Yorba Linda, Ca. (May. 17, 2025). – Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have extra officers on patrol Monday, May 19, in the City of Yorba Linda looking specifically for violations made by drivers and motorcycle riders.

The top primary crash factors for motorcycles are unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence and unsafe lane changes. Speeding is the most common factor, accounting for nearly a third of all crashes in the state.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers 
• Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
• Use your signal when changing lanes. 
• Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance. 
• When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning. 
Motorcyclists 
• Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear. 
• Consider adding reflective tape to make it easier for other drivers to see you. 
• Always keep your lights on, even during the day. 
• Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles. 
• Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic.

SANTA ANA, Calif. (May 13, 2025) OC Sheriff investigators have identified an Oregon John Doe believed to be a victim of serial killer Randy Steven Kraft. 

In November 2023, OC Sheriff Cold Case investigators identified a deceased John Doe found in unincorporated Laguna Hills in 1974 as Michael Ray Schlicht, 17, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Michael was long believed to be a victim of Kraft. 

In early 2024, investigators began looking through the Kraft investigation to find evidence related to Schlicht. While searching, investigators found evidence related to a 1980 John Doe from Oregon, who was also presumed to be a victim of Kraft. Further research indicated the Doe was still unidentified and no evidence existed. 

John Doe was found deceased early in the morning on July 18, 1980, along Interstate 5 outside Woodburn, Ore. He had been strangled, and alcohol and diazepam were found in his system. Kraft is believed to have kept a list of his victims on what is known as his “scorecard,” and this John Doe is believed to be “Portland Elk.” 

Investigators believe Kraft is responsible for six homicides in Oregon and two in Michigan, in addition to his presumed California victims, which are believed to be more than 60. Kraft was sentenced to death in 1989 after a 10-month trial for the murder of 16 men. Investigators learned that evidence for all out-of-state victims was sent to OC Sheriff during the trial. 

OC Sheriff investigators contacted the Oregon State Police (OSP) Cold Case Unit to notify them about the located evidence and offered to attempt to identify the Doe using investigative genetic genealogy (IGG). OC Sheriff cold case homicide investigators are trained in the application of IGG and have identified several Does using the method, including Michael Schlicht. 

OSP agreed and a blood sample for the Doe was sent to Parabon Nanolabs, which developed a genetic profile. In January 2025, the profile was uploaded to GEDmatch, a publicly available DNA database that allows law enforcement use, and investigators began building the Doe’s family tree. 

In early February 2025, investigators identified a possible candidate for the Doe. OSP and OC Sheriff collaborated to contact several of his close family members. 

DNA samples were collected from a woman believed to be the Doe’s half-sister and a man believed to be his nephew. These DNA samples were used to positively identify the decedent as 30-year-old Larry Eugene Parks. Larry was last seen by family in Pensacola, Fla. in 1979. Family members described Larry as a “drifter” with no known ties to Oregon.

Oregon State Police Cold Case Unit is conducting the investigation into Larry’s homicide. 

Laguna Hills, Ca. (May 10, 2025): A deputy-involved shooting occurred this morning in a commercial parking lot in Laguna Hills.

On Saturday, May 10, at 8:03 a.m., deputies responded to a disturbance call in the area of Ridge Route Drive and Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills. Multiple callers stated that a male subject with two knives was seen in the area.

A deputy located a male subject. The subject moved towards the deputy, armed with a knife, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.

The male subject was provided medical aid at the scene and was transported to a local area hospital, where he is in critical condition.

There were no other suspects involved in the initial call for service or the deputy-involved shooting. No deputies were injured during the incident.

Per protocol, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office will handle the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting. Deputies in Laguna Hills are equipped with body-worn cameras. Relevant audio and video from the incident will be released in accordance with the law and in consultation with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

DANA POINT, Calif. (May 7, 2025) On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, shortly before 12 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a single-vehicle traffic collision on Dana Point Harbor Drive in Dana Point. Deputies arrived and discovered that a pickup truck with six juveniles struck a tree. 

The juvenile driver, 16-year-old Rebecca Cespedes of Dana Point, was found deceased at the scene. The other five juveniles were transported to local hospitals. Three juveniles (one female and two males) are in critical condition but are expected to survive. Two juveniles (one female and one male) sustained minor injuries. All juveniles are students at Dana Hills High School. It is currently unknown if drugs, alcohol, or speed contributed to this traffic collision. 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is investigating the collision. If anyone has additional details that may assist investigators or witnessed this traffic collision, they are asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Traffic Bureau at 949-425-1860. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. 

ANAHEIM, Calif. (May 4, 2025) On Sunday, May 4, 2025, at about 2:40 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a shooting at the Canyon RV Park at Featherly Park near the intersection of Gypsum Canyon and the 91 freeway.

Deputies secured the scene, and the Orange County Fire Authority and Anaheim Fire treated and transported three male adults with gunshot wounds to the hospital. The suspect was one of the men transported with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A fourth victim was treated at the scene for minor injuries sustained after he was hit by a vehicle.

We believe there was a dispute between the suspect and one of the victims earlier in the day. The suspect then returned to the Canyon RV Park and attempted to hit the victim with his vehicle. He then exited the car and began shooting before turning the gun on himself.

