Police arrested a suspected bank robber that emerged from a downtown restroom wearing a disguise.
Dana Richard Arnold, 28, of San Diego, allegedly presented a demand note to a Wells Fargo Bank teller shortly before closing on Friday, Sept. 26, Capt. Jason Kravetz said.
Instead of turning over a single bill, the teller read the note and ran away, alerting a manager, who hit the robbery alarm while the unarmed suspect fled the bank, Kravetz said.
As police converged on the area, witnesses described seeing the suspect enter a restroom in an Ocean Avenue parking lot. Arnold exited wearing different clothing and was stopped nearby by officers, said Kravetz, noting that Arnold still had the demand note in his possession and officers recovered clothing and a wig inside the restroom.
Other unspecified evidence was found in the suspect’s car, Kravetz said. Arnold was unarmed.
Monday, Sept. 22
Grand theft. 300 block of Heather Plance. 12:19 p.m. An employee of a resident said that a $2,500 generator and a $200 ladder were stolen from outside the home five days earlier.
Keep the peace. 1600 block of S. Coast Hwy. 9:39 p.m. Jerusha Noelani Blevins, 35, of San Clemente, was arrested for suspicion of receiving stolen property. Bail was set at $20,000.
Tuesday, Sept. 23
Battery. 31800 block of S. Coast Hwy. 11:38 a.m. A woman told hospital staff she was battered by someone at the Alternative Sleeping Location earlier, which police intend to follow up. Her injuries were not serious and she was not admitted.
Burglary. 2800 block of Alta Laguna Blvd. 12:50 p.m. Residents who were away returned to find that someone had broken in through a window; two lamps valued at $240 are missing.
Missing person. 1:59 p.m. A mother who called police because her nanny couldn’t find her 4-year-old charge set off an extensive police search. Officers began canvasing the neighborhood, checking a nearby fire road and contacting the sheriff’s office for blood hounds. A 7-year-old brother joined the hunt, yelling his sister’s name. About 16 minutes elapsed before the child was discovered hiding under the covers of a bed.
Pedestrian stop. 300 block of Ocean Ave. 2:54 p.m. Stacy Overton, 36, a Laguna Beach transient, was arrested for a no-bail parole violation.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Traffic collision. 2200 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 3:18 p.m. A vehicle rear-ended another car that had stopped for two pedestrians crossing in the crosswalk at the art college. The motorists were injured, though police had no details.
Thursday, Sept. 25
Traffic hazard. 2900 Laguna Canyon Rd. 4:41 a.m. John Thomas Salazar, 20, of Aliso Viejo, was arrested for a $15,000 misdemeanor drunk driving warrant after police stopped him, responding to a call about danger to a skateboarder riding in darkness.
Pedestrian stop. 400 block of Glenneyre St. 12:20 p.m. Michael Raymond Murray, 20, a Laguna Beach transient, was arrested for suspicion of furnishing marijuana to another.
Battery. 1100 block of Skyline Dr. 1:31 p.m. A construction worker said he was battered by a homeowner while working on a home.
Petty theft. 31500 block of Eagle Rock Way. 2:43 p.m. $400 in landscaping plants were stolen.
Petty theft. 600 block of Park Ave. 4:54 p.m. A computer valued at $2500 was stolen.
Vehicle burglary. Vista de Catalina. 8:50 p.m. A prescription and $25 was taken from a locked car.
Hit and run. Ramona Ave. 9:22 p.m. Melody May Limon, 54, of Laguna Woods, was arrested for suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, drunk driving, and hit and run after a citizen called police with a license plate after hearing a collision. Officers spotted the car in the canyon. A search of the vehicle also turned up prescription medications without a valid prescription. Limon has three previous DUI convictions within the last 10 years.
Traffic stop. Cliff Drive. 11:13 p.m. A 34-year-old from Riverside was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Friday, Sept. 26
Traffic stop. Mountain Rd. 2:48 a.m. A 45-year-old Laguna Beach man was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Traffic collision. Cliff Drive. 7:15 a.m. The street was closed after a 71-year-old Laguna Beach driver of a 2013 red Porsche Carrera made a turn off of Rosa Bonheur onto Cliff Drive and failed to stop for a pedestrian in the crosswalk. The collision knocked the 58-year-old Dana Point woman to the ground. She suffered a broken foot and broken thumb.
Pedestrian stop. 2400 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 9:27 a.m. Phillip Isaac Caraveo, 38, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for a no-bail parole hold.
Disorderly person. S. Coast Hwy. 9:32 a.m. Jesse Patrick, 31, of Laguna Beach, was cited for a Long Beach warrant.
Fraud report. 2700 block of Victoria Dr. 12:44 p.m. A resident learned that someone opened two credit accounts in his name and charged $20,000 worth of jewelry, which had been picked up in person at a FedEx facility in Irvine.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Traffic stop. 100 block of S. Coast Hwy. 12:47 a.m. Phuoc Tang Nguyen, 40, of Garden Grove, was arrested on an outstanding $25,000 felony bench warrant for use of a forged credit card.
Traffic stop. 1200 block of Catalina 1:54 a.m. A 31-year-old Monarch Beach woman was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Vandalism. 1300 block of S. Coast Hwy. 10:18 a.m. Pumpkins valued at $75 were smashed.
Traffic stop. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 9:17 p.m. A Redondo Beach woman, 49, was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Pedestrian stop. 30900 block of Coast Hwy. 10:20 p.m. Carlos Ramirez Medina, 39, of Laguna Beach, was on foot when he was stopped by an officer, who ultimately arrested him for suspicion of meth sales and possession.
Traffic stop. Reef Point. 11:28 p.m. A Costa Mesa man, 46, was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
