Briefly In Public Safety

Woman struck by city public works vehicle

A female pedestrian sustained minor injuries after she was struck by a city public works vehicle about 8:50 a.m. Wednesday in the area of Diamond Street and South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach Police Lt. Jason Kravetz said. A Sigalert was called, closing all lanes for an hour after the incident. The woman was taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo for treatment.

Cleaners’ door decor stolen over weekend

A plant and logo decor that was on the door at Live Wire Cleaners in the 400 block of Forest Avenue was stolen over the weekend. The large planting, which decorated the door of the shop, was reported stolen at 10:48 a.m. Monday. It is worth $1,800.

Drug-related charges dropped against man

Charges have been dropped against a medical marijuana prescription holder, Michael David White, 26, who was arrested Aug. 1 in Laguna Beach after police allegedly found hashish and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website.

White was released Aug. 4 after three days in Orange County jail, after the district attorney declined to prosecute based on the medical marijuana prescription, said spokeswoman Farrah Emami.

The Laguna Beach Police Department has a medical marijuana prescription on file for White, according to Kravetz.

White said he is now homeless in Laguna Beach, after relocating to the area about two months ago from Sacramento. White said he has now lost his vehicle, which was impounded by police and is too costly to retrieve.

Basket stolen after a day at beach

A basket with a cell phone, camera and sunglasses totaling $700 was reported stolen at 8:56 p.m. Aug. 6 after a family spent the day at Aliso Beach, Kravetz said.

The family had moved all their belongings to the curb and went to get their car.

When they loaded the car, they saw that one bag was missing. No suspects were seen.

Man accused in Viejo Street tire slashings

A 49-year-old Irvine man was arrested at 11:21 p.m. Aug. 7 on suspicion of using a knife to slash tires on three vehicles in the 200 block of Viejo Street, Kravetz said.

A witness walking his dog in the vicinity told police he saw the suspect kneel down next to a car and then saw the tire deflate. The witness gave police a description of the suspect, who ran away. Officers located him at Crescent Bay Beach and allegedly found a knife in his possession, Kravetz said.

John Andrew Wilson was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism. The total damage for all three cars “” on which one tire was slashed per car “” is about $600.

Man arrested after speeding in canyon

A 26-year-old Irvine man was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and DUI early Saturday after an officer observed a gold Ford Taurus heading eastbound on Laguna Canyon Road at a high rate of speed, Kravetz said. The vehicle was passing slower cars in the center divider. The officer gave chase but the vehicle continued speeding, and the driver allegedly shut all the car lights off and made an evasive move into a parking lot in the 2000 block. The officer pulled in behind the driver and called for assistance while detaining the man. Ahmad Khalifah Mabrok was arrested at gunpoint at 1:57 a.m., according to police records.

Man runs over lot attendant’s foot

A parking lot attendant accused a man of driving over her foot while leaving her lot without paying the $20 parking fee at 5:34 p.m. Saturday, Kravetz said.

The driver had pulled into the lot in the 500 block of South Coast Highway and did not pay the attendant at that time. He came back to his car a short time later with a woman. He then got into his car and allegedly screeched out of the lot and onto the highway, running over the foot of the attendant, who complained of minor soreness. The attendant wrote down the license plate and gave it to police to try to locate the suspect.

Two arrested after rear-end collision

An Irvine woman and her 17-year-old female passenger were held on suspicion of hashish possession after a traffic collision in the 900 block of Laguna Canyon Road at 2:17 p.m. Sunday, Kravetz said.

Police said Shelby Rae Jacob, 18, rear-ended a white sedan while driving a white Chevy pickup. Police were called to the collision, and during the investigation Jacob was detained on suspicion of DUI; in addition, she and the minor were both taken into custody on suspicion of drug possession.

Girl treated for alcohol poisoning

A 17-year-old girl from Laguna Hills was found passed out near Oak Street and South Coast Highway at 10:48 p.m. Sunday, Kravetz said. The girl was so intoxicated that she had to be taken to the hospital for treatment of alcohol poisoning.