Costa Mesa man pleads not guilty to shooting out car windows, driving drunk

A Costa Mesa man pleaded not guilty Friday to allegations of shooting out car windows with a BB gun while driving drunk through a neighborhood.

According to court documents, Nicholas French, 21, had a blood-alcohol level of more than twice the legal limit when he was driving a Lincoln Town Car last week near Mission and El Camino drives in Costa Mesa.

Police believe that French vandalized at least 17 cars before he was arrested June 24.

He faces charges of felony vandalism and two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood-alcohol content of over 0.08%, according to court documents.

In 2012, French pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary, receiving stolen property and possession of a concealed weapon, court records show. He was sentenced to two years in state prison.

Prosecutors recommended that French’s bail be set at $50,000.

He is being held in Orange County Jail and is due back in court next week, according to jail records.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck