The Seal Beach Police Department will conduct a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint from 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 13 to 3 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 14, on Pacific Coast Highway. In an effort to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes, DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving.
All too often, members of the community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by drunk drivers. For example, College Park East resident Cathy Busse, 46, and her son Sam Busse, then 14, were struck by a Ford truck on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 12, 2008, while they were bicycling on Lampson Avenue. Sam Busse was treated for minor injuries. Cathy Busse died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008. The Seal Beach Police Department arrested the driver, Alex David Trujillo, for DUI murder on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008.
On Feb. 5, 2010, an Orange County Superior Court judge heard a defense argument that the prosecution had failed to establish that a crime had occurred. The motion, known as a California Penal Code 995 motion, is common in felony cases. Trujillo’s DUI murder trial was scheduled to continue on March 25.
This DUI/Drivers License checkpoint is an effort to reduce the number of such tragedies, as well as to insure that drivers have a valid driver’s license. A major component of these checkpoints is to increase awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and to encourage sober designated drivers.
A DUI checkpoint is a proven effective method for achieving this goal. By publicizing these enforcement and education efforts, SBPD officials believe motorists can be deterred from drinking and driving.
Traffic volume and weather permitting, all vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested. The SBPD’s objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs as part of the statewide “Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest” program. The Seal Beach Police are asking the public to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver.
Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For more information about the Feb. 13 DUI checkpoint, contact Sgt. Steve Bowles, SBPD public information officer, at (562) 342-7391.
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 Jan. 25 and Feb. 6, 2010. 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
Burglary Report—2:24 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Point of entry: a broken lock on a propane case. Loss: 11 propane tanks valued at $49.99 each.
Tuesday, January 26
Assist Other Agency—12:02 a.m.—Pelorus Avenue—Naval Weapons Station Security requested police assistance for a disturbance, possibly a fight. No weapons were listed at the address. Two suspects were detained, one male and one female. It turned out the disturbance was not a fight. It was a verbal dispute. All parties counseled. Assisted.
Wednesday, January 27
Petty Theft Report—12:33 p.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—Six bottles of liquor collectively valued at $233.94 were stolen from the location. The crime apparently occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. The suspect was described as a woman in her 30s with long black hair in a ponytail. She was seen driving a tan early 1980s pick up truck with a shell.
Counseling—2:09 p.m.—Seal Way—A citizen went to Seal Beach Police Department headquarters to complain about a transient using the citizen’s address for mailing purposes.
Thursday, January 28
Traffic—1:37 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street—The caller said a vehicle was stalled in the road. When the caller approached the vehicle, the caller found that the woman behind the wheel was asleep. Police contacted the driver, suspecting this was a possible case of driving under the influence. As it turned out, the woman in the car had not been drinking. She was experiencing complications due to taking medication. She was transported to her home.
Friday, January 29
Burglary—8:01 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—The crime apparently occurred during the night.
The front door glass of a bike shop was smashed.
Sgt. Steve Bowles, public information officer for the Seal Beach Police Department, said $10,000 in bicycles and equipment were stolen.
Vehicle Burglary—4:15 p.m.—Old Ranch Parkway—Point of entry: a smashed driver’s side window. Loss: an iPod, a laptop and miscellaneous items.
The crime apparently occurred between 10 a.m. and the time of the call to the police.
Saturday, January 30
Animal Information—11:19 a.m.—Electric Avenue—Police unit 402, while on service, found a duck in the storm drain. Police contacted Long Beach Animal Care Services. Unit 402 took the duck to the Seal Beach shelter. Eventually, the duck was delivered to a wildlife center.
Grand Theft Report—6:04 p.m.—1st Street and Welcome Lane—Bikes were stolen from possibly as many as three different victims. Two bikes were left behind by the suspects. Report taken.
Sunday, January 31
Petty Theft Report—11:07 a.m.—Pacific Coast Highway—A suspect put a bottle of liquor under his coat. The suspect was described as a white man wearing dark jeans, a gray/black checkered hoodie and a red hat. The crime apparently occurred at 10:29 a.m.
Vehicle Burglary—11:49 a.m.—Montecito Road—Police unit 111 contacted the caller who reported the crime. Police unit 111 also located a second victim of vehicle burglary. Report taken.
Vehicle Burglary—12:25 p.m.—Lampson Avenue—The caller relayed second-hand information reporting the crime. Point of entry: a smashed window. Report taken.
Vehicle Burglary—12:55 p.m.—Montecito Road—Point of entry: a smashed window. Report taken.
IN LOS ALAMITOS
Monday, February 1
Citizen Assist—1:42 p.m.—Green Avenue—An individual lent his vehicle to a friend, but the vehicle was impounded and the friend refused to give back the keys.
Tuesday, February 2
Suspicious Person—12:01 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—An individual was seen acting suspicious and dancing in the parking lot.
Wednesday, February 3
Disturbance—7:55 a.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard and Katella Avenue—A suspect threw a rock at another vehicle. Officers found both subjects and provided counseling.
Thursday, February 4
Welfare Check—12:27 a.m.—Katella Avenue—A woman was in front of the police department, asking people if anyone put something in her mouth. Officers were unable to locate.
Friday, February 5
Traffic Hazard—8:07 a.m.—Katella Avenue—A broken down truck blocked traffic lanes. The truck was moved a short time later.
Saturday, February 6
Welfare Check—5:24 p.m.—Katella Avenue—An individual was reportedly walking down the street. The suspect appeared to be intoxicated. Officers were unable to locate anyone matching the description of the person in question.
Sunday, February 7
Disturbance Party—6:45 p.m.—Farquhar Street—A caller reported lots of loud screaming going on at a neighbor’s home. Officers found a Super Bowl party.
IN ROSSMOOR
Monday, February 1
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—10:19 a.m.—Montecito Road and Mainway Drive.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—5:40 p.m.—Mainway Drive.
Identity Theft—9:38 p.m.—Kensington Road.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—10:48 p.m.—Chesney Drive and Kensington Road.
Tuesday, February 2
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—7:07 a.m.—Kensington Road and Salmon Drive.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—8:49 a.m.—Blume Drive.
Friday, February 5
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—10:04 a.m.—Martha Ann Drive and Shakespeare Drive.
Disturbance, Family Dispute—10 p.m.—An arrest was made as a result of this call. No information was available at press time.—Harrisburg Road.
IN SUNSET BEACH
Monday, February 1
Traffic Stop— 8:19 a.m.—N. Pacific Avenue and 19th Street.
Wednesday, February 3
Bike Stop—10:52 a.m.—N. Pacific Avenue and Broadway.
Brian Smith of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
