Briefly In Public Safety

Mother and son rescued from fire

A mother and son were rescued from a fire in the 3000 block of Zell Avenue about 8:20 a.m. Aug. 13, according to city officials.

The fire started in a detached garage, which was destroyed, and the home sustained significant smoke damage. City firefighters responded along with mutual aid from Orange County Fire Authority. The fire was reported knocked down at 8:53 a.m.

The two who were rescued were taken to Mission Hospital Laguna Beach for examination and were subsequently released. The Red Cross helped in locating accommodations.

Fire leads to hotel evacuation Tuesday

Police are investigating a fire that caused the evacuation of a hotel in the 1400 block of North Coast Highway at 2:22 a.m. Tuesday, Lt. Jason Kravetz said.

The fire began in a vacant lot where a homeless encampment was next to the hotel and it spread to a stairwell at the hotel, Kravetz said.

The fire was contained in a short period of time and no injuries were reported.

Site vandalized; damage is $250

The former Jolly Roger building in the 400 block of South Coast Highway, now under reconstruction, was vandalized when someone entered the fenced property, pried open a tool chest, and sprayed three fire extinguishers around the interior, Kravetz said. The vandalism, totaling $250, was reported at 9:06 a.m. Aug. 12.

Two held on suspicion of purse theft

Two Illinois men who had just been released from the city drunk tank were rearrested on suspicion of stealing a woman’s purse at 5:13 a.m. Aug. 13 in the 200 block of Myrtle Street, Kravetz said.

The purse had been reported stolen from a local restaurant the previous evening.

The owner of the purse contacted her cell phone company, which tracked the phone by GPS to a rental vehicle parked in the 200 block of Myrtle Street.

After seeing the purse in the car, police called a two truck to open the car door. The purse and contents “” about $1,576 cash and an iPod, plus the cell phone and other items “” were retrieved.

While the investigation was under way, a booking officer was releasing two men who had been arrested the previous evening on a public intoxication charge, Kravetz said. One of the men had rented the vehicle. Officers located the two in the 200 block of Cleo Street, and arrested them in connection with the purse theft.

Ted Anthony Arciniega, 20, of Darien, Ill. and Robert Joseph Mayer, 25, of Chicago were taken into custody. Arciniega was booked on suspicion of grand theft and Mayer on suspicion of possession of stolen property.