Man confronting thieves at Costa Mesa motel attacked with tire iron, police say

COSTA MESA, Calif. (KABC) -- A man who confronted car thieves at a motel parking lot in Costa Mesa was attacked with a tire iron Wednesday morning, according to officials.

Costa Mesa police said the attack happened at the Travelodge in the 1400 block of Bristol Street at about 6 a.m.

A hotel guest, who asked not be identified, said he spotted two men in a black car in the parking lot.

"He ran as fast as he could, jumped in the passenger side and they burned rubber out of the parking lot," he explained.

Officials said they believe the men were attempting to steal tires off a car in the parking lot and the owner of the car spotted the men during the act.

The victim ran out to confront the thieves and that's when police said he was hit several times on the arms and legs with a crowbar or tire iron.

"Guy stumbles into the parking lot, like dazed," the eyewitness described. "It looked like he had a broken arm."

Authorities said the man was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Detectives said the getaway car may have been a black Infiniti G35 with paper plates.

The suspects were described by officials as men in their 30s, one with short hair and the other with a pony tail.

If you have information that could aid detectives in their investigation, you're urged to call the Costa Mesa Police Department at (714) 754-5280.