Costa Mesa: Police Shoot Armed Burglary Suspect That Aimed Rifle At Officers

Getty Images File Photo
File Photo by Getty Images

07.13.2022 | 5:00 PM | COSTA MESA – Police shot an armed burglary suspect that aimed a rifle at them, police said.

The shooting occurred at a business in the 2200 block of Newport Boulevard shortly after 5:18 AM when officers responded to a burglary alarm activation, Wednesday morning.

When officers arrived they located a glass door to the business shattered and heard noises, followed by the appearance of a man later identified as 35-year-old Hugo Standley Vargas, formerly of Corona.

Vargas, who was in a lobby area of the business, had a knife and failed failed to drop the weapon when ordered by officers. He then fled further inside the business to an office.

While officers were preparing to approach the office, Vargas suddenly exited with a rifle and began pointing it at officers.

Fearing for their safety, officers discharged their firearms striking Vargas multiple times.

Medics treated Vargas at the scene before rushing him to an area hospital where he was in stable condition and expected to survive.

Police said they later charged Vargas with multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon upon a police officer, commercial burglary, and felon in possession of a firearm.

It was unclear if the rifle was brought to burglarize a business or was found within the business but an investigation is ongoing.

Miles Madison

Miles started reporting breaking news in 2015 and has been providing high-quality news video and timely reports from the Orange County area ever since. Combining his experience as a seasoned photojournalist, radio operator and sleuth, Miles provides unrivaled multimedia news reports.