Briefly In Public Safety

Four women report man following them home

Police are seeking a man who has reportedly followed women home from downtown Huntington Beach and fondled them.

Four women have complained about the man since August, Huntington Beach Police Lt. Mike Reynolds said.

The man is described as a Latino between the ages of 20 and 30, 5-feet-7 to 5-feet-9 and 180 to 200 pounds, with a clean-shaven face, prominent cheekbones, crooked teeth and slicked-back hair.

The man has targeted women who are walking home alone late at night and engaged them in conversation, then groped them, Reynolds said.

In one case, he entered a woman’s home through an open or unlocked entrance and fondled her.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (714) 375-5066.

— Michael Miller

Surf legend facing trial for possession

A Huntington Beach surf legend is facing trial after allegedly being found outside a local youth center with a gun and drugs in his car.

Joey Ray Hawkins, 39, was arrested Nov. 5 when police found him under the influence of a stimulant such as methamphetamines or cocaine, said Huntington Beach Police Lt. Russell Reinhart. The toxicology report hasn’t come back yet, Reinhart said.

Hawkins is charged with possession of a controlled substance with a firearm, being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.

He pleaded not guilty Nov. 9 and is being held at the Central Men’s Jail on $40,000 bail.

Police were called by a shelter employee about 9 p.m. when Hawkins was wandering around the shelter, Reinhart said.

Hawkins is expected to continue his pre-trial at 8:30 a.m. Monday in courtroom W14 at the West Justice Center.

— Britney Barnes