Street Beat

Information in Street Beat is compiled from publicly available logs of the Laguna Beach Police Department and often follow-up interviews.

The paper’s policy is to publish the names of those arrested depending on the seriousness of the allegation, if there are aggravating circumstances, such as prior offenses, and if the account is reasonably complete. Parents of school-age children enrolled in local schools who are arrested may request the omission of their name by email: editor@lbindy.com. The decision remains at the editor’s discretion.

Halloween Hoodlums Return

Vandals attempted to steal the largest of several oversized pumpkins decorating the columns around Ruben Flores’ Laguna Nursery, an employee said this week.

One of several smaller 90-pound gourds that topped the nursery’s fence posts was swiped, while on Tuesday would-be thieves pushed over a $200, 220-pound monster that required four workers to put in place. It didn’t last on its perch even 24 hours, said Tara Laliberte, Flores’ assistant. “We just put them out.”

This is the third year vandals have targeted Flores’ eye-catching décor, she said.

One Driver, But Two Arrests

Of 93 adults who were asked to buy alcohol by two teen-agers last Friday, just four took the bait during a police decoy operation at seven Laguna Beach establishments, police said.

The decoys were mostly turned down and scolded for wanting to imbibe, according to Lt. Jason Kravetz.

In one instance, though, police arrested both the driver and passenger of one vehicle for driving under the influence of alcohol as a result of the sting.

A 41-year-old woman who drove up to one store agreed to make a $20 purchase for one of the 18-year-old decoys, police said. Her 60-yearold male passenger slid behind the wheel while waiting for her to exit and deliver the purchase.

When the couple drove off, police stopped the car and both Laguna Beach residents were cited and arrested, each held for $2500 bail.

Man Arrested Following Scalding and Beating

After viewing a surveillance video of an apparently unprovoked attack on a coffee shop customer, police arrested Jed Morouse, 34, of Laguna Beach, for suspicion of felony battery last Wednesday, Oct. 7. He was held for $25,000 bail.

Police say a man estimated in his 20s threw hot coffee on a patron he didn’t know around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, and then repeatedly punched the scalded victim. The victim was treated for numerous scalp lacerations, but recognized the suspect as someone he had seen in previous visits to the hang-out. Detectives used surveillance tapes to identify the suspect, according to police.

Two Arrests in Undercover Drug Inquiry

Donald Dean Newman, 64, of Santa Ana, and Kenneth F. Odell, 37, of Huntington Beach, were each arrested and charged separately with alleged possession of a controlled substance last Saturday, Oct. 10 by Laguna Beach police.

Both men were separately lured to Laguna to make a sale to undercover officers, who arrested the men before the sales took place, according to Lt. Jason Kravetz.

Monday, Oct. 5

Grand theft. 500 block of Oak Street. At least $16,000 worth of tools were discovered missing from a home site under construction. .

Vandalism. 2000 block of Laguna Canyon Road. 12:05 p.m. A whole was cut in a fence beside a drainage ditch.

Tuesday, Oct. 6

Suspicious. 200 block of Ocean Avenue. Noon. An observant bank customer reported seeing a man pre- tending to talk on a cell phone while watching people make ATM transactions. Police were unable to locate a suspect.

Wednesday, Oct. 7

Traffic hazard. Third Street. 10:17 a.m. The street was closed due to a jack-knifed truck blocking traffic.

Suspicious. 1300 block of Coast Highway. 11:43 a.m. A caller suspects that a woman in her 20s is attempting to capture cell numbers for malicious purposes by asking numerous people to borrow their cell phones over the course of an hour. Police cannot locate the suspect.

Stolen vehicle. 2000 block Laguna Canyon Road. A 1999 Honda Accord left overnight for repairs was stolen from a lot.

Graffiti. Table Rock Beach. 2:14 p.m. A cave is marked by vandals.

Fraud. 200 block Cliff Drive. 2 p.m. A former roommate swiped credit cards and checks, cashed for $432 at a local market.

Indecent exposure. 1800 block of Coast Highway. 6 p.m. An aroused day spa patron exposed himself to a massage therapist, who ended the session, but the customer skipped out on the $95 tab.

Thursday, Oct. 8

Vandalism. 1100 block of Coast Highway. 12:50 a.m. A Laguna Niguel man was arrested for suspicion of vandalism after throwing a beer bottle from outside and breaking a $900 window. Two friends were also arrested for obstructing officers.

Drugs. 600 block of Coast Highway. 3:51 p.m. Mark Eidemiller, 50, of Dana Point, was arrested for suspicion of possessing and transporting a controlled substance after selling undercover officers methamphetamine.

Fraud. North Stonington. 4:20 p.m. A resident reported canceling a $6,200 credit card transaction for equipment from a Nigerian man.

Citizen assist. 1500 block of Coast Highway. 7 p.m. A hotel employee reported seeing a loaded firearm on the bed of a guest.

Friday, Oct. 9

Fraud. Hobie store. 11:49 a.m. A man who purchased $1100 worth of items on a credit card later reported it as stolen, canceling the transaction.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Prowler. 2300 block of San Clemente Street. 12:29 a.m. A homeowner spotted two men in her yard who try to open a French door and then heard the roar of motorcycles heading downhill.

Shoplifting. 500 block of Coast Highway. 2:59 p.m. An employee reported that two females stole a pair of earrings and possibly two shirts, cumulatively valued at $400.

Traffic stop. 600 block Laguna Canyon Road. 2:41 p.m. Chloe Vaughn Uhl, 20, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for allegedly possessing marijuana and an outstanding arrest warrant for possession of marijuana and pills without a prescription. Police pulled her over due to the volume of her car stereo.

Traffic stop. Moss Street. 11:48 p.m. A San Clemente resident was arrested for DUI and jailed in lieu of $2500 bail.

Sunday, Oct. 11

Traffic stop. 1700 block Laguna Canyon Road. 12:32 a.m. A 51-yearold Dana Point woman was arrested for driving while intoxicated and held for $2500 bail.

Traffic stop. Laguna Canyon Road. 8:37 p.m. A 44-year-old Laguna Hills man was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.