Saturday, Feb. 16

Suspicious circumstances. 12:57 p.m. 2600 block of Park Avenue. A couple reported that on Wednesday, suspects tried to break into their home. The man told authorities that his wife tried to sell some jewelry, but the sale didn’t go through, and they suspected it was the same people from that interaction. The man also believed he and his wife were being stalked by the suspects.

Burglary. 5:11 p.m. 600 block of Thalia Street. A home was reported as burglarized. It was unknown when the break-in occurred.

Property. 5:43 p.m. 1600 block of Thurston Drive. A resident reported finding a grenade with the release lever missing on a fire block in the wall. Officers assessed the grenade and called in a bomb squad. The squad removed the device.

Friday, Feb. 15

Traffic stop. 1:48 a.m. Sleepy Hollow Lane and South Coast Highway. A 26-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail, with an additional charge of driving with a BAC of .08 or higher.

LBMC violation. 9:13 a.m. 500 block of South Coast Highway. Laguna Beach transient Kyle Winton was arrested for an outstanding Harbor Court warrant.

Thursday, Feb. 14

Burglary. 6:22 p.m. 400 block of Oak Street. A woman reported that she believed her home was broken into while she was out. When she returned home and entered her bedroom, the window was on the floor and a handprint was on it.

Traffic stop. 9:58 p.m. Montage Resort Drive and Coast Highway. A 20-year-old West Covina woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail. Additional charges included unlawful use of a fake ID and driving with a BAC of .08 or higher.

Traffic stop. 11:12 p.m. Vista Del Sol and Coast Highway. A 31-year-old Vista man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Laguna Beach Launches Text-to-911

Laguna Beach recently joined all other Orange County public safety agencies in launching text-to-911. The initiative is designed specifically for those who are hearing impaired, speech disabled, or in a dangerous situation where calling 911 is not possible.

To use the service, individuals should enter “911” in the destination field of their mobile device, followed by their location and brief description of their emergency. It is important to note that while dispatchers will receive a geolocation from the caller’s cell phone in longitude and latitude, they will not have an exact address.

“The exact location is crucial to getting help to you, the GPS location accuracy varies by carrier and should not be relied upon,” Police Chief Laura Farinella said. “Also, messages should be sent in plain language, please do not use acronyms, short code messages, or emojis.”

Videos or photos cannot be included in 911 texts, and 911 cannot be included in a group text. The service is only available in English at this time.

Authorities noted that calling 911 is always best, as the interaction between the caller and a trained dispatcher is more easily coordinated through voice dialogue.

“Remember, call 911 if you can, text 911 if you can’t,” Farinella said.

For further information, contact Support Services Supervisor Kristen Berry at 949-497-0399 or kberry@lagunabeachcity.net.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, Feb. 24

Traffic stop. 2:52 a.m. 2200 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 33-year-old San Diego man was arrested for DUI and driving with a BAC .08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Saturday, Feb. 23

Traffic stop. 4:16 a.m. Thalia Street and South Coast Highway. Jose Carlos Castro Hernandez, 23, of Garden Grove, was arrested for DUI and held for $10,000 bail due to one prior offense.

Busy. 8:29 a.m. 400 block of Cypress Drive. Veronica Samy Gerges, 24, of Laguna Beach, was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism and held for $20,000 bail.

Cliff rescue. 12:46 p.m. Smithcliffs Road. OCSD Air Support assisted Laguna Beach Fire and Marine Safety. The male subject was initially seen lying on the rocks alone. The man, who was apparently intoxicated, eventually got up and stumbled around before falling multiple times. The man threw rocks at lifeguards and attempted to fight public safety personnel during the rescue. After a short flight in handcuffs, the man was transported to Laguna Beach jail for the booking process.

Traffic collision. 9:02 p.m. Beverly Street and North Coast Highway. A motorcycle collided with a grey Mercedes sedan. The motorcyclist claimed that the sedan pulled out in front of him. A 29-year-old San Clemente man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Friday, Feb. 22

Traffic stop. 12:41 a.m. Victoria Plaza and Highland Way. A 19-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested for DUI and driving with a BAC of .08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 12:52 a.m. 30800 block of Coast Highway. Kameron Demond Lethermon, 23, of Houston, Texas, was arrested for DUI and driving with a BAC of .08 or higher and held for $10,000 bail due to one prior offense.

Traffic stop. 1:27 a.m. Montage Resort Drive and Coast Highway. Fallon Nicole Hodges, 24, of Aliso Viejo, was arrested for DUI and driving with a BAC of .08 or higher and held for $10,000 bail due to one prior offense.

Thursday, Feb. 21

Traffic stop. 8:12 a.m. 200 block of Broadway Street. Alfredo Ramirez, 36, of Anaheim, was arrested for two North Court warrants: one for driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, driving with a suspended license, resisting arrest and misdemeanor hit and run (bail $15,000), and the other for indecent exposure and lewd conduct in public (bail $10,000).

