Crime Photo

Police officers are seen near the end of Avenida Calafia sometime around midnight in San Clemente. Officers apprehended 23-year-old Ryan Adrig after he fled from them late Tuesday night. Photo: Courtesy of Geoff Glenn

By Eric Heinz 

Orange County Sheriff’s Department apprehended 23-year-old Ryan Adrig at San Clemente State Beach about 1:40 a.m. on Wednesday after he led them on a slow vehicle pursuit through the city and fled on foot into the state park, San Clemente Police Services Chief David Moodie said.

Adrig was found by police sleeping in the back of his vehicle at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday near Richard T. Steed Memorial Park, which is a San Clemente Municipal Code violation.

When he was contacted by police, he jumped into the driver’s seat and fled from deputies from the park, down Avenida Pico and all the way to the end of Avenida Calafia, where he exited the vehicle and ran into the state park.

Police were able to apprehend Adrig after using “mild force,” as he was being uncooperative, Moodie said.

Via videos and photos posted to the Facebook pages “San Clemente Life” and “Crime in San Clemente and Safety Tips,” at least five police cars were seen pursuing Adrig in a blue SUV. An Anaheim Police Department helicopter was in the area at 12:05 a.m., and some people said they could hear a loudspeaker telling people to stay indoors.

California state law permits people to sleep in their car in public areas, but local municipalities are allowed to pass laws to prohibit it. San Clemente has an ordinance that does not allow for it.

Adrig is being held at the Men’s Intake Release Center on $50,000 bail. Anyone with additional information on the case can call OC Crime Stoppers at 1.855.847.6227.