Clerk locks robbery suspect inside Costa Mesa liquor store; Newport man arrested

A 39-year-old Newport Beach man was arrested Sunday after being locked inside a Costa Mesa liquor store by a clerk he is suspected of trying to rob, police said.

Officers responded to Powers Liquor at 1888 Placentia Ave. shortly after 2:30 p.m. after a man reportedly handed the clerk a note demanding money, according to Lt. Greg Scott of the Costa Mesa Police Department. The clerk ran out of the store and locked the man inside, Scott said.

Officers negotiated with the suspect by phone for about an hour before he surrendered, Scott said. No firearm was found at the scene.

The suspect, whose name was not immediately released, was booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of robbery.

DANIEL LANGHORNE is a contributor to Times Community News.