Local News in Brief : Irvine : ‘Flash-Bang’ Grenade Used in Arrest of Teens

Two teen-agers suspected of stealing a car were arrested Thursday. One hid inside his Irvine home and was forced out by a team of police using a “flash-bang” grenade, police said.

Tipped by Los Angeles police, Irvine officers said they found a 1980 Honda Accord in the 4400 block of Walnut Avenue that had been reported stolen Nov. 9 in Hollywood. The suspects--Michael Moser, 19, of Irvine and a 16-year-old boy--came out of the house and drove the car around the block, Irvine Police Sgt. Scott Cabe said. When they returned, Moser was arrested, but the 16-year-old ran into his home and refused to come out, Cabe said.

The department’s SWAT team was called to the house and threw the grenade into the back yard. The grenade produces a loud bang and bright flash that are intended to distract and frighten a barricaded suspect. At the same time, officers forced their way through the front door and arrested the boy, Cabe said.

Moser was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and taken to Orange County Jail. The boy was taken to Juvenile Hall.