Crime: Game of Chicken Is Dangerous—And Dumb

You’d think you wouldn’t have to tell your children the most basic things—like how to keep from dying. Apparently the message was never delivered to some local kids. That, or they never figured it out on their own with good common sense.

Nevertheless, a few youngsters tested the limits of their mortality on Wednesday evening.

According to the blotter of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, three male juveniles were playing a game of chicken by laying down in the middle of the street. The caller, on Melinda Road, was obviously concerned the boys would be run over—which would be very bad for all involved.

Memo to parents: Tell your kids not to lay down in the street—just to make sure they don’t have to learn the hard way.

The call made Wednesday, 7:28 p.m.

She's not the electric company

A woman in Coto de Caza reported that a neighbor had run an extension cord from the woman's backyard to the neighboring home and is using the woman's power.

The call was made Wednesday, 1:08 p.m., from the 31800 block of Via Pato.

Boys will be boys—and occasionally pugilists

A male informant called 9-1-1 to report that one of his brothers was holding him down while another brother beat him up. The line was disconnected while trying to retrieve the location. On a callback, a woman answered and said her sons were in a verbal argument only. The woman was uncooperative and refused to provide information, other than to say, "I live in Coto," while the sons could still be heard in the background.

The call was made Wednesday, 12:26 p.m., from Mantenida.

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The following is a summary of selected calls from Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Las Flores and Trabuco Canyon to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on March 27, 2013.

Vandalism report, Wednesday, 11 p.m., Arroyo Vista and Banderas. Deputies saw the man at the pool house to discuss some vandalism.

Citizen assist, Wednesday, 8:38 p.m., on Via Cresta. Deputies were called regarding a man who was smoking a cigarette outdoors and the smoke was going into the nearby house, and it prevented the resident from going into his house.

Suspicious person in vehicle, Wednesday, 7:59 p.m., 21100 block of Los Alisos. An informant called from the Boy Scout Camp and reported a suspicious vehicle that drove across the Upper Oso Reservoir dam and stopped at the water district pump station. It was too dark to confirm that it was an authorized vehicle.

Reckless driving, Wednesday, 6:42 p.m., from Buena Suerte and La Miranda. An informant reported seeing a silver Honda Pilot occupied by several juveniles that was driving near Central Park. One of the boys in the back seat was throwing things at other vehicles. The car was last seen heading toward La Promesa.

Disturbance, Wednesday, 5:26 p.m., on Colorido. Four juveniles were reported being up on the hillside in a common area, and the informant wasn't sure if they lived in the community.

Suspicious persons, Wednesday, 3:167 p.m., from Calico Court. A caller reported five juveniles getting out of a car and jumped the gate that goes into Coto de Caza. The caller was concerned because of drug activity that goe into the hills in that area.

Disturbance, Wednesday, 2:23 p.m., on Socorro. A caller reported hearing a man yelling for more than an hour. He also noticed a black Ford pickup driving through the neighborhood.

Missing adult, Wednesday, 1:05 p.m., 29500 block of Aventura. A woman called to report her 70-year-old husband, afflicted with dementia, took her rental car and disappeared. The man went to Mission Hills Church.

This report was culled from the Orange County Sheriff's website. Not all facts in each report are made public; the outcome of the report, as well as the facts, may differ from the original blotter item. All items are alleged to have occurred. There should be no assumption of guilt based on this limited information.