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The Latest: Man who scaled cliff to propose later arrested

In this photo provided by Bob Isenberg, Michael Banks is stranded on a ledge some 80 feet off the ground on Morro Rock, a landmark in Morro Bay, Calif., Thursday, April 7, 2016. He had scaled the rock to make an Internet proposal to his girlfriend - who said yes - but then got stuck on a ledge and couldn't get down. A helicopter had to be called, and Morro Bay Fire Department Capt. Todd Gailey was lowered by cable to pluck Banks and take him to safety.(Bob Isenberg via AP)

MORRO BAY, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on a man who scaled a cliff in California to propose (all times local):

11:35 a.m.

Authorities say a man who had to be rescued when he climbed a California cliff to propose to his girlfriend via cellphone was later arrested when he was found to be high on methamphetamine.

Morro Bay Fire Chief Steve Knuckles says that 27-year-old Michael Banks was arrested Thursday afternoon on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine.

Knuckles says Banks climbed to the top of the 600-foot cliff off the Central Coast early Thursday to propose. His girlfriend said yes, but Banks got stuck on the way down.

Rescuers called in a helicopter, and a crew member descended by cable to hoist Banks from the narrow ledge.

Later witnesses say he was acting erratically and he was arrested.

He has been booked into jail and isn’t available for comment.

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Editors: Corrects to reflect that he did not return to cliff.

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