Laguna Beach’s police department will conduct a DUI checkpoint beginning this Friday, Dec. 20, at an undisclosed location within the city limits, between the hours of 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when DUI checkpoints and patrols are conducted routinely, says a statement by Lieutenant Jeff Calvert.
Thirty seven collisions involving DUI drivers locally resulted in the death of one person and injury to 37 others in the past three years, Calvert said.
Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol or drug impairment and proper licensing. More drivers test positive for drugs than alcohol, 14 percent and 7.3 percent, respectively, said Calvert, citing recent studies.
Monday, Dec. 9
Vandalism. 21600 block of Treetop Lane. 8:42 a.m. The passenger window of a pickup truck was smashed.
Suspicious circumstances. 1000 block of Dyer Place. Gregory Ryan Hath, 35, of Huntington Beach, was held without bail for three outstanding warrants as a result of an investigation that ensued after a passerby reported an unattended child. Hath allegedly stole a vehicle from the home where a friend was babysitting as well as the sitter’s phone. Police used the latter to track his whereabouts.
Petty theft. 1800 block of Ocean Way. 6:56 p.m. A copper mailbox was stolen.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
Traffic stop. 300 block of Mountain Rd. 8:25 p.m. A 30-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested for a vehicle code violation and held for $2,500 bail.
Thursday, Dec. 12
Detective activity. 8:55 a.m. Daniel Robert Garner, 28, of Mission Viejo, was arrested for a Harbor Court warrant and held for $15,000 bail.
Petty theft. 600 block of Gleneyre St. 12:23 p.m. Tools worth $500 were stolen from a carport overnight.
Petty theft. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 1:34 p.m. A wallet was swiped from an unlocked vehicle.
Fraud. 1700 block of Sunset Ridge Dr. 5:54 p.m. A resident reported $1,100 in fraudulent charges to a credit card.
Grand theft. 600 block of S. Coast Hwy. 9:36 p.m. A hotel guest, meeting a person for the second time in recent months, returned from a restroom to discover the disappearance of the date and the theft of $3,000 in cash and electronics.
Friday, Dec. 13
Traffic stop. S. Coast Hwy. 3:34 a.m. A 25-year-old Anaheim man was arrested for suspicion of DUI and false impersonation. Bail was set at $20,000.
Traffic stop. Moss St. 4:17 a.m. A 24-year-old Irvine woman was arrested for suspicion of DUI and held for $2500 bail. She was allegedly in possession of generic amphetamine.
Vandalism. Oak St. 8:27 a.m. Surfboard wax was used to deface a vehicle.
Vehicle burglary. Coast Hwy. 4:25 p.m. A victim reported $400 in losses from a locked vehicle in a parking structure.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Traffic collision. Coast Hwy. 12:49 a.m. A motorist escaped with cuts to her left hand after running into mailboxes and plants as well as rolling her vehicle. An unsafe turn was believed to be the cause.
Traffic stop. Moss St. 2:10 a.m. A 44-year-old Anaheim Hills man was cited for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Stalking. 300 block of S. Coast Hwy. 10 p.m. The victim says a former date continues to contact her after she ended the relationship.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Occupied vehicle. 1400 block of Catalina St. 3 a.m. Angel Omar Arce, 39, of Lake Forest, was arrested for three misdemeanors, including suspicion of DUI. Bail was set at $10,000.
Traffic stop. 300 block of Cliff Dr. 2:19 p.m. A 29-year-old Corona man was held for outstanding warrants.
Vandalism. 100 block of San Tropez. 3 p.m. Two cars belonging to the same person were marked by a Sharpie.
Burglary. 1200 block of Ocean Front. 9:59 p.m. A resident returned from vacation to find the home ransacked. Further details are unavailable.
