Man stabbed in a bar fight

A 26-year-old Costa Mesa man is still in the hospital after being stabbed in the abdomen the night before during a confrontation at a bar, police said Monday.

Johnny Pinkerton, 55, of Costa Mesa, was arrested after he and the victim got into a fight about 11:14 p.m. Sunday at Tony’s Place in the 2000 block of Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa Police Sgt. Phil Myers said.

Pinkerton allegedly pinched the bottom of the victim’s girlfriend as she was walking in the bar, and the two men began to argue, Myers said.

During the argument, police believe, Pinkerton stabbed the victim with a folding knife before leaving the bar on foot. Pinkerton, a long-time customer of the bar, was arrested by police a few blocks away.

The victim was taken to a local hospital where he remained Monday.

— Lauren Williams