Police Files
Alert police on burglary call arrest suspects in getaway car while attempting to flee
Saturday afternoon (April 2) at approximately 1:35 p.m., Newport Beach Police were dispatched to Ocean Blvd. and Heliotrope Ave. regarding a vehicle burglary that had just taken place. The suspect’s vehicle that was seen leaving the scene was reported to police to be a white Nissan Maxima.
As officers were responding, they observed a vehicle matching the description on PCH at MacArthur Blvd. Officers conducted a traffic stop and detained two suspects, Joshua Connors and Taylor Manahan.
Further investigation revealed that the two suspects were in possession of burglary tools, drug paraphernalia, a purse, a wallet and identification that belonged to the victim.
Connors, 33, from Costa Mesa, was arrested for burglary from a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime, possessing a switchblade in the vehicle and two counts of identity theft.
Manahan, 31, of Tustin, was arrested for burglary from a motor vehicle, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of burglary tools, receiving stolen property and for a post release community supervision revocation.
Both had their bail set at $20,000.
Editor’s Note: An arrest contains allegations that a suspect has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Driving and using your phone is under the watchful eye of local police during Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Newport Beach Police Department will be actively looking for drivers who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law.
“Holding your phone and using it while driving is not only dangerous but also illegal,” said Newport Beach Police Department Lieutenant Eric Little. “For the safety of your family and others on the road, put the phone away and focus on driving.”
According to the 2021 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey, nearly three out of every four drivers surveyed said that distracted driving because of texting was their biggest safety concern. In 2019, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued nearly 20,000 citations during the month of April to drivers for hands-free cell phone law violations.
Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.
If you have an important phone call, text, email, or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before starting the car, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.
Funding for distracted driving enforcement is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.