Man Shot in Head Left in Critical Condition

A Stockton man asleep in a friend’s car was awakened, shot and tossed in a dumpster early Sunday but survived to tell his story to police.

Edwin Recinto, 23, of Stockton, was listed in critical condition at UCI Medical Center. He was shot in the head after two men rousted him from his friend’s Taurus, which was parked at the Franklin Motel at 6950 Beach Boulevard in Buena Park.

The two assailants then threw Recinto in a dumpster at a Costa Mesa industrial complex near Euclid Avenue. The two took off with the car, said Buena Park police Sgt. Henry Dock.

Police arrested two men, identified as Byron Glen George, 43, of San Clemente and Richard Brown, 33, of Huntington Beach.

About 5 a.m. Sunday, Buena Park officer Bob Updike pulled over a silver 1990 Taurus for speeding near the Santa Ana Freeway and Stanton Avenue. When he looked inside the car, he saw two men covered with blood. He searched the car and discovered a small-caliber pistol, according to Dock.

Meanwhile, police in Costa Mesa reported finding Recinto in the dumpster. The victim’s recollection was sketchy, but police say Recinto told them he had been asleep in the parking lot of a hotel when two men attacked him.

Buena Park police would not identify Recinto’s friend.

“We are kind of hoping the guy will call in and report his car stolen,” Dock said.

Recinto was listed in critical condition, house supervisor Liz Cottingham said.