Major crime drops 10% in Laguna

Major crimes dropped 10% in Laguna Beach in 2010, police said Friday.

Part two crimes, such as vandalism, simple assaults, threats, weapons offenses, narcotics violations and juvenile crimes, went down 14%.

In the major crime category, forcible rape went down 54.5%; burglary, 28.1%; vehicle theft, 40.9%; and arson, 75%.

In its annual report, the LBPD noted some of their major cases from the year, such as catching the fast-food robber, the floods that hit Laguna, busting a rave and finding $40,000 in Ecstasy pills, allegedly solving a 1978 homicide cold case and the sentencing of the Citizen’s Bank robber to 54 years in prison.

Laguna Beach Animal Services said that although the floods displaced many animals and the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter was severely damaged, no animals were injured.

Their report noted that cat impounding has gone up by 17% and animal adoption has decreased since 2009.

For more information, visit lagunabeachcity.net.

—Joanna Clay