Traffic stop. 7:08 p.m. 200 block of Legion Street. A 41-year-old Laguna Beach resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Disturbance. 8:18 p.m. 100 block of North Coast Highway. After repeatedly walking into and out of a store, a 56-year-old Santa Ana woman was arrested for an outstanding warrant for possession of methamphetamine.

Traffic stop. 11:29 p.m. 500 block of Forest Avenue. A 49-year-old Lakewood woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, March 3

Traffic stop. 12:33 a.m. 700 block of South Coast Highway. A 37-year-old Irvine man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1:50 a.m. Moss Street and South Coast Highway. A 50-year-old Laguna Niguel man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Saturday, March 2

Traffic stop. 2:02 a.m. 600 block of South Coast Highway. A 35-year-old Ventura woman was arrested for outstanding warrants for vehicle theft ($5,000 bail), petty theft ($5,000 bail), misdemeanor hit and run and making a false report of a crime ($5,000 bail).

Miscellaneous report. 3:09 p.m. 400 block of El Bosque. A large eucalyptus tree fell on a Prius and the hood of a Corolla, blocking El Bosque street. The roadway was cleared as of 5:34 p.m.

Welfare check. 9:52 p.m. 300 block of Broadway Street. A naked homeless man was arrested for battery on a peace officer ($500 bail), resisting arrest ($500 bail) and trespassing ($500 bail).

Friday, March 1

Traffic stop. 9:47 a.m. 200 block of Diamond Street. A 35-year-old Santa Ana man was arrested for driving with a license suspended for DUI ($2,500 bail), violating a court order ($15,000 bail) and evading a peace officer ($500 bail).

Welfare check. 7:29 p.m. 400 block of Forest Avenue. A homeless man was seen taking off his clothes and “jumping and kicking the air.” He was arrested for trespassing and held for $500 bail.

Traffic stop. 9:43 p.m. 1700 block of South Coast Highway. A 69-year-old Laguna Beach resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Thursday, Feb. 28

Traffic stop. 8:23 p.m. Agate Street and Catalina. A 31-year-old Montana man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 10:17 p.m. Broadway Street and North Coast Highway. A 52-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Vehicle stop/follow. 11:40 p.m. 200 block of Jasmine. A 24-year-old Irvine man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

LBPD: Two Virtual Kidnapping Incidents in 24 Hours

The Laguna Beach Police Department reported this week that two “virtual kidnapping” scams occurred in Laguna on March 7 and 8. Virtual kidnapping is an extortion scheme that tricks victims into paying a ransom to free a loved one they believe is being threatened with violence or death.

On Thursday, March 7, a Laguna Beach resident who lives in the 400 block of Park Avenue told LBPD that he was a victim of a fraud involving the fake kidnapping of his daughter.

“At 2:30 p.m., the victim received a cell phone call from a suspect who stated he had kidnapped the victim’s daughter and was holding her and wanted $5,000 or he would kill her,” said Sgt. Jim Cota. “The suspect ordered the victim to stay on the phone with him throughout this incident. The victim became fearful for his daughter and, after briefly hearing a female scream into the phone stating she had been kidnapped, the victim went to his bank and withdrew $5,000. The victim then was directed to go to various wire transfer locations outside the city, where he transferred the money to an account in Mexico.”

Cota said the victim received a call around 6:30 p.m. as he was completing the last transaction from his daughter, who was fine and in Laguna Beach.

“His daughter had not been kidnapped and had no knowledge of what was occurring,” Cota said. “The father had just completed the last transaction and could not stop the transfer of the funds.”

The following day, March 8, at 11:42 a.m., LBPD received another virtual kidnapping call similar to the March 7 incident.

“The incident did involve a Laguna Beach resident withdrawing money; however, we (LBPD) were able to intervene prior to the money being weird to an account in Mexico,” Cota said. “The resident finally contacted her daughter, who is a college student in Chicago, and found out she was safe.”

Authorities believe the suspect was able to learn personal information about the victims through unsecured social media sites (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.). Officials recommended reviewing the social media settings to make sure they are secured.

Cota noted that following the scams, School Resource Officer Cpl. Cornelius Ashton created an informative piece on virtual kidnapping that was sent out to all Laguna Beach schools, including private schools, for dissemination to parents. (See sidebar)

“Two virtual kidnapping incidents within 24 hours is unacceptable,” Cota said. “Luckily, we were able to stop the second one.”

What to Know about Virtual Kidnapping

The success of a virtual kidnapping scheme depends on speed and fear. Criminals know they have a limited amount of time before the victim catches on to the scam or law enforcement gets involved.

If you suspect a real kidnapping is taking place or you believe a ransom demand is a scam, contact the Laguna Beach Police Department at 949-497-0701.

