A homeless man who was critically injured in an early morning hit and run collision in Laguna Canyon this past Monday, Feb. 24, remains in critical condition in Mission Hospital and investigators are seeking the public’s help in tracking down the fleeing driver, police said Thursday.
Sgt. Louis Callus identified the victim as Shahram Mokarami-Tehrani, 51, a native of Iran who had lived in Los Angeles, but recently was staying overnight at the homeless shelter in Laguna Canyon.
Mokarami-Tehrani was on foot when he apparently was struck and critically injured by a vehicle that fled the incident near Big Bend, which was discovered by another motorist about 3:21 a.m., Callus said. Police closed the highway for four hours in both directions to investigate and clear away debris.
The injured man was transported for treatment to Mission Viejo’s Mission Hospital. Anyone with information should contact Callus at 949 497-0701.
Monday, Feb. 17
Vandalism. N. Coast Highway. 9:15 a.m. Spray paint was reported on a lifeguard tower.
Welfare check. 1200 block of N. Coast Hwy. 1:07 p.m. After receiving reports about a man staggering, police arrested Thomas Patrick Comte, 49, of San Diego, for five misdemeanor warrants.
Traffic stop. 2400 block of S. Coast Hwy. 1:26 p.m. Corey Joseph Brindley, 26, of Costa Mesa was arrested for a reckless driving warrant and bail was set at $25,000.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
Traffic stop. 31100 block of Coast Hwy. 9:40 a.m. A 49-year-old man was arrested for suspicion of domestic violence and held for $15,000 bail.
Vandalism. Bluff Drive. 11:36 a.m. Graffiti was reported at the south end of the beach.
Assault with a deadly weapon. Laguna Canyon Rd. 2 p.m. An unidentified bicyclist, who wheeled up to the driver’s side of a stopped truck to urge the driver to make room for cyclists, suffered scratches and bruises after being knocked off his bike and struck by the truck, which moved forward as the cyclist returned to the bike lane.
Traffic stop. Vista del Sol. 4:39 p.m. Luis Enrique Anaya Montes, 44, of San Juan Capistrano, was arrested for four warrants.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
Grand theft. 500 block of S. Coast Hwy. 10 a.m. A woman reported that four juveniles on paddleboards stole and purposely sank a dingy.
Pedestrian stop. 300 block of Broadway St. 4:55 p.m. Police arrested homeless Curtis Grant Abbott, 49, for 10 outstanding drunk in public warrants.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Occupied vehicle. 800 block of Cliff Dr. 2:46 a.m. Melanie Lynn Darling, 27, of Bakersfield, was arrested for suspicion of meth possession and trying to destroy evidence. She attempted to dump a baggie with .36 grams of meth at the curb. Bail was set at $20,000.
Traffic collision. 6:18 a.m. heard only. Jesse James Brandenburg, 27, of San Clemente, was arrested for suspicion of being under the influence of drugs after his vehicle crashed into a utility pole.
Friday, Feb. 21
Suspicious. 100 block of Cedar Way. 8:32 a.m. A witness reported seeing a man looking in cars, trying gates at homes.
Detective activity. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon rd. 10:52 a.m. Homeless Jesse Matthew Lincks, 28, was arrested for suspicion of felony burglary in last week’s Pavilion’s liquor theft. Bail was set at $20,000.
Property found. 400 block of S. Coast Hwy. A box with a syringe and a spoon was found in an employee break room.
Fraud. 300 block of Cliff Dr. 1:53 p.m. An unknown suspect made $4,036 in fraudulent transactions on a victim’s bank account.
Bomb threat. 200 block of Forest Ave. 4:16 p.m. An overheard remark about a suitcase that was misinterpreted as a threat prompted a full-scale but ultimately unneeded response by police.
Traffic stop. West St. 8:53 p.m. A 53-year-old Laguna Beach woman was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Traffic collision. Laguna Ave. 9:390 p.m. William Christian Shaw, 22, and Emory Paige Osteen, 18, both of Capo Beach, were arrested for suspicion of felony drug possession and under the influence charges after their vehicle collided with a taxi. Bail was set at $20,000 each.
Traffic collision. 31300 block of Monterey St. 10:45 a.m. After a neighbor reported a collision, police arrested Gisela Monroy, 37, of Newport Beach, for suspicion of DUI. Due to a prior offense, bail was set at $10,000.
Saturday, Feb. 22
Traffic stop. 2200 block of Laguna Can yon Rd. A 23-year-old Mission Viejo man was cited for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Reckless driving. No Coast Hwy. 3:29 p.m. Following reports of a motorist driving erratically, a 36-year-old Costa Mesa woman was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Sunday, Feb. 23
Traffic stop. Rockledge. 12:34 a.m. A 36-year-old La Mirada woman was cited for DIU and held or $2500 bail.
Traffic stop. West St. 8:23 p.m. A 26-year-old San Juan Capistrano man was cited for driving under the influence of drugs and held for $2500 bail.
DUI. 1700 block of S. Coast Hwy. 10:52 p.m. A 57-year-old Aliso Viejo woman was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
