Two men from Costa Mesa suspected in a fatal stabbing in the city that police said they believed was gang-related were behind bars Thursday.
Israel Antonio Valencia, 25, and Christopher Mathew Pena, 18, were arrested Wednesday, according to Roxi Fyad of the Costa Mesa Police Department.
They are accused in the killing of a 22-year-old man, Fyad said. Authorities have not released the victim’s name.
Officers responded to a knife attack in the 1700 block of Placentia Avenue, near 17th Street, at about 11 p.m. Tuesday. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
While investigating the fatal stabbing, police found a 19-year-old man who had been attacked earlier at Placentia Avenue and Shalimar Drive. The second victim, who was taken to a hospital by family members, was believed to have been attacked by the same suspect.
Police suspect the attacks were gang-related.
Anyone who may have helpful information for police on the stabbings was asked to call Detective Ramon Hernandez at 714-754-5097.