Police: Man bribed officer

A San Diego man who police approached outside a Costa Mesa inn could face charges of bribery and lying to authorities after officials said he gave officers a false name and offered them money not to arrest him.

Justin Curry, 27, was arrested outside of the La Quinta Inn, 1515 S. Coast Drive, Sunday morning after he told an officer there he was someone else, who by chance had a warrant out for their arrest, officials said.

About 11:15 a.m., an officer who was investigating an unrelated case at the motel approached Curry and asked for his name, police said. Curry gave the officer a false name, which he later admitted was his brother’s. By chance, officials said, Curry’s brother had a warrant out for his arrest and because the officer thought Curry was who he said he was, he arrested him on the warrant, said Lt. Tom Curtis.

On the way to jail, Curry admitted to the officer that he gave the wrong name, then offered the officer $1,500 to let him go, Curtis said.

“The officer wisely chose to not take him up on his offer,” Curtis said.

Curry’s true identity was later identified and he was booked on suspicion of giving a false name to police to make another liable, and for bribing an officer. He posted bail Monday and a later court date has yet to be set.