Briefly In Public Safety

Man jailed in attack on bus driver

A man who police say is homeless was arrested at 4:29 p.m. Feb. 24 after allegedly threatening to kill a female bus driver at the bus depot on Broadway, Lt. Jason Kravetz said.

The bus and driver were at the depot when the suspect, Paul Leo Ryan, 54, allegedly began yelling at the driver, who fled into her bus and shut the door in fear for her safety, Kravetz said.

Ryan then allegedly went around to the driver’s side window and reached through it, grabbing her shoulder and attempting to grab the controls on the bus panel. The driver was not injured and police do not know what prompted the alleged attack.

Police arrested Ryan on suspicion of felony terrorist threats and misdemeanor battery. He was transported to Orange County Jail, where he was held on $30,000 bail. He has a court date Monday, according to jail records.

Painting stolen from open gallery

A painting valued at $2,200 was reported stolen from a gallery in the 500 block of South Coast Highway at 12:57 p.m. Feb. 25, Kravetz said.

The suspect entered the gallery while it was open between Feb. 17 and 24 and removed the painting, “Ex Libris.”

The owner discovered the painting missing while doing an inventory.

The 11-by-12-inch painting by Michael Parks depicts a woman and books in monotone colors.

Alleged speeding driver held on DUI suspicion

A 21-year-old Garden Grove man was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI after crashing his vehicle in downtown Laguna Beach at 3:17 a.m. Feb. 26, Kravetz said.

Newport Beach police initially reported that a speeding driver was approaching Laguna Beach on Coast Highway.

Laguna officers saw a Honda Accord traveling faster than 70 mph at Beverly Street. By the time officers reached the vehicle, it had crashed at Ocean Avenue and sheared off a light pole.

The driver, Kyle James Nishimi, suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, in addition to being arrested. The car was severely damaged. Nishimi was the only person in the car and no other vehicles were involved, Kravetz said.

Feet burned after spray can ignites fire

A man was burned after an aerosol can exploded and ignited a fire at a home in the 300 block of Anita Street at 9:23 a.m. Sunday, Kravetz said.

A female resident was using a spray adhesive and dropped the can, which sprayed all over the kitchen, igniting a flash-over fire possibly from the pilot light on the stove, Kravetz said.

A man in the home was taken to the hospital for treatment of burns on his feet.

Alleged beer theft lands man in county jail

A 22-year-old San Clemente man was arrested at 11:59 a.m. Sunday after allegedly stealing three bottles of Heineken from a market in the 200 block of Broadway, Kravetz said.

The manager called police and reported that a man had shoplifted beer and fled. Police located the suspect inside the bus depot restrooms nearby.

He allegedly had two beers in his pockets, having apparently finished the first bottle before police arrived.

Pablo Maciel Gomez was arrested on suspicion of burglary because he allegedly went into the store with the intention of taking the beer and had no money to pay for it, Kravetz said.

Gomez has already been convicted of several theft-related crimes, Kravetz added. He was held in Orange County Jail on $20,000 bail, according to jail records.