Man Charged In Beer Mug Bashing At Covina Sports Bar

COVINA, CA — An altercation at Clancy's Sports Bar on Azusa left one man gravely injured and another behind bars after he allegedly bashed a fellow patron in the head with a beer mug, officials said.

The suspect, Vidal Larios Jr., 40, pleaded not guilty Monday to the felony charge, which includes allegations that he caused great bodily injury to the victim. Larios also has a 2002 conviction for second-degree robbery. He will be due back in court next month to face a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, court records show.

Though, last week, Covina police said two other people, both residents of Baldwin Park, had been arrested along with Larios, only Larios was charged in connection with the attack.

According to Covina Police, both the suspect and the victim played pool just before midnight Sept. 17 at Clancy's Sports Bar at the 900 block of N. Azusa Ave.

After the game the victim went into the men's room, Covina police Sgt. Ray Marquez said. The suspect, accompanied by a woman, then is seen on the security video exiting the bar.

"The victim was struck in the head and was left unconscious in the men's restroom," Marquez said. "The victim sustained a major head injury from the assault."

Jail records show Larios is being held without bail. He is due back in court Oct. 10 in West Covina. he faces up to 19 years in prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Covina Police Photo