Two women traveled 60 miles from Moreno Valley and paid thousands of dollars for cosmetic procedures by a Laguna Beach plastic surgeon known for breast reconstruction and face-lifts.
When the patients arrived at the doctor’s office last week, however, they were met by fraud investigators, Sgt. Tim Kleiser said.
Police suspect the women submitted phony credit applications for “Brazilian” derriere lifts, which cost $14,200 and $8,200, respectively. When the women cancelled scheduled medical appointments, police say it wasn’t a case of buyer’s remorse.
They came to the office last week to request a refund to their real personal credit cards and were arrested, Kleiser said.
Makeida Blackman, 27, and Donicka Baker, 39, were both arrested for suspicion of grand theft, identity theft and obtaining money under false pretenses, said Kleiser, who did not know how they knew each other.
Seat-Belt Avoiders Take Heed
Police say they will make a special point of ticketing unbelted passengers beginning Monday, May 23, as part of a pre-Memorial Day campaign, one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
While 89 percent of passengers buckle up, half of car fatalities nationwide involve unrestrained passengers, says a statement from police. “Time after time, we see the deadly results that come from drivers and passengers refusing to wear a seat belt,” said Lt. Jeff Calvert in a statement.
Monday, May 9
Stolen vehicle. 1700 block of Santa Cruz St. 7:22 a.m. A wallet and credit cards were missing, but the vehicle reported stolen the day before was recovered.
Grand theft. 300 block of S. Coast Hwy. 10:42 a.m. Artwork valued at more than $1 million, displayed on a sidewalk for a fundraiser, was stolen.
Vandalism. 1100 block of Temple Hills Dr. 5 p.m. A tree was cut without the owner’s consent.
Traffic collision. 2100 block of Park Ave. 6:47 p.m. A motorist escaped injury after losing control of a vehicle that struck a curb and rolled on its side.
Tuesday, May 10
Attempt to locate. 300 block of Coast Hwy. 10 a.m. Lebarr Darell Littlejohn, 34, of Imperial Beach, was arrested for suspicion of theft, possessing stolen property and auto theft at a restaurant. Police were tipped that a patron matched the description of a thief who had swiped a $488 purse at a hotel the day before. Littlejohn had the bag in hand when arrested, police say.
Traffic stop. Summit Dr. 3 p.m. Jesus Rivera Vargas, 37, of Laguna Hills, was arrested for outstanding warrants.
Wednesday, May 11
Fraud. 1200 Starlit Dr. 10:14 a.m. The victims were notified by the IRS that someone had used their names to file a fraudulent tax return.
Rape. 200 block of Ocean Ave. 12:58 p.m. The victim alleged she had been assaulted four days earlier.
Thursday, May 12
Suspicious circumstances. 30800 block of Coast Hwy. 3:20 a.m. A cleaning crew surprised a burglar, believed to be a youth, who fled without taking anything. A cash register had been moved.
Burglary. 32300 block of Coast Hwy. 8:49 a.m. Thieves apparently entered through a side window and made off with a TV, four paintings, nine computers and copper fiber optic cable cumulatively valued at $7,000.
Rape. 30700 block of Driftwood Dr. 12:13 p.m. A babysitter alleges that a homeowner assaulted her after returning home after midnight on April 6.
Stolen vehicle. Seaview. 2:30 p.m. A 2005 motorcycle was stolen three days earlier.
Pedestrian stop. 900 block of N. coast Hwy. 11 p.m. Alberto Alejandro Linares, 26, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia. A probation officer imposed a no-bail hold.
Friday, May 13
Burglary. 32300 block of Coast Hwy. 8:48 a.m. Copper wire was stripped from a cell tower, a loss of $2,000 to $7,000.
Stolen vehicle. Barranca Way. 4:59 p.m. A resident who has been out of the country suspects a car broker of selling his BMW and pocketing the proceeds.
Disturbance. 200 block of Lower Cliff Dr. 6:20 p.m. Mary Petrasich, 58, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for a probation hold after police were called about a woman throwing rocks.
Saturday, May 14
Traffic stop. Legion St. 12:12 a.m. Rebecca Mari Florek, 39, of Fontana, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
Traffic stop. 300 block of cliff Dr. 1:45 a.m. A 52-year-old Laguna Hills woman was cited for DUI.
Vandalism. 200 block of Cozumel. 11:23 a.m. A resident reported three tires were slashed.
Sunday, May 15
Traffic stop. 200 block of Forest Ave. 1:33 a.m. A 23-year-old from Mission Viejo was cited for DUI.
DUI. 800 block of Bluebird Canyon Dr. 1:34 a.m. A 25-year-old Laguna woman was cited for DUI.
DUI. S. Coast Hwy. 6 p.m. Samuel Earle Wellsfry, 22, of Laguna Beach, was cited for DUI and hit and run.
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