COSTA MESA : 13 People Arrested in Raid at Coastal Inn

Police arrested 13 people this week in a raid at a local motel, taking them into custody over suspected drug, weapons and warrant violations.

Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Matt Collett said a monthlong investigation of the Coastal Inn was initiated because of complaints from residents about the motel at 2374 Newport Blvd.

Collett said 23 officers took part in the Wednesday evening raid, circling the motel about 5 p.m.

A part-time manager at the motel said Friday said she was not allowed to talk about the arrests.

The district attorney’s office on Friday charged Laura Arredondo, 32, of Costa Mesa and Terri Rauch, 44, of Costa Mesa with the alleged sale of narcotics.

Charges have not yet been filed against the other people arrested.

Randy Lee Howe, 36, of Costa Mesa was arrested on suspicion of possession of illegal needles. Miles Crossen, 38, of Costa Mesa was arrested on suspicion of possession of a sawed-off shotgun.

Catherine Herbert, 31, of Huntington Beach and Sandra Christensen, 45, of Costa Mesa was arrested on suspicion of possession of narcotics.

Arrested on outstanding warrants were Shelli Firsich, 32, of Santa Ana and Matthew Depiano, 40, Gary Hall, 40, James Cobb, 25, James Zugay, 44, Joan Cooper, 33, and Kimberly Fergus, 28, all of Costa Mesa.