Briefly In Public Safety

Bobcat warning issued after local sighting

Laguna Beach police and Animal Services officers responded to the 1200 block of La Mirada at 5:55 p.m. Oct. 2 on a report of a mountain lion sighting, Sgt. Louise Callus said. The resident took a photo of the animal, which was in her backyard. Officers searched the property, adjacent to a wilderness area, and the animal was not found.

After examining the photo, an Animal Services officer determined the animal was actually a large bobcat and not a mountain lion. Several residents approached officers afterward and informed them of a family of bobcats seen in the area recently; however, there have been no reports of any attacks on domestic animals or humans.

The differences between a mountain lion and a bobcat are that a mountain lion has a longer tail, rounded ears and normally weighs between 90 to 120 pounds. A bobcat’s tail ranges from 3 to 8 inches, has pointed ears and normally weighs between 20 to 40 pounds.

If either animal is sighted, residents should use caution and immediately call the Police Department at (949) 497-0701.

Painting sold, then reported stolen

Laguna Beach police detectives are investigating a report that an art patron purchased a $2,400 painting from a gallery in the 500 block of South Coast Highway, paid with a credit card, received the painting and then put a stop payment on the charge, said Callus. The gallery owner made the report at 10:29 a.m. Sept. 30.

Saxophone theft alleged near library

A saxophone worth $2,000 to $3,000 was reported stolen from the 300 block of Glenneyre Street, outside the library, at 7:47 p.m. Oct. 1, Callus said.

Woman jailed in illegal lodging

An Arizona woman was taken to jail after being cited for illegal lodging at a church at 340 St. Ann’s Drive at 2:45 a.m. Oct. 2, Callus said. The woman was to be cited and released by police, but after she allegedly refused to sign the citation she was taken into custody and transported to Orange County Jail.

Bag with art reported stolen

A man told police he left his duffel bag in the 1100 block of South Coast Highway and someone picked it up and took it. The bag contained drawings worth $1,400 that the victim said he was attempting to sell to the patrons at a bar. The report was made at 10:43 a.m. Oct. 2.

Woman jailed in scavenging case

A 66-year-old woman was arrested at 10:45 a.m. Oct. 2 in the 400 block of Cliff Drive at Picnic Beach after police accused her of scavenging for recyclables, Callus said. Police allege the suspect lied about her name, then refused to provide identification, so she was taken to the station to be fingerprinted and identified. She was then arrested and taken to Orange County Jail.

Swiped sardines lands man in jail

A man was arrested on a burglary charge at 8:12 p.m. Sunday after allegedly eating a can of sardines in the restroom at a local grocery store and not paying for the food, Callus said.

Paul Ogle, 53, was arrested after a witness saw him on a bus and called police. Ogle was held on $20,000 bail, according to Orange County Jail records.