BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Traffic tied up after collision in canyon

Traffic was gridlocked near downtown Laguna Beach Tuesday afternoon after a vehicle struck a bicyclist, several parking meters and parked cars in the 700 block of Laguna Canyon Road about 3:45 p.m.

The bicyclist, a male, and the 75-year-old woman driver were both taken to Mission Hospital but suffered minor injuries, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

The incident resulted in a Sig-Alert in which all lanes of the highway were ordered closed for an hour.

The driver was reported to have chest pains, according to police records.

Candy stolen from Little League snack shed

Someone reportedly broke into the Laguna Beach Little League Snack Shed at Riddle Field and stole $95 worth of candy bars, Kravetz said. The facility had been locked and secured at 6:30 p.m. May 26 and was reopened at noon May 27. At that time, the roll-up window was observed to be open and it was apparent someone had been inside. It is unknown how the suspect gained entry into the shed, Kravetz said.

Man jailed after altercation at bus depot

Darren Clinton Gerst, 46, was arrested after police were called to the bus depot on Broadway on the report of a man threatening another man while holding a baseball bat, Kravetz said.

The “bat like” instrument turned out to be two pieces of a pool cue four feet in length.

Gerst was held on suspicion of possessing a dangerous weapon, terrorist threats, possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, displaying/exhibiting a dangerous weapon in a threatening manner, possession of a prescription pill without a prescription and violating parole.

Gerst, who is homeless, was taken to Orange County Jail, Kravetz said.

Man held in alleged break-in attempts

Teddy Roy Nelson, 39, of Laguna Beach, was arrested on suspicion of malicious mischief to a vehicle at 12:28 a.m. May 28 after allegedly trying to open the storage unit in the back of two parked trucks on Aster Street, Kravetz said.

Unable to gain entry to the first unit, the suspect went to another work truck but still could not get in. A witness called police, who detained the suspect and arrested him. Nothing was missing from either vehicle.

Vacant home allegedly used as drug site

Three men were arrested at 9:24 p.m. May 29 at a vacant, bank-owned home in the 1000 block of La Mirada Street after an investigation into reports the home was being used for drug dealing, Kravetz said.

Inside the house, detectives allegedly found prescription pills, heroin and psilocybin mushrooms.

Arrested were: Steven Christopher Aiello, 27, of Mission Viejo, on suspicion of trespassing and drug charges, released on his own recognizance; Joseph Donovan Black, 26, of Laguna Beach, booked on suspicion of drug involvement and taken to Orange County Jail; and Cable Jonathan Jansen, 19, of Aliso Viejo, who was issued a citation.

Three shops broken into at Laguna Village

Three shops at Laguna Village in the 500 block of South Coast Highway were broken into by suspects who forced open doors and stole cash and other items, Kravetz said.

The burglaries were reported May 31.