Costa Mesa man suspected of attacking man with rod, chain in motel charged with attempted murder

A Costa Mesa resident faces eight felony charges — including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and first-degree residential burglary — stemming from a Dec. 21 incident in which he allegedly attacked a man with a metal rod and chain.

Costa Mesa Police Department spokeswoman Roxi Fyad said officers were called to a property on the 3200 block of Harbor Boulevard that night at around 8:51 p.m., regarding a possible of assault with a deadly weapon.

In a felony complaint filed Dec. 23 by the Orange County district attorney’s office prosecutors indicated Diaz was facing multiple charges for his role in the incident, along with additional enhancements that could extend his sentence should he be found guilty.

Diaz was charged with one felony account of attempted murder for actions described as unlawful and showing an intent to kill a victim identified only as “Irvin H.” on Dec. 21, according to the complaint. Diaz reportedly assaulted the victim with a metal rod and a chain, earning two additional felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Prosecutors claim the suspect unlawfully entered a motel room inhabited by the victim with the intent to commit the assault which, if successfully tried as a first-degree residential burglary, could mean Diaz would not be eligible for probation, according to California penal code.

Diaz also racked up three more felony charges for allegedly resisting officers and preventing them from performing their duties as officers by law. An eighth felony charge was filed claiming Diaz committed battery against an on-duty police officer, inflicting injury in the process.

A misdemeanor charge of battery against victim “Irvin H.” was also noted in the DA’s complaint. Sentencing enhancements pertaining to attempted premeditated murder, infliction of great bodily injury resulting in a coma or paralysis and personal use of a deadly weapon may also be applied in the case against Diaz.

Further, because the suspect was previously convicted in April 2015 for committing assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, a violent felony crime, he could be eligible for additional jail time, prosecutors stated in the document.

Court records indicate Diaz is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to appear in Orange County Superior Court on Jan. 14 for an arraignment hearing.

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