Laguna Niguel man arrested after police pursuit through Laguna Beach

A Laguna Niguel man was arrested Sunday after fleeing police in a pursuit that led Laguna Beach officers from Cress Street all the way to the intersection of Laguna Canyon Road and Canyon Acres Drive.

According to court records, Alexander Tracy, 29, faces several felony and misdemeanor charges including assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, unlawful taking of a vehicle, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, evading a peace officer, evading a peace officer while driving in opposite direction of lawfully moving traffic, hit and run with property damage and driving when the privilege is suspended or revoked.

Tracy pleaded not guilty to all charges Tuesday.

Laguna Beach police said they responded to a reckless driver near Coast Highway and 7th Avenue at around 3:38 p.m. on Sunday. The driver was alleged to be swerving and nearly colliding with other motorists. That driver was later located on Cress Street, where an investigative stop was initiated but failed as the driver didn’t stop.

Police then pursued the driver through Laguna Beach, including through portions of the city’s downtown.

Eventually, the driver drove outbound on Laguna Canyon Road, but then turned onto Canyon Acres Drive. Stop sticks were deployed, but Tracy drove around them and eventually toward two officers.

The driver then entered the intersection of Laguna Canyon Road and Canyon Acres Drive where he broadsided another vehicle, pushing it into a third vehicle. Tracy, ordered out of his vehicle by police, allegedly refused to comply and was tased.

Lt. Jim Cota of the Laguna Beach Police Department said Tracy had been involved in an altercation at his family’s residence in Laguna Niguel, after which he allegedly vandalized the property and stole the vehicle he was driving. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be seeking charges for vandalism and for theft of the vehicle.

Tracy was previously convicted of assault and battery in May and was sentenced a year of probation and 65 days in jail. Tracy will appear in court at the Harbor Justice Center on Aug. 31 for a probation violation disposition and reset and a pre-trial settlement conference.

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