Police Files

Panga boat washes ashore at Anita Street Beach, investigation ongoing

On Thursday, Sept 16 at 5:10 a.m., officers were dispatched to Anita Street Beach for a report of an unoccupied motorboat washing up on the sand with several drums of fuel still inside of it. Upon LBPD’s arrival, the Maritime Coordination Center (MCC) was contacted, and officers searched for layoff vehicles in that area.

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Courtesy of Louis Weill

The panga was a single-engine, 30-foot vessel with 16 lifejackets and 12 fuel containers. US Coast Guard responded and contacted vessel assist in removing the panga that had already capsized. The panga was removed, and the Laguna Beach PD Maritime team will work with MCC on the investigation. 

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Submitted photo

According to LBPD Lt. Jim Cota, it is believed the people aboard the boat survived. “This investigation is still ongoing,” he stated.

Laguna Beach Fallen Officer Remembrance Ceremony on Tuesday

On Tuesday, Sept 21, LBPD will host its annual Fallen Officer Remembrance Ceremony. The remembrance ceremony honors two Laguna Beach Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty serving the Laguna Beach community – Officer Gordon French (End of Watch, February 13, 1953) and Motor Officer Jon Coutchie (End of Watch, September 21, 2013).

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Courtesy of City of LB

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of City of LB

The ceremony will start at 3 p.m. in front of the Eterenal Legacy police memorial, in front of the Laguna Beach Police Department, and will conclude around 3:30 p.m. 

LBPD will also be dedicating its new K-9 memorial at this time.

A reception will be held following the ceremony.

Police Files

Motorcyclist dies in fatal collision in the canyon, DUI suspect arrested

On Saturday, Aug 7 at approximately 10:15 p.m., Laguna Beach Police and Fire Dispatchers received 9-1-1 calls of an injury traffic collision on Laguna Canyon Road just past Laguna College of Art and Design involving a motorcyclist and a vehicle. Police and Fire personnel arrived within minutes and pronounced the motorcyclist deceased at the scene. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that three vehicles and a motorcyclist were traveling outbound approaching the 2300 block of Laguna Canyon Road when the motorcyclist attempted to pass on the left side. At the same time, the driver of one of the three vehicles tried to make an unexpected U-turn, which caused the motorcyclist to collide with the vehicle. 

The deceased motorcyclist is identified as 55-year-old Stefano Albano of Corona. The driver of the vehicle that attempted to make the U-turn, 68-year-old Becky Merrifield Ettinger of Huntington Beach, was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Due to the fatal collision, all lanes of Laguna Canyon Road were closed from Broadway at Forest to El Toro Road from 10:25 p.m. to 5:45 a.m., and traffic was rerouted. This traffic collision is still under investigation. 

Late-night stolen vehicle pursuit ends in arrest, one suspect still at large

On Saturday, Aug 8 at 9:24 pm, Laguna Beach officers were alerted of a stolen vehicle headed inbound at the 2200 block of Laguna Canyon Road. An officer located the vehicle and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle ultimately stopped at Monterey and Jasmine Street, where two of the three occupants ran from the vehicle. One remaining subject was identified as a juvenile and detained at the scene. 

After creating a perimeter, a helicopter and additional personnel from Irvine PD and Newport Beach PD were called to help search for the other two occupants. The driver, Amari Randall, was located nearby in the bushes and surrendered. The final suspect remains at large. 

Randall was charged with multiple crimes and the juvenile was taken to Juvenile Hall and is facing handgun-related charges. 

Editor’s Note: An arrest contains allegations that a suspect has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Police Files

Missing Garden Grove man washes ashore in apparent accidental drowning

On Thursday, April 22 at 10:45 p.m., Laguna Beach Police and Fire personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive male who appeared to have washed ashore at Mountain Street Beach. On arrival, emergency personnel immediately rendered life-saving measures to revive the male. He was transported to Mission Hospital - Mission Viejo, where he was pronounced dead. 

The male individual was identified as Long Tran, 35, from Garden Grove. Tran was reported missing with the Garden Grove Police Department earlier in the evening by his family.

Upon initial review, Laguna Beach Police Detectives and the OCSD Coroner believe this incident was an accidental drowning. An autopsy will be conducted next week to determine the actual cause of death.

If anyone has any information about this incident, please contact Detective Drake at (949) 497-0767.

Police Files

Chief Thompson joins other OC police and sheriffs in stance against hate crimes and bigotry

The Orange County Chiefs of Police & Sheriff’s Association, and all of its membership, stands in unity with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities across the country.

“We condemn hate crimes and bigotry against these communities and remain committed to our role in protecting these individuals from hateful acts.

“Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by instances of hate or intolerance. We stand against these unjustified attacks and against the fear and pain that they cause. We urge everyone to come together in solidarity with the AAPI community, and to do everything we can to prevent hate and discrimination.”

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Police Files

Dog is reunited with his owner after being stolen from local grocery store

On Sunday, April 4 at approximately 9 p.m., an officer responded to Ralph’s (700 South Coast Hwy) in reference a stolen dog investigation. The dog owner secured his 3-year-old Lhasa Apso “Beauderaux” to a bike rack and entered the store. Upon exiting, he realized his dog was missing. The owner searched the parking lot and after negative results, he met with the store employees and reviewed the surveillance camera. He observed an allegedly intoxicated male take his dog and flee in a silver sedan. 

Shortly thereafter, dispatchers received a call reporting a suspected intoxicated driver leaving a north Laguna restaurant. The reporting party was an employee who advised a male was refused service due to his obvious intoxication. The male left the restaurant in a grey Honda. 

Minutes later, dispatchers received another call from an employee from an adjacent restaurant reporting an allegedly intoxicated male was inside their business requesting alcohol. The male left and walked towards a grey Honda.

Officers located the Honda and conducted a vehicle enforcement stop in the 300 block of Cypress Drive. The driver was identified as Christopher Barbee (Artesia resident). He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of DUI. 

Another officer responded to the scene and observed Barbee’s passenger was in possession of “Beauderaux.” The dog was recovered and reunited with his emotional and grateful owner. 

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Courtesy of LBPD

“Beauderaux” is reunited with his emotional and grateful owner thanks to community and LBPD

According to LBPD PIO Lt. Jim Cota, Barbee was arrested on suspicion of DUI and felony theft of the dog. He was later transported to Orange County Jail.

Editor’s Note: An arrest contains allegations that a suspect has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.