Costa Mesa man held on suspicion of...

Costa Mesa man held on suspicion of rape

A 24-year-old Costa Mesa man was arrested Monday on suspicion of

trying to rape a prostitute after she refused to have sex with him a

second time, police said.

Beto Ramirez-Castellon allegedly held the unidentified victim

against her will, tried to force her to engage in sexual activities

she says he did not pay for and ripped a phone out of the wall when

she tried to call the police, Costa Mesa police Lt. Dale Birney said.

Birney said Ramirez-Castellon tells a different story of the

night’s activities, but remains in custody, though the earlier sexual

acts were consensual.

“We obviously can’t dismiss it on the totality of the situation,”

Birney said, referring to the fact the woman is a prostitute. “We

have to take what she says seriously.”

It is a matter of he said, she said, at this point, Birney added.

Ramirez-Castellon will remain in custody while investigators

corroborate evidence and interview the victim and the suspect a

couple of times more to make sure each of their stories stays

consistent, Birney said.

If there appears to be enough probable cause, police will forward

the case to the district attorney, who will then decide whether to

charge the man.

Car accident sends four to hospitals

An afternoon collision in downtown Costa Mesa sent four people to

local hospitals on Monday.

The crash occurred at 1:19 p.m. in the intersection of 19th Street

and Newport Boulevard when a Toyota van and a Jeep collided. The

passenger in the van, who was the most seriously injured, was taken

to Western Medical Center in serious condition. Two of the other

victims were also taken to Western, in stable condition. The fourth

was taken to Hoag Hospital with minor injuries.

Officials aren’t sure which directions the vehicles were traveling

in or who hit whom, said Cpt. Randy Croll of the Costa Mesa Fire

Department.

It was also uncertain whether the severely injured passenger was

wearing his seat belt, Croll said.

“It appeared he was launched forward and appeared to suffer a

spinal cord injury,” Croll said. “Certainly, that type of injury can

be avoided by using a seat belt.”

Traffic in the northbound and southbound directions on Newport

Boulevard and the Costa Mesa Freeway was congested for about an hour

after the accident, Croll said.