Corona Fire Captain Is Accused of Assault in O.C.

A Corona fire captain accused of brandishing a gun and swerving his car toward two people following a brawl in Costa Mesa may face felony charges, authorities said Thursday.

Vincent Valdivia, 42, of Newport Beach was arrested May 5 on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and drunk driving.

Corona Deputy Fire Chief David Waltemeyer said the captain had been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation and resolution of any criminal charges.

Valdivia was driving home from a bar around 11:30 p.m. May 4 when he became irritated with a slow driver in front of him, Costa Mesa police spokesman Sgt. Martin Carver said.

When the car, occupied by two men whose names were not released, stopped in front of a home near East 20th Street and Santa Ana Avenue, Valdivia got out of his car and verbally provoked the pair, Carver said.

After a brief scuffle, Valdivia left in his car but returned a few minutes later for his missing wristwatch, Carver said.

The captain, Carver said, pointed a gun at the men and demanded the watch. After they found it in the street nearby, Valdivia got back into his vehicle and sped off, punctuating his exit by swerving toward them, Carver said. The two men noted the license plate and called police, he said.

Carver said the captain was arrested shortly thereafter at his home and released on a $50,000 bond.

Authorities said they found a loaded handgun in his car.

Carver said Valdivia could face two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one for his gun and one for his vehicle, in addition to a DUI charge.

Waltemeyer said Valdivia joined the Corona Fire Department in 1988 and became a captain a few years ago.