Police arrested two Laguna Beach High School teens for suspicion of felony narcotics possession after school officials allegedly caught them smoking heroin in a campus restroom about 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, police said.
Police seized .31 grams of heroin in a jacket pocket, searched as part of the officer’s investigation, Sgt. Louise Callus said.
The amount, reported by police initially as 13 grams, apparently caused an uproar among parents, who inferred dealers were selling heroin on campus, said principal Joanne Culverhouse, who asked police to clarify the amount that was seized.
“I can only imagine how alarming this incident must be for you as parents, as it is for me and my staff,” Culverhouse said in a letter to parents, released on Tuesday, Nov. 19. “I encourage you to speak to your children regarding this incident and instill the severe impact that drugs and alcohol can have on their lives,” she said.
The unidentified 16- and 17-year-old girls, initially detained by school officials, were arrested and released to their parents, said Callus.
The girls were discovered after a teacher called the office when one student did not return to the classroom in a timely manner, Culverhouse said. A campus supervisor found the pair smoking heroin in a restroom stall, she said.
Local arrests involving heroin aren’t all that unusual, Callus said. “It’s still a mixed bag of meth, heroin, scripts, and alcohol,” she said.
Monday, Nov 11
Detective activity. Norwalk. 8 a.m. Cristian Jhosimar Rodriguez, 23, of Whittier, was arrested for suspicion of burglary and held for $20,000 bail following an investigation stemming from a $347 purchase at a Laguna Beach store using an allegedly fraudulent gift card. A second suspect remains outstanding.
Fire. 31800 block of Coast Hwy. 8:38 a.m. The contents of a pot on the hospital’s kitchen stove caught fire.
Traffic collision. Boat Canyon Dr. 7:38 p.m. A driver escaped injury after plowing into a fire hydrant and rolling the vehicle.
Tuesday, Nov. 12
Suspicious person. 20400 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 9:22 a.m. A 44-year-old transient, of Buena Park, who was reported walking outbound and talking to herself, was arrested for several outstanding warrants.
Grand theft. 400 block of Loma Terrace. 12:41 p.m. A Cannon camera valued at $1,800 was stolen from stroller.
Wednesday, Nov. 13
Traffic collision. 13-03941. 2600 block of Temple Hills Dr. 10:18 p.m. A suspected drunk driver failed to negotiate a curve and plowed across the property of a home on Cresta Way, uprooting shrubs and irrigation lines and ultimately hitting a tree. A 41-year-old Laguna Beach man was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Thursday, Nov. 14
Injured animal. 2200 Park Ave. 7:14 a.m. A resident reported an injured deer that apparently cannot move its back legs.
Traffic stop. 200 block of N. Coast hwy. 10:12 p.m. A 327-year-old Capo Beach man was cited for driving on a suspended license stemming from a previous DUI arrest.
Traffic collision. Myrtle St. Two minor injuries resulted from a five-car pileup that blocked northbound traffic temporarily.
Traffic collision. On LCR between. One person suffered neck and back pain as a result of a three-car accident outside the city limits, north of Highway 73.
Friday, Nov. 15
Prowler. 2600 block of Queda Way. A resident reported someone in the backyard, but police find nothing.
Saturday, Nov. 16
Traffic stop. 13-03977. State Highway. 1:14 a.m. Jose Colula Ortiz, 27, of Aliso Viejo, was arrested for suspicion of DUI and held for $10,000 due to a previous offense.
Traffic stop. Ocean Ave. 2:56 a.m. A 23-year-old Huntington Beach man was cited for DUI and held for $2500 bail.
Saturday, Nov. 16
Traffic collision. 400 block of S. Coast hwy. 2:29 p.m. One driver suffered neck and back pain after a rear-end collision involving three vehicles apparently caused by inattention.
DUI. Cleo St. 9:07 p.m. A 50-year-old Laguna Beach woman was cited for DUI and held for $2500.
ADW. 13-03989. 1100 block of S. Coast Hwy. 12:49 a.m. Investigators are pursuing a man who fled a bar after allegedly lacerating the face of another patron with a bottle.
Traffic stop. Blue Lagoon. 2:15 a.m. Ryan Ray Velin, 38, of Laguna Niguel, was arrested for suspicion of DUI and held for $10,000 bail due to a prior offense.
Sunday, Nov. 17
Vandalism. 300 block of Harold Dr. 11:33 a.m. Window smash.
