Briefly In Public Safety

Tsunami advisory issued after quake

Laguna Beach public safety officials were prepared to handle a 2-foot surge along the oceanfront Tuesday evening, following a tsunami advisory, but the event did not happen.

Two additional lifeguards were added to the roster after the National Weather Service issued the advisory for coastal California and Oregon following a huge earthquake in the Samoan Islands about 11 a.m. Pacific time. The tsunami was expected to hit the Pacific coast about 8 p.m. Tuesday.

“We were expecting a 2-foot [tidal] surge, but it did not materialize,” Laguna Beach Police Lt. Jason Kravetz said Wednesday. “There were strong rip tides,” he added.

Petty theft accusation leads to drug arrest

A Yorba Linda man was arrested on suspicion of drug possession and other charges after he was accused of failing to pay for $10 worth of gas in the 100 block of North Coast Highway at 1:19 p.m. Sept. 24, Kravetz said.

The suspect, identified as Tyrone David Jones, 27, who was riding a motorcycle, was stopped by Newport Beach police, who turned him over to Laguna Beach police. Laguna police searched him and allegedly found heroin and 16 syringes in his possession. Jones also had five warrants for his arrest, which totaled $180,500.

The gas station clerk declined to prosecute him for the petty theft because Jones’ boss paid the $10, Kravetz said. The warrants were for possession of drugs, burglary, battery and possession of a concealed weapon.

Brother accused of assaulting sister

A 34-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested after allegedly attacking his sister and vandalizing a shop in the 31000 block of Coast Highway at 10:22 a.m. Sept. 25, Kravetz said.

The suspect, Sophal Kris Nam, entered the store and allegedly demanded money from his sister, who refused. Nam then allegedly kicked the glass display case, shattering it, and allegedly threw his sister’s laptop onto the ground, destroying it.

When she ran out the front door, he allegedly kicked her in the back as she exited the store.

The damage to her property is estimated at $2,000.

At 12:55 p.m. that day, police officers located Nam and arrested him on suspicion of battery, petty theft (he also allegedly took $3 from the cash register), and felony vandalism.

Nam also had a $15,000 warrant for his arrest, Kravetz said.

Man arrested in Ecstasy case at club

A 20-year-old San Clemente man was arrested on suspicion of possessing Ecstasy in a club in the 600 block of South Coast Highway at 12:40 a.m. Sept. 26, Kravetz said.

Officers on foot were flagged by the club bouncer who said he had detained a man who he believed was selling drugs inside the bar, Kravetz said.

Officers searched the suspect, Taylor David Pringle, and allegedly found Ecstasy in his possession.

Sisters held after altercation at eatery

Two sisters were arrested after a fight with security guards at a restaurant in the 500 block of South Coast Highway at 10:50 p.m. Saturday, Kravetz said.

Donna Dee Little, 44, of Rancho Santa Margarita, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery and her sister, Crystal Nicole Little, 21, of Mission Viejo, was arrested on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon.

Police were initially called to the scene by Donna Dee Little, who complained about being kicked out of the establishment, Kravetz said. When police officers arrived, Crystal Nicole Little was allegedly hitting the security guard over the head with a bottle of Corona beer. The security guard did not suffer serious injuries.

Six cited in underage alcohol sting

Employees of six Laguna Beach restaurants were issued misdemeanor citations for allegedly selling alcoholic beverages to a minor during a decoy operation Tuesday evening, Kravetz said.

During the operation, a decoy entered 28 businesses. The decoy, who was younger than 21, was seeking alcohol.

All but one of the businesses checked the decoy’s identification, but an employee at five of the businesses failed to recognize the decoy as a minor despite checking the identification.

The restaurants in which an employee was cited were: Hennessey’s Tavern; La Sirena Grill-South Laguna; Lumberyard; Royal Hawaiian; Sorrento Grille; and Z Pizza.

The decoy operation is funded by a grant from Alcoholic Beverage Control.