Crime & Safety

Elementary Principal Holds Paranoid MMA Fighter

A Mission Viejo elementary school principal kept alleged intruder Garret Sahene at bay Friday morning while waiting for sheriff's deputies.

Correction: Principal Don Snyder said he did not physically subdue Garret Sahene.

A 22-year-old mixed martial arts fighter caused a stir at Del Lago Elementary Friday morning in Mission Viejo.

Garret "The Sickness" Sahene, who has a 7-win, 2-loss MMA record, was found allegedly trespassing and in a mentally unstable condition at the school, according to a city statement.

Find out what's happening in Mission Viejowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Another MMA fighter was arrested this summer after being discovered nude inside a Mission Viejo church.

Principal Don Snyder kept Sahene at bay, thinking he may have been drunk or high, but deputies later evaluated the fighter and said he was sober, though "extremely paranoid," the city said.

Find out what's happening in Mission Viejowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police arrived and struggled with the possibly disturbed fighter, said the city:

"When deputies attempted to search Sahene, he tried to break free of their grasp and was forced to the ground and restrained.  He suffered a minor cut on his elbow during the altercation."

Sahene was taken to Mission Hospital for a mental evaluation. If he is determined to be mentally unstable, he will be held for a mandatory 72-hour period. If he is determined of sound mind, he will be charged with:

  • trespassing on school grounds
  • obstructing, resisting or delaying a peace office in the performance of their duties


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