Man accused of clubbing another on rooftop

A homeless man from Costa Mesa is scheduled to be in court today after police arrested him for allegedly hitting another transient with a 2-by-4 during a fight over a sleeping spot earlier this week.

Police said Lawrence Alexander Rugley, 29, confronted a 45-year-old homeless man atop the roof of the Costa Mesa pool hall and arcade, Games Plus, 518 W. 19th St.

Rugley told the man that was his sleeping spot, and during the argument Rugley grabbed the thick piece of wood and clubbed the man several times in the back and legs, police said.

The man was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Police arrested Rugley a short time later on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

Rugley pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm in December and was given three years’ formal probation.

— Joseph Serna