Crime and Public-Safety Report June 30

Fire in La Jolla garage claims life of 90-year-old woman

A fire on June 22 claimed the life of 90-year-old Ellen Pirok, mother-in-law of St. James by-the-Sea Rev. Mark Hargreaves and mother of his wife Laura, when it overtook the garage of the Hargreaves’ Via Barranca home. There was only minor smoke damage to the main house.

It is presumed the fire started when Pirok, a longtime smoker, fell asleep watching television and smoking a cigarette around 8:30 p.m. Originally from Anaheim, Pirok was staying with the Hargreaves while she recuperated from a back injury that limited her mobility. She had only been in La Jolla for about six weeks.

The Hargreaves were out to dinner with friends celebrating a wedding anniversary when they received word of the fire.

“There was a shock to what happened, but the church has been fantastically kind,” said Rev. Hargreaves. “They’ve provided us with lots of practical support, such as meals, and helped us clean up and provided things that we lost in the fire. Church members have upheld us in prayer and given spiritual support.”

Because several St. James parishioners regularly visit the house, many in the church got to meet Pirok in the short time she was here. “She was a character,” Rev. Hargreaves said. Pirok’s funeral services will be held at her church in Anaheim.

La Jolla burglars plead guilty

Two men who broke into homes in La Jolla among other cities between Sept. 21 and Oct 7, 2015, along with two juveniles, pleaded guilty June 27 to 19 burglary and robbery charges.

Antonio Kresic, 22, and Keith Lashaun Thomas, 20, will be sentenced Sept. 20. Each faces up to 29 years and eight months in state prison. The teens are being prosecuted in juvenile court.

Deputy District Attorney Jim Koerber said the defendants removed and cut screens or entered through open windows to steal credit cards, memory devices and gaming systems. — City News Service

La Jolla kidnapper sentenced

Keith Russell Luckett, who in February was found guilty of kidnapping and robbery of two women in La Jolla, has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison. In May 2014, Luckett abducted two women and forced them to drive to La Jolla banks to withdraw money. His sentencing was delayed so his attorney could explore his military records and determine whether Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) could have been a factor.

Snorkeler drowns at La Jolla Cove

A snorkeler died after being pulled to shore by lifeguards in La Jolla Cove on June 27, a fire official said. Paul Rooney, 49, was on vacation from White Plains, N.Y., with his wife and three children, ages 14, 17 and 19.

A kayaker who noticed the snorkeler “was having trouble” called for help about 5:15 p.m., Swanson said. Lifeguards went into the water and pulled out the man, who was unconscious. They started CRP until paramedics arrived and took him to a hospital, where he died.

Swanson did not know if the man regained consciousness after the lifesaving efforts. It was not known if the man died by drowning or from a medical condition.

Police Blotter

June 17

Fraud, 1200 block Prospect Street, 12:01 a.m.

Motor vehicle theft, 6500 block Avenida Manana, 9 a.m.

Residential burglary, 600 block Forward Street, 10:30 a.m.

Minor consuming alcohol in public, 300 block Vista de la Playa, 12:30 p.m.

Minor in possession of alcohol, 300 block Vista Del Mar, 1:24 p.m.

Possession of 28.5 grams or less of marijuana, 300 block Vista Del Mar, 1:30 p.m.

June 18

Eight reports of drug/alcohol violations, such as open container in public park and minor in possession of alcohol, between 6500-6900 Neptune Place (WindanSea beach) between noon and 2:09 p.m.

June 19

Assault with a deadly weapon other than firearm, 5300 block Chelsea Street, 3:30 a.m.

Minor in possession of alcohol, 300 block Sea Lane, 2:18 p.m.

Motor vehicle theft, Colima Street/La Jolla Boulevard, 7 p.m.

June 20

Vandalism (less than $400), 7500 block Draper Avenue, 12 a.m.

Residential burglary, 6400 block Avenida Manana, 12:40 a.m.

Vehicle break-in, 7400 block Cuvier Street, 11:55 a.m.

Minor in possession of alcohol, 4900 block Ocean Boulevard, 2:30 p.m.

Residential burglary, 7300 block Via Capri, 3 p.m.

Vehicle break-in, 7100 block Draper Avenue, 4 p.m.

Possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, 600 block Tourmaline Street, 4:38 p.m.

Sex crime, 5500 block Chelsea Avenue, 9:32 p.m.

June 21

Residential burglary, 6400 block Avenida Manana, 1:17 a.m.

Vandalism (less than $400), 5400 block La Jolla Boulevard, 5 p.m.

June 22

Petty theft, 1000 block Prospect Street, 10 a.m.

Petty theft, 7700 block Whitefield Place, 5:45 p.m.

June 23

Commercial burglary, 1000 block Prospect Street, 6:16 a.m.

Vehicle break-in, 5100 block Dawes Street, 1 p.m.

Shoplifting, 7500 block Girard Avenue, 4:10 p.m.

June 24

Residential burglary, 500 block Palomar Avenue, 12 a.m.

Vehicle break-in, 500 block Palomar Avenue, 1 a.m.

Commercial burglary, 700 block Rushville Street, 3:30 a.m.

June 25

Possession of marijuana/hashish for sale, 7300 block Vista Del Mar Avenue, 6:30 p.m.

June 26

Disorderly conduct (alcohol), 900 block Opal Street, 1:36 a.m.

Residential burglary, 1200 block Archer Street, 11 p.m.