Initial information leads us to believe this was a personal dispute suspect and victims knew one another. This is not believed to be an act of terrorism.

The area is secure and there is no known threat to the community.

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 occrimestoppers.org.

STANTON, Calif. (May 3, 2025) On Friday, May 2, 2025, at about 11 p.m., Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the report of a traffic collision involving multiple vehicles at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Pacific Avenue in Stanton. Deputies arrived and discovered that a Dodge sedan and a Toyota van had been involved in an apparent head-on collision, striking an unoccupied parked vehicle. 

The driver of the van, Hoanh Thanh Ngo, 55, of Stanton, succumbed to his injuries sustained in the collision and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the Dodge, James Anthony Deleon, 30, of Irvine, fled the scene on foot. He was detained a short time later and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence with a prior conviction and booked into the Orange County Jail for CPC 187(a) – Murder, and CVC 23153(a) – DUI Causing Injury.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is investigating the collision. If anyone has additional details that may assist investigators, or witnessed this traffic collision, they are asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Traffic Bureau at 949-425-1860. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. 

San Juan Capistrano, Calif (May 2, 2025) – The Orange County Sheriff’s will conduct a traffic safety operation on Saturday, May 4, in the City of San Juan Capistrano focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

“We all have places to be and not everyone gets there by car,” Sergeant K. Ishii said, “Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights to the road but face even more risk without the protections vehicles have. We should all be looking out for one another.” 

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash:

Pedestrians 

• Be predictable. Use crosswalks, when available.  
• Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.  
• Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop. 
• Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night. 
• Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers 

• Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn. 
• Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists

• Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet. 
• Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle. 
• Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars. 
• If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed. 

• Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.  

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

   

Mission Viejo, Calif. (April 26, 2025): On Friday, April 25, 2025, at around 7:30 p.m., deputies were called to an apartment complex on La Glorieta in the city of Mission Viejo reference a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies arrived and rendered aid to the victim. The Orange County Fire Authority arrived and transported the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The victim has been identified as Miguel Joaquin Mata, 39, of Mission Viejo.

Deputies established a perimeter and located the suspect, Sean Jeffery Williams, 55, of Mission Viejo. Williams is a resident of an apartment near the victim, though it is unknown at this time what led to the shooting.

OC Sheriff’s Homicide investigators responded and began their investigation. Based on the interviews conducted by investigators and the evidence at the scene, Williams was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of homicide. No further information will be released at this time.

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 occrimestoppers.org.

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SANTA ANA, Calif. (April 30, 2025) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is encouraging everyone to be alert to keep bicyclists safe. With the arrival of warmer weather, more people are biking for commuting, exercise or recreation, making it essential for all people to look out for one another and save lives. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,105 people killed while riding a bike in 2022, and an estimated 46,195 bicyclists were injured.

“Bicycling is a great means of transportation and recreation, and everyone deserves to ride to their destination safely,” Sergeant Kyle Ishii said. “Whether you are behind the wheel or on two wheels, we all share the responsibility to move safely on our roads.”

To help keep people biking or walking safe, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month focused on driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failure to yield right of way and stop sign/red light running.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department suggests the following safety tips for bicyclists and drivers: 

Drivers

• Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful traveling through intersections.

• Look carefully for bicyclists and pedestrians before making a turn or opening a car door near streets or bike paths.

• Be patient when traveling behind a bicyclist and give them space when passing. California law requires drivers to change a lane, when possible, to pass bicyclists and always pass with at least 3 feet of space. 

• Never drive distracted or impaired.

Bike Riders

• Use lights at night.

• Although not required for riders 18 and older, always wear a properly secured helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the chance of a head injury in the event of a crash.

• Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

• Yield to pedestrians, just as a driver would. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. 

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

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SANTA ANA, Calif. (April 30, 2025) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is reminding drivers to always look twice for motorcycles. With the arrival of warmer weather, more motorcycles are taking to the roads, making it essential for everyone to stay alert to help reduce crashes and save lives. 

“Motorcycles may be difficult to spot, so be extra careful before changing lanes,” Sergeant Kyle Ishii said. “A simple double take can make a life-saving difference. Motorcycle riders do not have the same protections drivers and passengers do. Let's all do our part to keep each other safe out there.”

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022, representing 15 percent of total highway fatalities for that year. In California, 634 motorcyclists were killed in 2022, an increase of 3.8 percent from 2021.

Throughout the month, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct traffic safety operations throughout the month focused on driving behaviors that put motorcyclists at risk.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

• Always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

• Do not follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.

• If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Be sure that the rider is turning before moving ahead.

Motorcyclists

• Always wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet with eye protection.

• Wear leather or other sturdy clothing such as a jacket, pants, boots with nonskid soles and gloves. Add reflective strips or decals to your clothing and motorcycle to make it easier for other drivers to see you.

• Ride defensively. Don’t assume a driver can see you. Avoid riding in a driver’s blind spot. 

• Always keep your lights on, even during the day.

Lastly, both drivers and riders should never drive/ride distracted or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

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