PERRIS —— The only force with this Star Wars fan was the team of sheriff's deputies who arrested him. James Andrew Crawford, 35, of Sun City was arrested Tuesday for allegedly failing to register as a convicted sex offender after "relocating."

His new abode? It wasn't a sprawling ranch-style house in the country. It wasn't a stylish apartment in the city. It was a tent erected outside a Corona theater.

For two weeks he had camped out —— as had others —— with hopes of being among the first to see the latest "Star Wars" movie, authorities said Thursday. The lengthy wait was for naught, as the arrest and subsequent booking into county jail came two days before the debut of "Star Wars: Episode III —— Revenge of the Sith."

As a convicted sex offender, Crawford is required by law to notify the local police jurisdiction within five days of moving to a new area.

So when he pitched his tent at Edwards 11 Theater in Corona, that became his domicile for more than five days and he was in violation of the law, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Earl Quinata said.

"He'd been living there for two weeks," Quinata said.

Crawford's address is listed as being on Sun City Boulevard in Sun City, according to the Megan's Law database.

Crawford was booked at Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of failing to register as a sex offender, jail records state. He pleaded not guilty Thursday and remained jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Deputies became aware of Crawford recently after someone reported a suspicious vehicle driving around the Sun City area, Quinata said. The car was found to belong to Crawford, a registered sex offender, he added.

A team of deputies at the Perris Sheriff's Station —— which provides police protection in Sun City —— who track registered sex offenders were notified and tried to contact Crawford, Quinata said. The deputies learned that Crawford had not been staying in Sun City, but instead was in the tent in Corona, the sergeant said.

Deputies interviewed other "Star Wars" fans in the Corona line who confirmed Crawford had been there for two weeks, Quinata said.

A meeting was set up by deputies with Crawford, who came to the Perris station where he was arrested, the sergeant said.

Crawford pleaded guilty in Santa Ana on Aug. 26, 1998, to 10 counts of lewd conduct with a minor, said Mark Macaulay, a spokesman for the Orange County district attorney's office.

The counts specify that the victim was either 14 or 15 years old, court records state. The crimes occurred on or about July 19, 1997, according to court documents.

Contact staff writer John Hall at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2628, or jhall@californian.com.