Newport man faces felony charges

A Newport Beach man who gave a false name to Laguna Beach police pleaded not guilty in Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach on Tuesday to three felony charges, including burglary, according to police and Orange County Superior Court records.

Shahram Rak, 36, faces felony charges of second-degree burglary, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and impersonating another person, according to the Superior Court website.

Officers were first called to the Pavilions grocery store at 600 N. Coast Hwy. at 4:32 p.m. Sunday after store security detained Rak on suspicion of petty theft, Laguna Beach police Sgt. Louise Callus wrote in an email.

Rak, who misidentified himself, had taken about $45 in merchandise, she said.

Once at the Laguna Beach police station, Rak gave the same false name and was eventually released.

But police received a fingerprint scan that identified Rak, according to Callus.

Around the same time, a civilian enforcement officer saw Rak on a trolley and let other officers know, Callus said.

Police arrested Rak at Aliso Beach Park and Coast Highway. He faces charges from another incident.

In March, Rak pleaded guilty to three felony charges related to an incident that occurred Dec. 22, the Superior Court website said.

He pleaded guilty to identity fraud with a prior conviction, obtaining a prescription by fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and second-degree burglary, according to the court’s website.

Rak is identified as a mixed martial arts trainer on the Orange County Sheriff’s Department website.

A pre-trial hearing is set for 9 a.m. Friday. Because of his most recent arrest, he will also have a hearing Friday to determine if he violated the conditions of his probation related to the Dec. 22 conviction.