Local briefs

The Drug Enforcement Administration announced yesterday the arrest in Santa Cruz of two Watsonville residents and two Hawaii residents and the seizure of $2 million worth of the psychedelic drug LSD.

According to the DEA, in November Hawaii resident David Behar, 33, agreed to sell 5 grams of LSD to undercover agents. On Thursday, he and Hawaii resident Lindsay Hogue, 30, were arrested with the LSD that Behar had obtained after traveling to a residence on the 800 block of Smith Road in Watsonville. At the time of the arrest, Hogue had $5,500 in cash in her purse.

Watsonville residents Tara Bergstrand, 25, and John Lagace, 35, were arrested after agents observed them leaving the Smith Road residence. The agents allegedly found $2,200 in cash and pay/owe sheets with entries in the thousands of dollars in the couple’s possession.

A subsequent search of the Smith Road residence turned up 15 grams of LSD, five pounds of marijuana, $6,000 U.S. Currency, nine gold coins and three silver bars. The 20 grams of LSD is enough to produce approximately 200,000 doses, according to a DEA statement.

Armed robbery at Orange Park

A woman was robbed while walking near South San Francisco’s Orange Park baseball field Sunday evening.

The woman told police a man came up behind her, covered her mouth and shoved a sharp object into her back.

The man demanded she give him money. She handed over an undisclosed amount of money. The man then fled on foot, heading west toward West Orange Avenue, according to South San Francisco police.

The man is described as African American, in his late 20s or early 30s, five feet 10 inches tall, 180 pounds, wearing a black, long sleeve nylon jacket, dark jeans and a black beanie, according to police.

Anyone with information about this case should call the South San Francisco Police Department at 877-8900.

Man arrested for assault and kidnapping

A Palo Alto man was arrested Sunday after assaulting the mother of his child and kidnapping the 1-year-old.

Jim Jone Niu, 21, allegedly assaulted his girlfriend in a McDonald’s parking lot at approximately 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The two were in the back seat of their car with the baby when the woman said she wanted to end their two-year relationship. Niu allegedly threatened to kill her when she tried to leave the car with the baby. He physically held her down and assaulted her to prevent her from leaving the car, according to South San Francisco police.

The woman finally escaped with the baby and Niu drove past her and waited in the Lyon’s parking lot, at 10 Airport Blvd., until she walked by. He confronted her about leaving and when she tried to walk away, Niu forced the baby from her arms. She tried to stop him from driving away with the baby by removing the car seat from the vehicle. Niu placed the baby on the floor of the car and drove away, according to police.

San Bruno police later located Niu at El Camino Real and Jenevein Avenue in their city. He was arrested and booked into San Mateo County Jail, according to police.

The baby was not injured.

Parolee pleads not guilty to attempted rape

A 46-year-old parolee facing a third strike if convicted of attempting to rape a 17-year-old runaway in a Redwood City motel room pleaded not guilty and will learn in two weeks if he’ll stand trial.

Jerome Sephers allegedly met the teenage girl, a runaway from San Bernadino, in Redwood City while she was trying to buy drugs. She reportedly went to his motel room and he gave her beer. The girl told police he announced his intent to rape her but she was able to flee the room after passersby saw her struggling and heard her screaming.

Prior to his arrest, Sephers had a 1990 conviction for forcible rape and a 1982 conviction for shooting at an inhabited dwelling.

Sephers returns to court Dec. 18 for a preliminary hearing. He remains in custody in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Holiday classic revived in Burlingame

Burlingame’s Il Piccolo Players will be helping angels get their wings with a performance of "It’s a Wonderful Life.”

This memorable story, which starred the unforgettable Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, was adapted for radio by Jim Toth and was first performed in December 1998 on WFIN/WKXA radio in Findlay, Ohio. This adaptation has preserved all the warmth and charm of the original production and continues to create the spirit of well-being and generosity of the season.

A large cast of 18 Burlingame residents, including three children, aptly perform the story with comedy and pathos. Doug Benson has created the character of "George” with a unique interpretation, Linda Milliken has captured the sweetness of "Mary” and a dynamic duo of Stephen Hamilton and Ross Bruce has entertainingly become the "superintendent” and "Clarence, the angel without wings.” Ben Benson, a sixth grader at Burlingame Intermediate School plays "young George” and "Petey,” while two sisters – Lindsay Ragsdale and Lanie Ragsdale deftly portray "Janie” and "Zuzu.”

The players will perform 7 p.m. at Il Piccolo Coffeehouse, 1219 Broadway. The performance is free. It will be replayed on Comcast’s Channel 27 at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday nights through December.

Mystery gets a child-like twist

Who ‘dun it one-acts will be performed by Burlingame youth during a presentation of "Mystery Theatre — Kid Style.”

Students enrolled in the after-school enrichment drama classes from Roosevelt, Lincoln and Franklin elementary schools will be performing "Murder at Brantley Manor” by Susan Stepp, "Mystery of the Magical Forest” by Craig Sodaro, and "A Murdered Mystery” by Karl Garner Saturday, Dec. 15.

These suspenseful, comedic one-acts have all the elements of the classic mystery story – could it be the maid, the butler or even the reverend?

They take place in mansions and enchanted forests and "A Murdered Mystery” is a spoof of all the stereotypical mystery stories.

The performances are free and performed at the Parks and Recreation Department’s social hall, 850 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame. Lincoln’s thespians will perform at 12:30 p.m. Roosevelt students take the stage at 2 p.m. and Franklin will solve all the mysteries at 3 p.m.