Man Arrested After Teen Alleges He Was Touched

A 30-year-old man suspected of improperly touching a teenage boy in a movie theater complex was arrested early Friday by police who stopped him on his bicycle, authorities said.

Peter Francis Wagner of Foothill Ranch was arrested on suspicion of committing a lewd or lascivious act against a 15-year-old boy at the Edwards Park Place 10 complex on Michelson Drive and Jamboree Road, said Irvine Police Lt. Tom Hume.

Wearing a white shirt and black pants, the suspect allegedly walked around the inside of the theater close to midnight and stopped at a row of seats occupied by the teen and a group of his friends, Hume said. The suspect apparently asked the teens if they were drinking beer.

The boys said they were not, and the man left.

“We don’t know if he was posing [as a theater employee], but he was sure dressing like one,” Hume said.

The man returned a few moments later, telling the teen to come with him, Hume said. He took the boy into a room and locked the door.

The suspect allegedly touched the teen before he escaped and ran back to his friends. The suspect fled in a car, but the teen and his friends managed to get his license plate number, Hume said.

Wagner was spotted by police riding his bike on Bake Parkway about 3 a.m. and was arrested.

Irvine police are searching for anyone else who might have been similarly accosted.

“What we’re looking for by putting the story out is any other victims,” Hume said. “This is kind of a unique method.”

Anyone with information can call Irvine Police Investigator Kent Hansen at (714) 724-7184.