Both Laguna Beach police detectives and their mark came in for a surprise last Thursday, Dec. 15, during an investigation of a Craigslist advertiser that offered to exchange sex for drugs and money, according to police.
A detective who responded to the woman’s ad directed her to a Laguna Beach hotel room in the 900 block of Coast Highway, said Lt. Jason Kravetz. The advertiser who knocked on the door encountered investigators, who arrested the suspected prostitute that turned out to be transsexual, according to Kravetz
Erasto Vasquez, 37, of Stanton, was arrested for alleged prostitution and methamphetamine possession, the police log said. Bail was set at $25,000. Her companion, Ronald Harold Baker, 52, of Stockon, was arrested for conspiracy to commit prostitution and bail was set at $1,000.
More Cues Than Usual Lead to an Arrest
Police collared a 59-year-old Covina man in a damaged car in the Aliso Beach parking lot last Thursday, Dec. 15, after receiving reports of sparks flying from a vehicle being driven on its axle.
Donald Francis Brown was arrested for suspicion of DUI, his second offense in 10 years, and was held for $10,000 bail, Lt. Jason Kravetz said.
Brown apparently had hit shrubbery somewhere on Crown Valley Parkway and drove the damaged car at least three miles, losing a tire near Fourth Street and scraping Botts dots off the highway, Kravetz said.
Tuesday, Dec. 13
Traffic stop. 7 a.m. Catalina Ave. A 21-year-old Laguna Niguel man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Fraud. 11:43 a.m. 600 block of Brooks St. A woman monitoring her online checking account found that a fraudulent $861 check had been cashed at Home Depot. It apparently was a fake check with her account information.
Theft. 12:32 p.m. 400 block of N. Coast Hwy. A wallet containing $40 cash and five credit cards were discovered missing and in use after an employee provided a tour of a fitness club to a woman while her male companion waited in the lobby.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Grand theft. 1:42 p.m. 31500 Egan Rd. A landscaper who left his Stihl saw in the street behind his truck returned after 15 minutes to find the $750 chainsaw missing.
Reckless driving. 2:35 p.m. Coast Hwy at Third Ave. A 21-year-old Illinois man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 after other drivers reported him tailgating and swerving.
Pedestrian injury. 6:42 p.m. Glenneyre at Thalia St. A woman who was struck by a vehicle suffered a minor head injury and was transported for treatment. No further details were immediately available.
Thursday, Dec. 15
Found property. 11:33 a.m. 300 block of Broadway St. A woman found a pillowcase on her outside patio containing a laptop computer, phones and gift cards that she believes is stolen property.
Traffic stop. 11:25 p.m. Broadway Place. Michael Thomas Schluter, 52, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for suspicion of DUI. Bail was set at $10,000 due to a prior conviction.
Friday, Dec. 16
Traffic stop. 1:55 a.m. Cress St. A 40-year-old Aliso Viejo man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Grand theft. 1:55 p.m. Cortez St. A resident reported that $1,600 worth of miscellaneous construction tools were stolen from the back of his truck while parked in front of his residence.
DUI 6:43 p.m. S. Coast Hwy at Nyes Place. Aaron Robert Thomas, 36, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for suspicion of DUI and held for $10,000 bail due to a previous conviction. Others reported his vehicle was driven on the curb and almost hit pedestrians.
Traffic stop. 8:40 p.m. 1200 S. Coast Hwy. A 45-year-old New Hampshire man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Saturday, Dec. 17
Felony vandalism. 1:57 a.m. 300 block of Forest Ave. Juan Francisco Ruiz-Esqueda, 19, of Lake Forest, was arrested for suspicion of felony vandalism and held for $20,000 bail. He was found bleeding and trying to enter a closed business; a block away, blood splatters were on the ground beneath a shattered storefront window.
Fireworks. 11:19 a.m. Stonington Rd. Police are unable to locate boys shooting fireworks.
Paramedics. 11:15 a.m. Alta Laguna Park. A cyclist who fell and possibly broke an elbow and rib refused treatment.
Robbery. 2:37 p.m. 200 block of Coast Hwy. Jerald Jerrod Cousin, 43, a Laguna Beach homeless person, was arrested for suspicion of robbery after allegedly taking the cell phone of a merchant. The two quarreled over sunglasses Cousin was wearing, which the owner believed had been stolen from the shop earlier.
Suspicious. 2:58 p.m. 200 block of Ocean Ave. An observer reported seeing a man trying a stack of ATM cards in a bank machine. Police are unable to locate a suspect.
Sunday, Dec. 18
DUI. 2 a.m. Nyes Place. A Newport Beach man, 33, was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
DUI. 2:18 a.m. Diamond St. A 28-year-old Aliso Viejo man was arrested for DUI after driving through a red light and on the wrong side of the road. Bail was set at $2,500.
