Fleeing Truck Sets Off a Hot Pursuit

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A high-speed police pursuit over 10 miles through Laguna Canyon in the pre-dawn hours Wednesday, Aug. 6, ended without injury and the arrest of an allegedly drunk driver in Irvine, police said.

Joshua Caleb Bucklin, 28, of Irvine, was charged with suspicion of felony evading and drunk driving, Laguna Beach police Capt. Jason Kravetz said. Bail was set at $20,000.

The pursuit began when a vehicle flew by a Laguna Beach officer at speeds exceeding 100 m.p.h. at 3:32 a.m. near Boat Canyon. At the time, Newport police had yet to broadcast that their officers had lost sight of a suspected drunk driver as he entered Laguna, Kravetz said.

Laguna took up the chase, following a black 2011 Honda Ridgeline from Coast Highway to Ocean Avenue, where the truck proceeded the wrong way on a one-way street, onto Laguna Canyon Road and southbound on the 405 freeway to exit at Irvine Center Drive.

“Fortunately there was hardly any traffic on the roadway at this hour,” said Kravetz, noting that the fleeing driver turned off the truck’s headlights during the pursuit.

The vehicle pulled into an underground apartment complex parking garage and the officer detained the driver until backup officers arrived to assist, Kravetz said.

Sunday, July 28

Public intoxication. 700 block of Coast Hwy. 1:38 p.m. Complaints over Angel Cerezo, 54, of Costa Mesa, arguing with people, led to his arrest for suspicion of being drunk in public. He was re-arrested on the same charge in each of three successive days.

Traffic stop. Circle Drive. 3:57 p.m. Leslie Jo Lynn, 52, of Laguna Beach, as arrested for suspicion of drunk driving and child endangerment and held for $100,000 bail. A 5-year-old male relative, who was with her in the car, was unharmed.

Defraud innkeeper. 300 Cliff Dr. 10:15 p.m. Jette Marie Larsen, 49, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for suspicion of burglary and defrauding an innkeeper for walking out on a $30 restaurant tab. She has been arrested three times earlier in the month and a second time this week for the same offense at different local dining spots.

Trespassing. 1100 block of Marine Drive. 4 p.m. Five boys, ages 14 and 15, were looking for a place to consume liquor and instead were detained by police. One boy lives in town, while three others are from Newport Beach and the fifth is from San Juan Capistrano.

Monday, July 29

Disturbance. Circle way 11:30 p.m. Alexander Josh Lopez, 21, of Tustin, was arrested for an outstanding auto theft warrant, while partying with five others in a cave off of Crescent Bay Beach. One participant was cited for having a bonfire.

Tuesday, July 30

Burglary. 400 El Bosque 10:58 a.m. Detectives will investigate a break-in where police recovered stolen property and 11 grams of cocaine left in the house.

Burglary. 1200 block of Cerritos Drive. 2 pm. A resident discovered missing jewelry valued at $20,000 and a jar holding $40 worth of coins. The theft wasn’t immediately noticed because the victim thought her animals might have moved some of the items. (A cat burglar, no doubt.)

Hazardous condition. Beach St. 4:17 p.m. A tree branch fell, taking down wires and hitting two vehicles, including a rental car.

Traffic stop. Park Ave. 11:56 p.m. Ali Sadighi, 24, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for suspicion of a felony charge of possessing cannabis. He was pulled over for driving without headlights, but officers saw a bong on the floorboard. Bail was set at $20,000.

Thursday, July 31

Grand theft. 2100 Ruby Place. 4:38 a.m. A woman returned to find her roommate had unexpectedly moved out and took some possessions, including more than $250,000 in cash. Police believe the suspect quit his job, bought an airline ticket and left the area.

Suspicious circumstances. 31800 block of Coast Hwy. 5:21 a.m. Detectives will investigate the claims of a woman, who told medical personnel she was drugged with cocaine at a friend’s house.

Embezzlement. 1600 Del Mar Ave. 10:38 a.m. An employee of an advertising agency allegedly made out a cashier’s check to himself drawn on a company account for $9,308.

Hit and run. N. Coast Hwy. 5 p.m. Two women say they were hit by a vehicle that left the area. Neither were injured.

Traffic stop. 100 block of Laguna Ave. 9:21 p.m. Michael James Ross, 31, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for suspicion of marijuana sales after police found 25 grams in his car. He was pulled over for an expired registration, but the officer recognized citing him for pot before. Bail was set at $25,000.

Friday, Aug. 1

Petty theft. 400 block of Los Robles. 11:25 a.m. Two residents reported thefts of car registrations on July 16.

Traffic stop. 400 block of Thalia St. 11 p.m. A 33-year-old Garden Grove man was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.

Traffic stop. 100 block of Coast hwy. 11:53 p.m. A 25-year-old from Riverside was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.

Saturday, Aug. 2

Traffic stop. 3000 block of Cresta Way. 3:24 a.m. A 19-year-old Laguna Beach girl was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.

Citizen contact. 300 block of 9:56 a.m. A fumigator discovered a break-in at a customer’s home where the suspect took paperwork.

Foot patrol. 31100 block of Coast hwy. 11:16 p.m. An officer patrolling the beach after closing time arrested Jezelle Medina, 24, Rowland Heights and April Annette Alcorta, 24, of La Mirada, for outstanding warrants.

Sunday, Aug. 3

Traffic stop. Brooks St. 1:48 a.m. Oscar Elias, 27, Lake Forest, was arrested for suspicion of driving drunk while unlicensed. Bail was set at $10,000.

 

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1 COMMENT

  1. Another LBPD high speed DUI pursuit ending with bodily injury.
    Honor your fallen officer J Coychie who lost his life violating vehicle code for excessive speed which resulted in his own untimely death and think of the innocent lives of pedestrians, bicyclist & vehicles you are risking in pursuit of a traffic violation.
    Consider and reexamine the cost of human life, property damage claims and lawsuits your irresponsible actions are causing the city and citizens!
    Unacceptable risk~is not sensible, prudent or wise
    Does this sound reasonable??

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