Two held in attack, theft of cellphone

Costa Mesa police last week arrested a 17-year-old girl and a man in his 20s in connection with an attack on a teenager and the theft of his cellphone.

The victim, an 18-year-old Costa Mesa resident, knew the teenage girl but not her partner, according to police.

About 1 a.m. Friday, the victim met the 17-year-old by the pool of an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Fairview Road, police said.

When the victim arrived, the male suspect punched him in the side of the head and pinned him to the ground by his neck, according to the police report.

The man allegedly demanded the victim’s cellphone while the girl stood nearby with a can of pepper spray, acting as if she was ready to use it, police said.

Once they had the cellphone, the alleged attackers left on foot.

There is a history between the girl and the victim, but officers do not know why the accused robbers specifically demanded the phone, Costa Mesa police Det. Sgt. Ed Everett said.

The victim called police, and officers were able to track down the girl near Newport Boulevard and Del Mar Avenue and arrest her Friday, according to police.

New information then led police to TeWinkle Park, where they arrested the second suspect, police said.

Both were taken into custody on suspicion of strong-arm robbery.

The man, identified as Justin Lockhart of Costa Mesa, was booked at Orange County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Police did not identify the girl because she is a minor. She was booked at Orange County Juvenile Hall.

The victim suffered a small cut to his left arm.

Police ask that anyone with information about the incident call detectives at (714) 754-5205.