Man convicted of attacking trolley shuttle driver in Laguna Beach

A 27-year-old man was convicted Tuesday of attacking the driver of a trolley shuttle in Laguna Beach when he was told he was not welcome to ride on the bus.

Daniel William Delrosario, who is described as a transient, was convicted of a misdemeanor count of battery on a transportation worker and robbery and dissuading a witness by force, both felonies.

He was acquitted of misdemeanor assault on a peace officer and felony resisting arrest, according to court records.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 24 in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana.

Co-defendant Robert Peralta pleaded guilty Nov. 1 to misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to 60 days in jail and ordered to participate in self-help meetings.

Delrosario tried to board a shuttle Sept. 21 but the driver refused, saying Delrosario was too intoxicated, according to Laguna Beach police Sgt. Jim Cota. The defendant started yelling at the driver and got on the trolley and punched the driver several times in the face and chest, Cota said. The driver activated an emergency button to summon police, Cota said.

A passenger on the trolley tried to pull Delrosario off the driver, which apparently upset Peralta, who attacked the passenger, Cota said.

During the incident, Delrosario took a witness’s backpack, and the witness had to take it back from him, Cota said.

Both defendants got off the bus and ran away but were later arrested, Cota said.

The driver was taken to Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach for treatment of pain.

Delrosario had pleaded guilty to a felony count of battery with serious bodily injury in September 2017, as well as misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and assault on a peace officer. He was sentenced to 261 days in jail in that case and placed on three years’ formal probation.

Daily Pilot staff contributed to this report.

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