Nevada man arrested in bee-snatching case

Newport Beach police detained a Las Vegas area man Wednesday on suspicion of taking a large stuffed bee from a Laguna Beach store.

Sebastian Montes, 21, of Henderson, Nev., was arrested on suspicion of petty theft.

The theft was reported at 11:47 a.m. at the Don’t Worry Be Happy Foundation store, 1042 N. Coast Hwy., which donates part of its proceeds to cancer groups, said Laguna Beach Police Lt. Jason Kravetz.

Police searched for three men and a woman who allegedly jumped out of a car and took the bee, he said.

Newport Beach police spotted the suspected car in the parking lot in front of a Baja Fresh Mexican Grill in Corona del Mar and detained three men, including Montes, and one womanuntil Laguna officers arrived.

Montes, who has been released, was filmed stealing the bee, according to police.

The bee, which is part of the store’s advertising, was recovered in the vehicle’s back seat. Its value was unknown.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30