Arrest made after apparently false report of armed man

Costa Mesa police arrested a Laguna Hills man after he allegedly prompted reports that a person armed with a gun was on the loose near apartments, authorities said Monday afternoon.

A caller reported hearing a man “screaming that someone nearby had a rifle” in the 400 block of Merrimac Way about 8:30 p.m. Friday, Lt. Greg Scott said.

“Believing a possible active shooter incident was underway,” Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach officers responded to the apartment complex, said Scott, adding that help was provided by the Huntington Beach Police Department’s helicopter and canine unit.

A short time later, Troy Usleton, 37, was arrested near Merrimac and Harbor Boulevard and booked on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, Scott said.

No one was injured in the incident, and nobody with a gun was found.

— Jill Cowan

Twitter: @JillCowan