Briefly In Public Safety: Police: Man admits to stealing truck

A Riverside man that lives at the Alternative Sleeping Location reportedly stole a man’s truck while the owner was busy unloading groceries on Oct. 12, Sgt. Louise Callus said in an email.

Brandon Colin Heath, 18, was arrested on suspicion of petty theft, vehicle theft, driving under the influence and driving without a license.

According to police, a caller reported that a man was trying door handles on cars in the 800 block of Glenneyre Street. The suspect continued to Catalina Street. The caller lost sight of the suspect but said he saw him take a wallet from a vehicle, Callus said.

A second caller reported a suspect was trying to open vehicles on Catalina Street and was headed southbound. The caller said he saw the suspect get in a white truck.

Police arrived and initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The truck’s driver attempted to flee southbound but was quickly stopped and detained.

Shortly after, the owner of the truck walked out of his home, which is about a block north of the stop, and confirmed that the truck was his. The owner of the truck had left the keys in the ignition as he was unloading, police said.

Heath admitted to stealing the vehicle and the wallet, Callus said.

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Laguna Beach announces new fire chief

Deputy Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse will become the new fire chief on Oct. 29, according to a press release. He will replace Fire Chief Kris Head, who is retiring after 28 years of service.

LaTendresse has been with the Laguna Beach Fire Department for 15 years and previously worked at the Cathedral City Fire Department and Indio Fire Department.

He has more than 30 years experience in the field and was a firefighter in the United States Air Force, the release said.

— Joanna Clay

Twitter: @joannaclay