Briefly In Public Safety

Eight arrested during highway checkpoint

Eight drivers were arrested June 26 on suspicion of driving under the influence during the second of four checkpoints planned this year by the Laguna Beach Police Department targeting southbound drivers in the 30000 block Pacific Coast Highway, said Sgt. Bob Rahaeuser.

The checkpoint operated from 9 p.m. until 2:30 a.m., during which 2,032 vehicles passed through the checkpoint.

Of those, 740 vehicles were stopped by officers. Each motorist was given an informational brochure about the hazards associated with driving under the influence of alcohol.

The drivers were also checked for sobriety and possession of a valid driver’s license.

Of 14 people given field sobriety tests, eight were arrested. In addition, 14 were found to be unlicensed or driving on a restricted license and two were issued citations for marijuana possession.

Woman held after parked cars struck

A 38-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested at 1:35 p.m. June 24 on suspicion of DUI after her vehicle reportedly struck two parked cars on Hillcrest Drive, said Laguna Beach police Sgt. Jason Kravetz.

Stacy Marie Wacker was driving a Mercedes Benz SUV which hit an Acura and a Lexus. There was moderate damage to all three vehicles.

Spray-painting on beach leads to arrest

A Riverside man was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism, and two male juveniles detained, after police were alerted that graffiti was allegedly being spray-painted on rocks at Crescent Bay beach at 3:54 p.m. June 24, Kravetz said.

The suspect, Robert Scott Jones, 21, allegedly had blue paint on his arms and also a blue spray paint can when police arrived, Kravetz said.

He faces felony vandalism charges because it will cost more than $2,000 to clean up the graffiti, Kravetz said. Police also discovered Jones had a $10,000 warrant on a public intoxication arrest from San Bernardino County.

The two juveniles were released to their parents. The graffiti did not appear to be gang-related, Kravetz said.

Teens suspected of selling ecstasy

Three juveniles were arrested on suspicion of having ecstasy pills for sale after their vehicle was pulled over at 5:46 p.m. June 24 at Vista del Sol and Coast Highway, Kravetz said.

After stopping the car, officers conducted a search and found several ecstasy pills, Kravetz said.

Two other juveniles in the vehicle were released to their parents with no charges pending.

The detainees “” all accused of possession of a controlled substance for sales and transporting a controlled substance “” were one 17-year-old and two 16-year-olds, all of San Clemente.

Officer’s nose leads to man’s arrest

William Charles Morales, 47, of Orange, was arrested on suspicion of felony possession of concentrated cannabis and misdemeanor possession of less than one ounce of marijuana after a traffic stop at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Kravetz said.

After stopping the vehicle, the officer smelled marijuana and asked the driver about it, Kravetz said.

Morales allegedly handed over marijuana and concentrated cannabis, after which he was arrested.