BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Man is seen following Costa Mesa students

Costa Mesa police have asked for the public’s help in finding a man who was following students on their way to school. Witnesses saw the man at least three times over the last month in a black, newer model Mercedes on the city’s Eastside, police said.

No reports have been made of the man verbally or physically approaching anyone, Sgt. Marty Carver said. Witnesses described the man as dark-skinned with black, medium-length, slicked-back hair, between 35 and 42 years old, dressed in a black suit coat and tie, police said.

Anyone who has seen a vehicle matching that description in the area between 23rd and 20th streets, and Santa Ana and Tustin avenues is encouraged to call (714) 754-5361.

St. Patrick’s weekend sobriety checkpoint

Costa Mesa police have scheduled a sobriety checkpoint from 8 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday. According to police the purpose of the checkpoint being held over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend is to educate the community on the dangers involved with driving under the influence of intoxicants.

“DUI is not an accident. It’s a choice — a bad choice,” Lt. David Andersen said in a news release. “Unfortunately, far too many drivers choose to get behind the wheel, risking their own lives as well as that of everyone else on the road.”

Arrest warrant issued for former voice coach

An arrest warrant has been issued for a former voice coach for the All-American Boys Chorus after he failed to attend his own trial, Orange County prosecutors said.

Roger Alan Giese, 31, of Irvine faces five counts of lewd acts upon a child under the age of 14, 10 counts of lewd acts upon a child 14 or 15, three counts of anal penetration by a foreign object, and one count of oral copulation of a person under 18 years of age, according to prosecutors.

Giese allegedly befriended a boy who was a minor at the time while working for the chorus, which is based in Costa Mesa, county prosecutors said.

The court issued a $500,000 bench warrant Monday when Giese failed to show up for jury selection, Deputy Dist. Atty. Kal Kaliban said.

Anyone with information on Giese’s location is asked to call Supervising Dist. Atty. Investigator Craig Kelsey at (714) 347-8794.