Briefly In Public Safety

Laguna man dead after minor collision

A man who had a heart attack and died after a minor collision in downtown Laguna on Saturday has been identified as Christian Thomas Medina, 40, of Laguna Beach, according to Sgt. Louise Callus.

Medina was involved in a slow-speed collision on Forest Avenue near Glenneyre at 3:14 p.m., Callus said. His Volvo rear-ended another vehicle at a speed of 5 mph. Officers responded to the incident, and two physicians who witnessed the collision began administering CPR to the driver. Paramedics then arrived and briefly revived Medina using a defibrillator. He was transported to Mission Hospital Laguna Beach where he was pronounced dead about an hour later.

“It is suspected that his medical problems began before and caused the minor traffic collision,” Callus said.

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Employment scam reported

A Laguna Beach resident in the 30000 block of Wildwood Road reported an attempted employment scam through a Craigslist ad on 4:11 p.m. Nov. 4, according to Sgt. Louise Callus.

The ad promised a money-making arrangement in which a check would be sent to the recipient, which the recipient would deposit in their account and send most of the money back, keeping a percentage. However, the check was fake and no money was actually deposited in the victim’s account, Callus said. The victim did not send back any money and did not lose any funds in the transaction.

“It looks like the e-mail was sent from outside the country,” Callus said.

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Traffic stop leads to marijuana arrest

A 31-year-old Costa Mesa man was arrested on suspicion of having 3.6 ounces of marijuana in his backpack after police pulled over a vehicle at 6:12 p.m. Nov. 4 at Myrtle Street and North Coast Highway for having expired tags, Callus said.

The officer smelled marijuana and searched the vehicle, including a backpack owned by Micah Durkin, who was a passenger. Durkin was arrested on suspicion of transporting marijuana and having more than one ounce of the drug, Callus said.

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Parolee jailed in beating

A Baldwin Park man was arrested on suspicion of beating a man at the bus depot in the 300 block of Broadway at 12:47 p.m. Nov. 5, Callus said.

Officers were called to the scene on a report of a fight in progress, she said. They encountered a man who had a deep laceration across his left cheek and a swollen left eye; he also had blood trickling down his face and a swollen cheek.

Scott Simmons, 38, was arrested on suspicion of assault, and also resisting arrest, after he allegedly tried to fight with officers, Callus said. He was held without bail and transported to California Institute for Men at Chino, a state prison, after officers learned he was on parole.

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Man accused of jeans theft

A homeless man was arrested on suspicion of stealing a pair of jeans from a clothing store in the 100 block of S. Coast Hwy. at 3:43 p.m. Nov. 5, Callus said.

The suspect, a 41-year-old man originally from Arizona, allegedly took the pants and left the store, but was followed by an employee who demanded the jeans back. The suspect complied, and police located him later. He was placed under citizen’s arrest.

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Fight ends in man’s arrest

A 47-year-old man, whom police say is homeless, was arrested on suspicion of battery after a fight erupted between two men at 4:15 p.m. Saturday at the bus depot in the 300 block of Broadway, Callus said.

The suspect, Hnric Goodman, allegedly inflicted a two-inch laceration to the victim’s face after accusing the victim of making rude comments to a homeless woman, Callus said.

The victim was taken to Mission Hospital Laguna Beach for treatment. Goodman was transported to the Orange County Jail.

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Pair accused of drug possession

Two New Mexico residents were arrested after police were called to the Aliso Creek Inn on a report of a disturbance at 7:33 p.m. Sunday, Callus said.

Officers allegedly saw marijuana on a table and then found methamphetamine and pipes in the room.

Elias A. Lopez, 28, and Tiffany Nickoll Dickey, 31, were arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and paraphernalia. Each was held on $20,000 bail, according to police records.

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Restaurant window shattered

A window at a fast-food restaurant in the 1200 block of South Coast Highway was shattered during the dinner hour on Tuesday, Callus said. Three BBs were shot into the north-facing window at Jack In the Box at 5:30 p.m., shattering an outer pane of glass. The inner glass remained intact. There were no injuries and no suspects.