COSTA MESA : L.A. Man Charged in Student’s Murder

A Los Angeles man was charged Friday with murdering a 24-year-old student who was found dead in his car last week.

Police in El Monte arrested Chung Chung Kao, 31, on Wednesday without incident after he was named in a warrant for the murder of Chung (Kevin) Long Lu, said Costa Mesa Police Capt. Tom Lazar.

Lu, of Costa Mesa, was described by police investigators as “an innocent bystander.”

He was discovered dead Dec. 2 in his car in a parking lot at 688 W. Baker St. He had been shot in the head.

Homicide investigators were still looking for a 20-year-old Irvine man, Chung Yen Yin, who they believe participated in the murder, Lazar said.

There is no known motive for the shooting, police said.

Yin is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing about 130 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes, Lazar said.

Police said Yin should be considered armed and dangerous. They recommended that he not be approached.

Yin may be driving a 1988 white Nissan Maxima, with California license 2LDS376, Lazar said.

Lazar would not elaborate on what evidence investigators had that connected the two suspects to the death of the Orange Coast College student.

He said both suspects “may be involved in gangs.” He said the suspects and Lu were not connected.

“He did not know these people,” Lazar said. Lu was waiting to pick up his girlfriend, who worked nearby.

“He was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Lazar said.

Kao’s arraignment was postponed to next Friday.

He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Police asked anyone with information about Yin to call (714) 754-5255.