Briefly In Public Safety

Four injured in head-on collision

Four people, including a 6-month-old infant, were taken to area hospitals after two SUVs collided head-on on North Coast Highway at Myrtle Street at 5:33 p.m. Oct. 1, Sgt. Bob Rahaeuser said.

A vehicle traveling southbound, driven by a man, with his wife and child in the vehicle, allegedly veered into oncoming traffic, striking another SUV driven by a woman. Both drivers were trapped in their seats and had to be extricated from the vehicles, Rahaeuser said.

The adults had moderate traumatic injuries. The child was not injured.

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Man arrested after bar fight

A 43-year-old Lake Forest man was arrested on suspicion of attempted manslaughter after police were called to a bar in the 1400 block of South Coast Highway at 1:20 a.m. Saturday on a report that a man had been badly beaten, Rahaeuser said.

The victim, who was hospitalized, sustained a nasal fracture and lacerations requiring seven stitches, Rahaeuser said.

The suspect, Behzad Sami, had reportedly encountered the victim in the men’s restroom at the bar before allegedly pushing him to the floor and repeatedly punching his face. Afterward, the suspect walked into the women’s room to wash the blood off his hands, and then attempted to flee, Rahaeuser said.

During the beating, the suspect allegedly told the victim, “This is the last face you’re ever going to see.”

Police set up a perimeter around the bar and arrested the suspect. Sami was held on $1 million bond, according to police records. He posted bond and was released from jail the same day. Police do not know the motive for the attack.

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Father accused of harming daughter

A 39-year-old Las Vegas man was arrested in Laguna Beach after citizens called police reporting that a man was pulling a teenage girl out of a car by her hair in the 200 block of Ocean Avenue at 2:12 p.m. Saturday, Rahaeuser said.

Police officers located the daughter, 15, who allegedly confirmed the reports about her father’s behavior. Reiner Shawn Sommer, who was staying at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Laguna Niguel, was arrested on suspicion of inflicting injury upon a child, and also on a warrant for vandalism and another alleged crime issued in San Diego County.

Sommer was held on $150,000 bail at Orange County Jail.

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Fight leads to man’s jailing

An Aliso Viejo man was jailed after police were called to the bus depot in the 300 block of Broadway at 6:51 p.m. Oct. 1 on a report that two men were fighting, Rahaeuser said.

Police arrested the suspected aggressor in the fight, Jeffrey Scott Wadsworth, 48, who also had several warrants for his arrest on drug allegations, Rahaeuser said.

Wadsworth was then arrested on an additional felony charge of allegedly bringing a controlled substance, marijuana, into a jail.

That charge arose after Wadsworth was asked if he had any controlled substances in his possession. He said he did not, but a jail search revealed a small amount of marijuana, Rahaeuser alleged.

Wadsworth was held at Orange County Jail without bail.