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1900 block of E. Pacific Coast Highway. At 3:37 p.m., Wilson High swim coach, Latham Bell, 53, of Seal Beach was driving a 2006 Dodge Durango to a swim meet at Long Beach City College, when he apparently suffered a medical emergency, causing the vehicle to crash into a restaurant. “The vehicle drifted to the right, off the roadway, colliding with the raised curb on Pacific Coast Highway, crossed the sidewalk, and collided into the patio area, striking three patrons,” police said in a statement. A female was trapped under the vehicle and was initially aided by community members and extricated by Long Beach Fire Department personnel. All are expected to recover. Fellow coaches and swimmers at the meet did not learn of the incident until after the event. Bell was pronounced deceased.

Citywide. Between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. Saturday, Long Beach police stepped up their non-stop search for impaired motorists by arresting five people on suspicion of Cinco de Mayo-related drunken driving after pulling over 35 vehicles and performing seven sobriety tests on drivers. But that’s not all. Officers also wrote 10 citations for unsafe driving, police said.

2200 block of Palo Verde. A man simulating a gun robbed a fast food business, then did the same with customers, got away with $100, left down an alley, definitely did not take the subway.

55th Street and Atlantic Avenue. At 4:30 p.m., a car containing two men allegedly intentionally hit a bicyclist as part of a possible gang-related attack. After leaving the rider in critical condition, the men promptly fled while paramedics took the male victim to a local hospital. Investigators determined this act was an “on purpose” as opposed to an accident.

3800 block of Woodruff Ave. A resident reported the results of either sloppy or over-enthusiastic paint balling with the evidence smeared over her house at 4:30 p.m.

Studebaker Road just past Second Street. At 8:25 p.m., a motorcycle driven by a 51-year-old man crashed into a center divider at high speed, throwing him into the Los Cerritos Channel bridge abutment and killing him. His motorcycle continued moving after the crash for about 400 more feet. Rescuers found the victim in the southbound lanes of Studebaker and the motorcycle by the curb of the northbound lanes.

Long Beach. Police located the suspects in the May 10 “on purpose” on Atlantic Avenue. Long Beach resident, Ronald Maldonado, 20, and Michael Nunez, a 35-year-old transient were charged on suspicion of attempted murder, participating in a criminal street gang and probation violations. Both are being held without bail.

5800 block of Lanai Street. At 1:40 a.m., police investigating a report of possible domestic violence and were told the ex-boyfriend of the daughter of the caller was possibly armed with a gun, who left with the daughter in her car before police arrived.

Rosebay Street and Woodruff Avenue. At 7:35 a.m., police were dispatched to a report of a suspicious person who may have had a gun. They found the man, referenced in the above call, sleeping in the daughter’s car. He ran from officers, who set up containment around Los Coyotes Diagonal and Senesac Avenue and requested help from K9 officers. Police later found the man hiding in a backyard, and he was taken into custody. Who he is and whether he still had a gun was not made public.

1700 block of San Francisco Avenue. At 9:21 p.m., fire struck a city-owned yard, causing “heavy fire and smoke through the roof of a large concrete structure.” Responding firefighters had it out in 20 minutes after an “aggressive fire attack.” Blame for the entire blaze was placed on rubbish that filled an old concrete hopper.

Marber Ave. between Wardlow Rd. and Monlaco Street. According to a poster on NextDoor, at “4:30 p.m., a dark haired guy driving a Gray GMC Yukon stole two leaf blowers from a gardener who works in our neighborhood every week. He drove by a few times, slowly, and then reversing and parking for a few minutes, before taking the items. The way he was driving and looking around just seemed sketchy. Be aware if you see the vehicle in your area. The police have been notified and a report has been made.”

Traffic Circle. A woman wearing a halter top allegedly cut off several other drivers, hardly unusual on the circle, which was designed for that. At 6:55 p.m., she parked and was ready to rumble. Someone should halt her.

Pierpoint Landing. At 3:05 a.m., a group of three males and three females told police of arguing with three men, one of whom pulled a gun, opened fire, didn’t hit anyone, ending the argument, then fled on foot.

steve@beachcomber.news