Police Arrest Four Suspects in Port Streets Thefts
Newport Beach police officers arrested four people on suspicion of stealing from cars in the Port Streets neighborhood early Monday morning — returning the stolen belongings before the victims even realized they’d been taken, according to a police news release.
Officers made the arrests after two unrelated traffic stops about 1:30 a.m. Monday, the release said. One stop was at Pacific View and San Miguel drives, and the other stop was near San Miguel Drive and San Joaquin Hills Road.
During both traffic stops, the release said, officers found stolen property inside the suspects’ vehicles.
“Further investigation revealed that the occupants of both vehicles were working together and had recently taken property from unlocked vehicles in the Harbor View Homes (Port Streets) neighborhood,” the release said.
Police arrested a 23-year-old Costa Mesa man, an 18-year-old Huntington Beach man, a 20-year-old Fountain Valley man and a 17-year-old Garden Grove boy, all on suspicion of possession of stolen property.
During their investigation, the release said, officer contacted the two victims “who were unaware that the thefts had occurred, and the property was subsequently returned to them.”
Police believe the suspects committed at least one other theft from a vehicle in Huntington Beach, but they are looking for other possible victims. Anyone with information or who may have been a victim is asked to call Det. David Darling at (949) 644-3799.
Police ask that residents help to prevent thefts from vehicles by always locking and securing cars, even if inside a locked garage. Always remove all valuables or keep them out of plain sight, and park in a well-lighted area.
CdM Scenic 5K Around the Corner; Racers and Volunteers Needed
The 32nd Annual Corona del Mar Scenic 5K will take place on Saturday June 1, and organizers are looking for volunteers and racers to sign up.
The race runs a course that begins near Ocean Boulevard and Goldenrod Avenue; click here to see a map of the course. If you register now, the cost is $38 for the 5K run, $28 for the 2 -mile walk, $28 for the 2-mile you run and $15 for the 1K kid’s Dolphin Dash. On race day, prices increase to $43 for the 5K run, and $33 for the 2-mile walk.
The race is expected to attract 3,000 participants. Runners will be able to have a post-race breakfast at Restaurant Row at the finish line, and all participants will receive a goodie bag and a 32nd Anniversary runner’s Dry-Fit shirt.
On race day, registration will open at 6 a.m., with the men’s 5K race beginning at 7:55 a.m. The women’s 5K race will take place at 8:20 a.m., with the walk and youth run scheduled for 8:45 a.m. The Dolphin Dash takes place at 9 a.m.
You can register in person from noon to 7 p.m. May 30 and 31 at the OASIS Senior Center, as well as pick up your packet. To register online, click here.
To volunteer, call the Chamber of Commerce at (949) 673-4050
Natural History Lecture Scheduled for June 5
The Orange County Natural History Lecture Series will explore “The Reproductive Life of Birds” at an event scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday June 5 at the Back Bay Science Center.
Biologist Vic Leipzig will present information including reproductive anatomy and reproductive behaviors as courtship, copulation, and nesting, according to an event announcement.
“Birds are fascinating living things and their reproduction is one of the most fascinating aspects of bird life,” the announcement said. “Please keep in mind that this talk will definitely be aimed at an adult audience!”
Leipzig earned a Ph.D in biology from Wesleyan University and currently teaches biology and ecology at Golden West College. He also teaches an introduction to birding for the Saddleback College adult education program. He is vice president of Sea and Sage Audubon and is co-chair of the Conservation Committee.
The Science Center is located at 600 Shellmaker Road. The gates will open at 6:30 p.m.
Organizers suggesting making a reservation by emailing tidepools at newportbeachca dot gov.
From the Police Log: Woman Arrested in Felony Vandalism Case
A 43-year-old Huntington Beach woman was arrested early Sunday morning on suspicion of felony vandalism after a home on Carnation Avenue was attacked.
The woman was arrested at 6:46 a.m. in the 600 block of Carnation, according to a report, and bail was $20,000. Orange County Sheriff’s Department online logs show that she remains in jail.
“The victim suffered a total of $3,400 in damages, which include an entry and an interior door, and miscellaneous landscaping accessories,” said Jennifer Manzella, a Newport Beach Police Department crime prevention specialist, said in an email. The circumstances surrounding the vandalism and arrest were not immediately available.
In other police news, officers arrested a 42-year-old San Clemente man on suspicion of DUI after police received a call that a car had crashed into a tree early Saturday. The crash occurred about 12:30 a.m. near Marguerite Avenue and Pacific View Drive, and when officers arrived, they contacted the suspect and arrested him on suspicion of DUI, Manzella said. His bail was $10,000, a police report said.
Police arrested a 38-year-old Chino Hills man at 6:18 a.m. Saturday at Iris Avenue and East Coast Highway on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance; bail was $500. Police arrested two men — both without a city of residence listed on a police report — late Saturday on suspicion of disorderly conduct while intoxicated. One man, 65, was arrested at 10:06 pm. in the 2100 block of East Coast Highway, and the second man, 33, was arrested at 11:10 p.m. at Begonia Avenue at East Coast Highway, reports said. The arrests were about two and a half blocks apart.
Police took a report of a grand theft with a loss of $7,080 at 22800 Pelican Hill Road South at 3:59 p.m. Sunday, a report said. The theft occurred between 1:15 and 1:55 p.m. They also took a report of lost property worth $500 at 8086 East Coast Highway at 11:09 a.m. Sunday. The loss occurred between 10 and 11 p.m. Friday. Police took another report of lost property valued at $30 at 12:37 p.m. Sunday at 401 Newport Center Drive. The loss occurred between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday, a report said.
Toy Drum Sign Likely Gone From CdM Forever
A new toy store will replace Toy Boat Toy Boat Toy Boat, possibly as early as next month.
