the Bulletin April 2025

GOOD OBS Every day, deputies are proactively looking to make our communities safer. Here are a few examples out of patrol operations of deputies making great observations that led to arrests.

Driver caught with suspended license and altered plates On April 2, Laguna Hills deputies pulled over a car that ran a red light. During the stop, deputies learned the driver was on probation, driving with a suspended license, and had altered license plates on the vehicle. The car was impounded for 30 days due to the suspended license. The driver and the passenger both were arrested on multiple charges and booked into the Orange County Jail. San Clemente car stop yields 76 pounds of meth San Clemente deputies on April 16 stopped a driver for a vehicle code violation near the 5 freeway and Vista Hermosa. With probable cause to search the vehicle, deputies discovered a large amount of narcotics. The Highway Interdiction Team also responded to assist in the search. Deputies ultimately recovered 76 pounds of methamphetamine, some of which was hidden in various clandestine compartments in the vehicle. Stolen vehicle leads to arrest for drugs and outstanding warrants On April 8, South Patrol got an alert from their license plate reader of a stolen Chevrolet Equinox with Missouri license plates. Deputies pulled the vehicle over and detained the driver. During their search of the vehicle, they found illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia. The driver also had outstanding warrants for drug possession and vehicle theft. The suspect was arrested and booked into jail.

Deputies arrest suspects with over $2,000 in stolen merchandise

Rancho Santa Margarita deputies on March 21 were patrol checking local businesses when they noticed a vehicle that looked suspicious. The deputies investigated and found over $2,000 worth of stolen items from the local CVS. The suspects were arrested, and a juvenile was released to a responsible adult, pending charges.

page 12 | the BULLETIN •APRIL 2025