BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY:Costa Mesa man arrested with counterfeit bills

Police arrest man, find counterfeit bills

A Costa Mesa man was arrested and booked into the city’s jail Tuesday after he was found with more than $400 in counterfeit bills, according to police.

Costa Mesa police called the Secret Service after officers on a routine patrol just after midnight Tuesday at the Camden Martinique apartments in the 2800 block of Pinecreek Drive allegedly found Saul Dimla, 28, with the counterfeit money, Sgt. Marty Carver said. Police said he appeared suspicious, Carver said.

Officers determined Dimla was on probation for a drug violation, Carver said. Police searched Dimla, finding $460 in counterfeit $20 bills, Carver said.

Dimla told police he had made the bills on a color copier, Carver said. Dimla was also taken to jail on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs, Carver said.

The Secret Service investigates crimes related to counterfeit money, Carver said. Dimla’s bail was set at $20,000.

Newport man appears in court in assault case

A Newport Beach man was arraigned Tuesday on suspicion of beating up a Newport business owner after he did not give him a job, officials said.

Farhad Mossawat, 32, came to the Sun N Fun, 305 Main St., Sunday evening to check the status of an application he had made a few days prior, Newport Beach Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

When he was turned down, Mossawat punched and kicked the business owner, Sailor said.

The businessman had cuts to the nose and lip, and bruises on his face and back, Sailor said.

The business owner was treated at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

Mossawat was arrested on suspicion of battery causing serious bodily injury, Sailor said.

He is being held at the Orange County jail on $25,000 bail. He is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Nov. 30, according to prosecutors.