Fullerton Man Arrested for Fleeing Police, Stealing Bike

A man who witnesses say spray painted an elementary school wall and stole a bike to evade police was arrested this week, a police official reported.

Erik Bahena, 20, of Fullerton, was arrested on Sunday about 6:30 p.m. for possession of stolen property, according to Kathy Lowe, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Police Department. Officers responded to the area of 13th and West Ocean Front to a report of a man spray painting a wall in the playground at Newport Elementary School.

"The responding officer contacted the suspect, who immediately fled on foot," Lowe said in a released statement. "Three other individuals seen with him walked off, as the officer chased the suspect. All three later were detained by responding officers, but were determined not to be involved."

The Huntington Beach Police Department's air support unit were called in to assist in the search and located Bahena several blocks away on a bike that he had allegedly stolen in his attempt to escape. When police caught up to him, he discarded the bike and continued to run away from officers, Lowe said. He was taken into custody a short time later at 9th Street and West Bay Avenue.

Bahena's bail was set at $20,000.