Woman found dead in the surf A...

Woman found dead in the surf

A woman’s body was discovered in the surf near Hotel Laguna on

Wednesday morning.

Marilyn Alicia Brown, 35, of Los Angeles was pulled out of the

water fully clothed, and her car was found near the beach, Capt. Paul

Workman said. There was no evidence she was beaten.

Autopsy results are pending and are expected to be released within

the next few weeks, according to the Orange County coroner.

Investigators will work to learn if Brown drowned or died of some

other cause.

Brown was pulled out of the ocean by a beachgoer, Marine Safety

Officer Tom Traeger said.

A small patch of sand behind the hotel was taped off as detectives

examined the scene. A small group of onlookers watched the

investigation while beachgoers played in the water nearby. Brown’s

body was removed from the beach shortly after 10 a.m.

Police on the lookout for teapot

An original teapot was reported stolen from a Laguna gallery last

week.

The painted teapot, “Little Red Riding Socks,” was reported stolen

between 6 p.m. July 22 and 2:30 p.m. July 23 from Pacific Gallery on

Forest Avenue, Sgt. Jason Kravetz said. The thief apparently entered

the store during business hours and walked out unseen by the clerk.

Police have no suspects in the theft.

The teapot, “Little Red Riding Socks,” is an elaborate porcelain

and gold work in the shape of a topless woman seated on a painted

sphere. A bird wearing a party hat is perched on a ball balanced on

the figure’s head. The piece is valued at $8,500.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind museum piece,” gallery owner Steve Hough

said.

Man suspected of using counterfeit bill

Police arrested a Huntington Beach man who allegedly tried to

spend counterfeit cash at the Boom Boom Room.

Robert William Forbes, 37, was arrested at 1:24 a.m. Saturday. He

was booked on suspicion of a felony charge, first-degree burglary and

three misdemeanors: obstructing a police officer, destroying evidence

and making a fictitious check.

Police received a call from the Boom Boom Room on South Coast

Highway that two bouncers had detained Forbes after he tried to pass

a fake $100 bill. When police arrived at the club, Forbes tried to

run away but was quickly caught, Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

Kravetz said Laguna police believe Forbes had counterfeit money,

but a final determination would have to be made by the U.S. Secret

Service.

Police only found two counterfeit bills, Kravetz said, which means

the likelihood Forbes would face federal charges is low. He will most

likely be tried in Superior Court for alleged violations of

California law.