Buena Park : 3 Boys Arrested After Chemical Spray Attacks

Three juveniles were arrested by Buena Park police after they sprayed caustic aerosol chemicals in the face of an off-duty police officer and a businessman, police said Tuesday.

The three boys, aged 14, 16 and 17, first approached businessman Mark Messenger in the parking lot of the Buena Park Mall about 8:30 p.m. Monday, Officer Richard McMillen said. Messenger ran from them and called police, McMillen said.

About two minutes later, the same juveniles confronted off-duty Officer Dan Edborg, who was getting into his own vehicle after using a pay telephone at a gas station at Stanton and Orangethorpe avenues, McMillen said.

When the boys sprayed the chemical in his face, Edborg drew his handgun, McMillen said.

The three ran and no shots were fired, he said.

Police found the juveniles’ vehicle in the vicinity and determined that it had been taken in a robbery in Los Angeles County, he said.

The juveniles were apprehended nearby about 30 minutes later, McMillen said. They were turned over to Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies after it was determined that they are from the Compton, Carson and Athens Park areas. Later, they were released to their parents.

McMillen said no motive for the attacks is known. No words were exchanged and nothing was taken from the victims.

Edborg was treated and released at Humana Hospital West Anaheim; Messenger did not require treatment, McMillen said.