Suspect arrested in break-in at Woody’s Wharf

Newport Beach police say they’ve arrested a man who they believe broke into Woody’s Wharf this month but was scared off by a gun-toting manager.

Detectives arrested Seth Henry King, 34, at his Costa Mesa home around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday on suspicion of commercial burglary, said Newport Beach police spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella.

An intruder had wrapped a towel around his hand and punched through a glass window at the Balboa Peninsula restaurant and bar at about 3:40 a.m. Aug. 1, police said. He didn’t realize, however, that manager Bill Gies was inside watching the action on a security camera feed.

Gies, a military veteran, told the Daily Pilot that he pointed a Glock 17 handgun at the intruder and yelled “freeze” before the burglar ran.

Woody’s Wharf gave the Pilot images from that night’s security footage in hopes of identifying the man.

After the photos were published last week, at least two people contacted Newport Beach police, Manzella said.

Detectives made the arrest after consulting with Gies, according to police.

“He was able to pick the person the tipsters identified out of a photo lineup,” Manzella said.

Detectives are finishing some follow-up investigation before sending the case to the Orange County district attorney’s office. The break-in appears to be an isolated incident, police said.

— Daily Pilot reporter Emily Foxhall contributed to this report.