Briefly In Public Safety

Woman accused of hit-run, DUI

A 28-year-old Orange woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI and hit-and-run after allegedly sideswiping a vehicle in an adjacent lane at Glenneyre and Thalia streets at 9:06 p.m. June 16, Lt. Jason Kravetz said.

After the collision, the driver, Maria Stella Garza, allegedly fled, and was followed by a witness until officers arrived and stopped the car at Park Avenue and St. Ann’s Drive.

Man in woman’s clothing cited

A man dressed in women’s clothing was issued citations for alleged public intoxication and drug possession June 16, Kravetz said. The man, from Santa Ana, had been reported to police at 11:24 p.m. as a woman drinking alcohol in the 700 block of South Coast Highway. Police arrived and chased the suspect to the 1000 block of South Coast Highway. Upon searching him, a pipe with methamphetamine residue was allegedly found. The man was issued a citation for both misdemeanor charges and released at the scene.

Four held in meth case

Four men were arrested on suspicion of selling methamphetamine after detectives stopped them in two vehicles at Vista del Sol and Coast Highway at 1:46 p.m. June 17, Kravetz said.

Richard Romo, 41, of Riverside, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale and conspiracy to commit a criminal act. Loren Arthur Steptoe, 65, also of Riverside, was arrested on suspicion of transportation of a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit a crime. Jesus Angel Torres, 25, of Anaheim, was arrested on suspicion of offering to sell a controlled substance and conspiracy to commit a crime. Antwan Nathaniel Wheelock, 40, of Long Beach, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a crime and offering a controlled substance for sale.

Detectives had been watching the vehicles prior to the car stop and suspected they might be in possession of methamphetamine. This drug was found in both cars, Kravetz said.

Nitrous oxide alleged at party

A 17-year-old San Bernardino boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing nitrous oxide, which was allegedly being dispensed from a SCUBA tank during a gathering at Wood’s Cove beach at 11:47 p.m. June 18, Kravetz said.

Police discovered a group of 10 people on the beach with a bonfire, Kravetz said.

“An officer watched as a man was filling balloons from a SCUBA tank filled with nitrous oxide,” he said.

Nitrous oxide is commonly inhaled from balloons. Police eventually detained a 17-year-old girl, who was brought to the station on suspicion of possession of alcohol, and she was released to her mother. The owner of the tank was also brought to the station and later released to his parents.

Man accused of having dangerous weapon

A 54-year-old Newport Beach man was taken into custody after police allegedly found a martial arts weapon in his vehicle after an altercation at a shop in the 100 block of South Coast Highway at 12:43 p.m. Sunday, Kravetz said.

Saeeh Pourzandsani allegedly threatened to harm a gas station store clerk who told him he could not come into the store with his dog, Kravetz said. When police looked into the suspect’s vehicle, they allegedly found a weapon similar to nunchucks. The suspect was taken into custody and held on $20,000 bail. His dog was taken to the animal shelter.