A wrong-way driver was arrested after he allegedly ran over a police officer’s foot with his car while forcing his way into a Palisades Fire evacuation area.

On Jan. 13, Walter William Larkins, 37, a Malibu resident, was reportedly driving on the wrong side of the road on Ocean Avenue heading toward Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica at around 6:45 a.m.

Larkins, who was driving a green Toyota Highlander, was reportedly seen following National Guard vehicles toward an area that was closed to traffic and open to emergency vehicles only, police said.

A Santa Monica officer motioned for Larkins to stop, but he ignored the request and continued driving through the checkpoint area, running over the officer’s foot as he fled, police said.

The officer was transported to the hospital with a “soft tissue injury,” officials said.

Other officers were alerted of the breach and the suspect was located through a network of flock cameras (license plate readers).

Police eventually spotted Larkins on the 2200 Block of Pico Boulevard and pulled him over. He was arrested for felony hit-and-run and several vehicle code violations. 

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Investigator Raleigh at Evan.Raleigh@santamonica.gov.

The public can also call Santa Monica police’s non-emergency dispatch line at 310-458- 8491 or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.

A 55-year-old Ventura County man out of jail after being arrested for alleged lewd acts inside a high school girls’ locker room and authorities believe there may be additional victims, officials announced Wednesday.  

The Jan. 13 incident unfolded at Newbury Park High School after the victim, only identified as a 15-year-old female student and resident of Thousand Oaks, reported that an unidentified man had been inside the girls’ locker room and performed an unspecified “lewd act in her presence,” a news release from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office stated. 

The sheriff’s office’s East County Sexual Assault Unit launched at the school, located at 456 Reino Road in Newbury Park, along with school administrators.  

“Sheriff’s investigators were able to identify the suspect, James Arthur Silver,” authorities said. “Silver was later located and arrested for Lewd Conduct.” 

It is unclear how the 55-year-old was able to access the girls’ locker room, whether he might be employed by the school, has a child that attends the school or trespassed onto the campus.

Silver was booked into the Ventura County East Sheriff’s Jail and later released. He is due to appear in court in March, officials said.  

Due to the nature of this investigation, detectives believe there may be additional victims or witnesses and encourage anyone with information to contact the Sheriff’s East County Sexual Assault Unit Sergeant Ray Dominguez at 805-371-8392.  

Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.  

As Los Angeles County grapples with deadly wildfires, Orange County restaurants are lending a helping hand.

Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar, Provisions Deli and Bottle Shop and Chapman Crafted Beer in Orange will host all-day fundraisers on Thursday with 100% of proceeds benefitting the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and the American Red Cross, according to the Orange County Register.

“These funds will go directly toward equipping firefighters on the frontlines and supporting those who have been displaced or affected by the wildfires. Together, we can make a difference for our neighbors in L.A.,” the participating restaurants said on Instagram.

Diners are encouraged to make a reservation to dine at Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar. Provisions Deli and Bottle Shop and Chapman Crafted Beer welcome walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thursday’s efforts follow a county-wide effort on Tuesday, during which more than 80 restaurants pledged to donate 20% of dining proceeds to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in support of their fire relief efforts.

Over 100,000 L.A. County residents have been displaced by the wildfires, which first ignited on Jan. 7. The wildfires have since destroyed neighborhoods in the Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, Altadena, and Sylmar area, and 25 people have died.

As of Wednesday morning, the Palisades Fire is 19% contained, and the Eaton Fire is 45% contained.