Police seek suspect in tree poisonings Police...

Police seek suspect in tree poisonings

Police are investigating multiple tree poisonings in Arch Beach

Heights.

At least three cases have been reported since March, police said.

In the most recent poisoning, on May 2, an unknown suspect reportedly

used a chemical substance, most likely gasoline, to contaminate the

soil around an oak tree valued at $40,000. The tree was at a home in

the 1100 block of Miramar Street.

The homeowner, whose name was not made public, told police that a

neighbor on Noria Street also had two trees poisoned, police said.

Two similar incidents were reported in March and April, Det. Andy

Peck said. In March, a tree was reportedly poisoned by a white

crystalline substance, probably rock salt, in the 1300 block of Del

Mar Avenue. In April, it was reported that another tree in the 1100

block of Miramar Street was poisoned with a similar substance.

Poisoning a tree is a misdemeanor, but illegally dumping gasoline

could be a felony if a large enough amount of the fuel was used, Peck

said.

Woman a suspect in Laguna embezzling

A woman was arrested on suspicion of embezzling about $15,000 from

a Laguna real estate company.

Police arrested Stacy Benda, 32, of Laguna Niguel on May 6 at her

home after a brief investigation, Det. Matt August said.

Benda was hired to manage accounts at Buy Owner Realty in

February, and in the middle of April the company was notified by Bank

of America that several questionable checks had been cleared.

“[The company] subsequently realized that this young lady had

written 13 unauthorized checks to herself,” August said.

After the Buy Owner heard from the bank, they fired Benda and

filed a police report. Police obtained a search warrant of Benda’s

bank account tracked down money from the company’s funds to her

account. Benda was arrested after a week-and-a-half long

investigation.

“It was pretty easy,” August said.

Stolen property viewing is set

The police department will hold a viewing of property that is

believed to be stolen on Wednesday.

Police seized the property in early April, and items on display

will include laptop computers, car stereos and golf clubs. Thefts

have been traced to Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo,

Laguna Niguel, Hollywood, Indio and possibly Irvine. Anyone attending

the viewing will need to bring a copy of their original police report

and valid ID.

Property will be shown from 8 a.m. to noon at the police station

at 505 Forest Ave. For more information, call Sgt. Darin Lenyi at

(949) 497-0701.