Concrete hurler suspect held

A homeless man was arrested Thursday on an attempted homicide charge after allegedly throwing a chunk of concrete at a passing vehicle in Garden Grove.

According to Sgt. Juan Centeno of the GGPD, the incident took place around 11:30 a.m. on Brookhurst Street south of Chapman Avenue. Officers responded to a report of a man throwing items at passing vehicles.

The suspect – identified as Lonnie Johnson, 30, a transient living in the Garden Grove area – had been standing in the center median on Brookhurst. The victim was driving south in the left lane at about 40 miles an hour when a 13-pound piece of broken concrete was hurled at his vehicle.

It struck the windshield, breaking it, and hit the driver on his right shoulder. The victim pulled over and gave chase on foot. He pointed out to police where the suspect had run.

Officers found the suspect hiding near a home. He was identified by the victim and subsequently arrested and booked into Orange County Jail.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the GGPD at (714) 741-5872.