Man charged in connection with Newport Beach attack pleads not guilty

A Santa Ana man was charged Wednesday with attacking a man in his 60s in Newport Beach.

Steven Soliz, who turns 31 on Thursday, was charged with assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury and inflicting injury on an elder adult, both felonies, as well as a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest. He also faces sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury on the victim.

Soliz was also charged Wednesday for allegedly scuffling with Orange County sheriff’s deputies. In that case he was charged with resisting an executive officer, battery against an officer and assault on a custody officer, all felonies, as well as misdemeanor counts of assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest and battery.

Soliz is accused of attacking a man, who was about 68 or 69, around noon Monday, according to Newport Beach Police Sgt. Steve Oberon. Police responded to reports of an unconscious male on the sidewalk near Pacific Coast Highway and Camino Shores Road. Early investigation suggested a male Newport Beach resident had been punched in the face from behind by another individual who was still in the area. The victim was transported to a local hospital with a laceration for treatment.

It was not clear what provoked the attack, Oberon said. Video evidence was collected, but it will not be released by the Newport Beach Police Department.

Oberon said Soliz appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic.

Soliz pleaded not guilty Wednesday and was next due in court Feb. 29 for a pretrial hearing in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Court records indicate Soliz remains in custody.

Daily Pilot reporter Lilly Nguyen contributed to this report.