Police: Newport driver attacks repo men

COSTA MESA — A Newport Beach man on Monday drove into a pole after attacking two men trying to repossess his car, police said.

Joshua Roy Delbert, 32, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after being released from Hoag Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries related to his failed escape, police said.

Authorities said two repo men driving a tow truck followed Delbert to the Jiffy Lube on Newport Boulevard and Victoria Street about 8 a.m. after spotting him on the road.

The men were trying to repossess the late-model Chevy Impala Delbert was driving that was due back at a car rental business, said Sgt. Patrick Wessel.

Delbert hit one of the men with a cane, then jumped in the car and drove off, driving over the second man’s leg before crossing the street and slamming into a pole, police said.

Delbert was arrested at the scene. The victims were treated at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana.

— Joseph Serna