• Callers go to great lengths to keep you on the phone, insisting you remain on the line
• Calls do not come from the supposed victim’s phone
• Callers try to prevent you from contacting the “kidnapped” victim
• Callers include demands for ransom money to be paid via wire transfers to Mexico; Ransom amount demands may drop quickly

If you receive a phone call from someone demanding a ransom for your family member, the following should be considered:

• In most cases, the best course of action is to hang up the phone
• If you don’t want to risk ending the call, drive to the nearest police station
• Try to remain calm and slow the situation down
• Do not share any information about your family during the call and don’t use the alleged victim’s name
• If you hear the victim’s voice or screaming in the background, try to ascertain if it really is your child
• Attempt to contact the ‘kidnapped’ victim via phone, text, messaging app or social media to see where they are and if they are safe
• Ask to speak to the victim
• Ask questions that only the victim would know
• Ask the caller to call back using the victim’s phone
• Try to buy time by repeating the caller’s demands and telling the caller you need to write things down or need time to complete the transaction
• Don’t challenge or argue with the caller
• Write down the phone number the caller is calling from

For more information, contact School Resource Officer Cpl. Cornelius Ashton at 949-497-0773.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, March 17

Traffic stop. 12:12 a.m. Ocean Avenue and Beach Street. A 32-year-old Rancho Santa Margarita man was arrested for DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 2:01 a.m. 300 block of Broadway Street. A 35-year-old Aliso Viejo man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 2:26 a.m. North Coast Highway and Fairview Street. A 32-year-old Santa Ana man was arrested for DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Saturday, March 16

Disturbance. 12:14 a.m. 300 block of South Coast Highway. After reportedly trying to fight multiple people, Zachary Wheeler, 27, of Tennessee, was arrested for robbery ($100,000 bail) and assault and battery ($500 bail).

Suspicious person. 8:26 a.m. 200 block of Broadway Street. A 35-year-old transient man from Irvine was reportedly seen defecating near some trash cans. The man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Disturbance. 11:18 a.m. 300 block of Cliff Drive. A male transient and female transient were reportedly in a verbal altercation near the whale sculpture. The man was arrested for an outstanding harbor court warrant and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Traffic stop. 11:24 p.m. 100 block of Cleo Street. A 30-year-old Colorado man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Friday, March 15

Disturbance. 11:28 a.m. 800 block of Glenneyre Street. William Aroldogodoy Escobar, 36, of Santa Ana, was arrested for DUI and held for $10,000 due to a prior offense.

Pedestrian stop. 7:21 p.m. 200 block of Broadway Street. Darren Lawrence Gallagher, 50, was arrested for two outstanding warrants—one for possession of drug paraphernalia ($10,000 bail), and one for lewd conduct ($2,500 bail).

Traffic stop. 10:04 p.m. 30800 block of Coast Highway. John Paul Hunt, 29, of Trabuco Canyon, was arrested for DUI and held for $10,000 bail due to one prior offense.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Saturday, March 23

Drunk driving. 12:13 a.m. Summit Drive and Bluebird Canyon. A 27-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested for suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail. The man was arrested following a two-vehicle collision that left one car up on a berm. There were no injuries reported.

Traffic stop. 1:51 a.m. 200 block of Forest Avenue. A 33-year-old Tustin woman was arrested for suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Vehicle burglary. 8:49 a.m. 200 block of Jasmine Street. A locked vehicle was reportedly broken into the night before and high-valued tools were taken.

Drunk driving. 12:05 p.m. Coast Highway and Vista Del Sol. A 26-year-old Virginia man was arrested for suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail. The man was reportedly seen weaving and hitting the curb while driving northbound on Coast Highway.

Friday, March 22

Trespassing. 8:41 a.m. 100 block of South Coast Highway. A 41-year-old Huntington Beach man was arrested for trespassing and held for $500 bail. The man had reportedly been kicked out of the property the night before for threatening staff and had returned the following morning refusing to leave. The previous night, he allegedly asked the staff where they go when they leave and said, “he’d be waiting.” Staff members were escorted to their vehicles.

Automated license plate reader/stolen vehicle. 11:46 a.m. A 24-year-old Santa Clarita woman was arrested for suspicion of embezzlement and held for $20,000 bail.

Traffic collision. 6:37 p.m. Anita Street and Glenneyre Street. A two-car collision in the southbound lane of Glenneyre Street blocked traffic and left one person with injuries and difficulty breathing. The patient refused medical attention.

Warrant service. 6:57 p.m. 2700 block of Highland Way. Patrol officers assisted detectives with a warrant service at the residence of a 54-year-old Laguna Beach man for violation of a domestic violence restraining order and posting inappropriate photos of another person. The man was taken into custody without incident, booked at LBPD, and later released on bail.

Drunk driving. 7 p.m. Sleepy Hollow Lane and South Coast Highway. A 57-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested for suspicion of DUI and held for $10,000 bail due to a prior DUI. The woman reportedly hit a car at a stop sign.

