.m. in Santa Ana when the driver of the suspected stolen SUV fled from the SAPD. The chase continued through the cities of Irvine and Tustin, and involved at times both the 5 and the 405 Freeways. Continue reading
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org
Erica Alonso Death Investigation
UPDATE: Toxicology Results & Cause of Death
SANTA ANA, Calif. – (July 22, 2015) – On Tuesday, July 21, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators obtained results of toxicology tests performed on Erica Alonso, 28, Laguna Hills. The results indicate Ms. Alonso had varying levels of alcohol and Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in her system at the time of her death.
Based on the Ms. Alonso’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .22 and the amount of GHB found in her system, the Coroner Division has determined the combination and amounts were lethal. The Coroner Division has determined the cause of death to be an overdose; however, the manner remains undetermined. Continue reading
Illegal fireworks have always been a problem in Santa Ana but this 4th of July seemed like perhaps the worst ever in this regard. Residents all over the city posted pictures of the illegal fireworks on Facebook – and even the more exclusive neighborhoods in north Santa Ana were bombarded with bottle rockets and mortars.
The O.C. Register reported that sales at Santa Ana fireworks stands were down this year and blamed the legalization of safe and sane fireworks in Anaheim and in Huntington Beach. However I suspect that residents weren’t buying the legal fireworks because they invested in the illegal ones instead.
And this year the illegal fireworks actually caused significant harm. A fire broke out at 9:25 p.m. Saturday in the 800 block of Townsend Street in Santa Ana, after two palm trees burst into flames after illegal fireworks were set off, according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org
Body Discovered Off Ortega Highway Identified as Missing Woman
CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – (April 28, 2015) – The body discovered in a remote area off Ortega Highway in the Cleveland National Forest has been preliminarily identified as Erica Alonso, 28, Laguna Hills; however, confirmation is pending fingerprint and/or dental record comparison. Alonso was a reported missing person since February 15, 2015.
On Monday, April 27, 2015 at approximately 10 p.m., the Orange County Sheriff’s Department was notified after a group of biologist working for Cal-Trans, discovered a decomposed body in a rugged area off Ortega Highway, approximately 12 miles east of Interstate 5. A crime scene was established overnight until homicide and coroner investigators could assemble and begin conducting an investigation. Continue reading
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org; Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org
Vehicle Belonging to Missing Person Located
SANTA ANA, Calif. – (March 25, 2015) – On Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at approximately 2:00 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies located a white 2014 Honda Civic EX, California license plate #7FSS563 in the area of Cedarbrook and Redwood, Aliso Viejo in the Glenwood Park neighborhood. The vehicle belongs to Erica Alonso, 27, Laguna Hills, a reported missing person since Sunday, February 15, 2015.
Alonso was reported missing by her family after she was last seen leaving her boyfriend’s house in the city of Irvine. Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators have been actively pursuing leads and information since the report of Alonso’s disappearance. Continue reading
Clerk-Recorder to Offer Expanded Saturday Hours for Upcoming Valentine’s Day
Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen is making it easier for couples to get married this Valentine’s Day. The Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and the department’s branch offices in Fullerton and Laguna Hills will be open to the public from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 14, 2015.
Appointments are filling up fast for couples wishing to be married on Valentine’s Day at the Clerk Recorder’s offices. Couples are encouraged to make an appointment for a civil wedding ceremony due to the popularity of this day. Appointments can be made by visiting our website at www.ocrecorder.com and using the online appointment system. Walk-ins will be accommodated based on availability of ceremony rooms. Continue reading
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org/Emily Osterberg, 714.647.1840, EOsterberg@ocsd.org
Burglary Suspects Arrested Following Vehicle Pursuit
LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. – (October 9, 2014) – On Wednesday, October 8, 2014, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Harold Nathaniel Reese, 28, Los Angeles; Antwain Travon Smith, 28, Los Angeles; Raven Samone Queen, 19, Compton and John Smith, 24, Los Angeles, in connection with a residential burglary that occurred in the Nellie Gail Ranch community of Laguna Hills.
