Costa Mesa Man Stabbed in Burglary; 2 Teens Held

An apparent burglary gone awry left a 25-year-old Costa Mesa man with chest stab wounds and his alleged attackers, two San Diego teens, in custody Sunday on suspicion of assault, robbery and burglary, police said.

Wounds suffered by the victim, whose name was withheld, were described as “not life-threatening.” He was expected to fully recover from the Saturday night attack at his home in the 300 block of Alta Lane, Sgt. Bob Durham said.

The suspects, a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, were being held Sunday without bail at Juvenile Hall. Their names were withheld because of their ages, Durham said.

The suspects apparently were selling candy door-to-door when they found the victim’s home empty and unlocked, Durham said. The pair entered the home and ransacked it, stealing a watch, a cellular phone and a small amount of cash, Durham said.

The victim arrived during the burglary and confronted the suspects, Durham said. The girl fled while the boy, armed with a small knife, scuffled with the victim and allegedly stabbed him, police said.

The victim called police to report the attack, and the suspects were arrested about 15 minutes later in a nearby apartment complex after a resident there reported two young people acting suspicious, Durham said.

The victim was treated at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana and was held overnight for observation.