Thursday, March 21

Battery. 7:57 a.m. 100 block of Laguna Avenue. At 8:24 a.m., an officer was dispatched to Mission Hospital in reference to an assault report from the night prior. A 76-year-old man, who police said routinely sleeps behind the Main Beach Toy store, reportedly got into an argument with another transient, Daniel Mossing Troen, 32. According to authorities, the man tried to wave Troen off and walk away from the argument. Troen allegedly grabbed the elderly man from behind, “body slammed him to the asphalt” causing injuries, and then held him on the ground for several minutes while threatening him and preventing him from leaving. Eventually Troen let him go, and he made his way to the hospital where he was treated for a cut on his hand, a large wound on his upper arm, and complaint of pain from his neck to his hips. The man told police he thought Troen was on meth. Troen was detained around 10:04 a.m. and brought to the station for questioning. He was identified by his picture and the fact that he was wearing a bright red flight suit at the time of the crime and at arrest. Troen was taken into custody at 11:13 a.m. for elder abuse ($50,000 bail), battery with injury ($25,000 bail), and false imprisonment ($20,000 bail).

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, March 31

Traffic stop. 1:59 a.m. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 51-year-old Anaheim man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 6:11 a.m. A 65-year-old Newport Beach man was arrested for an outstanding warrant for criminal threats.

Saturday, March 30

Vandalism. 11:44 a.m. 2900 block of Chillon Way. A resident told police that he was upset with his neighbor for cutting down his tree.

Animal calls. 1:54 p.m. 31800 block of Coast Highway. A 6-year-old child was reportedly bitten by a mouse that was thought to have rabies at the baseball park. The kid had discovered the mouse, thought it was injured and tried to pick it up. The mouse bit the child, breaking the skin on his left hand. The child later developed a fever.

H&S activity. 2:05 p.m. 300 block of El Paseo. A citizen contacted a tower guard about a male subject sitting on the grass at the playground who was selling marijuana out of a briefcase. The man was cited for possession of marijuana.

Drunk driving. 8:16 p.m. 500 block of Nyes Place. A 62-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 11:31 p.m. Glenneyre Street and Forest Avenue. A 41-year-old Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Friday, March 29

Traffic collision. 10:35 a.m. South Coast Highway and Cress Street. A two-vehicle collision occurred after the cars traveled the wrong way into oncoming traffic.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

LBPD Challenges Drivers to ‘Silence’ the Distraction

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Laguna Beach Police Department will be joining law enforcement agencies statewide to stop drivers who violate California’s hands-free cell phone law. In April, the Laguna Beach Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking specifically for drivers on their phones.

Law enforcement officials noted that distracted driving is dangerous, especially when it involves a cell phone. According to preliminary data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), 66 people were killed and more than 6,500 injured in 2017 from distracted driving-related crashes. Cell phones remain one of the top distractions for drivers.

“That text or phone call will never be worth losing a life over,” LBPD Lt. Tim Kleiser said. “That is why curbing distracted driving is high on our priority list.”

Under the most recent cell phone law, drivers are prohibited from using their phone, except in a hands-free manner. The phones must be mounted on the dashboard, windshield or center console, and can only be touched once with the swipe or tap of a finger to activate or deactivate a function. First-time offenders face a $162 fine.

“If you need to make a call or text someone, pull over and park at a safe location,” LBPD officials said.

Funding for distracted driving enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Sunday, April 7

Drunk driving. 12:02 a.m. North Coast Highway and Cajon Street. A 47-year-old Huntington Beach woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC over 0.08 percent and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 12:21 a.m. 600 block of Park Avenue. A 38-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC over 0.08 percent and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1:18 a.m. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 41-year-old Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC over 0.08 percent and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 2:43 a.m. Brooks Street and Temple Terrace. A 31-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $10,000 bail.

Saturday, April 6

Traffic stop. 12:13 a.m. Montage Resort Drive and Coast Highway. A 25-year-old Laguna Niguel woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC over 0.08 percent and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1 a.m. Forest Avenue and Broadway Street. A 35-year-old Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1:31 a.m. 200 block of Thalia Street. A 28-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC over 0.08 percent and held for $10,000 bail.

Traffic stop. 2:57 a.m. 200 block of Ocean Avenue. A 19-year-old Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC over 0.05 percent and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 3:34 a.m. Legion Street and South Coast Highway. A 25-year-old San Juan Capistrano woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC over 0.08 percent and held for $2,500 bail.

Friday, April 5

Traffic stop. 10:02 p.m. 31400 block of Coast Highway. A 62-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Thursday, April 4

Reckless driving. 4:30 p.m. A 51-year-old Costa Mesa man was cited for driving with a license suspended for DUI. The man reportedly nearly collided with two vehicles and a bicyclist and pushed the reporting caller into oncoming traffic before cutting off several more vehicles.

Trespassing. 7:39 p.m. 1200 block of Coast Highway. An apparently homeless man was refusing to leave the premises. The 61-year-old Costa Mesa man was arrested for trespassing ($500 bail) and resisting arrest ($500 bail).

