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LOCAL : Huntington Beach El Pollo Loco Manager Slain; Ex-Employee Held

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<i> From Times staff and wire service reports</i>

The manager of a Huntington Beach fast-food restaurant was stabbed to death and a former employee today was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Hilario Vaca Arroyo, 21, of Huntington Beach reportedly entered the El Pollo Loco restaurant in the 16000 block on Golden West Street at 10:38 p.m. Thursday and stabbed the manager, Anand Dewan in the chest, Huntington Beach Police Sgt. William Peterson said. Police charged Arroyo also took an undetermined amount of money.

Dewan, 38, of Costa Mesa died shortly after arrival at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center, Peterson said.

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Peterson said witnesses told police they had seen Arroyo in the restaurant shortly before the stabbing. He was arrested at 3 a.m. at his apartment.

A spokesman for Denny’s Inc., which owns El Pollo Loco, said Dewan had worked at the restaurant for about a year. Arroyo stopped working for the restaurant about four months ago, according to police. Arroyo is being held at Huntington Beach City Jail.

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