NEWPORT BEACH : Victim in Wayne Attack Halts Intruder

Roger W. Luby, attacked along with John Wayne’s daughter three years ago by intruders at his home, confronted another intruder this week, but tackled him and held him until police arrived.

Police said Luby, 54, overpowered 24-year-old Jeffrey Olson of Fountain Valley on Tuesday night in Luby’s home in the 21000 block of Indian Spring Lane.

Sgt. Andy Gonis said Luby heard his dogs barking furiously about 8:30 p.m. and tiptoed downstairs. He overpowered the intruder after a brief scuffle, and then asked his friend, Pamela Miller, to get his handgun, Gonis said.

Three years ago, Luby, a financier, made national headlines when two men broke into his home, slashed his Achilles’ tendons, and struck the head of his then-girlfriend, Aissa Wayne, against the concrete garage floor several times.

Prosecutors have charged that the attack was linked to a bitter child custody dispute between Wayne and her ex-husband, Dr. Thomas Gionis.

Two weeks ago, the 4th District Court of Appeal upheld an eight-year prison sentence for Jerrel Lee Hintergardt, found guilty in the attack. Gionis, charged with hiring the attackers, faces a second trial. The first ended in mistrial.

Also pending are cases against two other men who have admitted playing a role in the attack.

Police said this week’s intrusion was not related. Olson was arrested on suspicion of burglary and is being held at the Orange County Jail in Santa Ana on $25,000 bail.