OC Man Accused of Stabbing Stranger at Discount Store Has Prior Drug Convictions: Officials

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – A Costa Mesa resident with a history of drug-related convictions was charged Wednesday with an unprovoked stabbing attack on a man at a discount store.

Jose Oscar Medina, 34, is charged with battery with serious bodily injury, a felony, and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, with sentence-enhancing allegations of inflicting great bodily injury and the personal use of a knife.

Medina also faces sentencing enhancement allegations related to prior convictions for possession of cocaine with the intent to sell in 2002, unlawful possession of a controlled substance in 2004, unlawful possession of a controlled substance in 2007, unlawful possession of a controlled substance in 2008, and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell in 2011. In the 2011 case, he also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor resisting arrest.

When Medina was arrested, police said he was suspected in two unprovoked stabbings on consecutive days, but he has only been charged in the second alleged attack.

Medina was arrested Monday, a short time after he allegedly twice stabbed a 63-year-old man about 10:30 a.m. at a 99 Cents Only Store at 2180 Harbor Blvd, police said. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Police also alleged that Medina stabbed a 30-year-old man about 8:40 p.m. Sunday in the 1800 block of Park Avenue. The victim sustained stab wounds to his right arm and chest area that were not considered life-threatening, police said.

Medina did not know the men and allegedly stabbed them without provocation, police said.

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--City News Service/Image via CMPD