Motorists were likely caught off guard by police action outside the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Thursday.

Chalk it up to one man's poor foresight.

A man was arrested a stone's throw from the station after he allegedly tried to pass a forged check at a bank practically next door Thursday.

At about 4 p.m., the man reportedly fled the Bank of America branch at the corner of Valencia Boulevard and Citrus Street, sheriff's officials said.

He then ran from the scene in the direction of the Santa Clarita Valley Civic Center, and was reportedly arrested near the Valencia Library.

The library, Sheriff's Station and Newhall Superior Court are all located at the Civic Center.

No further information was available early Thursday evening.