Transient seeking warmth finds O.C. jail cell instead

Costa Mesa police arrested a man after residents complained he was breaking into homes, but investigators suspect he was a transient seeking only shelter.

Preston Woods, 25, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and prowling on others’ property and is in custody in Orange County jail, police said.

Police were alerted to a suspicious man who entered at least three homes starting about 4:30 a.m. Thursday, Lt. Paul Dondero said. Homeowners scared him off, Dondero said.

When police spotted the man in the 2500 block of Cornerstone Place, Woods said he was homeless and looking for food and a warm place, police said. He did not evade police and was arrested without incident, officials said.

Police say it doesn’t appear Woods stole anything and that he entered only through unlocked doors, Dondero said.

— Joseph Serna