COSTA MESA, Calif (March 25, 2021) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) has arrested the robbery suspect who evaded police last week, causing three schools to shelter in place. The suspect, Jose Guadalupe Arce-Dominguez, 31, Costa Mesa, was also arrested for assault with a deadly weapon which occurred a day before the robbery. 

On Thursday, March 18, 2021, at approximately 10:57 a.m., CMPD officers responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call at the 1900 block of Harbor Boulevard.

Officers contacted the victims who reported that earlier that morning when they exited the business into the alleyway, they were laughing as the suspect was passing by on a skateboard. The suspect stopped and confronted the victims and asked what they were laughing at. The suspect opened a folding knife and threatened the victims and then lifted his shirt and exposed a handgun in his waistband. The victims retreated into the business and the suspect fled on his skateboard north on Harbor Boulevard. 

On Friday, March 19, 2021, at approximately 12:10 p.m., CMPD officers responded to a robbery in the 2100 block of Placentia Avenue that had just occurred.

Officers contacted the victim who reported that when she parked her vehicle, the suspect confronted her. He was upset because the victim parked too close to his bicycle. As the driver exited the vehicle, the suspect began to argue with her. The suspect punched the victim knocking her to the ground. As the victim fell to the ground, her cellular phone fell next to her. The suspect grabbed the phone, and fled north on foot jumping a fence into a residential yard.

Responding officer saw the suspect fleeing northbound on foot, chased after him, and a perimeter was set up. Out of an abundance of caution, nearby schools including Estancia High School, Wilson Elementary, and Christian Lutheran School were advised to shelter in place until the perimeter was taken down. The suspect was not located that day. 

On Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at approximately 2:30 p.m., CMPD officers saw a subject riding a skateboard in the area of Newport Boulevard and Vanguard Way. The officers saw he matched the description of the suspect of the assault with a deadly weapon from Thursday. Officers stopped Arce-Dominguez who was in possession of an open beer. He was arrested for an outstanding warrant and transported to the CMPD jail.

While at CMPD, an OC Probation Officer assigned to the department realized Arce-Dominguez had the same tattoo as the suspect from the robbery on Friday. Arce-Dominguez was then booked on both crimes and was transported yesterday to Orange County Jail. 

CMPD is looking for anyone who may have additional information on Arce-Dominguez or concerning these incidents. Witnesses are asked to contact Detective Jon Smith at 714-754-5097 or jsmith@costamesaca.gov, or Detective-Sergeant Jose Morales at 714-754-4933 or jmorales@costamesaca.gov.