Local News in Brief : Newport Beach : Shot Wounds Victim in Fight With Robber

A Newport Beach man was in stable condition Tuesday after he was shot in the stomach during a struggle with a robber, police said.

David Kazech, 36, was returning to his Oakwood Garden apartment at 2110 16th St. about 9 p.m. Monday when a man approached him from the rear and forced Kazech into his own apartment at knifepoint, Newport Beach Officer Greg Armstrong said.

The robber demanded Kazech’s wallet, but when he found only $10, he ordered the victim to find more in the apartment. Armstrong said Kazech reached into a drawer, withdrew a .38-caliber revolver and the two fought.

“There was a single gunshot to the midsection of the victim as the two were struggling for possession of the gun,” Armstrong said. “It was unknown whose finger was on the trigger.”

Kazech was taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange where he underwent surgery. He was in stable condition Tuesday.

The robber was described as white, 30 to 35 years old, 5 feet, 11 inches tall with light brown hair and a mustache. He was wearing a blue and green long-sleeve plaid shirt and jeans, Armstrong said. The man fled the scene on foot with the $10.