POLICE FILES - Aug. 11, 2000

COSTA MESA

* Fairview Road: A man who purchased tools from a vendor at the Orange

County Market Place on Sunday received a counterfeit $10 bill for change.

The unlucky customer discovered the funny money when he tried to purchase

gas and his cash was declined.

* Union Avenue: Someone stole a $200 wagon wheel lawn decoration from

a home in the 2100 block between midnight and 9 a.m. Saturday.

* Harbor Boulevard: A car stereo, cellular phone, pager and five

compact discs were stolen from a car in the National University parking

lot in the 3300 block between 8:15 a.m. and noon. Losses were estimated

at $2,000.

* Bristol Street: A loss-prevention investigator was foiled at the

Baby Gap clothing store at South Coast Plaza on Aug. 4. The investigator

left a digital camera used for nabbing thieves unattended in the store

and later realized it had been stolen.

* Harbor Boulevard: An aspiring home designer stole two pallets of

flooring material from a business in the 2800 block between Saturday and

Sunday. The thief also took all but $2 from the cash register. The total

loss was $932.