Reports Of Rifle In A Bag At Mission Viejo Mall Unfounded, Sheriff's Officials Say

MISSION VIEJO, CA — Sheriff’s deputies responded to investigate a report of a suspect with a rifle in a bag at the Shops at Mission Viejo Monday evening, Orange County Sheriff’s officials said. A short time later, the report was determined to be unfounded, according to OCSD Lt. Lane Lagaret. Deputies were breaking down the scene at 7:30 p.m.

Management of the Shops at Mission Viejo, together with Orange County Sheriff's deputies and mall security, coordinated the lockdown of the mall.

"We set up a perimeter, checked people coming out and coordinated with Mission Viejo mall security," he said.

Meanwhile, OCSD's DUKE Helicopter searched the area for any potential suspects. OCSD did a thorough walk through and deemed the report unfounded.

"DUKE was out until he needed to refuel, but by that time it was determined that the report was unfounded and there was no longer an active search," Lagaret said.

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