Briefly In Public Safety

Woman injured on New Years

Police were called when a woman was found on the ground at 12:03 a.m. Jan. 1 in the 600 block of South Coast Highway with a possible broken leg, after an apparent argument with her husband, said Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Louise Callus.

Alcohol was involved in the incident, Callus alleged.

Explosion results in arrest of boy, teenager

An 11-year-old Laguna Beach boy was arrested, along with an 18-year-old Dove Canyon man, after an explosion and incendiary devices were reported on South Stonington Drive at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2, Laguna Beach Police Lt. Jason Kravetz said.

A Three Arch Bay security guard flagged down an officer near the entrance to the gated community, saying he had heard a loud “bang” and that several small objects were on fire in the middle of the road, Kravetz said.

The officer allegedly found five paper cups filled with a burning substance, in addition to other unexploded items nearby.

A witness pointed out a residence into which two juveniles were seen running, and police talked to an 11-year-old boy and his parents inside the home. The officers were told the explosive devices were made from shotgun shells, alcohol and duct tape, Kravetz said.

The Sheriff’s Department bomb squad was called to take possession of the incendiary items in the street and in the home, Kravetz said.

The officers were also told that the juvenile and another male juvenile had made explosive devices that were thrown at cars, joggers and bicyclists on Coast Highway, Kravetz said.

The boy was detained on suspicion of possession of a destructive device, exploding a destructive device with intent to intimidate and terrify, and possession of materials with the intent to make a destructive device without a permit.

Logan Lewis Gregson, 18, who is the boyfriend of the 11-year-old’s sister, was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and conspiracy to commit a crime, Kravetz said. Gregson allegedly bought the shotgun shells for the boy and participated in the making of the explosive devices. He was booked at the police station and released on bail.

Juveniles cited after street party

Five young people, including two juveniles, were cited for possession of alcohol after police were called to a report of 10 kids partying in the street at 8:53 p.m. Jan. 2 in the 30000 block of Marilyn Drive, Callus said.

Three of those cited were between 18 and 20 years of age and two were 17 years old.

‘Volunteer’ lot attendant takes cash

A parking lot attendant reported that a homeless man who frequents downtown Laguna Beach had accepted $10 from a female driver entering the parking lot, and then gave her a bogus parking receipt at 9:32 a.m. Sunday in the 200 block of Broadway, according to police records. The lot attendant retrieved the money and declined to prosecute the suspect.

Alleged shoplifter accused of assault

A 52-year-old woman was held without bail after she allegedly struck a store employee with her car while trying to flee with a stolen pair of pants in the 300 block of Forest Avenue at 4:32 p.m. Sunday, according to police records.

Mottahereh Sadeghi allegedly stole a pair of $176 jeans and then was pursued out of the shop by an employee who took out his camera to take a photo of her license plate.

Sadeghi allegedly bumped the man’s leg before being arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, burglary, and possession of burglary tools.

She was already on probation from a prior arrest, and was held without bail in Orange County Jail, according to jail records.