The ‘no-vacancy’ sign may have been out at a Costa Mesa La Quinta Inn motel, but a suspicious man still asked a desk clerk for a room.
After being told there was no room at the inn, the room request turned into an armed robbery when the man threatened the desk clerk, was handed about $75 in cash and escaped into the night.
No one was hurt during the robbery, and the desk clerk told police he never saw a firearm but was told by the robber that he was carrying a gun.
The robbery was reported at 10:34 p.m. Thursday at 1515 South Cost Dr., said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Doug Johnson.
The man entered the lobby area and asked the clerk if there were any rooms available but the clerk said all rooms were occupied, Johnson said.
The man then demanded money and indicated he had a gun in his waistband although no weapon was seen, Johnson said. The clerk gave the man $75 in cash before the suspect fled the scene.
The robber was described as Hispanic, in his early 20s, with short dark hair and a thin build, Johnson said. He was seen wearing a short-sleeved maroon shirt and dark jeans.
—Staff and wire reports