Suspect Slaps Trolley Driver, Spits At Arresting Officers: Cops

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A Laguna Beach trolley driver was slapped by a passenger who fled the scene, Saturday afternoon, Laguna Beach Police told Patch.

According to police reports, Michael Granados, a 32-year-old Yorba Linda resident who was riding on the trolley, attacked the driver for unknown reasons then raced away on foot in the area of 3rd Avenue and South Coast Highway.

Officers later found Granados in the Gelson's shopping center at Monarch Bay Plaza, Sgt. Jim Cota told Patch.

While police placed the suspect in handcuffs, "he postured as if he was going to spit on the arresting officer," Cota said. Fortunately, the "hoodie" sweatshirt Granados was wearing blocked him from doing so.

"Later, as officers seat belted Granados inside the police car, he spat upon officers. The suspect continued "being uncooperative" while at the Laguna Beach police station before being transferred from a police unit to a jail van.

Arriving Orange County Jail officers were advised that the suspect "was a spitter," which was proven as he spat again, "striking the jail supervisor on the forearm," Cota said.

Granados was charged with assault on a peace officer, battery, resisting an executive officer and resisting/delaying arrest, and violation of probation. He was being held in Central Jail Court on $10,000 bail.

Renee Schiavone photo