Man rescued, arrested after proposal goes awry

Talk about rock star antics.

The man who was rescued from Morro Rock on Thursday after proposing to his girlfriend via the FaceTime mobile app was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs after several reports that he was behaving erratically on the beach later the same day.

Morro Bay State Park ranger Dale Kinney said Michael John Paul Banks, 27, of Fresno, climbed the southern side of the Rock after sunrise to propose to his girlfriend using Facetime. Banks then attempted to climb down the precarious eastern side of the Rock and became stuck.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter was dispatched as well as the Morro Bay fire and police departments, State Parks and Harbor Patrol.

Banks was safely returned to land after 9:30 a.m., with only a few scrapes and a misdemeanor citation for trespassing.

In a news release Friday morning, the city of Morro Bay said Banks will also receive a bill for various costs related to the rescue, including the use of the helicopter.

But the saga continues after that: According to the news release, Banks stayed in the area of the rock after his helicopter rescue in the morning.

Later in the afternoon, the Morro Bay Harbor Department notified the Morro Bay Police Department that someone had complained about Banks acting under the influence.

Police arrived and arrested Banks and transported him to County Jail, where he was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor being under the influence and in possession of a controlled substance. Banks was no longer at the jail as of 11:50 a.m. Friday, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office “Who’s In Custody” website. Morro Bay Deputy City Manager Sam Taylor said police found methamphetamine on Banks.

The news release also revealed some uncertainty over whether Banks’ proposal was accepted.

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 4:08 PM with the headline "Man rescued, arrested after proposal goes awry."