Disturbance. 10:07 p.m. 200 block of Broadway Street. An apparently homeless man was seen pounding on a window and rubbing his face on the window, “scaring people passing by.” The 29-year-old Irvine man was arrested for vandalism ($500 bail), resisting arrest ($500 bail), and probation violation (no bail, 10-day flash hold).

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, April 14

Traffic stop. 1:18 a.m. 200 block of Cliff Drive. After reportedly driving the wrong way down the street, Cody Michael Baumgartner, 28, of Lake Elsinore, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and possession of a controlled substance and held for $15,000 bail due to two prior offenses.

Saturday, April 13

Traffic stop. 12:19 p.m. Montage Resort Drive and Coast Highway. A 23-year-old Ladera Ranch woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1:04 a.m. Beverly Street and North Coast Highway. A 30-year-old Santa Ana man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC over 0.08 percent and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1:07 a.m. Irvine Cove Drive and North Coast Highway. A 43-year-old Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Pedestrian stop. 7:02 a.m. 300 block of Glenneyre Street. A 34-year-old Laguna Hills man was arrested for an outstanding warrant for lewd conduct in public.

Annoying calls. 12:21 p.m. 500 block of Emerald Bay. A 28-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested for making “annoying phone calls” to the police department. The subject reportedly called police four times making “inappropriate sexual comments and requests.”

Hit/run. 3:46 p.m. 1700 block of South Coast Highway. A 47-year-old Garden Grove woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC over 0.08 percent and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic collision. 6:24 p.m. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A vehicle collided with a power pole, causing downed wires and traffic backed up to Sawdust. The roadway was reopened about an hour later.

Burglary. 8:17 p.m. 100 block of North Coast Highway. Mark Anthony Ornelas, 51, of Costa Mesa, was arrested on suspicion of residential burglary ($50,000 bail) and a parole violation (no bail), and Clare Elizabeth Whitaker, 46, of San Bernardino, was arrested for two outstanding warrants. The pair were reportedly seen by a neighbor entering the back of a rental home and turning lights on and off.

Friday, April 12

Indecent exposure. 12:22 p.m. 1900 block of Ocean Way. Police responded to reports of nudity on the beach, specifically two women “exposing their breasts to kids on the beach.” A woman reportedly told the two women to stop and said that they became verbal with her and her kids. The women were reportedly seen sitting in a black truck after the incident before driving off. They were not immediately located.

Petty theft. 3:36 p.m. 600 block of Laguna Canyon Road. It was reported to police that someone had cut the catalytic converter out of a vehicle within the last couple hours.

Fraud report. 4:11 p.m. 2800 block of Ridge Drive. Money was reportedly taken out of a person’s bank account, and the suspect was able to get new ATM cards.

Thursday, April 11

Suspicious person. 8:21 p.m. Del Mar Avenue and Baja Street. A 52-year-old Utah man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, April 21

Traffic stop. 12:07 a.m. Crown Valley Parkway and Highway 1. A 28-year-old Laguna Hills man was arrested for felony possession of methamphetamine, sale or transportation of methamphetamine, and driving with a suspended license.

Traffic stop. 12:16 a.m. 200 block of Thalia Street. A 21-year-old Laguna Niguel man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC over 0.08 percent and held for $2,500 bail.

Disturbance. 1:39 a.m. 400 block of South Coast Highway. A fight involving a group of 10 people reportedly broke out, resulting in a head injury. Police arrested three people on suspicion of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury—a 23-year-old Citrus Heights man, a 25-year-old Westminster man, and a 23-year-old Westminster man. All three were held for $25,000 bail.

Saturday, April 20

Fraud report. 9:47 a.m. 1300 block of Dunning Drive. A woman reported that someone had cashed a check under her name—the subject had her credit card number and PIN. Total loss was $2,000.

Fraud report. 4:14 p.m. 500 block of Diamond Street. A tech support company allegedly gained access to a man’s bank account information and had been stealing money from him for 10 days. Total loss was $700,000.

Suspicious person. 6:52 p.m. 900 block of Park Avenue. A 33-year-old man without a fixed address was arrested for trespassing after allegedly standing on a resident’s roof and yelling. The man was held without bail due to a parole violation.

Friday, April 19

Att to locate. 11:05 a.m. Capistrano Avenue and Miramar Street. A woman noticed a “rusted old hand grenade” near a fire hydrant on the ground. She left the site and called her brother, who advised her to call the police. Bomb squad arrived and determined that the grenade was inert.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, April 28

Traffic stop. 1:34 a.m. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 40-year-old Rialto man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Saturday, April 27

Welfare check. 3:20 p.m. 100 block of South Coast Highway. A 60-year-old male transient was reportedly seen “passed out on the grass” with his pants down. He was arrested for public intoxication and held for $500 bail.

Traffic stop. 8:23 p.m. 500 block of Glenneyre Street. A 21-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Vehicle burglary. 9:40 p.m. 800 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A man reported that his Mercedes was broken into after he found the doors and trunk open. The loss was a wallet and $6,000. The man was unsure whether his car was locked.

