Seal Beach Police Cpl. Phil Gonshak arrested 31 drunk drivers last year—more DUI arrests than any other Seal Beach officer made. The Orange County Mothers Against Drunk Drivers honored Gonshak with a “deuce award” at the Monday, Feb. 28 City Council meeting.
Gonshak dedicated the award to a friend of his family whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver about six months ago.
Gonshak and his wife Stephanie are Seal Beach residents. Police Chief Jeff Kirkpatrick, who will retire in June, presented the award.
Kirkpatrick said the award’s name was derived from the old-time police radio code 502 for drunk drivers.
Kirkpatrick said Gonshak spent six years with the Tempe, Ariz. Police Department before coming to Seal Beach.
He spent part of those six years working as an undercover narcotics officer.
Here in Seal Beach, Gonshak supervises the city jail and serves as a member of the regional SWAT unit. Gonshak is studying accounting at Cal State Long Beach.
DUI check point cancelled
The Seal Beach Police Department cancelled a DUI/traffic checkpoint set for late last week because of CalTrans Road work. The SBPD announced the cancellation on the department’s Facebook page.
Crime Log Assembled by Charles M. Kelly
The crimes listed in the Sun Newspapers were reported to Seal Beach Police Department, Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Sheriff Department between Feb. 21 and March 5, 2011.
Only street names are used; times given are reported times, not incident times. Crime Log entries are based on preliminary information. Space limitations make it impossible to publish every incident. Until proven guilty in a court of law, all suspects are considered innocent.
IN SEAL BEACH
Monday, February 21
Graffiti/Vandalism—11:25 p.m.—Ocean Avenue—Someone used blue spray paint to write graffiti on a cinderblock enclosure for a trash bin. Report taken.
Tuesday, February 22
Suspicious Person—11:32 a.m.—Ironwood Avenue—The caller, relaying second hand information from his girlfriend, said a man followed the girlfriend home from another location. The caller said the suspect was sitting across the street.
Thursday, February 24
Dead Animal—9:10 a.m.—13th Street—The caller reported a dead animal in the alley behind the caller’s residence. The log did not specify what type of animal had died. Message delivered to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Petty Theft Report—9:30 a.m.—Glenview Road—The caller’s yellow six-speed Schwinn was taken from the car part between Feb. 4 and the time of the call to police. The bike was valued at $600. Report taken.
Dog Bite Reported—1:08 p.m.—14th Street—A citizen went to Seal Beach Police Department headquarters to report being bitten by a dog at approximately 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 23 on 14th Street. The citizen contacted Long Beach Animal Care Services, but was apparently advised to contact the SBPD. Log entry.
Friday, February 25
Disturbance, Noise—2:39 a.m.—Ocean Avenue—The caller’s neighbor was outside, making noise as she chased her dog. The caller said it happens every night when the neighbor comes home. The dog barks, she lets it out and then she has to chase the dog. Police advised the caller to contact Long Beach Animal Care Services.
The city of Seal Beach does not currently have a barking dog ordinance.
Fake Money—10:17 a.m.—Main Street—The caller reported receiving a counterfeit $20 bill on Tuesday, Feb. 22.
Vehicle Burglary—3:39 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Someone broke into the caller’s vehicle by punching the lock. Loss: a GPS system, iPod and printer. The crime apparently occurred between 2:30 and 3:15 p.m. Report taken.
Transient—6:43 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—A man described as a transient was asking customers for money and refusing to leave. Police unit 217 contacted the man. He was interviewed in the field.
Saturday, February 26
Fraud Report—7:36 a.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller reported the loss of $275,000 through a wire transfer. Report taken.
Petty Theft Report—1:11 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The caller said her purse was taken the night before while she was drinking in both Sunset Beach and Seal Beach.
Bike Stop—10:36 p.m.—Main Street and Electric Avenue—A bicyclist was arrested for riding a bicycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Sunday, February 27
Health and Safety Violation Reported—12:27 a.m.—13th Street—The caller said a resident was smoking an illegal substance at the front of the property. Police unit 206 checked the area and determined no further police services were necessary. At 12:31 a.m., the log said: “Smells like skunk.”
Vandalism—6:38 a.m.—Lampson Avenue—Someone cut a hole in the fence, then threw ball washers and benches into the lake. The suspects trashed a bathroom and broke a small door. Report taken.
IN LEISURE WORLD
Tuesday, February 22
Petty Theft Report—10:17 a.m.—St. Andrews Drive, Mutual Unknown—Someone took a bike valued at $75 from in front of a Leisure World resident’s home.
Wednesday, February 23
DUI Reported—8:57 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard, Leisure World Main Gate—The caller said a woman who might be a drunk driver had gone through the front gate and was en route to Clubhouse #2 on El Dorado Drive. At 9:01 p.m., Leisure World Security reported that they had the woman detained. Police unit 217 took the woman into custody for public drunkenness.
IN LOS ALAMITOS
Friday, February 25
Patrol Check—5:36 p.m.—Howard Avenue—The caller’s neighbors had the street blocked off. They tied a rope to one car and tied it to another in an attempt to prevent anyone parking there. The responding officer reported that the ropes were removed and asked to have Public Works remove a wooden bench abandoned near the curb.
Suspicious Circumstances—8:31 p.m.—Antietam Avenue—Two individuals were seen arriving in a blue truck. The caller said that no one is supposed to be at the location. The two suspects left on foot about 10 minutes prior to the call. They returned and were now in the driveway. The responding officer determined that one of the two individuals was the daughter of the homeowner and had permission to be inside.
Monday, February 28
Suspicious Circumstances—9:15 p.m.—Enterprise Dr.—The caller reported that a car was parked with its lights on in the driveway of a vacant residence. The vehicle belonged to the prosspective buyer of a vehicle for sale next door.
Tuesday, March 1
Suspected DUI—3:56 a.m.—Bloomfield Avenue—The caller reported a red Toyota returning to the same area two or three minutes ago. The vehicle was now on the north side of the rear lot. The motorist turned out to be lost on his first day of work at a new job.
Wednesday, March 2
Vehicle Burglary—7:04 p.m. Katella Avenue—Two vehicles were reported with smashed windows.
IN ROSSMOOR
Monday, Feb. 28
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—7:55 a.m.—Shakespeare Drive.
Burglary Report—3:09 p.m.—Weatherby Road.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—5:35 p.m.—Kensington Road.
Tuesday, March 1
Grand Theft Report—10:24 a.m.—Wallingsford Road.
Burglary in Progress—1:57 p.m.—Kensington Road.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—5:06 p.m.—Kempton Drive.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—5:22 p.m.—Hedwig Road.
Welfare Check—10:18 p.m.—Hedwig Road.
Wednesday, March 2
Burglary Report—5:16 p.m.—Martha Ann Drive.
Welfare Check—6:55 p.m.—Bostonian Drive.
Thursday, March 3
Burglary Report—10:45 a.m.—Oak Grove Road.
Friday, March 4
Citizen Assist—9:06 a.m.—Christy Lane.
Burglary Report—12:37 p.m.—Engel Drive.
Burglary Report—2:11 p.m.—Coleridge Drive.
Saturday, March 5
Indecent Exposure—7:56 a.m.—Davenport Road.
IN SUNSET BEACH
Tuesday, March 1
Keep the Peace—9:07 p.m.—12th Street.
Wednesday, March 2
Grand Theft Report—12:19 p.m.—Pacific Avenue.
Disturbance—6 p.m.—S. Pacific Avenue and 11th Street.
Shelley Henderson of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
