Man charged with damaging an apartment with a fire, a shotgun and his bare fists

An unidentified man in his 50s was arrested after SAPD police officers saw him smashing windows on a second floor balcony at the South Coast Springs apartment complex in the 3600 block of S. Bear Street around 6 a.m., according to the O.C. Register.

The SAPD police officers who responded to the incident heard a fire alarm as they approached the building as well as a man screaming and the sound of windows breaking.

The man was ordered to exit the apartment. Fortunately he did so and he was arrested.

Police officers found a shotgun and spent shotgun shells on the floor of the apartment. The police officers were also able to put out a fire involving miscellaneous papers that were on the apartment’s floor.

Then a 10-year-old boy ran to the officers after emerging from the apartment. He was not injured.

Police officers are trying to figure out the relationship, if any, between the man and the boy while also identifying of the pair lived in the apartment.

The suspect was treated for injuries that he reportedly got while he was smashing the windows. The police officers believe that the man was under the influence of an undetermined narcotic.

The suspect was booked and charged with suspicion of child endangerment, discharging a firearm in an occupied dwelling and arson, according to the SAPD.

Anyone with information about this incident can call Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227).