Friday, April 26

Traffic stop. 12:53 a.m. 100 block of Brooks Street. A 24-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Trespassing. 8:36 p.m. 600 block of North Coast Highway. A 48-year-old Garden Grove man was cited for trespassing and arrested for outstanding warrants for driving with a suspended license, driving without registration and no proof of insurance, and forging or falsification of car registration. A Laguna Hills woman was also cited for trespassing.

Automated license plate reader. A 28-year-old Long Beach man was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and drug possession and held for $20,000 bail. A 27-year-old Costa Mesa man was also arrested for an outstanding warrant for possession of a controlled substance and held for $10,000 bail.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, May 5

Traffic stop. 1:23 a.m. 100 block of South Coast Highway. A 27-year-old Huntington Beach resident was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1:26 a.m. 900 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 58-year-old Tustin man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1:37 a.m. 2200 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 26-year-old Aliso Viejo man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $15,000 bail.

Traffic stop. 2:16 a.m. St. Ann’s Drive and South Coast Highway. A 55-year-old Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 2:54 a.m. Ruby Street and South Coast Highway. A 34-year-old Dana Point woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI, driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher, and possession of Xanax without a valid prescription, and held for $2,500 bail.

Saturday, May 4

Traffic stop. 1:51 a.m. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 46-year-old Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Friday, May 3

Petty theft. 7:26 p.m. 400 block of South Coast Highway. A group of five to six men reportedly stole a swordfish sculpture from the front of a restaurant. The sculpture was worth about $200.

Traffic stop. 8:33 p.m. 200 block of Cliff Drive. A 66-year-old Corona Del Mar woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 10:55 p.m. 900 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 56-year-old Texas woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 11:58 p.m. 200 block of Cliff Drive. A 57-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, May 12

Traffic stop. 2:03 a.m. Ocean Avenue and Beach Street. After allegedly running the stop sign at Ocean and Beach and running a red light at Broadway to evade police officers, a 19-year-old Glendora man was arrested for reckless evading of a police officer ($500 bail) and reckless driving ($500 bail). An 18-year-old El Monte woman was also cited for misdemeanor possession of alcohol in a vehicle by a person under 21.

Saturday, May 11

Traffic stop. 12:37 a.m. 2200 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 33-year-old Lake Forest man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 2:47 a.m. 2200 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 41-year-old Ladera Ranch woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Miscellaneous report. 8:17 p.m. Oak Street and South Coast Highway. A trolley reportedly hit a parked truck with a camper. A trolley supervisor was on scene and said there was no damage to the other vehicle involved. No traffic collision report was requested.

Traffic stop. 11:01 p.m. 300 block of Broadway Street. A 25-year-old Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 11:20 p.m. 600 block of Sleepy Hollow Lane. A 54-year-old Dove Canyon woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Friday, May 10

Drunk driving. 10:43 p.m. 500 block of South Coast Highway. A 25-year-old Orange woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail. The woman reportedly hit a parked vehicle while the driver was inside.

Traffic stop. 11:58 p.m. 300 block of Cliff Drive. A 27-year-old Los Angeles man was cited for knowingly allowing an unlicensed driver to drive, and a 29-year-old Apple Valley man was cited for driving with a suspended license.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, May 19

Traffic stop. 2:35 a.m. Reef Point Drive and State Highway 1. A juvenile driver was charged on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher.

Traffic stop. 3:41 a.m. 500 block of Park Avenue. A 41-year-old Covina man was arrested for an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license, throwing a lit cigarette out of a car, and driving without proof of insurance, and held for $1,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 4:32 a.m. 800 block of South Coast Highway. A 30-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Saturday, May 18

Hit/run. 7:19 p.m. South Coast Highway and Sunset Terrace. After reportedly rear-ending a vehicle, a 26-year-old San Clemente woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 11:59 p.m. 200 block of Forest Avenue. A 23-year-old Aliso Viejo man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Friday, May 17

Vandalism. 7:51 a.m. 700 block of Ocean Front. After reportedly being seen carving into a rock on the beach with a knife, a 31-year-old El Cajon man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine ($500 bail) and possession of drug paraphernalia ($500 bail).

Disturbance. 9:28 p.m. 300 block of South Coast Highway. Craig Bland Dunlap, 67, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after reportedly trying to stab a security guard and held for $25,000 bail.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Sunday, May 26

Traffic stop. 12:04 a.m. 300 block of Glenneyre Street. A 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1:14 a.m. Oak Street and Glenneyre Street. A 41-year-old Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Saturday, May 25

Traffic stop. 12:09 a.m. El Moro Ridge Road and North Coast Highway. A 58-year-old San Juan Capistrano man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1:15 a.m. Glenneyre Street and Oak Street. A 39-year-old Big Bear man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Occupied vehicle. 1:42 a.m. 200 block of Legion Street. A 27-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Disturbance. 5:58 p.m. 300 block of El Paseo. Transients were reportedly seen fighting and “throwing things at each other” in the grass near a playground. A 40-year-old homeless man was arrested for assault and battery ($500 bail) and violation of post release community supervision (probation hold – no bail).

