BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Alleged shoplifter caught after fleeing

A determined shop owner followed and caught a 38-year-old Australian woman who had allegedly stolen $902 worth of clothing from a shop on the 1400 block of South Coast Highway and fled down an alley at about 1:30 p.m. on March 17, Kelso said.

Passersby helped the shop owner keep tabs on the alleged suspect, pointing out her whereabouts as she ran, reportedly shedding stolen clothing along the way.

The shop owner chased the suspect into a dry cleaner, and police arrested her. The clothing was recovered.

The suspect, Sonya Pollard, fainted after being arrested, and was taken by paramedics to a local hospital, where she was cleared to be booked on suspicion of grand theft, and then transported to Orange County jail.

Police searched Pollard’s Mission Viejo hotel room and vehicle, and found numerous other stolen goods, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Darin Lenyi said.

Suspects nabbed in vehicle thefts

Two men and a woman were arrested at 2 a.m. on March 14 on suspicion of stealing items out of three unlocked vehicles on Starlit Drive near Morningside Drive, Laguna Beach Police Det. Debbie Kelso said.

John William Ogorzalek, 39, of Seal Beach; Michael Andrew Hiscox of Long Beach; and Melissa Yumi Hanaki, 22, of Westminster, were booked on suspicion of grand theft and transported to Orange County Jail.

The three had allegedly stolen tools, a wallet and a camcorder out of the three vehicles.

They were captured near Glenneyre and Brooks streets after police received a tip from a victim.

All the stolen items were recovered.