Emergency personnel in Laguna Beach turned to helicopter medical evacuations more than once over the Labor Day weekend, rescuing injured swimmers in South Laguna and an injured cyclist in Laguna Canyon on Monday.
On Sunday, a man in his 20s and a teenage girl were airlifted from Three Arch Bay after both swimmers suffered minor head and neck injuries, fire officials said.
On Monday, a 15-year-old girl who also suffered a minor neck injury was airlifted from Thousand Steps Beach after lifeguards pulled her from the ocean.
Helicopters were used because both beaches are difficult to access with other emergency vehicles, firefighters said.
A mountain biker injured while riding early Monday morning in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park was also hoisted off the hillside by helicopter, Laguna firefighters said Tuesday.
The cyclist, who had suffered a possible broken ankle, was on a steep trail above 2825 Laguna Canyon Rd., said the department’s Training Division Chief Tom Christopher. Firefighters hiked up switchbacks from the canyon bottom to reach the injured cyclist mid-slope and ready him for extraction by the Orange County Fire Authority helicopter. Once on the ground, he was transported to the hospital, said Christopher, who could not further identify the victim, injured when using his foot to brace himself on the trail.
Former MTV Star Arrested
Laguna Beach native Talan C. Torriero, 25, who was featured in the first season of MTV’s reality show “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County,” was arrested for suspicion of DUI last Saturday, Sept. 1, driving in his own hometown, according to police.
A patrol officer near Brooks and South Coast Highway observed a vehicle turning left around 12:30 a.m. in violation of signs prohibiting turning and stopped the vehicle, police Sgt. Louise Callus said.
The driver was given a series of field sobriety tests and was released on his own recognize after a sobering period, with a future court date, Callus said.
Last year, Torriero launched a niche job board site, CyberInterns.com, to connect small business owners with those seeking virtual internships.
While attending Laguna Beach High School, Torriero set a 92-yard passing record during a football game in September 2004.
Monday, Aug. 27
Grand theft. 400 Poplar St. 9 a.m. Someone took $2,500 worth of tools in July from a garage.
Grand theft. 100 block of Agate St. 11 a.m. A parking meter with dual tops was lifted off the pole and stolen.
Petty theft. 12-03292. 200 block of Forest Ave. Timmi Curtis Rantala, 41, of Washington state, was arrested for suspicion of burglary after employees of two downtown merchants watched him pick up items and leave without paying. Bail was set at $20,000.
Traffic stop. S. Coast hwy. 8:31 p.m. A 24-year-old Lompoc man was arrested for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Property found. 1900 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 8:31 p.m. A trolley driver turned in a baggie of .91 grams of a substance that looks similar to meth or cocaine, which probably fell out of someone’s pocket.
Tuesday, Aug. 28
Traffic stop. 20600 block Laguna Canyon Rd. A British Columbia resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Medical aid. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 8:33 a.m. William Ray Burk, 22, of Laguna Niguel, who was thought to need medical assistance, was allegedly in possession of heroin and paraphernalia. Bail was set at $20,000.
Grand theft.. 300 block Center St. 11:36 a.m. A Persian rug, Italian watercolor, Chinese antique pot and other artwork worth $20,000 was taken during a garage sale.
Wednesday, Aug. 29
Shots fired. 12:28 a.m. Laguna Canyon Rd. Remnants of rounds fired from an M100 Airsoft rifle were found.
Burglary. 31500 block Egan Rd. A large umbrella and two chairs were stolen this morning from a patio.
Hit and run, non injury. Thalia St. 9:24 p.m. Anthony Libero Decarlo, 46, of Laguna Niguel, was arrested for suspicion of DUI and hit and run after allegedly plowing into a car stopped at a red light. He was detained at Nyes Place.
Friday, Aug. 31
Traffic stop. 300 block of Broadway St. 1:15 a.m. A 33-year-old Redlands woman was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Traffic stop. Eagle Rock Way. 1:24 a.m. A 45-year-old Laguna Niguel woman was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Ped stop. Coast hwy. Amy Steelman, 35, of Artesia, was arrested for an outstanding DUI warrant and held for $50,000 bail.
Fraud report. 31800 block Coast Hwy. 12:03 p.m. An inquiry is underway over a prescription forgery incident.
Stolen vehicle. 600 block Park Ave. 3:24 p.m. A woman swimming at the pool who had left her belongings in the locker room returned to discover her keys and car missing. Her purse was in the vehicle.
Fraud. 1300 block of S. Coast Hwy. 6:48 p.m. Two females passed a fake $100 bill. Employee has the bill and suspects on video.
Traffic collision. 8:15 p.m. 31000 block of Coast Hwy. A 48-year-old Laguna Beach woman was cited for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Saturday, Sept. 1
Traffic stop. 31700 block of Coast Hwy. 2:42 a.m. A 33-year-old Malibu resident was cited for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. Bluebird/Coast. 1:56 p.m. Sean Everest Green, 26, of Signal Hill, was cited for DUI and held for $10,000 bail due to a prior offense.
Traffic collision. 21000 block Raquel Rd. 2:46 p.m. A motorist driving too fast plowed into a utility pole. She escaped without injury.
Traffic stop. 200 block of Cleo St. 9:05 p.m. A 36-year-old Las Vegas woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
DUI. 30800 Block Coast Hwy. 9:08 p.m. A 47-year-old Newport Coast man was cited for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Arrest. 300 block of El Paseo. Danielle Moinique Sone, 21, of Sacramento was cited for DUI and held for $10,000 bail due to a prior offense.
Hit and run. 1100 block of La Mirada St. 11:23 p.m. A 17-year-old Laguna Beach woman was cited for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Sunday, Sept. 2
Traffic stop. Aster St. 12:13 a.m. A Lake Forest resident, 25, was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. Vista Del Sol. 1:32 a.m. A 23-year-old Laguna Niguel resident was cited for DUI.
Traffic stop. Third St. 2 a.m. A 22,-year-old Los Angeles woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
My father said ‘the best hours of sleep are the ones before midnight’.
OCLG should’ve have been more preventative with this young girl. Can’t they make recommendations that prevent these preventable injuries during high surf episodes. Seems elementary to a person knowledgeable in ocean dynamics. Maybe next time.