The Laguna Beach Police Department conducted a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, Aug. 18 in the area of Coast Highway and Aliso Beach between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Of the 2,162 drivers who drove through the checkpoint, 902 drivers were greeted, four citations were issued, four drivers were cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or while suspended/revoked, and three DUI suspects were arrested.
Those caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, and other expenses that can exceed $10,000. The LBPD will be conducting numerous DUI education/enforcement details throughout 2018 as part of an ongoing effort to decrease deaths and injuries in town.
The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Sunday, Aug. 19
Hit/run. 12:28 a.m. 300 block of Coast Highway. A 37-year-old Fallbrook resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 12:29 a.m. 31100 block of Coast Highway. A 35-year-old Laguna Beach resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 12:38 a.m. 31100 block of Coast Highway. A 46-year-old Dana Point resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 12:45 a.m. 31100 block of Coast Highway. A 28-year-old San Clemente resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 2:39 a.m. Diamond Street and Coast Highway. A 36-year-old Laguna Niguel resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Saturday, Aug. 18
Traffic stop. 1:27 a.m. 300 block of Bluebird Canyon Drive. A 51-year-old Laguna Beach resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 3:30 a.m. Ocean Avenue and Beach Street. A 25-year-old Riverside resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Pedestrian stop. 12:40 p.m. 300 block of El Paseo. A 29-year-old Laguna Beach resident was arrested for an outstanding harbor court warrant for trespassing and held for $1,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 11:38 p.m. Thalia Street and Glenneyre Street. A 49-year-old San Clemente resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Friday, Aug. 17
Traffic stop. 11:41 a.m. Coast Highway and West Street. James Edward Price, 57, of Anaheim, was arrested for a north court warrant and held for $15,000 bail.
Traffic collision. 9:55 p.m. Saint Anns Drive and South Coast Highway. A vehicle was driving south on Coast Highway when a woman, who was reportedly intoxicated, jaywalked across the street. When the vehicle struck the victim, she briefly lost consciousness and was transported to a local area hospital.
Thursday, Aug. 16
Traffic stop. 12:14 a.m. A 27-year-old Fountain Valley resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Fraud report. 10:51 a.m. 500 block of Forest Avenue. A person reportedly lost $1,000 after responding to an ad online to rent a house in Laguna. The person said the alleged owner of the home asked for money to be sent.
Traffic stop. 8:09 p.m. 200 block of Wave Street. A 58-year-old Laguna Beach resident was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Wednesday, Aug. 15
Automated license plate reader. 12:25 p.m. Melissa Rae Williams, 36, of Buena Park, was arrested for grand theft auto and held for $20,000 bail. Eduardo Vasquez, 43, of Anaheim, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance ($500 bail) and possession of drug paraphernalia ($500 bail).
Pedestrian stop. 3:53 p.m. South Coast Highway and Ocean Avenue. Wesley Napoleon Howell, 62, of Stanton, was arrested for two outstanding north court warrants for possession of drug paraphernalia ($7,500 bail) and theft ($7,500 bail).
Sunday, Aug. 12
Automated license plate reader. 10:27 a.m. James Roger Saaf, 20, of La Mirada, was arrested for vehicle theft ($10,000 bail), receiving stolen property ($500 bail), driving with a suspended license ($500 bail), and possession of drug paraphernalia ($500 bail). Shantell Apodaca, 38, of La Mirada, was also arrested for theft ($500 bail).
Traffic collision. 6:35 p.m. Montage Resort Drive and Coast Highway. A woman on a bicycle was hit by a vehicle, after she reportedly cut in front of the car. The woman, a Capistrano Beach resident, was arrested for riding a bicycle under the influence and held for $500 bail.
