By KRISTY CHU
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Published: May 18, 2010

COSTA MESA – A homeless man was arrested Monday night on suspicion of "beating up (an) ATM," police said.

Police received a call around 9:40 p.m. from a witness who had just used a Wells Fargo ATM kiosk at 1835 Newport Blvd. The witness said a man approached him at the ATM and asked him for money.

When the witness said no, the suspect said he was homeless and began to attack the ATM screen, police said.

A Wells Fargo ATM is out of service, a homeless man was arrested Monday night on suspicion of "beating up (an) ATM," at 1835 Newport Blvd. in Costa Mesa.

"Basically, he was ... jumping up and karate-kicking the ATM screen," Costa Mesa police Sgt. Matt Grimmond said.

Police identified the man as Jason Lee Wills, 29, an out-of-work mutual funds manager. Grimmond said officers found an intoxicated Wills kicking and punching a trash can near the broken ATM. Wills told police that the bank owed him $300 and that he would "keep doing this" until he got his money, Grimmond said.

An ATM repairman told police he had just fixed the screen 20 minutes before and that it costs at least $1,400 to fix it each time, Grimmond said. Police said this is the fourth time this particular ATM had been broken. Grimmond said further investigation would be needed to determine if Wills might have been involved in the other incidents.

Police arrested Wills on suspicion of felony vandalism. Grimmond said Willis also had a warrant for failure to appear on a "do not walk" pedestrian violation.

Court records show Willis was sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years of probation in April after being convicted of battery of a peace officer or emergency personnel and resisting a public officer. He was also convicted of public intoxication in September, according to court records.
Contact the writer: 949-454-7343 or kchu@ocregister.com