Children Injured in Drunk Mother’s Pile-up
Two young children were treated for minor injuries after their mother was arrested following a collision last Saturday, Jan. 7, that closed Laguna Canyon Road for more than two hours, according to police.
Abigail Wilson, 31, of Costa Mesa, was detained on multiple charges, including suspicion of felony drunk driving, child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance, said Sgt. Louise Callus.
Citizens reported an erratic driver heading into town about 8 p.m., but before officers arrived Wilson’s car had crossed into opposing traffic near Big Bend and hit another vehicle, Callus said. Her children, ages 8, 7 and a third whose age is unknown, were treated at a local hospital before being taken to Orangewood Children’s Home as no responsible person could take custody, she said. Their father resides in Arizona.
No details were provided about the driver of the vehicle hit by Wilson’s. Traffic was tied up for three hours.
Three Convicted in Jewelry Heists
A jury on Monday found two gang members guilty of two jewelry store armed robberies in Tustin and Laguna Beach as well as identity theft and street terrorism, the district attorney reported.
A third defendant pleaded guilty in mid-trial.
The case involved 11 defendants, all San Diego County residents who previously entered pleas or were convicted in the case that involved Laguna’s Baca Jewelry.
Monday, Jan. 2
Grand theft. 1800 block of Temple Hills Drive. A $2,500 fur coat was taken during a party attended by 30 people.
Public intoxication. 5:19 p.m. 30900 block of Coast Hwy. Trevor Nicholas Witt, 26, of Yorba Linda, was arrested for suspicion of DUI while behind the wheel of a non-moving vehicle with its engine running. He was held for $15,000 bail due to two prior convictions.
Tuesday, Jan. 3
Theft. 10 a.m. 600 block of Coast Hwy. Roger Knecht, 59, a local transient, was arrested for suspicion of possessing stolen property and trespassing, allegedly caught with alcohol from a store where he previously had been warned not to enter.
Burglary. 10:32 a.m. 300 block of Weymouth Place. Jewelry and china worth $55,000 has disappeared periodically since January 2010.
Collision. 4:08 p.m. 20300 Laguna Canyon Rd. Five vehicles were involved in a collision in slow-and-go traffic. Injuries were minor.
Animal siting. 7:35 p.m. Vista de Catalina. A bobcat was seen chasing a domestic cat.
Traffic stop. 8:29 p.m. N. Coast Hwy. A 23-year-old Illinois man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 8:54 p.m. Carlos Louie Esperon, 45, of Laguna, was arrested for suspicion of DUI and possession of a controlled substance. His bail was set at $50,000 due to prior convictions.
Wednesday, Jan. 4
Traffic stop. 8:24 a.m. 200 block of Ruby St. A 30-year-old Hemet man was arrested for driving with a suspended license.
Prowler. 10:38 p.m. 3200 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. A man was spotted on a roof. Police are unable to locate.
Thursday, Jan. 5
Burglary. 12:20 a.m. 300 block of Oak St. A 20-year-old Laguna Niguel man was arrested for resisting a peace officer and tampering with a vehicle after he fled when approached by officers, called about someone rummaging through cars. A female companion was released at the scene.
Fraud. 9:44 a.m. 400 block of Canyon Acres Dr. The victim found five fraudulent checks totaling $1,300 had been written against his account.
Vandalism. 1:15 p.m. 800 block of S. Coast Hwy. Someone put sugar in the gas tank of a car. The victim suspects his girlfriend.
Traffic collision. 5:51 p.m. The 20-year-old Laguna Beach driver of a car that rear-ended another vehicle initially fled the scene but returned and was arrested for suspicion of DUI. He was held for $2,500 bail.
Burglary. 5:53 p.m. 2300 block of Temple Hills Dr. The victim arrived home to find the front door and garage open and the pet cat escaped.
Burglary. 7:18 p.m. 200 block of Forest Ave. A painting valued at $7,050 was taken from a gallery in the previous 24 hours. There were no signs of forced entry.
Friday, Jan. 6
Traffic stop. Midnight. Jasmine St. Carmella R. Warren-Johnson, 43, of Highland, was arrested for suspicion of falsifying the date of vehicle registration tabs. Bail was set at $20,000.
Collision. 12:43 a.m. 1500 block of Glenneyre St. Cameron Tyler Bigelow, 18, of Costa Mesa, as well as his 18-year-old passenger suffered moderate injuries after Bigelow crashed a speeding vehicle into a home. Bigelow was arrested for suspicion of felony drunk driving and held for $100,000 bail.
Vehicle fire. 11:03 a.m. Laguna Canyon Rd. Westbound lanes were shut as a car burned.
Theft. 11:35 a.m. 600 block of Brooks St. Sunglasses valued at $350 were taken from an unlocked vehicle.
Near drowning. 3 p.m. Crescent Bay south. A 25-year-old male was rescued from a near drowning.
Vandalism. 6:20 p.m. 1000 block of Glenneyre St. Someone threw a rock through the back window of a vehicle.
Saturday, Jan. 7
Traffic stop. 1:41 a.m. 1200 block of N. Coast Hwy. A 49-year-old San Clemente woman was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Traffic stop. 2:09 a.m. Blue Lagoon. A 21-year-old Rancho Santa Margarita man was arrested for DUI and held for $2,500 bail.
Injury. 11:26 a.m. Alta Laguna Park. A mountain biker is reported with a broken leg.
Animals. 11:56 a.m. Vista de Catalina. A bobcat was reported.
Fraud. 12:24 p.m. 500 block of Allview Terrace. Four unauthorized transactions worth $900 were made to the victim’s debit card at a discount store in Los Angeles.
Sunday, Jan. 8
Burglary. 9:22 a.m. 400 block of High Dr. A $2,500 bike was taken from a carport.
Fraud. 9:56 a.m. 400 block of El Camino Del Mar. An unknown suspect has written three checks totaling $1,013 against an account.
Vehicle burglary. 11:22 a.m. 800 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. A backpack and its contents valued at $600 were taken from a vehicle whose rear window was broken.
Muni code violation. 3:22 p.m. Diver’s Cove. A topless woman was being photographed at the edge of the blowhole.
Collision. 9:09 p.m. 31100 Coast Hwy. A driver escaped injury from a crushed car after flipping her vehicle when it suddenly pulled to the right and hit a curb.
