Off-duty L.A. Sheriff’s deputy robbed while sleeping in parked vehicle in Santa Ana

SANTA ANA – An off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was robbed early Sunday, Nov. 4 as he slept in his personal vehicle, which was parked in front of a friend’s home in Santa Ana, police said.

The deputy’s cell phone and cash were stolen, said Santa Ana police Sgt. Sergio Gutierrez. “He (the deputy) does have some minor injuries that looked like he was punched,” he said.

The amount of cash was not being disclosed, said Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna. The deputy was in his own, personal vehicle, not a marked car, and his gun and badge were not taken, he said.

The robbery occurred in the 900 block of S. Hickory Street. Shortly after 4:01 a.m., a friend called police to report that the deputy was missing after someone else answered his cell phone.

The deputy, who left the area, returned about a hour and a half later, where he was interviewed by Santa Ana police about the robbery, Gutierrez said.

No additional information was immediately available.