YouTube leaper suspected of high jump into Laguna Beach hotel pool, apparently injuring his feet
Laguna Beach police said they are investigating whether the man who was arrested in October for allegedly trespassing by leaping off of buildings in Laguna and Newport Beach has performed a similar stunt.
Police say a man jumped off a ledge and into the pool shortly after 8:15 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Pacific Edge Hotel, at 647 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna police Sgt. Tim Kleiser said.
“We’re highly confident it’s him, based on the footage we have from the location,” Kleiser said, referring to Laguna Niguel resident Anthony Booth Armer, who was arrested last year in connection with a series of videos showing dives from buildings and cliffs.
A YouTube post shows the man landing on the edge of the pool, falling into the water and then climbing out. He crawls toward a nearby gate. Another person is seen opening the gate for him.
Kleiser said the person who opened the gate was a friend of the jumper, who along with a hotel employee helped the man to a car, Kleiser said. Employees reported the incident to hotel management, police said.
The YouTube post also contains video footage from a camera apparently attached to the man as he jumps into the pool, and photos that reveal the man’s bloodied heel as he lies in a bed with both feet wrapped in bandages.
Police are continuing to examine the video, Kleiser said in a follow-up email.
Hotel management had not immediately returned a call seeking comment Tuesday.
In October, the Orange County district attorney’s office charged Armer with two misdemeanor counts of unauthorized entry into a dwelling and one misdemeanor count of trespassing with intent to interfere with business, the Daily Pilot reported. Charges are related to one incident in Newport and two in Laguna.
Armer’s arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 3, according to the Orange County Superior Court website. He posted $500 bail.
He is accused of climbing over a wall last Sept. 29 to get into the employee-only areas of Laguna Beach’s Surf & Sand Resort before jumping from the fifth floor of the hotel into the pool. Hotel employees reported that incident to Laguna Beach police.
Vincent Tucci, Armer’s attorney as listed on the Orange County Superior Court website, had not immediately returned an email Tuesday seeking comment on the charges.
Twitter: @AldertonBryce
