Police: Man waved machete at teacher

A Lake Forest man was arrested Saturday after reportedly brandishing a machete at an Anneliese School teacher.

Juan Vigil Portillo, 31, was arrested on suspicion of exhibiting a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance and DUI, according to Lt. Jason Kravetz.

Police began receiving calls around 2 p.m. that a man had pulled into the parking lot of the school, 20062 Laguna Canyon Road, when the kindergarten graduation ceremony was ending. Callers reported that he was drinking beer inside of his Toyota Tundra and acting strange, Kravetz said.

When one of the teachers approached the suspect and asked him to leave the property, he allegedly pulled out a machete and swung it at her, Kravetz said.

The woman promptly called 911, but the suspect left the property as officers pulled in. Irvine police, California Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Department were notified. About 20 minutes later, Irvine police pulled over Portillo. Prior to the stop, Irvine police had received calls of a man driving erratically and swinging a machete at motorists.

Laguna police responded with the teacher to identify him. Irvine police released Portillo to Laguna police to be arrested. The possession charge was added after his arrest, when methamphetamine allegedly was found in his possession while in jail.

— Joanna Clay

Twitter: @joannaclay