Man Arrested After Tussle Over Necklace

A hapless mugger, who stole a gold chain from a man on an Oxnard street, lost his booty Sunday in a subsequent fight with the victim and then stuck around pleading for money until he was arrested, police said.

Mario Hurtado, 20, was booked into the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of robbery. His bail was set at $50,000.

The incident began about 11:30 a.m. when Hurtado came up behind 26-year-old Alvaro Hulzar, who was standing in front of his home in the 900 block of South Ventura Road, and yanked a gold chain from Hulzar’s neck, said Police Sgt. Jim Seitz.

When Hulzar turned around, Hurtado allegedly punched him in the face.

But Hulzar fought back and managed to retrieve his gold chain, Seitz said.

After the fight, Hurtado apparently followed Hulzar back to his home and hung around asking for money, police said.

Someone alerted authorities to the incident, and when police officers arrived, the two men were still arguing.

Hurtado saw the two approaching police officers, lay on the ground and was taken into custody without incident, Seitz said.

Hulzar received medical treatment for minor injuries at the scene, and police took Hurtado to the hospital.

“He got his butt kicked,” said Sgt. Bob Thomas. “(He) better get another job.”