PUBLIC SAFETY

PUBLIC SAFETY

Members of Piecemakers face charges in court

Three members of a Costa Mesa Christian sect appeared in court Monday on criminal charges of operating a restaurant without a proper permit and of blocking a health inspection.

The Piecemakers, a Christian group that operates a craft store and restaurant at 1720 Adams Ave. in Costa Mesa, remained defiant, vowing that they would continue to serve food in the Country Store tea room.

Seven members of the Piecemakers were arrested when they refused county health inspectors entrance during a court-ordered inspection Oct. 26.

The district attorney’s office filed charges against four members Monday. The Piecemakers’ 84-year-old founder, Marie Kolasinski, is charged with operating a food business without the necessary permit, refusing admittance to inspectors, and obstructing health inspectors.

* Police arrested a man believed to be the “Big Nose Bandit” early Friday in a Costa Mesa motel.

Amir Hossein Saadat, 28, was arrested at the Vagabond Motel in the 3200 block of Harbor Boulevard. He had been staying there with his father, Hosseinali Saadat, 57, police said.

Amir Hossein Saadat’s father was arrested and is being held on $250,000 bail at Orange County Jail. Police believe Hosseinali Saadat was trying to conceal his son, said Newport Beach Police Sgt. Bill Hartford.

Amir Hossein Saadat is believed to have robbed more than 20 banks in Southern California since June 2, including three in Newport Beach.20051204iqoq8bknKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Marie Kolasinski, center, and Judy Haeger, left, are surrounded by supporters as they read the charges against them after their arraignment at the Orange County Superior Court on Monday. Four members of the Piecemakers, a Christian group, were charged with offenses including operating a restaurant without a permit and interfering with a court-ordered health inspection.