BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Burglar left blood in car

A suspect who entered an unlocked Mercedes parked in the 32000 block of Coast Highway and stole a $25 gift card and $10 in loose change was apparently bleeding at the time and left blood droplets behind, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jason Kravetz said. The blood was collected for DNA processing. The burglary was reported at 8:44 a.m. April 29.

Police arrest suspect on LAX tarmac

A Laguna Beach man was arrested after flying into LAX from Spokane, Wash., at 1:30 p.m. April 29 on a bench warrant in connection with a 2007 residential burglary in Three Arch Bay, Kravetz said.

Cory Joseph Clark, 19, is accused of stealing a checkbook and credit cards; subsequently, $9,000 worth of checks were allegedly cashed. Clark, who lives in Laguna Beach, allegedly failed to show up for an arraignment on the charges, and a bench warrant was issued for him.

Detectives learned the suspect was booked on a flight back to California, and boarded the airplane when it landed. Clark was then held in Orange County Jail on $50,000 bail.

Woman suspected of endangering infant

A 27-year-old mother was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment at the bus depot in downtown Laguna Beach at 9:19 p.m. May 1, Kravetz said. The woman, Christine Tearrell Murray, was allegedly intoxicated and police believed her 4-month-old son was not being cared for. The infant appeared hungry and had soaked diapers; he also appeared to be congested, Kravetz said.

The infant was taken to Orangewood Children’s Home. The mother was held on $100,000 bail at Orange County Jail, according to jail records.

Man arrested after allegedly hitting vehicles

James Wood, 26, of Laguna Beach, was arrested on suspicion of hit and run and DUI after allegedly running into several parked vehicles and then driving away on Sunday near Thalia Street at Catalina Street.

Officers found the suspect vehicle nearby with Wood allegedly behind the wheel and an open bottle of beer next to him, Kravetz said. Wood was arrested at 8:19 p.m. on suspicion of hit and run, DUI and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. Wood, who was already on probation, was held without bail.

Bar fight ends in citizen’s arrest of Nebraska man

A Nebraska man was arrested on suspicion of battery by his alleged victim at 10:04 p.m. Saturday in the 300 block of South Coast Highway, Kravetz said.

Brandon Burke, 37, allegedly got into a fight with his friend at a local bar, and punched the friend in the nose. The two were ejected from the bar and police were called. The victim, who did not require treatment for the nose injury, placed Burke under private person’s arrest.