Briefly In Public Safety

Bomb squad called to Crescent Bay beach

A sheriff’s department bomb squad detonated a suspected pipe bomb that was reported near a lifeguard tower at Crescent Bay beach at 9:35 a.m. Sept. 16, Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

The device had been reported to police by citizens who picked it up and heard something inside.

Laguna Beach police examined it and determined that it looked authentic, Kravetz said. When the bomb squad blew a hole in the device to open it up about 11 a.m., they found children’s toys inside.

“At this point, it is either a strange way of storing children’s toys or someone was intending on playing a joke with the authentic-looking device,” Kravetz said.

The beach area was determined safe at about 11:30 a.m.

Man accused of vehicle tampering

A 41-year-old San Diego man was arrested on suspicion of trying to enter a vehicle and an outstanding warrant after police followed him at 3 a.m. Sept. 17 near Jasmine Street, Kravetz said.

The suspect, Bruce Edwin Myers, attracted police attention by reportedly walking down the middle of the street, dressed all in black. The officer lost sight of the suspect, but then located him allegedly trying to open the door of a parked Lexus in the 400 block of Jasmine Street.

When the suspect saw the officer, he ran and police found him hiding under a car nearby.

Officers also allegedly found a pair of gloves underneath the Lexus.

Myers had a $500 Laguna Beach drinking in public warrant out for his arrest, Kravetz said.

Beach shower proves costly for woman

A woman who left her $6,000 diamond wedding ring in a beach bag while she used the Main Beach showers reported the ring and other items stolen from a bench at 11:36 a.m. Sept. 16, Kravetz said.

The total loss was $7,256.

Police seek attempted burglary suspect

Laguna Beach police are looking for a man who apparently tried to break into an employee lounge area after closing hours in the 200 block of Forest Avenue on Sept. 16, Kravetz said.

A store employee was closing up for the evening when she heard a noise from upstairs. When she went to investigate, she confronted a man near the employee break room. The man said he was looking for a bathroom, and then ran off. Then the employee saw that the lock and door jamb were severely damaged.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5’10” to 6 feet tall, weighing 180 to 200 pounds, with an unkempt appearance, wearing a beige button-down shirt. His hair was in a ponytail.

Anyone with information should call the Investigations Division at (949) 497-0377.

Teen girl accused in drug sales at park

A 17-year-old Tustin girl was arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale after she and a 16-year-old Santa Ana boy were found at Crescent Bay Park at 12:26 a.m. Saturday, Kravetz said.

The boy allegedly had a beer hidden in his pants, along with a baggie of marijuana, and was issued citations for the alcohol and marijuana violations. He was brought to the station and released to a parent.

Inside the girl’s car, officers allegedly found marijuana pre-packaged for sale. She was taken to juvenile hall.

Laguna teen is arrested in drug case

An 18-year-old Laguna Beach youth was arrested on suspicion of possessing pills for sale at 10:20 p.m. Saturday after officers responded to a house on South La Senda Drive on a report that several juveniles were drinking and possibly using drugs, Kravetz said.

When officers arrived, they saw two males run away. One youth, Zachariah Adam Kaplan, was caught. Kaplan had a $50,000 warrant out for his arrest for alleged possession of drugs for sale.

Officers allegedly found a knife and prescription pills without a valid prescription in his possession. Kaplan was arrested on the warrant, possession of a concealed knife, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, Kravetz said.

Homeless man’s campfire sparks fear

A homeless man new to Laguna Beach lit a campfire on Laguna Canyon Road near Canyon Acres Drive that resulted in numerous calls to the fire department at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Kravetz said.

Responding firefighters found that it wasn’t a brush fire, but a campsite fire, and police issued the 59-year-old man a citation for illegal lodging and moved him out of the area, Kravetz said.

“He did not intentionally light the fire for nefarious means,” Kravetz said. “It was to cook and keep warm.”