2 Arrested in Laguna Beach Vandalism Spree

Police have arrested two men, one of whom identified himself as a nephew of television’s Judge Joseph A. Wapner, and are looking for a third on suspicion of shooting out at least 63 windows here last weekend, authorities said Sunday.

Laurence Mitchell Gillan, 19, of Laguna Beach and Joseph Christopher Wapner, 18, of Dana Point were arrested Saturday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit felony vandalism in connection with the early-morning spree Feb. 16, said Sgt. Robert Rahaeuser of the Laguna Beach Police Department.

Rahaeuser said the three suspects roamed the streets in Wapner’s pickup truck and used BB guns to shoot out windows, causing more than $7,000 in damage. Most of the vandalism was done to vehicles, but windows were also broken at two businesses and one residence, he added.

According to Rahaeuser, several of the guns were found at Gillan’s residence in the 400 block of Cress Street, where the arrests were made.

The suspects were found after several citizens who heard about the vandalism in news reports called police with tips, Rahaeuser said.

“The information from those leads ultimately provided detectives with enough information to obtain search warrants,” Rahaeuser said. He added that both suspects admitted they were responsible for the vandalism, but “neither appeared remorseful.”

The crimes are felonies because they involved more than $5,000 in damage, Rahaeuser said. Both suspects were taken to Orange County Jail, where their bail was set at $10,000 each.

Rahaeuser said Wapner told investigators he is a nephew of retired Judge Wapner, who starred for years on “The People’s Court,” a show in which he arbitrated small-claims cases.