Man accused of spitting in officer’s face
Laguna Beach Police arrested two people at 2:15 p.m. Dec. 26 in the 1800 block of Glenneyre Street — one for allegedly spitting into the face of an officer, Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.
The pair had allegedly refused to stop for police at South Coast Highway and Diamond Street after a citizen called to report a possible drunk driver heading northbound on Coast Highway from Dana Point.
The driver took off and was eventually stopped on Glenneyre Street.
The arrestees are Jason Lee Motis, 41, of Costa Mesa, who was held on a felony parole violation warrant and battery on a police officer. The driver, Hannah Elizabeth Riley, 32, of Dana Point was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
Woman held in battery of grocery store clerk
A 62-year-old Lompoc woman was arrested after allegedly punching a checker in the stomach at Albertson’s supermarket in South Laguna at 4:57 p.m. Dec. 26, Kravetz said.
Bette Marie Bjorkman, was charged with one misdemeanor count of battery. Bjorkman apparently went to Albertson’s to return a crab cake which she said was poisoned “by the CIA,” according to police records.
While processing her return, she allegedly punched the female checker in the stomach. She was taken to Orange County Jail.
DUI checkpoint on Saturday nets five arrests
Five drivers were arrested on suspicion of DUI Saturday, during the first of four DUI/Driver’s License checkpoints of the year targeting southbound drivers in the 30000 block of Coast Highway, according to police.
The checkpoint operated from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., during which time 1,502 vehicles passed through. Of those, 644 vehicles were stopped and the drivers checked for sobriety and possession of a valid driver’s license. Eleven people were given field sobriety tests, and out of those, five were arrested for DUI. In addition, the driving status of 12 drivers was checked and two were found be unlicensed or driving on a restricted license.
Suspect held in multiple thefts from vehicles
Laguna Beach police think they may have solved a rash of vehicle burglaries, primarily in underground parking lots, in which windows were smashed and items stolen, Kravetz said.
Steven Enrico Beltramo, 36, was stopped by police in the 200 block of Agate Street at 7:34 p.m. Dec. 26 because he fit the description of the burglar — a male with a skateboard and backpack.
