LA HABRA : Man Charged With Attempted Murder

Police on Monday arrested and charged a 20-year-old La Habra man with attempted murder for allegedly running over his girlfriend twice with a van.

The victim, Juana Guadelupe Romales, 20, was in good condition Monday at UCI Medical Center in Orange with head injuries, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Police say that the accident stemmed from an argument between Romales and Alejandro Chiu Mendez about 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Mendez allegedly left the apartment that the two shared to make a call from a nearby telephone booth. Romales confronted him, accusing him of having an affair with another woman, Police Department spokeswoman Cindy Knapp said.

He again left the house about 6:45 p.m., this time to visit friends. Romales followed him, jumping on the ladder on the rear of his van as he pulled away, Knapp said.

Witnesses reported to police that Romales was thrown from the rear of the van and that Mendez allegedly backed up and ran over her, and then pulled forward, hitting her a second time, Knapp said. Mendez then allegedly got out of the van and looked at the woman before driving away, Knapp said.

Romales was able to walk to a neighboring apartment before she collapsed. She was airlifted to the hospital shortly after 7 p.m.

Mendez, was arrested by police about 9 a.m. Monday. He was charged with one count of attempted murder and is being held in the La Habra jail awaiting a preliminary hearing, Knapp said.