Bay Area developer arrested after defying judge and threatening beach visitors

Luke “Lucky Luke” Brugnara, a former San Francisco property developer, was escorted from a federal courtroom after repeatedly interrupting U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Cisneros, who ordered him held in custody while his case proceeds. He is accused of fraudulently obtaining $422,000 from a pandemic-relief program by overstating his company's size and using the money to purchase a home. After missing a February bond hearing, a warrant was issued, and prosecutors allege he evaded authorities by climbing onto a church roof, a story Brugnara contested.

The arrest also ties to a prior incident at Thornton State Beach, where he fenced off six acres he did not fully own and posted signs threatening to shoot trespassers, prompting a 911 call. Police later detained his girlfriend with an unlocked 9mm Glock in the vehicle, and Brugnara faced additional charges of felon-in-possession of a firearm and making threats. During the hearing he sought a $50,000 bond, cited health concerns, and continued to argue his innocence before marshals removed him from the courtroom.