Mary Taggart
The Chamber of Commerce this week circulated a police “crime bulletin” describing a woman suspected in numerous “dine and dash” incidents in Laguna Beach where restaurant operators have been stuck with unpaid tabs.
On Thursday, March 14, police arrested Mary Patricia Taggart, 58, of San Diego, for suspicion of walking out on a $82 bill about 11 p.m. at a Forest Avenue restaurant.
In the last two years, Taggart has been repeatedly arrested after dining at local establishments without the means to pay, said the bulletin, warning restaurant employees to consult customer policies before serving her.
Monday, March 11
Fraud report. 1000 block of Wykoff Way. 11:16 a.m. The IRS will be investigating a phony tax return filed using a local resident’s information. The victim was informed of a pending IRS audit on her 2012 return that she had yet to file.
Burglary. 1200 block of N. Coast Hwy. 11:28 a.m. Someone attempted to cut several locks on a back security gate.
Traffic collision. Bluebird Canyon Dr. A woman opened her car door in front of an oncoming bicyclist. The 52-year-old Laguna resident was taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo for complaint of pain. The street was temporarily closed in both directions.
Assault. 900 block of N. Coast Hwy. 1:31 p.m. One person suffered minor injuries in a fight between two acquaintances that had been drinking.
Tuesday, March 12
Vandalism. 400 block of Cress St. 8:20 a.m. Someone broke two windows last night.
Traffic collision. Wesley Dr. 3 p.m. A vehicle was hit from behind by a dump truck.
Fraud. 300 block of S. Coast Hwy. 8:29 p.m. A store keeper reported accepting a fake $20 bill.
Thursday, March 14
Traffic stop. 13-00813. 400 block of Holly St. 8:42 a.m. Garrison Alfonse Carrafield, 26, of Long Beach, was arrested for two outstanding warrants with bail totaling $56,000.
Found property. 1900 block of Upper Rim Rock Rd. 10:45 a.m. A resident reported finding a bullet in her front yard
Petty theft. 1000 block of N Coast Hwy. 11:49 Someone dug up and stole $800 worth of succulents.
Traffic stop. 13-00821. Catalina St. 2:40 p.m. Tyler Mason Welsh, 26, of Huntington Beach, was arrested for two outstanding warrants.
Petty theft. 600 block of N. Coast Hwy. 8:25 p.m. High-end bottles of liquor worth $400 were reported missing.
Friday, March 15
Traffic stop. Broadway. 1 a.m. Francisco Leon Robles, 31, of Laguna Hills, was arrested for suspicion of DUI and held for $50,000 bail due to three prior offenses.
Vandalism. 2100 Park Ave. Three posters were lit on fire sometime overnight, causing damage to wall paint.
Detective activity. 2400 block of Houston Ave. 10:20 a.m. Using a license plate number, detectives tracked down Travis Taylor Alexander, 23, of Anaheim, who was arrested for an outstanding warrant as well as suspicion of hit and run, driving on a suspended license and evading police, Sgt. Louise Callus said. The previous night, Alexander allegedly outran police by maneuvering past a truck on Cedar Street too narrow for a police cruiser, Callus said.
Vandalism. 300 block of Alta Vista Way. 10:28 a.m. For the third time, a screw has been driven into the tires of a resident. She suspects an ex-husband, retaliating due to a recent court verdict.
Detective activity. 2700 Solana Way. 6:40 p.m. Austin Myles Lee, 31, of Laguna Beach, was arrested due to a parole violation. He was held without bail.
Saturday, March 16
Traffic stop. 2900 Laguna Canyon Rd. 12:12 a.m. Karen Jeannie Dayyat, 55, of Laguna Hills, was arrested for suspicion of felony evasion charges as well as DUI after she failed to pull over and led pursuing police into a dead-end residential street in Aliso Viejo, Callus said. Dayyat was held for $10,000 bail due to a prior conviction.
Traffic stop. Bluebird Canyon. 1:52 a.m. A 22-year-old Texas visitor was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Suspicious vehicle. 2400 Laguna Canyon Rd. 2:18 a.m. Two intoxicated people who said they were searching for a friend were detained at gunpoint, but later sent on their way by taxi.
Petty theft. 400 block of Nyes Place. A purse and its contents valued at $1,000 were stolen from an unlocked vehicle.
Suspicious person. 100 block of Anita St. 1:43 p.m. Dispatchers helped identify a hallucinating and partly clothed Irvine teenager, who jumped through the passenger window of a passing car. The startled driver called police. The responding officer ducked to avoid being punched by the uncooperative girl, probably under the influence of acid, who was taken to the hospital and met by her parents, Callus said.
Vehicle burglary. 31100 block of Coast Hwy. 3:59 p.m. Luggage valued at $10,000 was reported missing from a vehicle.
Stolen vehicle. 21700 Wesley Dr. 6:11 p.m. A 2008 Mercedes convertible left for several hours was discovered missing.
Sunday, March 17
Traffic collision. Park Ave. 12:49 a.m. David Reese Tiller, 20, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for suspicion of three misdemeanors, including DUI and hit and run, after crashing a vehicle and leaving the scene. Neither he nor his passengers were injured, Callus said.
Drunk driving. Laguna Ave. 11:49 a.m. Heliodoro Ocampo, 58, of Garden Grove, was cited for DUI and held for $10,000 bail due to a prior offense after a witness reported seeing his vehicle in a collision and running a red light.
Drunk driving. At city limits south. 4:52 p.m. Wade Franklin Hipp, 72, of Laguna Beach, was cited for DUI and held for $10,000 bail due to a prior offense. Someone reported him leaving a party and driving erratically.
Petty theft. 21700 block of Wesley Dr. 5 p.m. A cell phone worth $200 was taken from a possibly unlocked vehicle.
Suspicious circs. 30900 block of Coast Hwy. 8:57 p.m. Gary Alfred Fratus, 63, a homeless man from Connecticut, was arrested for suspicion of burglary and credit card fraud after attempting to use a card belonging to a woman.