Police: OC Man Used Razor Blade To Carve Name On Girlfriend's Chest
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A 25-year-old man was in custody Friday on suspicion of kidnapping and abusing his girlfriend.
According to the Santa Ana Police Department, Sergio Joaquin Mendoza is accused of assaulting his girlfriend during an argument on Saturday, and preventing her from leaving the room they rented within his grandmother's home.
He is suspected of assaulting his girlfriend throughout the day, and even used a razor blade to carve his name into her chest, officers said.
Police explained Mendoza held his girlfriend against her will inside his vehicle overnight. They slept in various parking lots, where he continued to assault her.
On Monday, she was able to escape from Mendoza's vehicle in the area of Fifth Street and Harbor Boulevard.
An employee of a nearby business called 911, and the victim, who showed signs of abuse and was bleeding, was taken to a hospital for treatment.
A preliminary investigation revealed Mendoza's grandmother and uncle told him to leave the home after they became aware of the abuse; however, the incident was not initially reported to police.
Mendoza was found hiding around 8:45 p.m. Thursday in a relative's garage on Bewley Street.
He was taken into custody on suspicion of kidnapping, domestic violence abuse and making criminal threats.
Mendoza is being held on $100,000 at the Orange County Jail.
Police urged residents who suspect incidents of domestic violence occurring to report the abuse by calling (714) 834-4211.