IRVINE – A man known for selling flying, flashing toys that have prompted UFO reports was arrested for a more earthbound problem: allegedly faking torn trousers.

Gaylon Linn Murphy, 52, of Irvine, was arrested on Thursday for investigation of attempted grand theft, according to an Irvine police statement released Friday.

Murphy had been trying to get a local restaurant called Houston's to reimburse him, claiming he had damaged his designer pants in a fall in the restroom, police said.

Murphy claimed the trousers were part of a suit valued between $500 and $1,800, police said.

When Houston's manager called a clothing store to verify the value of the pants, he was told that a Home Depot in Irvine had made a similar call because Murphy was trying to get that store to pay for his trousers, police Lt. Rick Handfield said.

The clothing store also said Murphy had requested a letter stating the value of the suit, Handfield said.

Murphy was booked at the Orange County Jail, where he was held Saturday on $20,000 bail, according to inmate information on the Sheriff's Department Web site.

Murphy is known locally for selling radio-controlled toy saucers with flashing lights. Murphy and the toy's creator, Steve Zingali, sell them for $1,000 apiece. Orange County police agencies say nighttime flights of the toys have prompted floods of UFO reports.