Man arrested at JWA admits to taking drugs

A man who allegedly took a sheriff deputy’s gun from its holster Friday at John Wayne Airport admitted he had been taking drugs throughout the day leading up to the incident, authorities said Saturday.

Police arrested Leonardo Alvarez, 31, at about 2:48 p.m. Friday within the gate area of the airport after a brief struggle with two sheriff’s deputies. Police said Alvarez approached a deputy from behind and took the gun from his holster, but no shots were fired. One sheriff’s deputy injured his hand during the struggle, officials said.

Authorities said it was an isolated incident and that Alvarez was arrested on suspicion of resisting, obstructing or delaying a police officer and assault and battery on a police officer.

Alvarez, whose occupation is listed as a fisherman in sheriff’s department records, is being held at Orange County Jail in Santa Ana on $150,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday.

—Joseph Serna