Local News in Brief : Tustin : Robbery Suspect Is Arrested at Motel

A man was arrested at a Tustin motel Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of robbing a Costa Mesa motel about two hours before, police said.

A car that reportedly was seen leaving after the 12:10 p.m. holdup at the Comfort Inn was spotted outside the Sixpence Inn by a Tustin patrol officer, police said. A witness had jotted down the license plate of the car, described as a black Datsun 280Z.

Police said a car matching that description has been reported leaving robberies in Anaheim and Buena Park.

Daniel Randolph Wright, 24, of Apple Valley was taken into custody about 2:30 p.m., police said, was booked on suspicion of robbery at the Costa Mesa City Jail. Bail was set at $50,000.

Costa Mesa Police Lt. Leslie Harrison said a man approached the front desk of the inn on Newport Boulevard and asked the clerk to make change for a $100 bill. The man then stuck his hand in his sweat shirt and said, “Give me the money or I’ll blow your head off,” Harrison said.

The robber escaped with the money. Police broadcast the car’s description and license plate number over law enforcement radio channels.

When the car was spotted at the Tustin motel, Costa Mesa police officers were called and Wright was taken into custody, Harrison said.