Driver arrested after being Tased during scuffle with officers in Laguna Beach, police say

Laguna Beach police used a Taser to help subdue a driver who they allege spit on officers and challenged them to a fight after he was pulled over Sunday evening.

Police were called to South Coast Highway and Laguna Avenue at 7:21 p.m. following several reports of a car swerving in and out of traffic and nearly hitting a bicyclist, Sgt. Jim Cota said.

Police said the vehicle hit a parked car after turning onto El Paseo.

The vehicle “continued to drive onto the cobblestone area of Main Beach, narrowly missing pedestrians,” Cota said.

Officers stopped the vehicle near Third Avenue and Coast Highway, Cota said.

An 8-year-old girl was sitting in the right rear passenger seat, police said. Police did not disclose whether the man and the girl are related.

As officers tried to detain the man, he became “increasingly uncooperative” and pushed officers backward toward oncoming traffic, Cota said. The man challenged the officers to fight and spit on one’s face, Cota said.

An officer used a Taser and authorities were able to restrain the man, though he continued to kick and try to twist away from them, according to Cota.

Israel Chavez, 39, who police said is on parole in a previous carjacking case, was arrested on suspicion of resisting officers, child endangerment and violating parole.

Chavez, of El Monte, is being held in Orange County Jail without bail, according to jail records.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN