Suspect held in death of man, 87

A TRANSIENT man was arrested in the death of an elderly Garden Grove man (Shutterstock).

An investigation is underway into the killing of an 87-year-old Garden Grove man on Wednesday night.

According to Detective Sgt. Mark Lord of the GGPD, the suspect is Mario Brancato, 26, a transient. The victim is Chuong Pham.

At 7:29 p.m. on Nov. 2, officers were dispatched to the 9900 block of Central Avenue (west of Brookhurst Street) in reference to a burglary in progress. Arriving officers found a man being restrained by “numerous residents who live in the area.” Officers were led to a home where the victim was found.

Officers and Orange County Fire Authority paramedics tried life-saving measures and the victim was taken to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.

The man that neighbors had restrained was determined to be the suspect. He was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail in Santa Ana. There’s no known connection between the victim and the suspect.

Any witnesses with information about the incident are asked to call Detective Rogers at (714) 741-5413 or the GGPD Investigations at (714) 741-5800