Opening arguments were scheduled to start this week in the murder trial of a Rossmoor woman who authorities say is accused of shooting her mother in the head.
On Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 11272 Wallingsford Rd., in Rossmoor, following reports of a shooting at the residence.
Deputies arrived with Orange County Fire Authority paramedics and discovered Gretchen DeStefano, 96, Rossmoor, deceased, suffering from a gunshot wound. According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, she was shot in the head.
Christine Reynolds, now 72, Rossmoor, the daughter of the victim, was detained at the scene.
Reynolds, has been charged with one felony count of murder and a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison.
The latest: Opening arguments were scheduled to begin Monday, Nov. 9.
Crime Log Compiled by Charles M. Kelly
IN SEAL?BEACH
Sunday, October 25
Disturbance, Family—7:55 a.m.—Marina Drive—The caller said a man was yelling at a woman. Both were described as transients. They were on the bridge. They had a dog, possibly a pitbull with them. Police unit 107 contacted the couple. They’d had a verbal argument. They were packing up and moving on to Long Beach. Matter solved.
Petty Theft—9:25 a.m.—10th Street—The caller said a man’s beach cruiser bike had been stolen overnight. The caller just wanted the police to be aware of the theft. The caller did not have the serial number for the bike. The citizen would call back for a report if the serial number was found.
Monday, October 26
Petty Theft Report—9:54 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller said an Amazon package was taken from the caller’s front porch. An empty box was located a few doors down. Report taken.
Keep the Peace—10:27 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Police unit 106 was out with a woman parked in front of the location. She had called about two counterfeit $100 bills she said she got from the location on Friday, Oct. 23. When she came back that day, they refused to give her genuine bills and gave her a receipt for the fakes. Counseled.
Tuesday, October 27
Graffiti/Vandalism—11:13 a.m.—Almond and Violet—The caller said someone had used black spray paint on the 22 Freeway soundwall that day. No suspect information. Referred to Caltrans.
Extra Patrol Checks Requested—1:40 p.m.—Montecito Road—The caller said juveniles were doing donuts and talking loudly in the parking lot at night. The caller said it was an on-going problem. Printed for night shift.
Grand Theft Report—9:36 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Someone took an unspecified number of drones and headsets on Sunday, Oct. 25. Details were blacked out in the log. Report taken.
Wednesday, October 28
Welfare Check—10:42 a.m.—10th Street—The caller reported a man slumped over the wheel of a pick up truck. He was gone by the time police arrived.
Petty Theft Report—12:35 a.m.—Crestview Avenue—Someone took the caller’s slide lock off her garage. Counseled.
Thursday, October 29
Illegal Peddler—11:59 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said there was an on-going problem with a woman panhandling in the area of the Shops at Rossmoor in Seal Beach shopping center. The woman had two children with her on the west side of Seal Beach Boulevard. Police unit 107 contacted the woman in the parking lot and advised her against panhandling. The woman and the children were leaving the area.
IN LOS?ALAMITOS
Wednesday, October 21
Counterfeit Report—11:17 a.m.—Katella Avenue—The caller said a customer passed a counterfeit $50 and left 10 minutes earlier. The woman who passed the bill said she was a hairdresser and her customer gave it to her. She tried to buy oatmeal with the bill but ended up paying for it with different money. There was no loss, and the $50 bill was confiscated at the scene.
Wednesday, October 21
Keep the Peace—8:02 p.m. —Katella Avenue—The caller reported purchasing a used item to find out later it was stolen. The owner of the stolen property is at the location now demanding his property be returned. The caller said the original owner did file a report with where it had been stolen. Patrol kept the peace and both parties came to an agreement.
Wednesday, October 21
Disturbance, Family—11:52 p.m.—Howard Avenue—The caller reported her friend and boyfriend were arguing over money as he purchased marijuana instead of giving his girlfriend money for rent and bills. He was outside and was possibly under the influence. No weapons were involved. He reportedly pushed his girlfriend during the argument, and left the location, possibly en route to a health club. Patrol was unable to locate the man. It was determined to be a mutual argument, and he took all his belongings.
Thursday, October 22
Lost Property—4:19 p.m. — Marna Avenue — The caller reported losing his iPhone and he believed he possibly dropped it in front of his residence, and now the “Find My iPhone” app showed it was about four houses down. He contacted the resident there who said she found the phone on the ground the night before while she was on a walk. She said she was going to turn it in to the police department when her husband returned home from work. Patrol assisted.
Friday, October 23
Welfare Check—11:54 a.m.—Cerritos Avenue—The caller reported a man on the bike path between Cerritos Avenue, and Katella Avenue. The man was possibly a transient. He was sunburned, appeared dehydrated and talking to himself. He was lying in the middle of the bike path. Per a witness, the man was last seen walking but appeared to need some help. Patrol was unable to locate.
Saturday, October 24
Suspicious Person—10:28 a.m.—Katella Avenue—The caller said two men were trying to get into a red Toyota Tacoma possibly with a “Slim Jim.” The vehicle was in front of the business. The caller then said they had the door open and the alarm on the vehicle had been sounding for about two minutes. The caller can’t see the license on the Tacoma but it was possibly out of state. Patrol was unable to locate.
Disturbance—10:46 a.m.—Katella Avenue—The caller said a woman in a black shirt with a yellow backpack was blocking traffic and yelling curse words. A second caller reported the same. The woman just walked inside the restaurant after leaving her property at the bus stop in front of location. The caller said she had been at Katella Avenue and Los Alamitos Boulevard when she pulled down her pants and underwear, completely exposing her genitals. Patrol advised the woman about her behavior.
Sunday, October 25
Disturbance—12:31 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—The caller reported someone being argumentative in the parking lot, kicking trashcans over. No weapons were visible. He was carrying a large backpack and was possibly under the influence or psychotic. The employee of the liquor store said he tried to steal cigarettes, but the owner got them back. The caller said the man was seen walking southbound from the location. Patrol contacted the man and advised him about his behavior.
Monday, October 26
Disturbance, Juvenile—5:31 p.m.—Farquhar and Maple—The caller reported two boys throwing pinecones at an apartment complex next to the park. There were four juvenile individuals present. Patrol was unable to locate.
Wednesday, October 28
Burglary Report— 10:03 p.m.—Lexington Drive—The caller’s daughter was calling on behalf of her parents who live at the location where the home was ransacked sometime in the morning. Loss: jewelry and other items. Report taken.
IN ROSSMOOR
Wednesday, October 21
Reckless Driving—4:35 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard and Orangewood—The caller said a gold pickup truck was swerving back and forth between traffic lanes and making illegal U-turns, which blocked other vehicles. Patrol wasn’t able to make contact.
Fraud Report—4:45 p.m.—Yellowtail Drive—The caller reported someone opened up credit cards in his name. The caller stated they’d advised their credit reporting agencies.
Thursday, October 22
Disturbance—3:45 p.m.—Yellowtail Drive—The caller reported that their neighbor’s gardener threatened him over the use of the caller’s trashcan. The gardener left before a patrol car could arrive.
Friday, October 23
Burglary—7:03 p.m.—Pemberton Road—The caller reported that when she arrived home, her bedroom was ransacked. Crime lab was called to the scene and escorted inside the residence by the Sheriff’s department per the caller’s request. She was worried about her safety and would only answer the door if a sheriff’s deputy was present.
Disturbance, Music or Party—10:29 p.m.—Brimhall Drive—The caller reported that their 16-year-old daughter hosted a Halloween party at their residence and more than 100 uninvited guests arrived.
Laurie Hanson of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
