Crime & Safety
Dumpster Fire Suspect Arrested
Newport Beach police nab a Fullerton man in connection with Saturday morning blazes at a Rusty Pelican restaurant and business center.
A man suspected of setting trash bins on fire early Saturday was arrested this morning, Newport Beach police said.
Joshua Adam Giffin, 23, of Fullerton was being held on suspicion of arson after police found him near the scene of several blazes.
At about 3:20 a.m., Newport Beach police found two Dumpsters fully engulfed in flames at the restaurant at 2735 W. Coast Highway. The Newport Beach Fire Department responded and extinguished the fires.
About half an hour later, police discovered another fully engulfed trash dumpster fire at a business complex at 2436 W. Coast Highway. Firefighters extinguished that blaze too.
Newport Beach Fire Department personnel advised police that they had seen a suspicious male at the location of both fires and provided a description.
Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Police said they later found a man matching the description and discovered evidence linking him to both fires. He was arrested.
If anyone has information regarding these fires, please call 949-644-3717.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
