Rock thrown into home makes people sick

By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ and CLAUDIA KOERNERTHE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER The Orange County Register

LAGUNA BEACH — A masked man threw a rock through the window of a home early Friday morning, forcing police to evacuate the area after several residents reported getting sick because of a chemical reaction.

Police believe a chemical was somehow thrown along with the rock. The substance has continued to bother residents and investigators hours after the incident took place.

A hazmat unit has been called to help clear the noxious chemical from the area, and the sheriff's bomb squad was called to investigate a device found inside, authorities said. Investigators believe a couple in their 20s was targeted in the attack, and are investigating leads as to who is behind it.

Officers with the Laguna Beach Police Department were notified of the incident at 2:47 a.m., when a woman called 911 and said a man wearing dark clothing and a mask threw a rock through the window of their home, said Lt. Jason Kravetz.

The woman's husband chased the man, but was unable to catch up to him, he said.

Officers arrived at the 400 block of Cypress and were investigating. On the couple's garage door, officers also found graffiti scrawled on the pavement.

The graffiti read "Stalk someone else" in large letters.

Then while speaking to the couple, Kravetz said, everyone inside the home became ill.

"Everyone started getting sick," he said.

Witnesses and the officers were experiencing watery eyes, a runny nose and sore throat.

"It was happening so quickly, it had something to do with the rock," he said.

Fire officials were called and the rock was removed.

'Started up again'
Authorities believe a plastic bag carrying an unknown chemical was tossed in or attached to the rock. An unknown device is believed to have also been tossed inside.

But hours after the incident took place, similar symptoms began to be felt by residents at about 9 a.m., Kravetz said.

"It seemed to have dissipated, and now it started up again," he said.

Officers have evacuated the apartment complex where the incident took place, he said. Surrounding buildings have also been cleared.

A hazmat unit has been called, he said. Authorities have also called an ambulance and the bomb squad as a precaution to investigate the unknown device found inside the apartment.

The couple, who was not identified by authorities, received basic first aid at the scene. No one has been hospitalized, he said.

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