Offices

Police arrested two suspects after a pursuit came to an end at East Coast Highway and Dahlia Avenue in Corona del Mar on Thursday afternoon, a Westminster police official said. The driver, Lawrence Palomarez, 35, of Gardena, and his passenger, Priscilla Avelos, 39, of Anaheim, were booked on suspicion of possession of stolen property at Orange County Jail, said Sgt. Cameron Knauerhaze. Palomarez was also booked on suspicion of felony evading arrest, Knauerhaze added. The chase begin at about noon when Westminster police spotted a maroon 1996 Honda Accord that was stolen in Anaheim in mid-October, according to Newport Beach police.

A private investigator hired to tail Costa Mesa Councilmen Gary Monahan and Steve Mensinger said he was sent to Monahan's sports bar with a woman to see whether Monahan would behave inappropriately. Chris Lanzillo, a Menifee investigator and former police officer, told the Daily Pilot that he went to Monahan's bar on Aug. 22 on behalf of a client he would not name to gather dirt on Monahan and Mensinger, who were running for City Council. Lanzillo, who said his surveillance actions were entirely legal, denied being familiar with Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer before following him home and reporting him as a possible drunk driver.

The voting booths in the school auditorium were packed during the lunchtime rush, but voters got in and out fast. With ballots turned in, "I voted" stickers in place and their democratic responsibilities complete, it was time for recess. "I feel like I am actually voting because they are doing the actual elections," said fifth-grader Asaph Sendrey, 10. FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version of this story had the wrong last name for Asaph Sendrey. Davis Magnet School's fourth-through sixth-grade students participated in their own election Tuesday as candidates ran for six student council positions.

The Costa Mesa High School Band Boosters Club is moving forward with new officers, increased parental involvement and the community's renewed support after the arrest of a parent who allegedly stole $40,000 for the program. Newly elected Boosters Club president Mariel LeValley said she has a new list of checks and balances she's going to ensure are followed. "We need to have a good plan in place," she said. "We need to have parents in place. We need more parents. This is a big lesson to learn.

Costa Mesa High School's marching band and its supporters are reeling from allegations that more than $40,000 was stolen from the Band Boosters Club. Mesa's marching band and color guard were stunned to learn that club treasurer Jennifer Border-Piatti, 50, was arrested Oct. 25 on suspicion of embezzling from the club, said band member Jennifer Bernal, 17, who is also a color guard co-captain. "Right now, I guess we're all a little shocked," she said. "We all saw her as a really supportive figure.

Tony Petros waited a long time to make his break into politics. The 52-year-old businessman and incoming Newport Beach District 2 City Councilman said his wife, Kristen Caspers Petros, didn't want him to take the plunge - so he didn't. "Her father was a local politician," Petros said, perched on a stool at a bustling Kean Coffee on 17th Street Monday afternoon. "He was the chair of the [Orange County] Board of Supervisors - Ron Caspers - and because of that, she didn't want me in politics.

They're everywhere. From Segerstrom Hall to South Coast Plaza, the Eastside and the Westside, coyotes are in Costa Mesa. And they're here to stay. The wild canines — specifically, their attacking and eating of domestic animals, such as dogs and cats — were the hot topic of discussion at Monday night's town hall meeting at Woodland Elementary School. The event organized by Councilwoman Wendy Leece had about 50 attendees and was geared toward Eastside residents. "I cannot sit here and tell you that we're not going to lose another dog or a cat in the city," said Sgt. Phil Myers of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

Newport Beach police officers served the community and hungry customers at their annual Tip-A-Cop event Wednesday evening to raise money for the Special Olympics in Orange County. This year's event raised about $8,700, while last year's event raised $6,000. Twenty-five officers served food at the Yard House in Fashion Island for the event. One of the K-9 officers, Jardo, joined the festivities dressed as a hot dog and accepted donations placed in his collar, said Kathy Lowe, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Police Department.

After nearly three decades on the Costa Mesa Police Department, those who know him said Officer Jess Gilman's impact on the community was bigger than even his stature. "There are a lot of words that you could use to describe Jess Gilman, and no one would disagree that if you use the word 'big,' you wouldn't be misapplying the term," said Costa Mesa High School Principal Phil D'Agostino. "Our elementary kids might use the word 'huge,' 'gargantuan,' 'imposing.' "There are a lot of things big about Jess, but in my years of working with him, I have found that nothing is bigger than his heart.

A Costa Mesa police officer and a suspect suffered minor injuries during a foot chase Monday afternoon, according to police. Police responded to a call of sexual battery about 1 p.m. in the 3100 block of Harbor Boulevard and chased a suspect, according to Costa Mesa Police Lt. Bob Ciszek. An officer reportedly suffered an injured neck, and the suspect suffered scrapes and bruises related to being tackled, Ciszek said. No additional information was immediately available. — Lauren Williams Twitter: @lawilliams30