Man pleads not guilty to assault, robbery

A man pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he hit another man with a bottle at Costa Mesa motel and then stole his cell phone, according to authorities.

Jeremy Stanford, 24, of Huntington Beach faces one felony count each of first-degree robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, authorities said.

He is also charged with two misdemeanors: allegedly carrying a switchblade and misrepresenting himself to police.

An undercover officer noticed unusual activity June 20 and detained Stanford, according to Costa Mesa Police Lt. Greg Scott.

Stanford was later arrested after police determined that he allegedly hit a 32-year-old Costa Mesa man in the face with a bottle and stole his cell phone at the New Harbor Inn, 2205 Harbor Blvd.

The victim was taken to Hoag Hospital, where he was treated for a forehead cut and released.

Stanford is being held at the Theo Lacy Facility in lieu of $137,500 bail, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department jail website.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30