LOS ANGELES, CA – A 55-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested in Big Bear Lake after a hotel guest reportedly discovered a stranger inside his room, leading deputies to a confrontation that ended with the suspect taken into custody, authorities said.
The incident happened Sept. 25 in the 200 block of Starvation Flats Road, after deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were called to the hotel following a report of a disturbance.
According to information released about the investigation, the hotel guest entered his room and encountered a man he did not recognize inside. The guest immediately left the room and called 911.
Deputies arriving at the property found the man near the hotel room door.
Investigators identified the suspect as David Finucane, 55, of Los Angeles.
Suspect allegedly refused to leave hotel room
When deputies encountered Finucane, he reportedly went back inside the hotel room and locked the door.
Deputies attempted to negotiate with him and asked him to surrender, but authorities said he refused to open the door.
While deputies were outside, they reportedly heard sounds coming from inside the room consistent with someone going through the victim’s belongings.
The Sheriff’s Department eventually forced its way into the room.
Authorities said Finucane continued refusing to cooperate and resisted efforts to take him into custody before deputies were able to arrest him.
The Big Bear Sheriff’s Station provides law-enforcement services to the City of Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas. The station is located at 477 Summit Boulevard and lists its non-emergency contact number as 909-866-0100.
Investigators find possible additional theft evidence
The investigation did not end with the hotel-room arrest.
According to authorities, investigators later located a vehicle near the hotel with its passenger door open. The vehicle appeared to have been ransacked.
During the arrest, Finucane was also reportedly wearing two watches, which investigators suspected had been stolen.
Those findings led detectives to believe the incident may have involved more than the reported hotel-room entry.
Investigators suspect Finucane may have burglarized additional vehicles before entering the hotel room, although the investigation remains ongoing.
The available information does not establish that every item recovered or every vehicle examined was definitively connected to Finucane. Detectives are continuing to determine what property may have been taken and whether additional victims were involved.
Arrest includes trespassing, theft and resisting
Finucane was arrested on allegations including trespassing, theft and resisting arrest, according to the reported investigation.
An arrest is not a conviction, and the allegations remain subject to the criminal court process.
California law separately establishes offenses involving unlawful entry and remaining on another person’s property, with the specific circumstances determining what criminal statute may apply. The state’s Penal Code contains numerous provisions governing property crimes and trespass.
If the case proceeds through court, prosecutors would determine what charges, if any, are formally filed after reviewing the evidence.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s press-release center provides public information about investigations handled by the department and its various patrol stations.
Investigation remains active
Authorities have not released information indicating that anyone was physically injured during the hotel-room incident.
Investigators are continuing to examine the suspected vehicle break-ins and the property reportedly found in connection with the arrest. It remains unclear whether additional charges could follow as detectives review the evidence.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station at 909-866-0100. Anonymous information can also be submitted through the department’s tip channels.
The Big Bear Station is part of the Sheriff’s Valley/Mountain Patrol Bureau and is responsible for law-enforcement and public-safety services in Big Bear Lake and surrounding unincorporated communities.
The investigation remains ongoing.
