Suspect to be charged in attack on patient

A Costa Mesa man who allegedly tried to smother a sleeping 91-year-old patient in his bed at a local convalescent hospital is expected to be charged today with attempted murder.

Joshua Matthew Drougas, 18, was arrested late Sunday after the nursing staff heard the patient’s cries for help and found Drougas in his room. The patient at Mesa Verde Convalescent Hospital had no apparent connection to his alleged assailant, authorities said Monday.

“We’re looking into the bizarre nature of the crime at this point,” Costa Mesa police Det. Sgt. Bob Phillips said. “His motives are still under investigation.”

The victim’s wife, Shawn Mastos, of Newport Beach, said by phone Monday she was just glad her husband was safe.

“He’s fine — he just got scared,” she said. “Thank God he was strong enough and alert enough to fight [him] off. I kind of feel sorry for whoever this was.”

Drougas apparently lives down the street from the convalescent hospital. His neighbors said they recognized a photo of him, but had not spoken to him. Police said Drougas works at Peet’s Coffee & Tea in Costa Mesa, where employees declined to talk about him Monday.

Drougas entered the hospital at 661 Center St. through an unlocked door Sunday night and did not sign his name into visitor records, Phillips said. After responding to the patient’s call for help and finding the unauthorized visitor, the staff escorted Drougas — who appeared “confused” — from the room and called 911, according to a hospital news release.

When police arrived at 11:19 p.m., the victim and staff told them that Drougas had attempted to smother the victim with a pillow as he slept, Phillips said. The victim escaped the attack unhurt, he added.

Drougas entered through a door for staff and late-night deliveries, said Tom Skiba, administrator for the hospital. Late at night it is also the door for visitors, who are never an unusual sight because patients on a hospice program have flexibility in visiting times, he said.

The hospital will evaluate its security protocols but it blames the intruder rather than its practices, Skiba said.

“In 35 years, nothing like this has ever occurred,” he said. “It’s very unusual. Staff reacted very quickly and appropriately.”

Drougas was booked into Costa Mesa Jail early Monday on suspicion of attempted murder and assault on a dependant adult. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending arraignment on Orange County Superior Court.