Police seek assault suspect

Laguna Beach police are asking for the public’s help in locating a suspect in a vicious assault in downtown Laguna that left a Newport Beach man with a broken jaw early on Sept. 8.

The victim, 39, was found at 1:36 a.m. in the vicinity of Laguna and Ramona Avenues, unconscious and bleeding from the face, after a reportedly unprovoked attack. The assailant punched the victim in the face and then fled on foot, according to a witness. The victim also sustained a head injury and has been released from the hospital, according to police.

Prior to the assault, the suspect and two associates had been turned away from the White House Bar/Restaurant, which was closed. While exiting the restaurant, the suspect and his associates were captured on surveillance video.

The suspect is described as a white man, 230 pounds, six feet tall, with a South African accent.

Anyone with information as to the suspect’s identity should contact Det. Debbie Kelso at (949) 497-0371. Police are also seeking help in identifying the suspect’s associates, who are believed to be witnesses to the assault.