Attempted murder leads to arrest of Costa Mesa men

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- Police arrested two Costa Mesa men early Monday morning

on suspicion of attempted murder after they allegedly beat a man with a

baseball bat in a convenience store parking lot, police said.

Faustino Puga, 42, and Johann Flores, 25, are being held in Costa Mesa

jail in lieu of $250,000 bail after allegedly sending a 29-year-old Costa

Mesa man to the hospital with major head injuries, Costa Mesa Police Lt.

Dale Birney said. Puga and Flores are scheduled for arraignment today.

Birney said officers responded to several calls from witnesses who

reported a fight in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven at 1097 Baker St. When

officers arrived, both suspects and the victim were covered in blood,

Birney said. One of the suspects held a bat, Birney said.

Puga allegedly ignored police orders to freeze and took off running.

He was detained after a brief foot chase, Birney said.

The victim, whose name is not being released, was taken to Hoag

Hospital Presbyterian with major head wounds, Birney said. He was

discharged from Hoag later in the day, a spokesperson said.

A baseball bat is considered a deadly weapon and Birney said police

booked Flores and Puga on the more severe charge of attempted murder

because of the extent of the injuries.

“Any time you get a guy taken to the hospital with massive head

trauma, it crosses the line from assault with a deadly weapon to

attempted murder,” Birney said. “At a point, it becomes obvious that the

intent is more serious.”

If convicted, Flores and Puga face up to 25 years in prison, Birney

said.

Police are not sure why the beating took place but said it was not

gang-related. Detectives are still investigating.

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 lolita.harper@latimes.comf7 .