Briefly In Public Safety

Suspected vehicle burglar eludes police

Laguna Beach police apparently interrupted a burglar attempting to break into vehicles on Club Drive at 11:58 p.m. Oct. 21, Lt. Jason Kravetz said. The suspect was reported trying door handles on vehicles.

An officer saw the suspect and ordered him to halt, but the man fled on foot. The officer chased him into the nearby wilderness park and lost sight of him in the brush. While chasing the suspect, the officer discovered a bag of apparently stolen items, which the suspect had dropped. The bag contained an iPod, sunglasses and loose change. More police units were called into the area to assist with the search, but the suspect could not be found.

Homeless man held in counterfeit bill case

A 53-year-old homeless man was arrested on suspicion of trying to pass counterfeit money at 1:52 p.m. Saturday in the 200 block of Broadway, Kravetz said.

The suspect, Robert Rodney Carmichael, had allegedly attempted to obtain change for a fake $20 bill at Coast Hardware. He was stopped by police nearby after a store clerk refused to accept the counterfeit currency and called police to report it. Police allegedly found two fake $20 bills in Carmichael’s possession.

The suspect told police he was panhandling in Dana Point and was given the money by a citizen. He then tried to buy something at a fast food restaurant, but they refused to accept the money, so he took the bus to Laguna Beach in order to try to cash the bills here. Carmichael was arrested and booked at the police department.

Panhandler accused of battery on Ocean Ave.

A 53-year-old homeless man was arrested at 1:15 p.m. Sunday in the 200 block of Ocean Avenue on suspicion of attempted robbery and battery, Kravetz said.

A man told police he had been accosted by a panhandler who asked for a dollar, and when he refused, tried to grab a rosary from around the victim’s neck. The victim struggled and managed to break free but was allegedly punched in the back. He was not injured.

The suspect is identified as Paul Leslie Ogle.

Possible arson attempt being investigated

Laguna Beach arson investigators are looking into an incident in which an incendiary device was discovered at a wood pile at a construction site at a home in the 600 block of Mystic View at 8:13 a.m. Monday, Kravetz said.

The home under construction had burned in December.

Altercation leads to man’s arrest

A 50-year-old homeless man was arrested at 8:05 p.m. Monday in the 300 block of Heisler Park on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. John Andrew Wilson was accused of punching another homeless man.

Wilson told police he was trying to break up a fight; the victim accused Wilson of punching him without provocation. There were no injuries.