Briefly In Public Safety

Police pursuit ends in fatal accident at Broadway

A police pursuit ended in a fatal crash Monday morning at Broadway, according to police.

California Highway Patrol spotted a silver Scion XB without license plates speeding on the San Diego (405) Freeway near Jamboree Road in Irvine.

They attempted to pull over the vehicle at the 405 and Highway 133 transition at 2:16 a.m. The driver, Benjamin Davis, 32, a Huntington Beach man, did not comply and exceeded speeds of 100 mph, according to authorities.

At 2:20 a.m., the vehicle hit a tree after failing to compensate for the righthand turn near the Forest Avenue intersection, where Laguna Canyon Road turns into Broadway. The vehicle reportedly caught on fire after the accident.

Davis was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics treated him, according to CHP.

After running a vehicle registration check, CHP confirmed that the Scion XB was reported stolen.

CHP is investigating the case.

Group arrested in canyon for alleged drug use

Four people were arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance in Laguna Canyon on March 25.

Neighbors in the 1300 block of Lewell Drive had called after they found syringes in the area and became concerned that drug use was becoming common in the area.

The following were arrested: Anthony Xavier Valdez, 39, of Laguna Beach, Michael Nick Kalatzes, 42, of San Juan Capistrano, Megan Lynn Robel, 20, of Aliso Viejo and Eric Christopher May, 38, of Laguna Beach.

Unknown woman hits curb near LBHS

A possible drunk driver hit a curb and fled the scene at 4:34 p.m. Sunday near Wilson Street and El Bosque.

Witnesses said they saw the driver hit the curb on the west side of the Laguna Beach High School football field. There were visible skid marks all the way down the curb.

They also said the driver appeared bewildered after the incident.

Officers were unable to find her when they arrived 30 minutes later.

L.A. woman arrested on drug charges

A Marina Del Rey woman was arrested for drug-related charges at 12:41 a.m. Tuesday near Wesley Drive and South Coast Highway.

Jamie Lyn Hogan, 30, was arrested for possession of narcotics, drug paraphernalia and on suspicion of DUI.

The report has not been concluded.

Man with knife arrested at Montage

An Aliso Viejo man was arrested after allegedly wielding a knife at 9:31 a.m. Tuesday at the Montage Resort.

Hotel security called Laguna Beach police after they noticed a guest that was acting paranoid and refused to leave the premises. They said they saw a knife on him.

Craig Roger Measel, 42, was arrested for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance.

Men arrested for DUI warrants

Two Santa Ana men were pulled over and arrested for outstanding DUI warrants at 9:19 a.m. Wednesday on Ocean Avenue.

Avelino Rios, driver of the vehicle, had two DUI warrants for $10,000.

He was also cited for driving without a license, lack of registration and no evidence of financial responsibility.

His passenger, Inerira Francisco Rios, had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for $15,000 and a DUI warrant.

Anti-Semitic signs found near Chabad Jewish Center

Anti-Semitic signs were found at 10:17 a.m. Wednesday in the 3000 block of South Coast Highway near the Chabad Jewish Center of Laguna Beach.

They were found at the OCTA bus stop on South Coast Highway, north of Wesley.

The fliers were computer generated with the slogan “Boycott Apartheid Israel,” and featured the Israeli flag with a line across it.

Only one was found Wednesday. An officer had taken down two similar fliers Tuesday.

No more have been reported since.

Couple arrested after alleged hammer fight

A male and female were arrested after domestic violence was reported at 4:52 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of San Nicholas Court. The woman reported that she was hit by a hammer.

Michelle Leilani Hartsfield of Laguna Beach was arrested for resisting a police officer.

Justin Paul Tierney of Garden Grove was arrested for an outstanding warrant for a domestic violence case.

There were no new domestic charges filed. Police do not know if Hartsfield was the victim of Tierney’s outstanding warrant.

The report has not been concluded.

— Joanna Clay