Briefly In Public Safety

Suspects flee after burglary

Laguna Beach police are seeking two suspects who allegedly stole a $70 GPS device from a vehicle in the 500 block of Anita Street at 2:14 a.m. Nov. 25, Sgt. Louise Callus said.

The vehicle owner heard his car door open in the driveway and yelled at the suspects, who were inside the vehicle. The suspects, believed to be juveniles, escaped. Both were wearing hoodies, Callus said.

*

Door kicked in by burglar

A Laguna Beach resident reported that $3,000 in personal property was stolen from a home in the 800 block of Catalina Street after the door was kicked in, Callus said. The report was made at 8:14 a.m. Nov. 26.

*

Spate of break-ins in Arch Beach Heights

Several vehicles were reported broken into in the Arch Beach Heights area on Nov. 26, Callus said. One vehicle was broken into but there was no loss; another break-in resulted in a loss of $30 in power cords. Wallets from the break-ins were found in bushes in the 1700 block of Del Mar Avenue at 2:41 and 2:42 p.m. on Nov. 26, according to police records.

*

Trespassing report leads to forgery arrests

A trespassing report on Saturday led to the solving of a burglary that occurred the previous day in Laguna Beach, according to Callus.

Two people were arrested on trespassing and forgery charges after police were called to a vacant home in the 1200 block of Ocean Avenue on a report that a homeless woman was living there, Callus said. When police arrived at 9:49 p.m. Saturday, they allegedly discovered a woman and four men sleeping inside. A lock had been broken to gain entry to the home, but the alleged trespassers claimed that the home was authorized to be used as a homeless sleeping site when the Alternative Sleeping Location was full, Callus said. The homeowner was contacted and asked police to enforce criminal trespassing charges against the suspects.

While police were questioning suspect Pamela Beth Rosenthal, 43, a checkbook was allegedly discovered that did not have her name on it. It was determined that the checkbook had been stolen from a Laguna Beach home on Catalina Street on Nov. 26. In addition, police alleged that checks had been written on the account to two other men, one of whom was at the location and another who frequents the ASL. Rosenthal allegedly admitted writing the checks and forging the owner’s name. Rosenthal and Justin Daniel Wilson, 24, who allegedly admitted receiving and cashing a forged check, were arrested on those charges, Callus said. Each was held at Orange County Jail on $20,000 bond, according to jail records.

Two other homeless men at the location were arrested on trespassing charges, according to police records.

*

Man accused of spitting at bus driver

A 23-year-old man was cited for allegedly spitting at an OCTA bus driver at 9:32 a.m. Sunday after the bus driver allegedly refused to stop for him, Callus said.

The rider chased down the bus, catching it just as it was leaving the bus depot in the 300 block of Broadway. The irate rider stood in front of the bus, then pulled the bus doors open, and allegedly spat at the driver and also allegedly took a $1 bus schedule. The bus company notified police, who tracked the suspect down at North Coast Highway and Jasmine Street. He was cited and released after being identified by the bus driver.

*

Man accused of ramming police car

A 66-year-old San Bernardino man was arrested on suspicion of ramming a police car with his vehicle during a rampage at 12:35 a.m. Monday at Diamond and Glenneyre streets, Callus said.

Jerome Scott Mcafee was also arrested on suspicion of DUI, evading, and battery upon a victim who accused the suspect of following him home from work on his bicycle and punching him in the face without provocation, Callus said.

A police officer responded to the scene of the alleged battery incident, and saw the suspect flee in his vehicle. The officer attempted to stop the suspect but the suspect sped off through a red light, then allegedly starting doing “donuts” in the middle of the street before allegedly ramming the police officer’s vehicle, Callus said.

“The suspect told officers that he rammed the patrol vehicle because he did not know if she [the officer] was a good cop or a bad cop,” Callus alleged. “His decision to ram her vehicle was clearly intentional after hearing his statements.” The vehicle sustained minor damage to the rear bumper as a result of the incident, she said.

Mcafee was taken into custody on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon upon a peace officer, in addition to the other charges. He was held at Orange County Jail on $100,000 bond, according to jail records.