2 arrested after separate scraps with Costa Mesa police

A man and a woman were arrested after separate clashes with Costa Mesa police Wednesday, according to authorities.

In the first case, officers responded to a crash near the intersection of Orange Avenue and 19th Street around 9:30 a.m., Costa Mesa police Sgt. Mike Manson said.

A man had jumped out of his car while it was still running, and the vehicle crashed into a home’s gate and another car, causing minor damage, police said.

Police believe the man was high on methamphetamine. He reportedly told them he jumped out of the car because he thought people were stabbing him in the back, Manson said.

According to police, he began struggling with officers and was eventually restrained and arrested on suspicion of battery on a peace officer and driving under the influence of drugs, Manson said. No one was hurt in the altercation, police said.

Authorities identified the suspect as Gregorio Hernandez, 37, of Costa Mesa. He was booked into Orange County Jail with bail set at $20,000, according to Sheriff’s Department records.

In the second case, police stopped a woman who was riding her bike in the middle of the road around 8 p.m. near the intersection of 19th Street and Placentia Avenue, Manson said.

Police allege that the woman tried to walk away from them, and when they stopped her, she attacked, Manson said.

“One of our officers got punched in the face, but he’s uninjured,” Manson said.

Officers restrained the woman and took her into custody, according to police.

Police identified her as Melissa Herrera, a 40-year-old transient who was living in Costa Mesa.

She was taken to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach for physical evaluation and was later booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, Manson said. Her bail amount wasn’t immediately available.

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Jeremiah Dobruck, jeremiah.dobruck2@latimes.com

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck