Street Beat
Monday, March 1-Sunday, March 7
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Preliminary Hearing in Nicholson Murder Put Off
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A hearing for two suspects charged in the Oct. 23 robberymurder of Laguna Beach catering manager Damon Nicholson, which had been set for last week, was postponed until July 8.
Matthew Thomas Dragna, 19, and Jacob Quintanilla, 20, both of Lake Forest, earlier had entered not guilty pleas during an arraignment in Orange County Superior Court. Both the prosecutor and defense attorney are involved in trials and sought the postponement, said Farrah Emami, a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office.
If convicted, Dragna and Quintanilla are subject to penalty enhancements if special circumstances, the commission of a murder during a robbery, are established during trial, she said.
Two Trapped in Rollover
Rescue workers extracted two teenagers trapped in a convertible that flipped when going off Bluebird Canyon Road last Thursday, March 4, about 10 p.m.
Thomas William Hopton, 19, of Laguna Beach was arrested for suspicion of felony drunk driving due to injuries suffered by his passenger and held for $100,000 bail, according to police.
Both Hopton and a 17-yearold passenger were transported to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo with head and facial injuries. The passenger remains in the hospital.
Preliminary investigation indicates the westbound driver lost control of the vehicle, which hit a curb and a tree before rolling over, Lt. Jason Kravetz said. Speed and alcohol are believed to play a part in the collision, he said.
Monday, March 1
Grand theft. 9:52 a.m. 1500 block of Bluebird Canyon. A woman reported the theft of shoes and a necklace valued at $633 and suspects a former household employee.
Fraud. 12:52 p.m. 600 block of Coast Highway. An employee reported unintentionally accepting a counterfeit $100 bill.
Traffic stop. 1:30 p.m. 800 block of Glenneyre Street. A 31-year-old Riverside man was cited for being an unlicensed driver and held for $2,500 bail.
Wednesday, March 3
Disturbance. 7:09 a.m. ACT V. Police, called to quell a fight between two homeless men, cited one of the men for marijuana possession. Neither desired prosecution of the other.
Traffic stop. 7:45 a.m. 2900 block of Laguna Canyon Road. Police arrested a 24-year-old Los Angeles man for an outstanding trespassing warrant after receiving a report by another driver about an argument underway between occupants of the vehicle in front of her.
Burglary. 12:17 p.m. Suspects used unknown means to gain entry to an unoccupied home for sale and made off with a flat screen TV, plumbing supplies and electrical equipment valued at $21,000.
Animals. 4:24 p.m. Aliso Canyon Trail. A 75-pound mountain lion was reported on the trail below Top of the World school.
Thursday, March 4
Traffic collision. 12:13 a.m. 700 block of N. Coast Highway. Liza Renee Mlcoch, 34, of Rancho Santa Margarita was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving after veering off the road and ramming three parked cars. She was held for $10,000 bail because of a previous conviction. She was uninjured.
Threats. 1:10 and 3:10 a.m. Stephen Andrew Bailey, 45, of Laguna Beach was arrested for two felony allegations, making terrorist threats and possessing a narcotic, as well as suspicion of a misdemeanor, brandishing a firearm. The arrest stemmed from a domestic dispute involving a former girlfriend, said Lt. Jason Kravetz
Found property. 10:09 a.m. Police Department. A UPS package arrived at the station with $950 in Money Gram orders, similar to money orders sent in February. “Whomever is sending them has the wrong address,” Kravetz said. Both packages were returned.
Friday, March 5
Traffic stop. 2 a.m. 1400 block of N. Coast Highway. A 20-year-old Fullerton man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Vehicle burglary. 1:56 p.m. 200 block of Cozumel Drive. A resident reported a break-in and the loss of sunglasses, an Ipod, GPS and cash worth $2,000.
Grand theft. 2:44 p.m. 200 block of N. Coast Highway. A hotel reported the theft of a $1,025 television from a room vacated by a couple, which stayed one night.
Saturday, March 6
Traffic stop. 2:49 p.m. Coast Highway and 10th Street. A passenger in a vehicle was arrested for two outstanding drunk driving warrants. Brock Edward Sumner, 23, of Dana Point was held for $25,000 bail.
Sunday, March 7
Traffic stop. 3:11 a.m. West Street. A 22-year-old San Clemente woman was arrested for DUI.
Traffic collision. 11:55 a.m. Seventh Street. A 68-year-old driver suffered some sort of medical ailment and plowed into the rear of a parked car, which hit a third. The driver was uninjured.
Monday, March 8
Indecent exposure. 4 a.m. 900 block of N. Coast Highway. Police detained a hotel guest for psychiatric evaluation after receiving a report about a man acting strange and walking around nude. Hotel staff feared he might need medical attention.
