VENTURA : Stabbed Man Phones for Aid, Collapses

An Oxnard man was stabbed in the chest at a Ventura convenience store early Sunday, then drove four miles and collapsed while speaking to a telephone operator from a pay phone, where he was found by Ventura police officers after the call was traced, authorities said.

The victim, Steven Vera Osuna, 23, was taken to Ventura County Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. He was in serious condition Sunday, a nursing supervisor said.

A telephone operator reported to Ventura police at 2:28 a.m. that a man had apparently collapsed while speaking to the operator and could be heard moaning at the other end of the line, police said.

Pacific Bell traced the call to a pay phone in front of the Target store in the 4200 block of East Main Street, where police found Osuna, police said.

Detectives later spoke to witnesses who had seen Osuna in a fight at the Stop N Go Market in the 1000 block of East Main Street about 2 a.m. He was stabbed while he was sitting behind the wheel of his car, preparing to leave. Osuna drove east on Main Street until he stopped at the Target store to place his call for help.

Police believe that the attack was gang-related but had made no arrests by Sunday evening, Officer Graham Jeffrey said.