BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Woman alleged to have entered homes

A woman who was allegedly caught inside several homes in Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of burglary at 4:20 p.m. Dec. 5, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

Christine J. Torn, 45, of Santa Ana, is suspected of entering five South Laguna properties, and, when confronted, telling the owners that she was looking for her daughter or a friend, Kravetz said.

In two of the cases, Torn was found trespassing in yards. In the other three, she fled after the owners discovered her inside their unlocked homes.

None of the victims reported any items missing, Kravetz said.

The streets involved are: Camel Point, Ocean Way, Bluff Drive, Monterey Street, West Street and Coast Highway.

Torn was held on $100,000 bail, according to the Orange County Jail website.

Son held in burglary at family’s residence

Benjamin Scott Schachtschneider, 25, of Laguna Niguel, was arrested on suspicion of burglarizing his family’s home in Three Arch Bay on Nov. 27, Kravetz said.

Schachtschneider allegedly stole various items including jewelry, a handgun and other household items for a total haul of $30,000.

The family had returned from an outing to find their home burglarized and immediately suspected their son, Kravetz said.

The suspect, who had warrants for $95,000 for his arrest, was arrested Nov. 28 at a surf shop in Dana Point after store employees there reported a man acting suspiciously and called police, Kravetz said.

Laguna Beach police were called to the location, and Schachtschneider was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of a controlled substance (prescription pills), and carrying a concealed weapon (a handgun), in addition to the warrants. The parents were able to retrieve many of the stolen items.

Man jailed in liquor theft from market

A 49-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary after allegedly shoplifting a bottle of vodka from a market in the 700 block of South Coast Highway at 11:36 a.m. Dec. 4, Kravetz said.

Jeffrey Carmichael was detained by a store clerk after allegedly taking the liquor, worth $21.99, off the shelf, putting it under his shirt and walking out. He was taken to county jail.

Suspicions lead to car stop, citations

Laguna Beach police stopped a vehicle at the behest of Montage Resort & Spa security, who thought the occupants were acting suspiciously and may have had a gun, at 1:40 p.m. Dec. 4, Kravetz said.

The security officers suspected marijuana, alcohol and a handgun were in the vehicle.

Police stopped the vehicle at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, but found no handgun inside, Kravetz said.

Two 18-year-old men, and a 36-year-old woman, all from Los Angeles, were detained. Police issued citations to the woman for driving on a suspended license and having an open container of alcohol, and to one of the men for possessing less an ounce of marijuana.

Limo firm says they haven’t been paid

A limousine company filed a police report at 1:54 p.m. Dec. 5 accusing a Laguna Beach woman of failing to pay for $1,275 worth of services, Kravetz said.

The company claims that it is owed $1,275.

Two men claim to be jumped from behind

Laguna Beach police are investigating an assault on two Garden Grove men, 28 and 29 years old, who reported they were leaving a bar in the vicinity of Brooks Street and South Coast Highway at 11:39 p.m. Dec. 6 when they were attacked from behind by two men, Kravetz said.

Both victims were knocked to the ground and suffered minor facial injuries requiring medical response.

The victims said they do not know who the attackers were, and the suspects fled. Independent witnesses corroborated the victim’s stories, Kravetz said.

Copper lights stolen from construction project

Fifty copper landscape lights were reported stolen from a home under construction in the 2000 block of Chateau Way at 12:48 p.m. Monday, Kravetz said.

All that was left was exposed wires for the lights, which are valued at $120 each “” for a total loss of $6,000.