Friday, May 24

Traffic stop. 11:16 p.m. El Moro Ridge Road and North Coast Highway. A 21-year-old Santa Ana woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

By Allison Jarrell | LB Indy

Sunday, June 2

Traffic stop. 12:50 a.m. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 39-year-old Santa Ana man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 12:55 a.m. 600 block of South Coast Highway. A 28-year-old Hollywood man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 1:42 a.m. 200 block of Cleo Street. After reportedly refusing to exit her vehicle, police broke through a side window and detained a 44-year-old Laguna Niguel woman for resisting arrest ($500 bail), possession of drug paraphernalia ($500 bail), possession of methamphetamine ($500 bail), and possession of a controlled substance ($500 bail).

Traffic stop. 2:57 a.m. Wendt Terrace and Thalia Street. A 28-year-old Burbank resident was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 3:14 a.m. 400 block of Broadway Street. A 28-year-old Garden Grove man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Saturday, June 1

Traffic stop. 10:25 p.m. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 32-year-old West Hills resident was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher and held for $2,500 bail.

Disturbance. 10:28 p.m. 400 block of South Coast Highway. Two male transients were reportedly fighting in an alley. Both men were cited for misdemeanor assault and battery.

Friday, May 31

Disturbance. 11:45 a.m. 1400 block of South Coast Highway. After reportedly “yelling and screaming” outside on his deck, a 38-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and held for $500 bail.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

Monday, June 10

After being alerted to a stolen vehicle, LBPD conducted a high-risk traffic stop on June 10 in front of the Pavilions. The female driver was arrested and said she had borrowed the car from a friend. Photo by Marshall Aren

Traffic stop. 2:19 p.m. 600 North Coast Highway. LBPD was alerted to a stolen vehicle inbound on Laguna Canyon Road, and an officer located the vehicle as it passed Canyon Acres. A high-risk traffic stop was initiated in front of the Pavilion’s. The female adult driver and 17-year-old female passenger were removed from the vehicle. The driver was arrested and said she had borrowed the vehicle from a friend. The 17-year-old passenger was released to her mother.

Sunday, June 9

Traffic stop. 12:34 a.m. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 54-year-old Aliso Viejo woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 12:51 a.m. 600 block of South Coast Highway. A 54-year-old Corona man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 3:47 a.m. 2200 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 44-year-old Lake Forest man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Occupied vehicle. 4:07 a.m. 300 block of North Coast Highway. A 26-year-old Laguna Hills woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Saturday, June 8

Trespassing. 1:08 p.m. 30600 block of Marilyn Drive. Police responded to a report of a possible squatter after a resident allegedly saw a man with a large dog in a home that is going through the Design Review Board process and has been vacant for two years. The resident said there have been ongoing issues with squatters and break-ins at the property. The man left the property in a vehicle, was apprehended by police, and was cited for misdemeanor driving with a license suspended for DUI and false identification to a police officer.

Drunk driving. 6:17 p.m. 700 block of Laguna Canyon Road. After allegedly running a stop sign, slowing/stopping in traffic and hitting a curb, a 28-year-old El Monte woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving without a license and held for $2,500 bail.

The post Street Beat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

On May 26, the Laguna Beach Police Department received three reports of theft from three different residences in the city. Police discovered that all of the victims who reported a theft had hosted “open houses” earlier that day. The suspects posed as potential buyers, and the male suspect would distract the listing agent while the female suspect went from room to room stealing desired items.

Sgt. Jim Cota said through the use of video surveillance, victim/witness photo lineups and law enforcement databases, Laguna Beach PD officers and detectives narrowed in on two suspects—Sara Neal, 28, of Whittier, and Richard Maloney, 29, of Whittier.

On June 19, the Huntington Beach Police Department arrested Neal and Maloney in relation to a series of residential burglaries occurring during open house events. Then on June 25, LBPD detectives interviewed Neal and Maloney at Orange County Jail.

“Neal admitted to the Laguna Beach crimes, while Maloney remained vague about his involvement,” Cota said. “Neal and Maloney are believed to be responsible for over seven residential burglaries related to open houses throughout the State of California.”

Neal is being charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of conspiracy, two counts of identity theft, and one count of grand theft. Maloney faces two counts of burglary, two counts of conspiracy, and one count of identity theft.

Street Beat

Sunday, June 23

Traffic stop. 1:23 a.m. 900 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A 55-year-old Laguna Hills man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 2:14 a.m. Montage Resort Drive and Coast Highway. A 24-year-old Bakersfield woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Occupied vehicle. 2:44 a.m. 500 block of Brooks Street. A 37-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Traffic stop. 4:10 a.m. Oak Street and South Coast Highway. A 25-year-old San Clemente woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and held for $2,500 bail.

