4 Teen-Age Suspects Arrested in Stabbing of 19-Year-Old

Four teen-agers, including three juveniles, were arrested late Tuesday night in connection with the stabbing of a 19-year-old who was dumped along the Santa Ana River this week, police said Wednesday.

“When you consider the young age of the people involved, this is a very unusual occurrence for this community,” Police Lt. John FitzPatrick said.

Ruben Sanchez, 19, remains in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital where he was taken Sunday night with multiple stab wounds. A jogger found Sanchez lying in the brush on the riverbed near the Victoria Street bridge.

Arrested were James Madrid, 18, and three others ages 15, 16 and 17 from Costa Mesa. A fifth teen-ager, Kenneth Louis Surdi, 18, also of Costa Mesa, is still being sought. Police have issued a warrant for him.

Police said Sanchez, of Costa Mesa, is a gang member who was beaten and stabbed on Placentia Avenue near Congress Street by five rival gang members. After the attack, the group reportedly loaded Sanchez into a van, drove to the Santa Ana River and dumped him along the riverbed, FitzPatrick said .

Madrid is being held at Orange County Jail on $500,000 bail. He was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, torture and kidnaping. The other three are being held at Orange County Juvenile Hall.