A 73-year-old man brawled on the street with a mugger who ripped a gold chain from his neck in Santa Ana.
Isidoro Espinosa ended up on the floor as he tussled with the teen on the 400 block of North Minter Street at around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday.
And while he ultimately lost the $1,500 piece of jewelry that had been gifted to him by his ex-wife, his family members are relieved the scrappy senior at least escaped serious injury.
"He was never a boxer but he was raised up to be like that, always like that," his daughter Yesenia Espinosa said. "(He) always fought for what was his, and his family."
However she does admit that she is worried about what could have happened to her father.
"If my dad were even older, he probably would have gotten beat up really bad. I probably wouldn't have him right now," Yesenia said.
His daughter is unhappy that the man, who was working with an accomplice, initially tried to engage her father in a conversation before attacking him.
News
Top news of the day
"He came up to my father and asked if he had a car charger I believe," Yesenia said. "When my dad said no he didn't have one, he went for his necklace."
Santa Ana Police Department investigators are hoping the public will recognize the thief, as well as a second teen, who seemed to be acting as a lookout who fled from the scene.
They are described as being between 16 and 18-years-old, with one wearing a hooded shirt and shorts and the other wearing a baseball cap, T-shirt and dark pants. They escaped west on Civic Center Drive, one on foot the other on a bicycle.
Anyone with information can call detectives at 714-834-4211.
