SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2026): On Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, at approximately 8:10 p.m., deputies responded to the area of Calle Santa Barbara and Los Rios Street in the city of San Juan Capistrano after witnesses reported seeing a subject on the ground, suffering from multiple stab wounds.

When deputies arrived, they located one adult male with multiple stab wounds.  He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The victim was identified as Valentin Onofre Martinez, 31, of San Juan Capistrano.

Last night, several subjects were detained at the scene.  The Sheriff’s Homicide and Gang Enforcement Team (GET) continue to investigate.

The Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at 714-647-7000. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS, or online at www.ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.

###

On October 8th, 2018, a Deputy was involved in a use force, which was determined to be outside of policy.  The deputy received discipline.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/SF-Unreasonable%20or%20Excessive%20Force/SF%20of%20Excessive%20Force.18-177.zip

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

Between July and August of 2022, deputies were discovered to have been involved in behavior indicative of prejudice or discrimination.  The several deputies were terminated from employment and two received discipline.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/SF-Prejudice%20or%20Discrimination/SF%20of%20Prejudice%20or%20Discrim.22-163.zip

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

Help our community champion safe trips to school

SANTA ANA, Calif. (Oct. 06, 2026): This October 7, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department encourages schools, families and students to join in this year’s National Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day to support and reinforce healthy and safe travel habits for children heading to and from school. 

“This annual event is a reminder that students biking and walking to school safely is a shared commitment,” Traffic Bureau Sergeant Ishii said. “It also reinforces the need for drivers to slow down, stay alert and look out for children using crosswalks, sidewalks and bike lanes to get to school. Every safe choice helps protect students who rely on these routes every day.”

With increased foot and bike traffic, it’s important to stay alert not just this National Walk, Bike and Roll Day, but every day. Drivers should be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing the street, and slow down in school zones. 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers tips for students who walk, bike or roll to school:

• Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from heavy vehicle traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. 

• If you are riding a bike, always ride on the right side of the road in the same direction as vehicles. 

• Always wear a properly fitted helmet when riding or rolling.

• Use crosswalks at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets. 

• Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. 

• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Never assume a driver sees you.

• Be visible. Wear bright clothing during the day and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight when it’s dark.

• Stay alert. Avoid electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.

Schools are encouraged to register at walkbiketoschool.org as a way of tracking participation and showing support for active, healthy, and safe transportation. 

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

###

Drivers are urged to slow down and be alert for people walking

SANTA ANA, Calif. (Oct. 06, 2026): October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind drivers to take extra precautions to help protect people walking.

“In Orange County, we’re committed to reinforcing everyday safety actions like slowing down, following the posted speed limit, staying alert and yielding to people in crosswalks,” Traffic Bureau Sergeant Ishii said. “Drivers have an outsized role to keep all people walking safe. Remember that pedestrians do not have the same protections as drivers and passengers traveling inside vehicles.” 

On average, 19 pedestrians are killed in traffic crashes every day in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2024, an estimated 7,080 people walking were struck and killed by vehicles. Of those people, 1,090 were killed in California alone. 

To promote the safety of people walking, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of pedestrians at risk. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield and running stop signs or signals. 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers these driving tips to keep everyone safe:

• Follow the speed limit, especially in areas with heavy foot traffic, around schools and in neighborhoods where children are present.

• Slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for people crossing or walking at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

• Use extra caution when driving at night or when driving conditions are less than optimal such as rain or fog.

• Avoid distractions such as using a mobile device, deep conversations with passengers or eating while driving. Keep your focus on the road.

• Drive sober.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

In March of 2023, deputies were involved in a use of force that resulted in injury to a suspect involved.  The use of force was determined to be in policy.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.23-011422.zip

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

In June of 2024, deputies were involved in a use of force that resulted in injury to a suspect involved.  The use of force was determined to be in policy.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.24-020785.zip

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

In October of 2023, deputies were involved in a use of force that resulted in injury to a suspect involved.  The use of force was determined to be in policy.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.23-038480.zip

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

In May of 2022, deputies were involved in a use of force that resulted in injury to a suspect involved.  The use of force was determined to be in policy.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.22-016338.zip

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

STANTON, Calif. (September 25, 2026): On Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at around 6:15 p.m., several 911 calls were received, reporting a man chasing another man with a knife.  Deputies responded to the area of Beach Boulevard and Chapman Avenue, in Stanton, where they located a man with serious injuries.  Witnesses gave a description of the suspect, who had left the scene in a vehicle.  Witnesses also provided the license plate number associated with the vehicle he was seen in.

The victim, identified as Joshua Lee Long (45) with no fixed abode, was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.  Using license plate reader information, deputies located the suspect, identified as Charles Mathew Swanson (22), a short distance away and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The suspect was involved in a vehicle collision, taken into custody and booked at the Orange County Jail on suspicion of murder.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Orange County Sheriff's Department at (714) 647-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.

                                                                                                 ###