Saturday, June 22

Vandalism. 9:10 a.m. 20500 block of Laguna Canyon Road. A vehicle’s window was smashed—it was unknown at the time if anything had been stolen.

Petty theft. 11:56 a.m. 200 block of Wave Street. A “hoverboard” was reportedly stolen from a patio. Approximate loss was $500.

Drunk driving. 4:12 p.m. Crescent Bay Drive and North Coast Highway. After reportedly being seen drinking a beer while driving, a 27-year-old Huntington Beach man was cited for misdemeanor driving with a license suspended or revoked for DUI.

Traffic stop. 5:23 p.m. Montage Resort Drive and Coast Highway. A Mission Viejo man was arrested for driving without a license and false identification to a police officer and held for $500 bail.

Petty theft. 5:33 p.m. 600 block of North Coast Highway. After allegedly leaving Pavilions without paying for alcohol, a Costa Mesa man was arrested for shoplifting ($500 bail) and possession of drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine ($500 bail), and a Montclair man was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stolen vehicle. 9:55 p.m. 20300 block of Sun Valley Drive. A small truck was reportedly stolen by a homeless man who had taken it before. The 30-year-old man, Michael Matekel, was arrested for vehicle theft and held for $20,000 bail.

The post Open House Burglars Arrested appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

DUI Checkpoint Nets 10 Arrests

The Laguna Beach Police Department conducted a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint on Aug. 17 in the area of Coast Highway and Aliso Beach between 9 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. LBPD reported that 2,285 vehicles drove through the checkpoint. Of those vehicles, 784 drivers were screened, which resulted in nine people being arrested for DUI, one person being arrested for an outstanding DUI warrant, and two people being issued citations for driving on suspended licenses.

“Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public,” LBPD officials said in a statement.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings. Ninety percent of California drivers approve of checkpoints.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be approximately $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension, and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

Prior to the checkpoint, LBPD reminded drivers that “DUI doesn’t just mean booze. Prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, can impair and result in a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs.”

The Laguna Beach Police Department will be conducting numerous DUI education/enforcement details throughout 2019 in an ongoing commitment to lowering deaths and injuries on local streets and highways.

Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information, contact Lt. Tim Kleiser at 949-464-6655 ortkleiser@lagunabeachcity.net.

The post Streetbeat appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.

By Allison Jarrell | LB Indy

Laguna Beach Lifeguards and local authorities were kept busy late last week with back-to-back ocean rescues on Thursday, Sept. 5, and Friday, Sept. 6.

Laguna Beach Marine Safety Capt. Kai Bond said lifeguards responded to Bird Rock Beach for a two-person rescue at 4:55 p.m. last Thursday. Laguna Beach firefighters and police officers also responded to the call.

“On scene, lifeguards rescued a semi-conscious female floating face up, approximately 15 yards offshore,” Bond said, adding that she was exhausted, but her condition improved when she got to the shore. “The second victim had submerged prior to their arrival and was missing underwater. Lifeguards quickly located the submerged unconscious male approximately 25 yards offshore.”

Bond said the man was rescued by lifeguards and brought to the beach, where CPR was administered. Paramedics arrived on scene and provided advanced life support.

“Both of those victims were transported to the hospital—the female victim was transported to Mission Hospital Laguna Beach, where she was released later that evening,” Bond said. “The male victim is currently at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo—his condition is not known.”

Bond confirmed that the man and woman were related, but could not confirm the specifics of their relationship. Contrary to other media reports, Bond said there was not a third person involved in the rescue.

Bond said it’s difficult to determine how the man and woman began struggling in the water, but it appeared that the woman was exhausted while trying to swim ashore. “I would assume that exhaustion was some sort of part of the equation with the male,” Bond said.

Then on Friday, Sept. 6, at 10:51 p.m., Bond said lifeguards responded to a report of a missing swimmer at Main Beach.

“Per the reporting party, an approximately 35-year-old female entered the water and disappeared,” Bond said. “Lifeguards thoroughly searched the area for over an hour; however, they were unable to locate the missing person in that location. Police, fire, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and U.S. Coast Guard resources were utilized during that portion of the event.”

Bond said lifeguards continued searching for the woman, and at 12:40 a.m., the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter located the swimmer approximately 1 mile offshore in front of Shaw’s Cove.

Bond said the woman was found conscious, breathing and intoxicated. She was hoisted from the water and flown to Hoag Hospital by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Bond issued a reminder to take safety precautions when swimming in Laguna.

“The most important thing you can do when you go to the beach is swim near an open lifeguard tower, and always check with that lifeguard on the beach conditions and ocean conditions,” Bond said. “You should always know your abilities and limitations as it pertains to the ocean environment, and always swim with a buddy.”

The post Back-to-back Ocean Rescues Last Week in Laguna appeared first on Laguna Beach Local News.