Man held in Costa Mesa knife attack

Costa Mesa police said they arrested a man who slashed at another man with a knife during an attempted robbery over the weekend.

Jose Espinoza, 19, of Costa Mesa is suspected of pulling the blade on a 36-year-old man shortly after midnight Saturday in an alley behind apartments in the 700 block of Shalimar Drive and demanding money, according to a Police Department news release.

When the man refused to hand over any cash, Espinoza raised his knife, the release said.

“The victim defensively raised his right arm in a blocking motion, during which Espinoza’s knife struck and cut the victim’s right pinkie finger,” the release said. The cut was minor and the man declined medical attention, police said.

Police said Espinoza fled, but officers found him with a knife and took him into custody in front of nearby apartments.

Espinoza was booked on suspicion of attempted robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and witness intimidation, according to authorities. He is being held in Orange County Jail with bail set at $50,000, police said.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck