Police: Father accused of striking son

A Laguna Beach man was arrested Friday on suspicion of willful cruelty to a child after his son ran into the Pavilions market at 600 N. Coast Hwy. to hide from him, police said, but no charges were filed.

The 12-year-old boy said he ran into the supermarket because his father was hitting him, according to police.

Officers arrived around 9 p.m., around the same time the 46-year-old father got to the store.

The father and son had been at a baseball game at nearby Riddle Field earlier in the day.

According to Lt. Jason Kravetz, the father reported that the boy “acted out” and was disciplined when they arrived home. That’s when the boy fled the house and ran to Pavilions.

Kravetz said the father is accused of striking his son and leaving marks on his body.

— Joanna Clay

Twitter: @joannaclay