Homeless Man Stabs Woman to Death Outside Corona 99 Cent Store: Police

CORONA, CA - A homeless man is suspected of beating and fatally stabbing a female transient outside a Corona store this week.

Steven Loia, 54, was booked into the Corona Jail on suspicion of murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He's being held without bail.

The attack occurred shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday at the 99 Cent Only outlet in the 700 block of South Main Street, according to Corona police.

Sgt. Paul Mercado said officers were called to the location to investigate reports of an assault on a woman and found the victim, whose name was not released, suffering from major physical trauma, including several stab wounds.

Loia was located nearby and was apparently identified by witnesses as the assailant. The suspect was initially detained for questioning but was ultimately arrested after detectives spoke with witnesses and gathered evidence at the scene, Mercado said.

The victim was taken to Corona Regional Medical Center, where she died a short time later, Mercado said.

– By City News Service / Image from Corona Police Department