Police Seek ‘Friends’ Eager for Traffic Info
The city’s police department will soon start sending traffic alerts to commuters from its own Facebook page and Twitter feed.
“I plan on using it to talk about stuff going on in town,” said Lt. Jason Kravetz, such as major accidents, parades and DUI checkpoints.
The city already issues traffic alerts via email to those who have signed up for the information at the city’s website. Expect an announcement next week.
Tuesday, Aug. 16
Traffic stop. 12 p.m. 1000 block of Glenneyre St. Kevin John Wickett, 34, of Newport Beach, who was pulled over for a routine traffic violation, was arrested for an outstanding DUI warrant and suspended license.
Grand theft. 1:34 p.m. 31000 block of Florence Ave. The victim left a $2,700 laptop and wallet with $100 cash in an unlocked vehicle and returned to find them gone.
Traffic collision. 5:29 p.m. 1000 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. A San Juan Capistrano man, 27, was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail as a result of a two-car pile-up.
Traffic stop. 11:10 p.m. 200 block of Oak St. A 49-year-old Corona del Mar woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Wednesday, Aug. 17
Traffic stop. 12:35 a.m. West Street. A 36-year-old Capistrano Beach woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Grand theft. 2:17 p.m. 20000 block of Gunderson Dr. Two separate UPS packages, each containing $1,500 microphone amplifiers, were reported stolen. The initial theft was May and the second in June.
Traffic stop. 9:58 p.m. Crown Valley Pkwy. Stephen Miguel Aviles, 27, of Capistrano Beach, was arrested for suspicion and transportation of a controlled substance, 70 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. A scale and marijuana pipes were also found in the vehicle search. The car was stopped for an expired registration despite its 2012 tags. Bail was set at $25,000.
Thursday, Aug. 18
Arrest. 10:49 p.m. 30600 block of Coast Hwy. A 46-year-old local resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail. A witness said the driver nearly hit four parked cars.
Speedrace. 11:48 p.m. 1300 block of N. Coast Hwy. A 19-year-old local teen was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail, reportedly seen speeding at 80 mph.
Friday, Aug. 19
Foot patrol. 12:58 a.m. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. Three men and two women were cited for illegal lodging near the homeless shelter.
Burglary. 5:57 a.m. 31700 block of Coast Hwy. A gardener’s tool shed in the parking garage was broken into and $500 in equipment stolen.
Welfare check. 8:42 p.m. 32100 block of Virginia Way. A 43-year-old Laguna Beach man asleep at home was awakened and arrested for an outstanding $15,000 DUI warrant. Police were checking on the welfare of a minor, whose father had failed to pick her up. The child was released to her mother.
Saturday, Aug. 20
Traffic stop. 12:02 warrant. 400 block of Ocean Ave. A 43-year-old Virginia man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 12:50 a.m. 400 block of Forest Ave. A 29-year-old Irvine woman was cited for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Medical aid. 3:07 a.m. 600 block of S. Coast Hwy. Seven juveniles were detained and issued various citations by police, who were called because a party-goer had fallen from a second-story balcony. Her injuries were not severe. A 21-year-old from Placentia was arrested for delaying officers and a 17-year-old local girl detained for falsely identifying herself.
Traffic collision. 10:40 a.m. Bluebird Canyon Dr. Southbound lanes were temporarily blocked due to a collision between a car and a cyclist. Its cause was unclear as the report was incomplete. The 42-year-old Huntington Beach bike rider suffered broken ribs and abrasions when struck by a Range Rover driven by a 17-year-old of Rancho Sante Fe.
Traffic stop. 11:27 p.m. Myrtle St. A 33-year-old Corona del Mar man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Sunday, Aug. 21
Traffic stop. 12:59 a.m. Broadway Pl. A 59-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 3:29 p.m. Coast Hwy. Chauncy T. Brown, 44, of Jacksonville, Fla., was arrested for an outstanding Wisconsin fraud warrant and held without bail after running a red light.
Grand theft. 9:52 p.m. 21700 block of Wesley Dr. Two bikes worth $1,500 were stolen.
Monday, Aug. 22
Traffic stop. 2:13 a.m. 1200 block of Oceanfront. Jacob A. Jancart, 33, of Long Beach, was arrested for DUI and held for $10,000 bail, his second arrest for the same charge.