But the iconic toy drum sign, which was removed when Toy Boat went out of business this spring, likely is gone from the village forever.
“For now it’s in a good home, a good place,” said Lori Curtin, who owned the Toy Boat shop with her husband, Mike Curtin.
The Curtins removed the sign in March shortly after announcing they were closing the store permanently; read our stories here and here.
At the time they removed the sign, the Curtins said they planned to store it and were unsure of its future. But recently, Lori Curtin said, they made arrangements for the sign to be displayed on loan at the Roadside Cafe in Orange.
“It seemed like the right thing to do,” she said. “I think it’s going to stay there awhile. He’s giving it a lot of love. It’s a nice addition to what he has going on there.”
Messages left for the owner of the Roadside Cafe were not returned. According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, the cafe at 1822 N. Glassell St. is a “1950’s retro style diner” famous for “genuine broaster chicken and breakfast burrito’s.”
The Curtins have not visited the restaurant to see the sign, although they plan to have dinner there soon, Lori Curtin said.
She emphasized that the sign was on loan, and that the Curtins may one day reclaim it.
“We don’t know what our future is,” she said. “There could be another store down the road.”
The sign is likely about 50 years old, Curtin said, adding that she did not know its value.
Curtin said she knew that the Wee Loft was considering moving into the space, and she wished the shop luck. The Wee Loft, which currently has a store in Dana Point, plans to open by mid-June at the location at 3331 East Coast Highway.
Closing Toy Boat, Curtin said, remains so devastating that she avoids Corona del Mar altogether.
“It’s just been too soon for us,” she said. “Recently I went to meet a friend at the Quiet Woman, and I had to go the round about way. I couldn’t look out to the other side of the street. It’s still a huge loss. Part of me is in mourning. We don’t ever go to Corona del Mar.”
The Curtins first announced the toy shop was in danger of closing last summer, and an outburst of community support including a radio host’s “cash mob” kept it going for several months; read our earlier stories here, here and here.
There’s no chance that the sign could be reclaimed by the new shop, or anyone else interested in keeping the sign in Corona del Mar, she said.
“I didn’t have anyone from Corona del Mar knocking on my door asking about it,” Curtin said. “That’s all I have to say about it.”
NBPD Announce “Click It or Ticket” Enforcement Plan
The Newport Beach Police Department this week announced that officers will be looking for motorists not wearing seat belts as part of a Click it or Ticket campaign that will run through June 2.
“As we kick-off the busy summer driving season, it’s important that everyone buckles up, and properly secures their children, every time they drive or ride in a vehicle, both day and night – no excuses,” said said Lt. Jeff Lu in a statement. “Wearing a seat belt may very well save your life or that of a loved one.”
Officers will be looking out for violations and will issue citations to anyone who is not wearing a seat belt, according to a news release. Although the campaign focuses on Memorial Day holiday drivers, police are always on the lookout for seat belt violations, the release said.
The release also quoted statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that say that “52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.”
“Deaths involving seat belt non-use are more prevalent at night than during the daytime,” the release said. “According to NHTSA, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 during the overnight hours were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.”
Locally, the news release said, Newport Beach statistics follow the same trend.
Seat belts saved about 11,949 lives nationwide in 2011, according to NHTSA, the release said.
CdM Chamber to Host Networking Luncheon
The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce will host a networking luncheon on Tuesday.
The event will feature guest speaker John O’Keefe, an award-winning speaker and “breakthrough specialist,” according to a chamber email. O’Keefe, who is founder and president of Center for Peak Performance in Newport Beach, also is the author of three books, including “The Art of Achievement,” “The Art of Abundance” and “What the Hell are you Waiting For? 21 Days to Wealth, Health and Abundance.”
The event is $25 for chamber members with advancer reservations and $30 for guests. The event begins with networking and checkin from 11:30 a.m. to noon, followed by the program and lunch until 1:15 p.m.
There also will be an opportunity drawing, where members can donate a gift item to be given as a prize.
The lunch will be held at Five Crowns Restaurant at 3801 East Coast Highway. For more information, call (949) 673-4050.
CdM Today Launches Surf Reports Page
Corona del Mar Today has launched a new Surf Reports page, featuring weekly updates and posts on the local surf scene by writer Bennie Seybold.
Bennie, 15, lives in Corona del Mar and is a freshman at Mater Dei High School, where he is an honors student and a water polo player. He is a right handed attacker.
Bennie grew up in Orange County and has been surfing since he was 8 years old. His favorite surf spot is El Morro Point.
“When the waves get good, El Morro Point gets really big and clean,” he said. “It forms a perfect left and you get a really long ride.”
Since getting a GoPro camera 3 years ago, Bennie has become a skilled nature photographer and regularly captures amazing shots of waves and beach scenery.
His updates appear on Sunday evenings and include some of his best photos each week. Corona del Mar Today will be adding his images to its Pinterest page.
When he’s not studying, playing water polo or surfing, Bennie enjoys boating and spearfishing off of Crystal Cove.
Welcome, Bennie, to Corona del Mar Today!
CdM Today’s Top Stories This Week
1. More fire news broke this week, with the South Coast Air Quality Management District releasing information about air quality studies, a meeting of mayors and a discussion at the Corona del Mar Residents Association board meeting; read our stories here, here, here and here.
2. A new toy shop will replace Toy Boat next month; read more here.
3. The Newport Beach City Council discussed plans for a scaled-down version of a Corona del Mar entryway beautification project; read more here.
4. Our Lady Queen of Angels doesn’t want Corona del Mar High School students or their parents parking in their lot and will start patrolling and possibly towing cars; read our story here.
5. A new designated left-turn signal for cars turning from Marguerite Avenue onto East Coast Highway is working after several months of construction; read our story here.