On October 8, 2014 deputies were conducting saturated patrols in the area of the Nellie Gail Ranch community following multiple residential burglaries over the last several months. During the course of saturated patrol effort, deputies observed a vehicle occupied by four subjects, believed to be connected to a recent residential burglary. Deputies initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle on Oso Parkway; however, the vehicle failed to yield and a pursuit ensued onto the northbound Interstate 5 freeway. Continue reading
Three men and a woman suspected in connection with at least one Laguna Hills burglary were chased from South County by deputies Wednesday morning on the northbound I-5 freeway until the fleeing driver crashed near the Westfield MainPlace mall, according to the OC Register.
The driver refused to stop and led authorities on a pursuit that lasted about 30 minutes before crashing into a white Chevy Volt on the 5 Freeway near the Westfield MainPlace mall in Santa Ana, according to KTLA News. Continue reading
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release: October 2, 2014
SANTA ANA – A school bus driver was sentenced Tuesday to eight years in state prison and mandatory lifetime sex offender registration for molesting a minor girl under the age of 14 in his Laguna Hills home. Shane Norman Crawford, 39, Laguna Hills, pleaded guilty Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, to two felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14.
Crawford gained access to the children by befriending their parents. Continue reading
Clerk-Recorder Extends Hours
Effective Monday, February 3, the Orange County Clerk-Recorder will be extending the hours at the department’s branch offices in downtown Fullerton and at the Laguna Hills Civic Center. The branch offices will now be open to the public from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The branch offices previously were open until 4:00 PM, while the department’s main offices in Santa Ana stayed open until 4:30 PM. For more information, please click here.
The Orange County Clerk-Recorder will also be offering extended hours and is now accepting reservations for couples who wish to be married on Valentine’s Day at the department’s three marriage offices. Continue reading
For Immediate Release Jan. 15, 2014
Questions? Call (714) 834-2500
Clerk-Recorder Extends Hours for Valentine’s Day Marriages
The Orange County Clerk-Recorder will be offering extended hours and is now accepting reservations for couples who wish to be married on Valentine’s Day at the department’s three marriage offices.
Ceremony rooms and marriage services will be available at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Ceremony rooms and marriage services will be available at the department’s branch offices in Laguna Hills and Fullerton from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. In addition, the branch office locations offer free parking. Continue reading
SPECIAL BULLETIN – PERSON OF INTEREST
NAME: GODINEZ, HENRY NUNEZ (04.08.1991) AKA: NUNEZ, HENRY
On Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Laguna Hills patrol deputies responded to a welfare check call. Deputies made entry and located a deceased male inside the residence. Based on preliminary information, this case is being investigated as a homicide. Continue reading
Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13HM05257: August 2, 2013
ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR PEPPER SPRAYING TEEN’S PIZZA DURING TRAFFIC STOP
NEWPORT BEACH – An Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) deputy will be arraigned Monday for pepper spraying a teen’s pizza during a routine traffic stop. Juan Tavera, 30, is charged with one misdemeanor count of assault or battery by a public officer and faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail if convicted. Tavera is scheduled to be arraigned Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. in Department H-8, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach.
At the time of the crime, Tavera was a 6-year veteran of the OCSD assigned to the South Operations Division/Contract City of Laguna Hills. Tavera is currently on paid administrative leave.
On Sept. 8, 2012, the defendant is accused of arriving on-scene after 19-year-old John Doe was pulled over by a different officer for a traffic infraction in Laguna Hills. Upon arriving, the defendant is accused of finding a pizza on the backseat of the victim’s car and pepper spraying the pizza without the victim’s knowledge. Continue reading
The third annual For the Love of WISEPlace Jazz Brunch will be held Sunday, July 28, 1 p.m to 5 p.m. at 25522 Nellie Gail Rd., Laguna Hills.
Santa Ana-based WISEPlace is a nonprofit which provides shelter and support services for homeless women. All proceeds from the event will directly support a woman who is being transformed from homelessness to a life of promise. Continue reading
Hugh Nguyen, Orange County Clerk-Recorder
News Release
Special Saturday Hours Planned for June 22
Plan now to take advantage of special Saturday hours available at the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department on Saturday June 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and the department’s branch offices in Laguna Hills and Fullerton.
The Old County Courthouse will be offering marriage license, civil wedding ceremonies and passport application services only. Copies of property records and birth, death and marriage certificates will be available at the Laguna Hills and Fullerton branch offices, as well as obtaining marriage licenses and having civil wedding ceremonies performed. Free parking will be available at all three locations. Continue reading