Briefly In Public Safety

May 28, 2010 12 AM PT

Coastline Pilot

High surf results in weekend rescues

Seven people were pulled from high surf Saturday at three beaches in Laguna, according to police records.

A diver was rescued from waters off the 1900 block of Ocean Way at 12:51 p.m.

Lifeguards were called to assist two swimmers in a rip current off Sleepy Hollow beach at 3:30 p.m.

Two were rescued from the surf off Lagunita Beach in South Laguna at 4:07 p.m.

A man and young girl were pulled out of the water about 100 feet from shore off Treasure Island Beach in South Laguna.

All the rescuees were reported to be fine. The high surf was accompanied by strong winds that battered the coastline. Diving was closed at all city beaches due to the weather, according to police records.

Dog euthanized after biting girl at beach

An 80-pound pit bull was euthanized by its owner after it bit a 7-year-old girl at Brooks Street Beach at 12:42 p.m. May 20, Lt. Jason Kravetz said.

The girl was with her family and friends, all from Whittier. One of them, a 21-year-old, had his pit bull on a leash. The young girl started petting the dog, which allegedly began biting her, leaving lacerations on her face and left arm, Kravetz said. The girl was hospitalized at Mission Children’s Hospital for the injuries.

The owner of the dog requested that the dog be euthanized, saying it had bitten another person. The dog was taken to a local veterinarian for the procedure, Kravetz said.

Man discovers forgeries and fraud

Forwarded phone calls led a Laguna Beach man to discover forged checks and identity theft fraud totaling $11,000, Kravetz said.

The victim became suspicious about his accounts when he learned that his phone line was being forwarded to an unknown number, Kravetz said.

He started checking all his accounts and discovered the forgeries and fraudulent activities.

Bicyclist accused of drunken cycling

A 37-year-old Santa Ana man was arrested on suspicion of driving a bicycle while intoxicated, after colliding with a car at Ocean Avenue and South Coast Highway at 9:37 p.m. May 20, Kravetz said.

The bicyclist was riding on the sidewalk when he allegedly went into the street in front of a car turning right.

The cyclist was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor scrapes and scratches from the incident.

Driver faulted in motorcycle crash

A motorcyclist was injured after he broadsided a Mercedes-Benz that turned in front of him in oncoming traffic at 4:41 p.m. May 21 at Cleo Street and South Coast Highway, Kravetz said.

The motorcyclist sustained road rash and was taken to Mission Hospital Laguna Beach for treatment.

The driver of the Mercedes will be sent a citation for causing the crash by not yielding to oncoming traffic, Kravetz said.

Raccoon damages bathroom in home

A possibly-rabid raccoon demolished a family’s bathroom before animal control officers were able to retrieve it from a home in the 900 block of Tijuana Street at 9:28 a.m. Saturday, Kravetz said.

The raccoon entered the home through the dog door and was fighting with the family’s three dogs — an English bulldog, corgi-chow mix, and a Dalmatian, Kravetz said.

Before police arrived, the owners had cornered the raccoon in the bathroom and shut the door.

“We had to tranquilize the raccoon with a dart gun before entering because the animal had destroyed the bathroom,” Kravetz said. “It tore drywall off the walls, tore paintings from the wall, damaged plumbing, the toilet and some electrical.”

The raccoon was euthanized so it could be tested for rabies.

Man accused of using false papers

A Santa Ana man was arrested on suspicion of having false citizenship documents, a felony, after a traffic stop at Cliff Drive and Myrtle Street at 7:36 a.m. Sunday, Kravetz said.

Jose Simon Diaz, 26, allegedly showed a false social security card and resident alien card after an officer stopped his vehicle because of false registration tabs.