Transient arrested after another is hit with a brick, police say

A homeless man was arrested in Costa Mesa Thursday morning on suspicion of hitting another person in the face with a brick, according to police.

It’s unclear what started the altercation, but police said two transients had a confrontation at The Lighthouse church about 8:45 a.m. when one of them struck the other with a brick.

The assailant fled, but police searched the area and took a man into custody, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Dan Miles said.

Officers arrested Elvis Perez, 51, a transient from Costa Mesa, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

Perez is being held in Orange County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail, according to sheriff’s department records.

Police did not have information available about the victim or the victim’s injuries, Miles said.

Homeless people frequently gather at The Lighthouse, at 1885 Anaheim Ave., because the church offers help to those in need.