New Charges Filed Against Rug Seller
As expected, a registered sex offender previously charged with sexually assaulting eight women in a Laguna Beach rug store has been charged with assaulting three more who came forward as a result of news accounts, prosecutors said.
Saeid Boustanabadi Maralan, 53, Laguna Niguel, was charged Friday, Oct. 21, in an amended complaint involving three new victims with two felony counts of sexual battery by restraint and one misdemeanor count of indecent exposure. He previously had pled not guilty to multiple other sex-crime charges and initially was arrested in August.
In an unusual twist last week, Laguna Beach police also arrested Javad Mostafavi, 70, of Irvine, a well-known member of the Persian community, for allegedly trying to extort money from Maralan’s wife, who continues to operate the Sirous & Sons store on Ocean Avenue.
Mostafavi is the publisher of the Irvine-based magazine Payam-e-Ashena, a monthly published since 1989, and mailed to 25,000 Persian American subscribers and businesses in Southern California.
He allegedly sent Maralan’s wife an email threatening to put Maralan’s mug shot on the next cover unless she provided a $3,000 cashier’s check, Lt. Jason Kravetz said.
Maralan’s name nor the charges against him have apparently not been published on Payam e Ashena’s website.
Mostafavi was released from custody for $20,000 bail. His arrest came as a shock in the Persian community, where he is well respected.
Monday, Oct. 17
Grand theft. 11:31 a.m. Stans Lane. A resident reported the theft of $12,000 in miscellaneous items in August 2010.
Citation. 1:30 p.m. 600 block of Park Avenue. An 18-year-old Laguna Beach man was cited for throwing a soda at a bicyclist, who provided police with a description of a vehicle.
Pedestrian stop. 2:53 p.m. Heisler Park. A 40-year-old Laguna Beach transient was arrested for outstanding failure to appear warrants and was held for $50,000 bail.
Occupied vehicle. 11:21 p.m. Oak Street. Sheleta Nycole Morton, 28, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for allegedly possessing prescription pills, driving under the influence and a misdemeanor warrant for drunk driving. She was arrested after a series of field sobriety tests.
Tuesday, Oct. 18
Hazard. 9:27 a.m. 2900 block of Alta Laguna Blvd. The street was closed for 90 minutes due to a gas line punctured by contractors.
Grand theft. 1:13 p.m. 2900 Alpine Way. Roofing equipment and an iron gate valued at $4790 were stolen.
Vandalism. 2 p.m. 1400 block of S. Coast Hwy. A hotel room was reported damaged though there were no signs of forced entry.
Grand theft. 2:15 p.m. Virginia Way. People staying at the home of an absent owner store multiple items, including a Dutch oven and surf board, cumulatively valued at $13,000.
Speed race. 10:54 p.m. 31100 block of Coast Hwy. A 25-year-old Lake Forest man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Wednesday, Oct. 19
Bonfire. 12:41 a.m. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. A wood pallet was ignited on asphalt behind the homeless shelter.
Traffic stop. 1:15 a.m. El Bosque. A 26-year-old Laguna Niguel man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Vandalism. 5 p.m. 1300 block of Temple Hills Dr. A neighbor cut down trees without authorization.
Traffic stop. 9:42 p.m. William Bryan, 38, of Laguna Beach, was arrested for an outstanding warrant and held for $15,000 bail.
Thursday, Oct. 20
DUI. 5:19 a.m. 1700 block of Glenneyre St. Miguel Castro, 25, of Lake Forest, was arrested for suspicion of DUI and hit and run. A civilian flagged down an officer and pointed out a drunk driver involved in a hit and run on Arch Street.
DUI. 12:52 p.m. 31000 block of Brooks St. A Laguna Beach woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Trespassing. 6:41 p.m. Ocean Vista. Two men reported camping near the water tank.
Stolen vehicle. 6:49 p.m. 3300 Laguna Canyon Rd. Sheriff’s deputies in Aliso Viejo recovered a vehicle and arrested two occupants less than three hours after a resident reported her vehicle missing.
Assist. 8:47 p.m. 1400 block of N. Coast Hwy. Jeffrey Steven McBride, 44, Laguna Beach, was arrested for violation of parole; he was consuming and in possession of alcohol.
Friday, Oct. 21
Traffic stop. 1:58 a.m. 1500 block of Glenneyre St. A 22-year-old Irvine woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Burglary. 11:08 a.m. 200 block of Forest Avenue. An employee was seen on a surveillance video removing a clothing item worth $15.
Traffic stop. 10:42 p.m. 31100 block of Coast Hwy. A 19-year-old resident of Bend, Ore., was arrested for drunk driving.
Saturday, Oct. 22
Burglary. 1 a.m. 700 block of S. Coast Hwy. Kyle James Nevin, 23, of Santa Ana was arrested for suspicion of burglary after police found him hiding behind a car nearby. Market employees reported that a customer ran out with a hand basket filled with food and alcohol without paying. Steaks, boneless ribs, a bottle of rum and a gallon container of ice cream were recovered. The total loss was $94.61.
Occupied vehicle. 1:57 a.m. 200 block of Mountain Rd. Rebecca Suzanne Belyea, 38, of Huntington Beach, was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving after an officer observed her making a traffic violation. This was her second drunk driving arrest.
