Suspect tries to grab officer’s gun during arrest, Costa Mesa police say

Costa Mesa police say they arrested a 50-year-old man who tried to grab an officer’s gun during a late-night scuffle in a convenience store.

A report of a man running in and out of traffic while screaming and flailing his arms drew officers to Harbor Boulevard and Baker Street around 12:15 a.m. Sunday, Costa Mesa police Lt. Greg Scott said.

Police said they found the man inside the Circle K and tried to escort him out, but he became combative, prompting officers to take him to the ground, Scott said.

Despite being handcuffed, the man reached for an officer’s gun and unsnapped the holster before police noticed, Scott said.

“The officer removed the suspect’s hand from his firearm,” Scott said.

Police arrested the man on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, resisting an officer and attempting to remove an officer’s firearm.

Scott declined to give the man’s name but said he is a resident of Garden Grove.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck