Police: Man tried to sell Ecstasy to minors at Shark Club

COSTA MESA — A man was arrested on suspicion of selling Ecstasy to minors at the Shark Club, police said Tuesday.

Israel Soriano, 26, of Santa Ana, was charged with possession of a controlled substance for sale and child endangerment after his arrest Friday night, said Costa Mesa Police Lt. Bryan Glass.

The Shark Club, 841 Baker St., was hosting an event for teenagers ages 14 to 18 that evening, a local parent said.

Glass confirmed that the event was for minors.

Police believe that the substance was Ecstasy, but a lab will be needed to confirm their suspicion.

Club security spotted the man behaving strangely with suspicious body language with another clubgoer, said Shark Club owner Gregg Hanour.

Security identified Soriano as a regular, and asked him to go outside with them and empty his pockets, Hanour said.

According to Hanour, Soriano kept telling security guards he needed to call his friend before emptying his pockets.

When he did empty his pockets there was a “huge wad” of cash as well as a bag of pills. Security then called the police, Hanour said.

Police allege that Soriano attempted to flee after officers approached him about 11:20 p.m. Friday. Glass also said Soriano was allegedly discovered with pills in his possession.

—Lauren Williams