Machete-wielding man, 19, is arrested near South Coast Plaza

A 19-year-old man was behind bars Monday in Costa Mesa after allegedly threatening another man with a machete.

Police arrested Robert Hopkins Jr., 19, on Sunday night on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. He allegedly brandished a machete at another man during an argument in the parking lot at South Coast Plaza.

The victim, who called 911 to report the incident, has not been found.

There was no allegation that Hopkins had stabbed the victim with the machete, said Lt. Bryan Glass of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

Police found Hopkins by the Regency South Coast Village Theatre and recovered the machete from under a seat at the theater.

Hopkins was being held on $25,000 bail at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana. Glass said the investigation was ongoing.

-- Abby Sewell

Photo: A machete recovered by Costa Mesa police. Credit:  Costa Mesa Police Department

Comments

[Phil, Ohio]

How the heck did he get into a theater with a machete in the first place?

[The Brakeman]

I hope this incident doesn't scare off people from seeing the Atlas Shrugged Film that opens on 4/15. The Regency South Coast Village Theatre is one of only a handful of theaters in Southern California who will be showing the movie for its initial limited release. I was just down there last week to inquire about tickets. I've never felt in danger in that area so this is just one of those bizarre flukes.