Off-duty detective helps detain thief

Irvine police are crediting an off-duty Newport Beach police detective with helping nab a man trying to steal a case of beer from a grocery store there on Wednesday.

Police said Detective Bob Watts saw Ryan William Prince, 24, wrestling with a Pavilions grocery store security guard who caught him leaving without paying for the alcohol.

About 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Prince, who’s described as a 6-foot-5, 250 pound Tustin resident, walked into the Pavilions grocery store on Portola Parkway and grabbed a case of beer and walked out without paying, said Irvine police Lt. John Hare. A security guard confronted him outside about the beer, and when Prince wouldn’t cooperate, the two got in a scuffle, Hare said.

Watts stepped in and helped get Prince into custody. The guard suffered some scrapes and bruises.

Prince was arrested on suspicion of robbery and is being held in Orange County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned today.

— Joseph Serna