Trio arrested in bizarre case

-- Stefanie Frith

Six residents were evacuated Saturday from their Promotory Point East

residences in Newport Beach after police heard what sounded like an

explosion while investigating allegations of a death threat.

The explosion turned out to be a firework, police said.

Newport Beach Police arrested Florian Perreaxel Saylor on allegations

that he made death threats to a 19-year-old female dancer from Placentia

whom he hired in the early morning hours.

The dancer and her companion, a 19-year-old man from Signal Hill, were

also arrested on suspicion of operating an escort service without a

permit, authorities said.

The female victim was driven by her friend to Saylor’s home in the 600

block of Promotory Point East to dance, authorities said.

The victim told police that while giving Saylor a massage, he demanded

sex from her. When she refused, he allegedly told her that he was going

to kill her with a shotgun. The woman escaped and called the police.

While officers were taking her statement, they heard an explosion. The

Special Weapons and Tactics Team was brought in and evacuated residents

from nearby homes.

After sunrise, pieces of an exploded firework were found underneath

the balcony of Saylor’s residence, police said.

Police said that no firearms were found inside Saylor’s residence.

Saylor is being held on $10,000 bail, while the woman and her friend

are being held on $200 bail, police said.