Police arrest 3 suspects in assault on woman
Three members of a Costa Mesa street gang were arrested Sunday night on suspicion of assaulting a woman from a rival gang, authorities said.
Costa Mesa police responded to reports at 7 p.m. of a bloodied woman staggering from the Coastline Regional Occupational Program (ROP) campus in the 1000 block of Presidio Square.
Stephanie Martinez, 21, and Jose Leyva, 19, of Costa Mesa, and Luis Astudillo, 26, of Santa Ana, allegedly were drinking with the victim on the campus when an argument broke out between the two women, authorities said.
Martinez, Leyva and Astudillo allegedly beat the 20-year-old woman and then fled. The woman was hit in the face with a beer bottle during the fight, police said.
The victim, who police believe is affiliated with another Costa Mesa street gang, was treated at Western Medical Center in Santa Ana for a broken jaw and tooth, a laceration to her lip, as well as cuts to her face and head. Police did not provide the names of the gangs allegedly involved.
Hours later, at about 11 p.m., officers responded to Victoria Street and Canyon Drive to investigate a hit-and-run crash.
Officers were instructed to be on the lookout for a license-plate number matching a 2005 Nissan four-door sedan.
Shortly after, officers spotted the vehicle near Placentia Avenue and West Wilson Street, where the occupants were pulled over and arrested.
Based on the victim’s description, police believe the car’s occupants were responsible for the assault earlier that day.
Martinez was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence. She is being held without bail on a previous warrant.
Astudillo was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and battery resulting in serious injury. He is being held without bail for violating probation.
Leyva was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and battery resulting in serious injury. His bail amount is set at $25,000.
All of the suspects are being held at Orange County Jail.
Costa Mesa police are continuing to investigate the hit-and-run collision, which could result in additional charges.