Judge Wapner Not Related to Suspect
A teenager arrested by Laguna Beach police on suspicion of felony vandalism is not, as the youth had claimed to police, the nephew of television’s Judge Joseph A. Wapner, the judge’s daughter said Monday.
Sarah Wapner of Santa Monica said her family has no relatives in Orange County.
Joseph Christopher Wapner, 18, of Dana Point, was one of two males arrested Saturday on suspicion of shooting out at least 63 windows with BB guns during the early morning hours of Feb. 16.
Wapner, who is a former Laguna Beach High School student, told police after his arrest that he was the nephew of the famed retired judge who starred in television’s “The People’s Court.”
Laguna Beach police say they merely reported the suspect’s claim to be a relative of Judge Wapner, but did not check out his story because it had nothing to do with the case.
Police are also seeking a third suspect in the vandalism spree.
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