Teens to be tried as adults in abuse of elderly woman

Two teens police said are affiliated with a Santa Ana gang will be tried as adults in the attack on and robbery of an 86-year-old woman near a bus stop in Fountain Valley the morning of Oct. 20, the Orange County District Attorney said in a news release.

Eric Damion Luna, 17, and Ivan Bautista, 16, also stole the woman’s purse in the incident on Newhope Street, in which they hit the 4-foot-10, 85-pound victim and knocked her to the ground, police said.

The teens were found hiding about half an hour later in a nearby yard, police said.

The teens are charged with felony counts of robbery and elder abuse. There will also be a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity.

Luna is also charged with one felony count of street terrorism and one misdemeanor count of resisting an officer, and faces up to 16 years and eight months in prison. Bautista faces up to 16 years.

A pre-trial hearing will begin today in Westminster.

— Candice Baker