Briefly In Public Safety

Frenzied deer dies after rampage

A one-antlered deer died despite efforts to resuscitate it after running through downtown Laguna Beach and swimming away into the ocean Wednesday.

The apparently crazed deer wandered into two Forest Avenue shops, crashed into a mirror, and then hit a car before heading to Main Beach shortly before 4 p.m., Laguna Beach police Sgt. Louise Callus said.

The deer swam into the ocean, where it was followed by lifeguards who paddled out to it, before coming ashore at Rockpile Beach where it entered a cave. Animal Control Officer Joy Falk followed the animal into the cave and started giving it CPR as large waves crashed in, Callus said. Falk and the deer were both rescued by police officers who pulled them onto the sand. The deer died shortly thereafter.

The deer is believed to be the same one that was reported acting bizarrely Sunday. That deer, which was running around downtown Laguna Beach, also had one antler, Callus said. On Sunday, the deer was reported to be foaming at the mouth, according to police records.

Callus said the deer was a 1- to 2-year-old male and believed to be rutting, which means it was in heat. Falk was doing fine on Thursday.

Cyclist injured on North Coast Highway

A bicyclist sustained a broken collarbone, head contusion and lacerations on back and arms after colliding with a vehicle that reportedly made a U-turn in front of the bicyclist at 7:17 a.m. Aug. 11 at North Coast Highway and Emerald Bay, said Callus.

The cyclist was transported to Mission Hospital Mission Viejo for treatment of the injuries.

Fleeing vehicle clocked at 100 mph

The driver of a suspected stolen vehicle being chased by Laguna Beach police reached speeds of 100 mph as he drove through South Laguna on the Coast Highway at 1:41 a.m. Saturday, Callus said.

Officers initially attempted to stop the vehicle at Cress Street due to speeding and music that amplified more than 50 feet. The officers lost the vehicle in Dana Point.

Teen allegedly punched over rude gesture

A 17-year-old male reported being punched in the face by an angry passenger who got out of his vehicle in heavy traffic on Laguna Canyon Road at 1:09 p.m. Saturday, Callus said.

The victim told police he was driving in slow traffic and “flipped off” a female driver who allegedly passed him in the emergency lane and cut in front of him. A male passenger of the vehicle then got out and walked to the victim’s car and began to yell at him about flipping off his wife, who was the driver. The man then allegedly punched the teenager, then continued walking alongside the victim’s car until the victim pulled out of traffic and called police.

Man accused of selling marijuana

A 56-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of possessing and selling marijuana after police allegedly observed a drug sale take place at 5:26 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of Ocean Avenue, Callus said.

Peter Wahl was held on $100,000 bail in Orange County Jail, according to police records. Police allegedly confiscated 38 grams of marijuana from the suspect.