Costa Mesa burglary suspect returns to crime scene, gets arrested

COSTA MESA, Calif. (KABC) -- An alleged El Pollo Loco burglary suspect was arrested after he returned to the scene of the crime and attempted to order food.

Daniel Lee Warn was caught on surveillance video gaining entry into the Costa Mesa restaurant through the drive-up window and ransacking the cash registers on Wednesday.

Later that day, he was spotted in line wearing the same distinctive hat and clothing.

El Pollo Loco employees called Costa Mesa police, who then arrived and arrested Warn for burglary.

The suspect also entered and ransacked a chiropractic business, DVD store and liquor store between Tuesday and Wednesday. Over the two-night period, Warn allegedly smashed windows with bricks or other similar objects to gain entry. He then ransacked registers, safes, and cash boxes and stole from $100 to $1,000.

Warn had recently been released from prison under local supervision as part of the state realignment. He is being held at the Orange County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.