Briefly In Public Safety

SWAT incident ends in Laguna

Newport Beach’s SWAT team used 40 mm rubber bullets to subdue a Bellflower woman who they said refused to obey officers’ commands after a short vehicle pursuit Friday night that ended in Laguna Beach.

Kelly Sheree Taylor, 48, was arrested on suspicion of evading arrest and driving under the influence of drugs by Newport Beach police after she refused to stop and drove south, police said.

After police tried to stop her car in Newport Beach, she fled into Laguna and eventually stopped but did not respond when officers ordered her out of the car, police said. Officers were told Taylor may have been armed with a handgun and Newport Beach’s SWAT team was deployed.

Officers used non-lethal rubber bullets to subdue her and take her into custody. Paramedics treated Taylor at the scene before her arrest, officials said.

Authorities had received 911 calls about a white SUV driving erratically without its headlights on at East Coast Highway and Cameo Shores at about 6:43 p.m. Police said Taylor was the driver. She’s being held in Orange County Jail pending bail.

Spike strips were deployed at Diamond Street and Moss Street to attempt to stop the driver, according to Laguna Beach police files. Eleven people were evacuated from a sports facility during the incident. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Newport Beach police at (800) 550-NBPD.

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Student suspected in marijuana sales

A Thurston Middle School student was transported to juvenile hall after he was suspected of selling marijuana on campus, according to Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Louise Callus.

School officials called police to the campus at 1:16 p.m. Jan. 12 after suspecting that marijuana sales were being transacted at the school.

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Anti-skateboard signs stolen

Five signs promoting a ban on skateboarding in Laguna Beach were reported stolen at 11:53 a.m. Jan. 13 from private property, Callus said. The signs, valued at $35, were stolen from various locations.

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Bar fight leads to arrest

A 24-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of battery with great bodily injury after allegedly punching a man during a fight at a bar at 1:27 a.m. Sunday in the 700 block of South Coast Highway, Callus said.

Zamon A. Taher was accused of sucker-punching the victim, who fell to the ground and sustained a two-centimeter gash to the back of his head. The victim required 10 staples to treat the wound. Taher was held on $25,000 bail.

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Water tower antenna vandalized

An antenna that serves as a communication device for the Water District sewer system was reported disabled at 8:29 a.m. Sunday, Callus said. The antenna is located at a water tower at Top of the World in the 3200 block of Alta Laguna Boulevard. The cost to fix it is $400.

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Flood-damaged home vandalized

A trespasser sleeping at a residence that is not habitable due to flood damage is believed to have caused more than $4,000 damage to the home in the 20000 block of Laguna Canyon Road, Callus said. The home lacks electricity or heat, according to police logs.

“Someone appears to be sleeping at the residence and several items were smashed including coffee mugs and some picture frames and a $4,000 clock,” Callus said.

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Man accused of damage at pottery business

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing more than $900 in damage to a pottery business in the 300 block of North Coast Highway at 2:13 a.m. Monday, Callus said.

An alarm sounded at the business and responding officers found a plate glass window smashed. Officers chased a suspect identified by a witness, and arrested Jordan Christopher Schreiber on suspicion of vandalizing the business by breaking the window and several pots.

He was held on suspicion of felony vandalism on $20,000 bail, according to police records.

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Woman struck at Bluebird Canyon

A 41-year-old Laguna Beach woman was struck by a vehicle while crossing South Coast Highway in a crosswalk at Bluebird Canyon Drive at 11:34 a.m. Monday, Callus said.

The victim sustained an injury to the back of her head and was transported to Mission Hospital Mission Viejo for treatment. Traffic in the area was delayed for about 45 minutes due to the incident.